Champions Collide: Eagles Outshine Center Grove in Marquee Matchup
The Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase continued its thrilling weekend of football as the two-time defending Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state champion, St. Edward Eagles, took on Indiana's three-time defending Class 6A state champion, Center Grove Trojans. The Eagles, ranked 13th nationally by MaxPreps, showcased their might with a decisive 27-10 victory, marking the second win for Ohio schools in the showcase after Massillon's triumph over Valdosta.
The Eagles (1-0) wasted no time asserting their dominance. Their opening drive, a nine-play 80-yard march, was punctuated by a 24-yard touchdown run by senior Josh Groudle. The momentum continued to build in the 2nd Quarter with a 53-yard pass from senior quarterback Casey Bullock to Zach Hackleman, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jacob Robinson. This gave the Eagle’s a 14-0 lead.
Center Grove, despite their pedigree, struggled against the Eagles' formidable defense, which racked up six sacks in the contest. The Trojans' only score in the first half came after capitalizing on a muffed punt by St. Edward, settling for a 30-yard field goal by Kade Matthews. This cut the lead to 14-3 heading into the half.
Behind one of the nation's top offensive lines, which boasts two Ohio State University recruits, Devontae (71) and Deontae Armstrong (79), and University of Michigan commit Ben Roebuck (76), the Eagles' ground game was unstoppable. They amassed four rushing touchdowns, with Groudle leading the charge with 68 yards and two scores on 13 carries. Sophomore Brandon White and Jacob Robinson also found the end zone. Bullock, the Eagles' signal-caller, threw for 140 yards and added another 40 with his legs.
Reflections on the Showcase experience and Expectations for the Season
Reflecting on the victory, Bullock emphasized the significance of the showcase and the team's aspirations. "I think the showcase this past weekend allowed us to play for something bigger than just our school, our state," he said. "Knowing that we had all eyes on us to represent Ohio football was pretty special.”
Bullock also highlighted the team's ambition for the season. "Winning a 3rd straight state championship would mean so much to our team and school since it’s never been done before at St. Ed’s. Having an opportunity to make history at St. Ed’s is another reason we have so much more to play for this year than just ourselves."
Groudle echoed Bullock's sentiments, praising the team's preparation and the legacy of St. Edward football. “To me, winning a state championship would be one of the greatest accomplishments," Groudle noted. "But we can only do it as a team, and that is our team's goal. We aim to win one game at a time, and we believe we can achieve that with the correct execution and preparation that we've put in throughout past seasons and offseasons.”
Looking Ahead: St. Edward's Marquee Matchups
The Eagles' journey this season promises more high-stakes football as they are set to face off against two of the other teams that represented Northeast Ohio in the showcase. In week 5, they will square off against Massillon, a team that handed them their only defeat last season with a close 31-28 victory. As Massillon also showcased their might in the opening weekend, this rematch promises to be a nail-biter.
To close out the regular season, St. Edward will take on Archbishop Hoban. The Eagles dominated their 2022 matchup, winning 41-20. However, Hoban, fresh off their impressive victory over Kentucky's 2022 State Champions, the Frederick Douglass Broncos, in the showcase, will be eager to settle the score.
The Eagles now turn their attention to their next challenge, hosting Our Lady of Good Counsel from Maryland on Sunday, Aug. 27, in a game that will be broadcasted on ESPN.
As the dust settles on this weekend's showcase, it's evident that the spirit of competition and the passion for football run deep in Northeast Ohio. With teams like St. Edward setting the bar high, the future of high school football in the region looks brighter than ever.