Thursday, December 4th, 2025

Division VII State Football Championship Preview

Redskins get ready to face Falcons

By Gary R. Rasberry

Photo by Paige Sutter/The Daily Standard

St. Henry's Harrison Schwieterman (10) tries to bring down Columbus Grove's Trevon Baxter during Friday's Division VII state semifinal in Troy.

St. Henry fans have been waiting 19 years to get the chance to root for their team in their chance for another state football title.

Jeromesville Hillsdale has been waiting a year to make a better impression in the spotlight game.

The Redskins and Falcons, both 13-1, play for a Division VII state championship on Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton at 10:30 a.m.

St. Henry last made the trip to Stark County back in 2006, picking up a 28-7 win over Warren John F. Kennedy for the program's sixth title overall and second in three seasons after having won in 2004. The trip is the second straight for Hillsdale, which made its first-ever trip to the final last season.

BEEN THERE BEFORE

Photo by Paige Sutter/The Daily Standard

St. Henry head coach Josh Werling tackles to his team after the Redskins' victory over Columbus Grove.

The last time St. Henry brought home the title, Josh Werling was a senior defensive back. Werling had three tackles, a pass breakup and returned kicks and punts for the Redskins in the win.

Now, Werling is in his second season as head coach of his alma mater. If current players have been curious about the feeling of playing, Werling has had a simple message.

"My message having been through this is being focused on the game," said Werling. "It's another week in a long year, but you have to stay focused on your job for 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning."

While Werling wants his squad to take in the atmosphere in playing in a 20,000-seat stadium that neighbors the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he wants to make certain it's a business trip.

"You want them to enjoy it. It's quite the experience," said Werling. "The time for reflection is Sunday."

THE REBOUND

Hillsdale returns after going 14-2 last season, but that second loss was one that the team has been working hard to make up for last season.

The Falcons lost 74-0 to Marion Local, the most lopsided game in state finals history regardless of division.

Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline said injuries and five interceptions thrown by then-sophomore quarterback Kael Lewis, one returned for a touchdown, were things that hampered a great run.

"We return a lot of players who played in the state championship game last year," said Cline. "Some of our key guys (last year) were injured and didn't play. They return to be at full health and play in the state title game."

"We have to take care of the football," said Cline. "Part of the reason the score got so ugly was we didn't take care of the ball (five interceptions). We have to tackle better."

Regardless of last year's result, the fact that the team made it to state has Cline hoping it has motivated players.

"Last year's experience changed our program because you have those next groups (younger players) who want to be that next group to play for an opportunity for a state title."

ABOUT THE FALCONS

Kael Lewis has been the spark of the Falcons' offense this season. The junior enters the game having thrown for 2,323 yards and 27 touchdowns to just three interceptions this season. Hayden McFadden has been his favorite receiver, making 42 catches for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kyle Turk adds 539 yards and three touchdowns and Knox Lewis is 364 yards and six scores.

"(Kael Lewis) is a great decision maker in the RPO (run, pass, option) game," said Werling. "If you're out of position on the edge, they're going to exploit that."

On the ground, Owen Sloan has rushed for 2,090 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.

"Their running back is a very good player," said Werling. "He gets north and south and a gap runner. We're going to have our hands full."

Werling gives credit to longtime assistant coach Craig Dues for getting the defense ready for whatever Hillsdale brings to the field on Saturday.

"Coach Dues was my defensive coordinator when I was playing," said Werling. "He has that side of the ball playing well. They're going to have their hands full on Saturday."

Defensively, Hillsdale has been a bend-but-don't break style of play. The most points allowed this season came in Week 10 in a 24-17 loss to Norwayne, with the 17 points the fewest the Falcons have scored. In four postseason games, Hillsdale has giving up 47 points, with 20 coming in a 25-20 win over Danville in the Region 27 finals.

Linebacker Brady Heller leads the team with 102 tackles with fellow linebacker Aiden Hoffman added 100 tackles. Defensive end Knox Lewis has been tough in breaking through the lines. Brock Bowwer leads the team with interceptions.

"Hillsdale plays an even front, so we're going to have to go back through our league opponents to find the best way to attack," said Werling. They're very solid on the edge. (Knox Lewis) is a heckuva defensive end and their linebackers go to the ball well."

CLINE ON ST. HENRY

Photo by Paige Sutter/The Daily Standard

St. Henry's Charlie Werling (12) will look to help the Redskins win the program's seventh state title and first in 19 years on Saturday against Jeromesville Hillsdale in Canton.

Cline is impressed with the play of St. Henry quarterback Charlie Werling, who has rushed for 1,772 yards and 32 touchdowns this season while passing for 1,428 yards and 14 touchdowns

"(Charlie Werling) does a great job running the ball, but he can also throw the ball. He's going to be the best quarterback we've faced to this date," said Cline. "There's 10 other guys on offense who are solid. The guys up front will be the best line we've seen this year. A very well-rounded team. That's what you expect from a team out of that region."

Landon Schwartz leads the Redskins in receiving with 365 yards and three touchdowns. Will Speck has become a key second runner in the backfield with 565 yards.

Defensively, Anderson Kramer has 128 tackles this season to lead the Redskins. Owen Zimmerman has 5 ½ sacks. Jack Huelsman has recorded five interceptions. The Redskins have recorded 27 interceptions this season with three going back for touchdowns.

"They do a lot of things well. Coming out of the MAC and their region, they're going to be the best team we've seen to this point. They're a team we know that we'll have to bring our best.

MAC HISTORY

• This season is the 23rd consecutive season the MAC has had at least one team reach the state football finals. The last time no MAC team reached the finals was 2002.

• With just St. Henry making the final, the conference's streak of multiple members reaching the final was snapped. The last time only one conference team reached the state finals was in 2018.

• The MAC currently stands at 43 state football championships. Marion Local holds the conference lead with a state-record 15 with Coldwater at eight and St. Henry currently at six, tied with Delphos St. John's. Minster has three. Versailles won two as MAC members with New Bremen also having two. Fort Recovery and Anna each have one.