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Sports Preview
In week nine of last year, Celina took down a winless Ottawa-Glandorf team 45-28 to pick up its third win.
It is safe to say the 2026 meeting will be a lot bigger.
When the top two Western Buckeye League teams meet Friday night in Ottawa, the top spot in the league is on the line with the winner clinching at least a share of the title. For Celina, a win would put the team in the driver's seat for their first outright title since 1995, while Ottawa-Glandorf's last outright league title came in 2012.
The Bulldogs have used a balanced attack to reach this point, and come into this one after a 42-0 homecoming win over Bath, their third straight game with 40 or more points. Quarterback Jett Warner had two passing touchdowns and added one on the ground with 205 total yards, while lead running back Noah Talmadge had 70 yards on 14 carries with three scores.
Celina's Noah Talmadge (0) will look to help the Bulldogs stay unbeaten and take sole possession of first place in the WBL when they travel to Putnam County to face unbeaten Ottawa-Glandorf.
Ottawa-Glandorf, led by head coach Ben Kaufman, used a late score from quarterback Tanner Vogt to get past Van Wert 38-26 and continue its turnaround from an 0-10 mark last year. Vogt finished the game 17-of-22 for 226 yards and a touchdown through the air, and finished with 112 rushing yards. Running back Oscar Salsburey added 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Cougars.
This game is also a matchup of some of the league's top playmakers. Warner leads the WBL in efficiency rating (177.2) with a 64% completion percentage, 922 yards and 17 touchdowns to just one interception in the air. Vogt had 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns to just one pick while completing 71% of his throws.
Talmadge is third in the WBL with 780 rushing yards, and has found the end zone eight times on the ground. Salsburey is right behind him in yards at 715, with nine touchdowns on 87 carries.
Tight end Caleb Schlater leads the Celina receiving numbers with 18 catches for 336 yards and 6 touchdowns, while Trey Anderson has 15 catches for 275 yards and 3 scores. Dalen Limon's two receiving touchdowns led the team last week, and he was the red zone target for Warner. Deegan Miller leads the way for the Titans with 34 catches and 574 yards with five touchdowns.
For the defenses, it's more good-on-good. Celina's Adam Jacobs leads the WBL in tackles with 92, and has three tackles for loss and two sacks. Teammate Matt Elcher has 69 tackles with six for loss and two sacks to help out the physical front that finished with four sacks against Bath. Zane Boley leads Celina with 10 sacks.
Ottawa-Glandorf's defense sees Riley Trombley lead the way with 63 tackles and 11½ for loss, but the turnovers have been the key for them. Jordan Schumaker has four interceptions and Carson Yaeger has three to take the top two spots in the league, and it's helped the Titans boast a league-high plus-12 turnover margin. The team's 11 picks also leads the league, and they have yet to lose a fumble on the year.
The Titans do have the unwanted lead in penalty yards (557) and are second in penalties (61), while Celina is seventh with 416 yards from 48 penalties.
Even the special team units are tops in the league. Celina kicker Bridon Jeffries is 39-40 on extra-points to lead the league, and is a perfect three-of-three in place kicks with a long of 35 yards.
Larson Krienbrink is second in point-afters with a 33-of-38 mark, and is five-of-six in place kicks with a long of 37. Schumaker is one of three WBL players with a punt return touchdown and has 211 return yards to top the league, while Collier Holstad is second in yards with 98 for Celina.
With both teams leading almost every stat and metric in the WBL, there is no better time for them to meet than this week with everything on the line.
We start this week with a history lesson. Before 2020, a school was not allowed to make changes to their football schedule after October 1 each year. That usually translated to no changes after the halfway point in the regular season.
That all changed after COVID. During that 2020 season, teams often had to cancel at short notice, and their opponents had to scramble to find new matchups. This meant games late in the season had to be rescheduled, so the OHSAA restriction was relaxed.
After it was demonstrated that this could work, teams are now allowed to reschedule games if their opponents cancel late in the season. The reason this occurs these days is that many schools try to play the season with a small number of players. As injuries and losses mount, the enthusiasm to continue the season wanes. Just this year, we have seen teams like Dayton Jefferson, Stivers, Twin Valley South, Mississinawa Valley, Springfield Catholic Central and Lehman cancel some or part of their seasons.
This has an effect on the computer points. For instance, two weeks ago it appeared Minster was locked into a No. 3 seed with an outside chance of dropping to No. 4. Losses to Anna and St. Henry reduced their computer point margin over the rest of the region, and a large upset by Waynesfield-Goshen over North Baltimore reduced the gap even further. When Anna defeated Coldwater and denied Minster some second-level points, Waynesfield-Goshen suddenly looked to be about tied with Minster in the projected final standings.
Those were just normal upset driven results. The projections still showed Minster and Waynesfield-Goshen fighting for the No. 3 seed. But then Lehman canceled their game this week against Riverside. Fortunately for Riverside, Springfield Catholic Central had previously canceled their season, and Cedarville was available. If Riverside defeats Cedarville, the extra computer points they will earn from defeating a 2-6 squad instead of an 0-8 team will vault them into the No. 3 seed in the region. What had been mathematically improbable before is suddenly a reality.
According to Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 computer, the WBL currently has four teams, Celina, Ottawa-Glandorf, Wapakoneta and St. Marys, who are playoff bound. Bath, Kenton and Defiance are out of contention. That leaves Van Wert with a 93% chance to play in the postseason, Elida with a 13% chance and Shawnee with only a 9% chance.
In the MAC, Marion Local, Minster, New Bremen and Coldwater are playoff bound. Technically, the computer says there is a 0.1% chance the Cavaliers could miss out on the postseason, but we will ignore that. Parkway and Delphos St. John's are out of playoff contention. That leaves Fort Recovery with a 99% chance to reach the playoffs, St. Henry with a 97% chance, Versailles with an 88% opportunity and Anna holding on with a 14% chance.
There were no good nail-biters locally last week, but we may see one this Friday. That would be the de facto WBL championship game of Ottawa-Glandorf hosting Celina. The computer thinks Celina is a slightly better team but likes Ottawa-Glandorf's home field advantage. Another good WBL matchup is Van Wert hosting Shawnee. A victory would consolidate Van Wert's playoff invitation, while a loss just about ends Shawnee's postseason hopes.
Going by records, St. Henry hosting Coldwater and Marion Local hosting Minster are the big games in the MAC. However, my eyes are on New Bremen visiting Fort Recovery. The Indians are projected to finish perilously close to the playoff cut line in Region 28, so they could greatly use a victory. New Bremen is already in the playoffs but are riding a three-game losing streak and could greatly use some momentum. Also, a win in this game makes it more likely the Cardinals avoid the Marion Local half of the playoff bracket.
The computer points for the entire state, and especially the regions involving area teams can be found throughout the season at user.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/football.htm
Celina - 1st (19.30)
Copley - 4th (13.91)
Wapakoneta - 5th (10.91)
Tiffin Columbian - 6th (10.25)
St. Marys - 7th (10.08)
Padua Franciscan - 12th (7.47)
Grafton Midview - 13th (7.45)
Shawnee - 15th (5.09)
Defiance - 20th (1.78)
Celina has a decent sized cushion over the rest of the region, which should enable the Bulldogs to retain their No. 1 seed regardless of the outcome of this week's game at Ottawa-Glandorf. The computer has Celina as a 1-point underdog. I anticipate a lot of Celina fans invading Ottawa to negate the Titans' home field advantage.
Wapakoneta is over a 30-point favorite against Elida and Lima Bath. These games should provide just enough computer points to keep the Redskins ranked No. 5, where they would likely host a team with a 5-5 or 4-6 record, such as Maumee or Richfield Revere.
St. Marys is not quite as heavily favored over Kenton and Elida. The Roughriders would gain a similar batch of computer points as Wapakoneta, which should give St. Marys the No. 6 seed, though it is possible Tiffin Columbian will edge them out and drop the Roughriders to No. 7.
Shawnee may still get into the playoffs with a mild upset over Van Wert this Friday. The Indians definitely get in with a huge Week No. 10 upset against Ottawa-Glandorf.
1-7 Defiance is out of contention.
Shelby - 1st (19.83)
Ottawa-Glandorf - 2nd (17.56)
Sandusky Perkins - 4th (14.98)
Van Wert - 10th (6.50)
Medina Buckeye - 11th (6.41)
Marengo Highland - 12th (5.94)
Elida - 16th (4.25)
Kenton - 17th (3.41)
Ottawa-Glandorf earned a first-round bye with a 38-26 win over Van Wert. The long-awaited game against Celina is finally here this week. A win should ensure the Titans a No. 2 seed with an outside shot at the top spot. A loss could drop them to No. 3 if Sandusky Perkins defeats Tiffin Columbian in Week No. 10.
Van Wert is probably playoff bound but needs a win to be certain. The Cougars are favored against Shawnee and Kenton. One win locks up the postseason and a No. 9 or No. 10 seed. Two wins give Van Wert a good shot at a No. 8 seed and a home playoff game. There is a 50% chance Medina Buckeye awaits in the first round.
Elida needs one more win for a 91% chance to make the postseason. However, they are big underdogs at Wapakoneta and St. Marys.
Kenton is in the playoffs with upset victories over St. Marys and Van Wert.
Coldwater - 5th (12.28)
Vermillion - 6th (11.94)
Port Clinton - 7th (11.74)
Genoa Area - 10th (10.88)
North Union - 11th (10.65)
Bath - 17th (3.91)
Four teams have all but secured the first-round playoff byes in this region, so Coldwater would need to upset both St. Henry and Marion Local to break into the top four. One victory likely earns the Cavaliers the No. 6 seed and a home playoff game. Two losses and Coldwater will fall into a group of five teams fighting for spots No. 7 through No. 11. The Cavaliers should keep an eye on the scoreboard for games involving Genoa, Port Clinton, Vermillion and North Union.
Bath is newly out of the playoff hunt.
St. Bernard-Elmwood Place - 9th (10.86)
St. Henry - 10th (10.48)
Madison Plains - 11th (9.98)
Versailles - 12th (9.69)
Anna - 13th (9.34)
Miami Valley Christian - 14th (8.10)
There are only 14 teams still alive to compete for the 12 playoff berths in this region.
St. Henry is now an 18-point favorite over Coldwater. With a win they are locked into the postseason, probably as the No. 9 seed but very close to No. 6. A loss and the Redskins probably make the playoffs and finish No. 12. If they lose, St. Henry's fans should root hard for St. Bernard-Elmwood Place to upset Miami Valley Christian this week.
Versailles is favored over both Parkway and Anna. Two wins and the Tigers finish in a scrum of teams fighting for the No. 6 through No. 10 positions. A loss to Anna and Versailles is probably the No. 12 seed with a 69% chance at the playoffs. Tiger fans also should root hard for St. Bernard-Elmwood Place to upset Miami Valley Christian.
Anna survived their third must-win game and now have two remaining against Delphos St. John's and Versailles. Two wins and the Rockets have a 39% chance at the playoffs. While at first glance you would expect Anna to pass Versailles if they win that Week No. 10 matchup, Versailles is expected to bring in many more second-level points these next two weeks than the Rockets.
Marion Local - 1st (15.41)
Minster - 3rd (10.28)
New Bremen - 8th (5.93)
Fort Recovery - 10th (3.85)
Ridgemont - 12th (1.93)
Manchester - 13th (1.91)
Marion Local probably will have to lose to Minster and Coldwater to drop out of the No. 1 spot and fall to No. 2. Fort Loramie is now 63% likely to be the Flyers' second-round playoff opponent.
Minster is in grave danger of their third loss in a row at Marion Local. The Wildcats are now in danger of falling to the No. 5 seed and losing their first-round bye. This opens up the possibility (however slight) that Minster will host Fort Recovery both to end the regular season and to start the playoffs. The Wildcats would greatly benefit from any wins by Coldwater or Fort Loramie.
New Bremen suffered their third loss in a row but are favored by double digits against Fort Recovery and Parkway. If the Cardinals win both they should earn a No. 6 seed, while if they lose to Fort Recovery they should slip to No. 7. Either way, Fort Recovery is New Bremen's most likely first round playoff opponent.
Fort Recovery is about a two-touchdown underdog against both New Bremen and Minster. The Indians have a 98% chance at the playoffs if they lose both games. Two upset victories would give Fort Recovery the chance to host their opening playoff game.
For more computer point analysis for teams across west central Ohio, listen to my weekly podcast. Search your favorite streaming platform for Bruce Monnin's computer points.
After a three-year hiatus due to the formula-based scheduling of the MAC, Coldwater and St. Henry meet in the 53rd rendition Backyard Battle at the Wally Post Athletic Complex.
While the Redskins have rebounded from an 0-2 start, winning five of the last six games after beating Minster 48-12 last week at Memorial Field, with the lone loss coming against Marion Local, Coldwater has gone 2-2 the last two games, falling to Anna 20-7 and losing lineman Braylon Gerlach to injury.
After losing three turnovers last week, the Cavaliers (plus-2 in turnover ratio) will need extra care as the Redskins are second in the MAC with a plus-5 turnover ratio.
With his interception return touchdown last week against Minster, St. Henry's Drew Langenkamp has now scored touchdowns in four different ways: pick six, via the run, on a reception and a kickoff return score.
Marion Local plays host to Minster in what likely will be the first of two meetings this season as both teams are in Division VII Region 28.
Flyers running back Camden Griesdorn has been efficient with his running this season in scoring 23 touchdowns on 164 carries, or a touchdown every 7.1 carries.
Minster ranks second in the MAC in total offense (322.88 yards/game), but will be facing the toughest defense in Marion, which allows just 186.25 yards per game and 9.13 points per game.
The Wildcats have done well in trying to go for it on third and fourth downs, converting third downs 49.4% of the time and 16.7% on fourth downs this season.
• Fort Recovery wraps up the home schedule with New Bremen. Both teams could use a win to shore up playoff spots. The Indians snapped a three-game skid with a 34-7 win over Parkway while New Bremen has lost three straight after a 42-7 loss to Marion Local last week.
The Indians will need to curtail the New Bremen running game, which enters averaging 177.38 yards per game. New Bremen running back Jacob Kelly stands behind Camden Griesdorn and Drew Langenkamp in the MAC with 84 points scored.
• Versailles heads to Parkway looking to better its chances at securing a Week 11 spot. Parkway's Isaac Beveridge leads the area in receiving with 448 yards and adds five interceptions on defense.
• St. John's travels to Anna. The Blue Jays will look to finish this season with a positive note. Anna linebacker Grant Beckman has 65 tackles and an area-best three fumble recoveries while teammate Ezra Egbert has eight sacks.
• St. Marys hosts Kenton in the annual battle between the WBL's leading running game (St. Marys) against Kenton's passing game. Dyllan Fink became the first WBL back this season to reach 1,000 after his 221-yard effort last Friday at Shawnee.
Drew Langenkamp, RB, St. Henry
Zane Boley, DE, CelinaCelina at Ottawa-Glandorf
Kenton at St. Marys
Defiance at Bath
Wapakoneta at Elida
Shawnee at Van Wert
Coldwater at St. Henry
Minster at Marion Local
Versailles at Parkway
New Bremen at Fort Recovery
St. John's at Anna
| WBL | Overall | |
| Celina | 7-0 | 8-0 |
| Ottawa-Glandorf | 7-0 | 8-0 |
| Wapakoneta | 5-2 | 6-2 |
| St. Marys | 4-3 | 5-3 |
| Van Wert | 3-4 | 4-4 |
| Shawnee | 3-4 | 3-5 |
| Elida | 2-5 | 3-5 |
| Bath | 2-5 | 2-6 |
| Kenton | 2-5 | 2-6 |
| Defiance | 0-7 | 1-7 |
| MAC | Overall | |
| Marion Local | 6-0 | 8-0 |
| St. Henry | 5-1 | 5-3 |
| Minster | 4-2 | 6-2 |
| Coldwater | 4-2 | 6-2 |
| Anna | 4-2 | 5-3 |
| Versailles | 3-3 | 5-3 |
| Fort Recovery | 2-4 | 3-5 |
| New Bremen | 1-5 | 3-5 |
| Parkway | 1-5 | 2-6 |
| St. John's | 0-6 | 1-7 |
