A seven-time Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association writer of the year, Blackledge spent the final 34 years of a four-decade career as the chief prep beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch. A Delaware, Ohio native, Blackledge graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982 with degrees in journalism and communications. He served as sports editor of the Wilmington News-Journal for three-plus years. He also worked at the Lake County Telegraph and the Delaware Gazette. In addition to the prep beat, Blackledge has covered the Browns, Indians, Reds, Bengals, Columbus Crew and various Ohio State sports.
Top-seeded, undefeated Olentangy Orange needed back-to-back huge defensive plays to thwart a fourth-quarter comeback bid by intra-district rival Olentangy Liberty and set up a much-anticipated regional title matchup with second-seeded Pickerington Central. Lewis Center, OH – For a good chunk of a Division I, Region 3 semifinal Friday night, Olentangy Orange’s defense looked surprisingly vulnerable
Luke Backes and Trent Wolpert connected on a pivotal 35-yard strike in the final minute to set up a dramatic game-winning field goal that sent resilient UA into a regional semifinal matchup against Pickerington Central. Pickerington, OH – At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, Upper Arlington junior Edward Oakley doesn’t exactly fit the prototype of
A 60-yard touchdown connection from Colton Less to Dallen Maxson late in the third quarter was about all the offense Olentangy Berlin needed to come away with another tight win. Next up: A rematch at undefeated, top-seeded Olentangy Orange. Delaware, OH – Since Olentangy Berlin’s doors opened in the fall of 2018, the football team
Ohio University-bound quarterback Levi Davis passed for 216 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 95 yards and two more scores as Orange gained a No. 1 seed and a bye in the Division I, Region 3 playoffs. Powell, OH – Quarterback Levi Davis frequently engages in good-natured banter with outside linebacker Aden Scott about
A 13-play, 99-yard scoring drive at the end of the first half flipped momentum in a big way as Liberty downed Hilliard Davidson 21-7 and set up a Week 10 showdown against unbeaten Olentangy Orange for the OCC Central title. Hilliard, OH – Even after the loss of 31 seniors to graduation from its 2024