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.
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Saturday, 18 February 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features, Home Features

Orange Holds Off Late Charge To Edge Liberty

Olentangy Orange’s Nick Champman rises up to try blocking the shot of Olentangy Liberty’s James Hummell in the intra-district rivals' season-ending showdown that left everyone hoping for a third game between the teams in the upcoming post-season tournament. (PressPros Feature Photos by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 11 February 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Defense Lifts Academy Past Worthington Christian

Fast starts to the first and second halves, coupled with cumbersome defense throughout, carried Columbus Academy to a victory at Worthington Christian that positions the Vikings to share the Mid-State League championship. (PressPros Feature Photos by Brian Bayless).
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Saturday, 04 February 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Liberty Edges Bradley In OT, Clinches OCC Central

Olentangy Liberty is reaching enviable heights now that it has 6-8 Tyler Kropp to add an inside dimension to its offense, as he does here over Hilliard Bradley’s David Heath in a matchup the fifth-ranked Patriots survived in overtime. (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 28 January 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Orange Smothers Coffman With Superb Defense

The quick feet of Orange's Elias Lewis get defender Aiden Schmidt off his feet, with Lewis' 14 points leading the way in the No. 5 Pioneers' victory over Dublin Coffman. (PressPros Feature Photo by Sheri Hooley).
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Saturday, 21 January 2023 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features

Royal, Pick Central Grind It Out Over Africentric

Pickerington Central’s Devin Royal, shooting over Africentric’s Preston Steele, asserted himself in the second half against the Nubians and Xavier signee Dailyn Swain to give the defending Division I state champions a hard-fought victory. (Press Pros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).