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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Wednesday, 02 March 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Stage Set For Anticipated Reynoldsburg-Coffman Battle

Mya Perry of Reynoldsburg (1) battles Gahanna’s Kya Jordan (23) in a regional semifinal that moves Reynoldsburg into a highly-anticipated regional final against once-beaten Dublin Coffman. (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 26 February 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Late Surge Helps Coffman Escape South For Title

After Coffman squandered a big lead to Westerville South, Tara Flynn (20 and the Shamrocks fought back to gain the Sweet 16 for a second straight year. (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 26 February 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Liberty’s Depth Triggers 60-56 Win Over Dublin Coffman

Although Liberty's top players had off-nights shooting, role players like Jackson Mikola (shooting) helped the Patriots claw their way back to a 60-56 win over Dublin Coffman in the Central District (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Friday, 18 February 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Gahanna’s Bigs Too Much To Handle For North

Gahanna’s Maurice Charlton (right) and Pickerington North’s Dior Conners battle underneath, where Gahanna asserted its superiority to pull away from the Panthers late and win the OCC Capital outright (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg)
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Saturday, 12 February 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Davidson Edges Liberty On Last-Second Shot From Nervis

Hilliard Davidson's Peyton Frey got this shot off over Olentangy Liberty’s Jackson Mikola, but at the finish it was a conversion from Jayden Nervis that allowed the Wildcats to win their second game in eight days on a buzzer-beater (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg)