The Daily Standard
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Homecoming and Senior Night on the same evening make for a hectic night for any football team.
But for Celina football, which is chugging along its best performance in 30 years, it makes for a more hectic night in getting ready for the nitty-gritty portion of the season.
The Bulldogs play their final regular season home game at Celina Stadium, with at least one home playoff game likely once the tournament begins in the final week of October, as Bath comes to town to face the Green and White.
While Brennen Bader and his coaching staff will have his team focused for a 2-5 Wildcats squad that enters on a two-game losing skid and has a high-octane offense, Celina fans will have an eye on social media for the scores coming from Titan Stadium in Ottawa as Ottawa-Glandorf, which like Celina is 7-0 and 6-0 in WBL play, hosts Van Wert. Wins by the Bulldogs and Titans sets up a Week Nine league title game next Friday in Putnam County.
The Bulldogs have been putting up offensive numbers all season, adding two straight games of 45 points or better after a 45-21 win over Elida at Kraft Stadium last Friday. Celina's play in clutch situations has been the key to wins, especially the last two games, when Celina scored 35 unanswered points after Kenton tied the game at 14-all en route to a 49-14 win at Robinson Field, then last week scoring 21 straight points after Elida tied the game at 14.
Quarterback Jett Warner has fully engaged in the 6 1/2 games he's taken over signal calling duties after the injury to senior quarterback Parker Wynk. Warner has thrown for 778 yards with 15 touchdowns to just one interception. Caleb Schlater (16 receptions for 257 yards and six touchdowns) and Trey Anderson (232 yards and three scores) have been the go-to guys when Warner passes. The running game has been key. Noah Talmadge is among the WBL leaders with 710 yards and five touchdowns while Warner's ability on the draws and scrambles adds 481 yards and seven TDs.
Celina's Brenner Hinkle (58) and Caleb Schlater (9) have been to keys to the defensive success for the Bulldogs this season. Celina hosts Bath on Homecoming and Senior Night at Celina Stadium.
File photo
But as much as the offense has been doing, it's the defense that has been playing lockdown. Celina ranks third in the WBL in total defense in allowing just 279 yards per game, third in scoring defense in allowing 20.7 points per game and has forced 10 turnovers while holding a turnover ratio of plus-4, tied for third in the WBL.
Adam Jacob leads the WBL with 83 tackles. Matt Eicher adds 64 tackles. Zane Boley has seven sacks with Schlater adding six sacks. The Bulldog defense has also picked off six passes, with three going back for touchdowns. Anderson has two pick-sixes and Charlie Fisher added a pick-six against Kenton.
Bath has been potent on offense, ranking second in the WBL in total offense with 414.3 yards per game, but ranks eighth in team defense in allowing 416 yards per game and last in scoring defense at 37 points per game. Last week, Bath played Ottawa-Glandorf to a scoreless tie in the first half before the Titans came away with a 23-7 win in Ottawa.
The Wildcat offense flows through quarterback Daniel Cole, who has thrown for 1,838 yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 613 yards and four scores. Brothers Isaiah and Josiah Clark have been the go-to receivers, combining for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Defensively, Bath is led by Eli Steed's 64 tackles. Will Mattevi shares the WBL lead with three interceptions.
The Wildcats have struggled with turnovers, committing nine interceptions and four fumbles this season and are minus-4 in turnover ratio.
According to Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 computer, only one new team locked down their postseason invitation this week. Celina, Ottawa-Glandorf and Wapakoneta are still playoff bound from the WBL, as are Marion Local, Minster and New Bremen from the MAC. Coldwater just barely joined the club after defeating Versailles. However, Parkway and Delphos St. John's are newly considered to be out of playoff contention.
We mentioned five potentially interesting games with playoff implications last week, and four of them did not disappoint. St. Marys' 43-42 last second victory over Van Wert was not only one of the most exciting finishes in recent history, it also made the Roughriders probable for the postseason.
In the MAC, Coldwater's 16-6 victory over Versailles locked up a playoff spot for the Cavaliers. St. Henry's win against New Bremen moved the Redskins into the top 12 of Division VI Region 24 for the first time this season. Finally, Anna's 14-13 upset of Minster allowed the Rockets to keep their playoff hopes alive for at least another week.
The WBL game to watch this week is St. Marys visiting Shawnee. The Roughriders are 99% certain to make the playoffs already, but a win over Shawnee makes a home playoff game likely. If Shawnee loses this game, the Indians will likely have to upset undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf to play during Week 11.
The MAC features St. Henry visiting Minster. A victory as a touchdown favorite just about guarantees a visit to the postseason for St. Henry. For Minster, a win ensures the Wildcats will hold off Waynesfield-Goshen and Riverside for the third seed in Division VII Region 28.
The computer points for the entire state, and especially the regions involving area teams can be found throughout the season at user.nktelco.net/bdmonnin/football.htm
Celina - 1st (16.37)
Wapakoneta - 5th (9.07)
St. Marys - 8th (7.69)
Parma Heights Holy Name - 12th (6.25)
Elyria Catholic - 13th (5.26)
Shawnee - 14th (4.81)
Defiance - 22nd (1.31)
Celina will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Bulldogs are now just waiting for the de facto WBL championship game in Week Nine at Ottawa-Glandorf. Celina is definitely the top seed if they win out, and probably the top seed even with a loss or two.
Wapakoneta survived Shawnee and faces three 2-5 squads (Kenton, Elida and Bath) to end the season. Three wins should keep the Redskins in fifth place with an outside shot at securing an opening round playoff bye. Either way, Wapakoneta could face Celina in the third round.
St. Marys used their victory over Van Wert to now have a 99% chance at the playoffs. The Roughriders have a toss-up game at Lima Shawnee Friday. A win over Shawnee makes a home playoff game probable. A loss means they have to defeat both Kenton and Elida to 100% ensure the postseason.
Shawnee is currently projected to finish in 13th place and miss the postseason by one position in the standings. A victory over St. Marys and Van Wert next Friday locks up a playoff spot for the Indians. A loss this week means Shawnee will probably need to upset Ottawa-Glandorf in Week 10.
Defiance is down to a 1% chance at the playoffs.
Ottawa-Glandorf - 2nd (13.97)
Van Wert - 9th (6.31)
Ben Logan - 12th (4.94)
Clyde - 13th (4.38)
Elida - 16th (3.25)
Kenton - 17th (3.05)
Ottawa-Glandorf is a solid favorite over Van Wert, and a win should ensure a first-round playoff bye. Unless the Titans lose twice to end the season, they should earn the second or third seed.
Van Wert needs one more victory to be over 90% assured of making it to the playoffs. Two wins make a home playoff game probable. The Cougars are three-touchdown underdogs to Ottawa-Glandorf Friday but are favored the following two weeks against Shawnee and Kenton.
Elida needs two more wins for a 66% chance to advance to the postseason. They are 10-point favorites against Defiance Friday, but big underdogs the following weeks against Wapakoneta and St. Marys.
Kenton is likely in the playoffs with two more wins. However, they are at least two touchdown underdogs against Wapakoneta, St. Marys and Van Wert.
Coldwater - 5th (11.37)
Northwood - 12th (7.76)
Creston Norwayne - 13th (6.71)
Bath - 16th (4.10)
Coldwater won a tight game at Versailles to become playoff bound. A favored win over Anna this Friday just about ensures a home playoff game for the Cavaliers. A win at St. Henry or over Marion Local will also be needed for a shot at a first-round postseason bye.
Bath will have a 3% chance to play in the postseason if they survive as a four-touchdown underdog at Celina Friday.
Versailles - 10th (8.34)
St. Henry - 12th (7.21)
Anna - 13th (6.14)
Versailles lost to Coldwater but is still 99% likely to be in the postseason. For the Tigers to get 100% in, they need to sweep Delphos St. John's, Parkway and Anna. A home playoff game is unlikely even with all three wins, though it is possible for Versailles to sneak into the eighth seed.
St. Henry travels to Minster as a touchdown favorite Friday and hosts Coldwater as a field goal favorite next week. A split means the Redskins are 99% assured of the postseason. Two losses and St. Henry's odds drop under 50%. Winning both gives the Redskins a 2/3 chance at hosting a playoff game.
Anna survived a must-win situation by defeating Minster 14-13. Now the Rockets need to defeat Coldwater, Delphos St. Johns and Versailles for a 60% chance at the postseason. One loss drops Anna's playoff chances below 20%.
Marion Local - 1st (12.81)
Minster - 3rd (10.69)
New Bremen - 7th (5.62)
Fort Recovery - 11th (2.19)
Manchester - 12th (2.15)
Marion Local will only lose their No. 1 seed if the Flyers fall to Minster and Coldwater at the end of the season. It is still a little early for such predictions, but Fort Loramie is looking very much like Marion Local's second-round playoff opponent.
Minster should remain the third seed unless the Wildcats lose out to St. Henry, Marion Local and Fort Recovery. Minster could rise to the second seed with three wins. Another too early prediction shows that the Wildcats have a 50% chance of facing New Bremen in the second round of the playoffs.
New Bremen suffered their third loss by a touchdown or less, this time 21-16 to St. Henry. If the Cardinals upset Marion Local, they should finish in the top four. With a loss they can still have a seventh seed and home playoff game with a win over either Fort Recovery or Parkway. Winning both probably means a sixth seed.
Fort Recovery gained no points by losing last week but their average rose 0.55 points thanks to Dayton Ponitz defeating Division III Thurgood Marshall. This small gain allowed the Indians to pass four schools who gained even fewer points. Defeating Parkway alone will give Fort Recovery a 40% shot at the playoffs. Following this with an upset over New Bremen or Minster will put the Indians in the postseason.
For more computer point analysis for teams across west central Ohio, listen to my weekly podcast. Search your favorite streaming platform for Bruce Monnin's computer points.
After losing a tough game at Anna for its first loss of the season, Minster will look to get some rebound on Friday in hosting St. Henry on Homecoming with a big matchup with Marion Local following in Week Nine.
Minster played well in the loss to the Rockets, recording 247 yards of offense, but were 5-of-12 on third down conversions and 1-of-3 on fourth down conversions.
Carson Kaylor was 11-of-15 for just 63 yards and was sacked three times by Rocket defenders, but did pick up 66 yards rushing. Beckhem Stephey tried to counter Minster's offensive slowdown with two field goals, becoming the Wildcats' career field goal leader with 10 in the process.
St. Henry built a 21-0 halftime lead on New Bremen, then had to hold on as the Cardinals tried to rally before securing a 21-16 win. St. Henry was outgained 288-179 by New Bremen as the Cardinals ran 66 offensive plays to St. Henry's 43.
• Marion Local, alone on top of the conference standings, travels to New Bremen to take on a Cardinals team that is hanging on to its spot in the playoff standings.
The Flyers shut out Fort Recovery 33-0 last week behind another big night for running back Cam Griesdorn, who is making a case for MAC Offensive Player of the Year with 19 touchdowns on the season.
New Bremen has played well, but has lost their last two games by a total of eight points in falling to Versailles 16-13 and St. Henry 21-16. Jacob Kelly had 105 yards and two touchdowns in the second half as the Cardinals tried to rally from a 21-0 halftime deficit.
• Coldwater hosts Anna for Homecoming as the Cavaliers try to lock up a home game in the postseason. The Cavaliers scored the go-ahead score at the end of the first half and got an insurance field goal to beat Versailles 16-6 at Hole Field. With the pass game struggling, Coldwater rushed for 206 yards with Karsyn Homan running for 97 yards and the go-ahead score.
Anna rallied to beat Minster 14-13 despite going 0-for-10 on third-down conversions, but made five of their seven fourth-down conversion efforts. Logan Ziegenbusch passed for 198 yards and both Rocket scores, connecting with Brody Murray from 61 yards midway through the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.
• Fresh off snapping a five-game losing streak and picking up their first MAC win since 2023, Parkway travels to Fort Recovery to face an Indians squad looking to snap a three-game skid.
The Panthers' running game picked up some momentum against St. John's, gaining 157 yards to go with 139 passing yards. The Panther defense also came up big with three interceptions against the Blue Jays. Luke Booher had 52 yards on the ground as Perry Schwieterman connected with Isaac Beveridge and Rhen Carpenter on touchdown passes.
Fort Recovery tallied just 103 yards of offense against Marion Local last week as Braylon Dilworth was picked off four times and the Indians also lost a fumble.
• Versailles travels to Delphos to face St. John's as Versailles tries to bounce back from a 16-6 loss to Coldwater.
Blake Monnin passed for the lone Tiger touchdown and had a team-best 48 yards rushing.
The Blue Jays are looking to avoid their first winless MAC season since 2019 after losing at Parkway.
St. Marys travels to Shawnee after a broken play turned into the big touchdown in rallying to beat Van Wert 43-42 with no time remaining on the clock.
Dyllan Fink picked up the ball that hit him when going in motion, then turned and passed to Tre Moore with the clock expired for the 20-yard score, then Tyler Holsinger got the two-point run to collect the win. Fink had 207 yards as St. Marys had 419 rushing yards in the contest.
Shawnee lost a tough 26-14 game at Wapakoneta. Quarterback Brogan Rayer has thrown for 1,660 yards with 12 touchdowns with Jarin Bagley leading the WBL with 894 yards and nine scores.
Dyllan Fink, RB, St. Marys
Rhen Carpenter, LB, Parkway
Bath at Celina
St. Marys at Shawnee
Elida at Defiance
Wapakoneta at Kenton
Van Wert at Ottawa-Glandorf
Marion Local at New Bremen
Anna at Coldwater
St. Henry at Minster
Parkway at Fort Recovery
Versailles at St. John's
| WBL | Overall | |
| Celina | 6-0 | 7-0 |
| Ottawa-Glandorf | 6-0 | 7-0 |
| Wapakoneta | 4-2 | 4-3 |
| St. Marys | 3-3 | 4-3 |
| Van Wert | 3-3 | 4-3 |
| Shawnee | 3-3 | 3-4 |
| Bath | 2-4 | 2-5 |
| Kenton | 2-4 | 2-5 |
| Elida | 1-5 | 2-5 |
| Defiance | 0-6 | 1-6 |
| MAC | Overall | |
| Marion Local | 5-0 | 7-0 |
| Coldwater | 4-1 | 6-1 |
| Minster | 4-1 | 6-1 |
| St. Henry | 4-1 | 4-3 |
| Versailles | 2-3 | 4-3 |
| Anna | 3-2 | 4-3 |
| New Bremen | 1-4 | 3-4 |
| Fort Recovery | 1-4 | 2-5 |
| Parkway | 1-4 | 2-5 |
| St. John's | 0-5 | 1-6 |
