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.
Michael Taylor racked up 188 yards and scored five touchdowns — giving him 13 on the season — as Pickerington North withstood a magnificent performance from Coffman quarterback Amari Valerio-Hudson, who totaled 231 yards on the ground with four TDs. Pickerington, OH – Coach Nate Hillerich and his Pickerington North staff invest a lot of
Ayden McKinstry amassed 190 total yards and scored three touchdowns as Grove City ran its record to 3-0 for the first time since 2001 with a win over defending regional champion Bradley. Hilliard, OH – With all the space-age metrics and advanced scouting techniques used to break down virtually every sport these days, one pivotal
Upper Arlington excelled in the scramble drill all night, as quarterback Kyle Cox tossed a pair of touchdown passes to riddle Olentangy Berlin’s defense. Tight end Drew Parker made two huge plays in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Upper Arlington, OH – With an oddly spontaneous fireworks display suddenly erupting in the horizon
Quarterback Andrew Leonard threw a long touchdown pass and ran for another, while getting ample support from a swarming defense and excellent special teams play to whip its intra-district rival. Lewis Center, OH – The great unknown always surrounds week one of a new high school football season. The picture often remains fuzzy through the
