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.
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
Capitalizing on two first-half turnovers, talented London racked up its fourth straight shutout with a fifth straight win over previously unbeaten Jonathan Alder. London, OH – Absurd as it might seem in a rivalry pitting state-ranked teams with undefeated records, the consensus was that Jonathan Alder had to play a near-perfect game Friday to come
Senior quarterback Luke Chilicki threw touchdown passes to four different receivers and Olentangy recovered from a 10-7 second quarter deficit to rout Marysville. The senior went 13-for-16 for 263 yards in little over one half. Marysville, OH – In many ways, Luke Chilicki was like a fish out of water when he took the helm
Watterson’s dominant defense limited DeSales to 106 total yards and just four first downs while Jack McCoy scored four touchdowns in the 71st installation of this fierce neighborhood rivalry dating to 1963. Columbus, OH – After capturing a Division III state championship in 2010, the tradition-rich Watterson football program stunningly and inexplicably hit the wall.
Worthington Kilbourne frantically executed a last-minute drive, allowing Erkan Erciyas to hit a long field goal as time expired, giving the Wolves a thrilling 17-14 win at neighborhood rival Dublin Scioto. Dublin, OH – The Battle of Hard Road, pitting Dublin Scioto and Worthington Kilbourne, is a rivalry like few others and Friday’s 34th meeting