If you spend any time on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood on a Friday night in October, you’ll feel it. It’s a specific kind of energy. It isn’t just about high school kids playing a game; it’s about a machine. Lakewood St. Edward football isn’t just a team. It’s a culture that has basically colonized the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) record books over the last decade. People like to talk about "dynasties," but what the Eagles have built under Tom Lombardo is something else entirely. It’s relentless.
Winning one state title is hard. Winning three in a row? That’s statistically improbable. Yet, that’s exactly what they did, capping off a "three-peat" in Division I recently that left the rest of the state wondering if anyone else is even allowed to hold the trophy anymore. They don't just win; they physically overwhelm opponents.
The Lombardo Era and the Blueprint of Brutality
When Tom Lombardo took over the program in 2015, he wasn't exactly walking into a rebuilding project, but he definitely shifted the gear into overdrive. You have to understand the pressure at a place like St. Ed's. The alumni don't just want winning seasons—they expect December football in Canton. Lombardo, who had already won a title at Highland, brought a cerebral but punishing style of play that fits the "Holy War" rivalry perfectly.
The philosophy is simple: dominate the trenches. While other teams are trying to run fancy spread offenses with seven wide receivers, St. Ed’s is out here rotating 300-pound linemen who move like tight ends. Honestly, their offensive line usually looks better coached than some mid-major college units.
It’s about the "St. Edward Way." That sounds like a cliché, right? Every school has a "Way." But at Ed’s, it’s rooted in this weird mix of Holy Cross brothers’ spirituality and a weight room culture that is genuinely terrifying. They call it "The Brotherhood." It’s not just a hashtag. It’s the reason why a kid who is a three-star recruit plays like a five-star because he’s terrified of letting down the guy standing next to him.
Why the "Private School Advantage" Argument is Tiring
Look, we have to talk about it. Every time Lakewood St. Edward football wins a playoff game by 30 points, the message boards on Yappi and social media explode. "They recruit!" "It's not fair!" "Split the publics and privates!"
Here is the reality that people hate to admit: being a private school doesn't automatically give you a 14-0 record. Plenty of private schools in Ohio have losing seasons every single year. The advantage isn't just "getting kids." The advantage is the infrastructure. It’s the coaching stability. It’s the fact that the school’s community has decided that football is a primary pillar of their identity.
They draw from all over Northeast Ohio—Cuyahoga, Lorain, Medina counties—but you still have to coach them. You still have to convince a teenager to wake up at 5:00 AM in February to lift weights. St. Ed's does that better than anyone. They’ve built a brand that sells itself. If you’re a talented kid in the Cleveland area and you want to play on Saturdays in the Big Ten, you go to Lakewood. Period.
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The Holy War: More Than Just a Game
You cannot discuss St. Edward without mentioning St. Ignatius. It’s the Holy War. It is arguably the greatest high school rivalry in the United States. They play at FirstEnergy Stadium or Byers Field, and it doesn’t matter if one team is having a "down" year. 12,000+ people show up.
In recent years, the tide has shifted. For a long time, Chuck Kyle and the Wildcats were the gold standard. But lately, the Eagles have had the upper hand. It’s a physical, psychological battle. When these two teams meet, the hitting is different. You can hear it from the back row of the stands. It’s a heavy, thudding sound that you don’t get in typical high school games.
Winning the Holy War is often more important to the neighborhood than winning the state title. Almost.
Logistics of Greatness: The Schedule
One reason Lakewood St. Edward football is always prepared for the playoffs is that their regular season is a gauntlet. They don’t play "cupcakes." Their schedule usually looks like a "Who’s Who" of national powerhouses.
- They travel to Indianapolis to play Cathedral.
- They host teams from Florida or Georgia.
- They play the best of the GCL South (Moeller, Elder, St. Xavier).
- They navigate the brutal Greater Cleveland Conference or independent life with no fear.
By the time the OHSAA playoffs start in November, the Eagles have already played four or five teams that are better than anyone they will see until the state semi-finals. They are battle-tested. They don't panic when they're down by a touchdown in the fourth quarter because they've been there against IMG Academy or some other national powerhouse.
Notable Alumni: The Pipeline to the Pros
If you want to see the impact of this program, look at the NFL. Look at the Sunday rosters.
The DeWyer brothers, the offensive line factory, the defensive backs who play with a specific kind of chip on their shoulder.
- Kyle Kalis: A legendary name in the trenches.
- Shaun Crawford: The speedster who went to Notre Dame.
- The offensive linemen: It feels like every year, St. Ed’s sends two or three guys to the MAC or the Big Ten.
It’s not just about the stars, though. It’s the "role players" who end up being high-level executives or community leaders. The school leans heavily into the "Man of Edward" mantra. They want these kids to be tough, sure, but also disciplined.
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The 2024-2025 Shift: Can Anyone Catch Them?
We are currently seeing a shift in the landscape. Massillon Washington finally got their ring in Division II and moved up. Upper Arlington and Olentangy Liberty are trying to represent Central Ohio. But the "Big Three" of the North—St. Ed's, Ignatius, and Glenville (in their respective divisions)—still dominate the conversation.
St. Ed's specifically has mastered the art of "reloading." They lose a 2,000-yard rusher? The junior behind him has been waiting for two years and is somehow faster. They lose a linebacker to Ohio State? There’s a sophomore who’s already 6'2" and runs a 4.6. It’s a conveyor belt of talent.
How to Follow the Eagles Properly
If you're trying to keep up with the team, don't just check the scores on Saturday morning. You've gotta follow the local beat writers. Guys like Matt Goul at Cleveland.com or the local high school sports streamers. The school also has an incredible media department. Their "Eagle Sports Network" (ESN) provides better coverage than some local TV stations.
Attending a game at FirstEnergy Stadium is cool, but if you want the real experience, catch them at a smaller venue where the crowd is right on top of the field. The energy is claustrophobic in the best way possible.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Program
The biggest misconception is that it’s all about the money. While the school has great facilities and a massive donor base, money doesn’t tackle. Money doesn’t run sprints in the rain.
There is a level of self-sacrifice required to play for Lakewood St. Edward football. Kids often give up being "the man" at their local public school to be a "cog in the machine" at Ed’s. They trade 25 carries a game for 10 carries and a championship ring. That requires a specific kind of ego-check that most 17-year-olds aren't willing to do.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players
If you’re a fan or someone looking to understand this program better, here’s how you actually engage with the St. Edward legacy:
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1. Go to the Holy War. Seriously. Even if you aren't an alum. It is one of the "bucket list" sporting events in Ohio. The atmosphere is genuinely electric and rivalries like this are dying in the era of conference realignment.
2. Watch the Linemen. Don't just follow the ball. Watch the St. Edward left tackle. Watch the hand placement, the footwork, and the way they finish blocks. It’s a clinic on how the game should be played at the fundamental level.
3. Support the Local Scene. Northeast Ohio high school football is arguably the best in the country outside of Texas and Florida. The "Ironmen of the North" have a legacy that St. Edward currently leads, but it's a collective culture.
4. Respect the Coaching. If you're a young coach, study Tom Lombardo’s post-game interviews. He rarely talks about himself. It’s always about the "prep" and the "execution." There’s a lesson there in leadership and humility.
The Eagles aren't going anywhere. Whether you love them or hate them, you have to respect the consistency. In a world where everything changes, St. Edward winning on Friday nights remains one of the few constants in Ohio sports.
They’ve built a monster in Lakewood, and honestly? It’s just getting started.