It’s Week Two of the Ohio high school football season. Here are five things fans should know going into Friday’s contests:

1.   Africentric plays another solid team at home

After beating perennial power West Jefferson, 38-14, at home in Week One, the Africentric Nubians host another top program in Minster this Friday. Last season, Minster was 10-3, losing in the playoffs to eventual state champion, Marion Local. The Wildcats opened their season with a 49-21 road win over rival Fort Loramie. This week’s game will feature two quarterbacks who can shine with both their arms and legs, Joshua Smith for Africentric and Brogan Stephey for Minster.

2.  The Battle of Worthington has renewed energy

Worthington Kilbourne won a thriller in Week One, scoring a touchdown in overtime to beat Watkins Memorial, 16-13, on the road. It was the first victory for the Wolves since October 7, 2022. On Friday, they will host crosstown rival Thomas Worthington, who fell at home last week to Canal Winchester, 38-13. Kilbourne’s freshman quarterback Jackson Szabo threw for 146 yards in his debut, including a 6-yard pass to junior Shion Jamshidi in OT. 

3.  Ready’s Campbell looking for another good outing

After missing most of 2023 with an injury, Bishop Ready running back Anthony Campbell ran for 208 yards and four touchdowns at Newark Catholic last Saturday in the Silver Knights’ 51-19 win. Campbell stepped back in after Ready lost RB Kentrell Rinehart, who transferred to Westland for his senior season. Rinehart, a North Carolina State commit, accounted for 3003 all-purpose yards and 46 total touchdowns in 2023. Campbell and the Silver Knights travel to Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Friday. The Eagles lost at Columbus Academy, 22-21, last week.

4.  Pickeringtons look to respond after tough season debuts

Both of the Pickerington high schools fell in Week One. Pickerington Central was upset at home by Division V’s Harvest Prep, 24-21. There is no rest for the Tigers as they travel to Huber Heights Wayne Friday. The Warriors topped Fairfield, 31-13, last week. Pickerington North was blanked by Cleveland power Lakewood St. Edward, 28-0. This Friday, the Panthers host Grandville High School out of Michigan, who have not yet played a game. The Bulldogs were 8-3 last season.

5.  Best game of the evening – Jonathan Alder at Columbus Academy

The Jonathan Alder at Columbus Academy game Friday promises to be an exciting matchup. Jonathan Alder won at home last week, beating Fairbanks, 35-21. The Pioneers converted two interceptions into scores against Fairbanks to help secure the victory. Academy edged Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy 22-21 in Week One. The Vikings found themselves behind 21-7 halfway through the fourth quarter. With under a minute to play, quarterback Cole Spalding ran for a touchdown, then hit Henry Pizzotti for the game-winning two-point conversion.