Facing rare adversity, Watterson finally solves Glenville in showdown between defending state champs
Friday, September 11, 2026
By Steve Blackledge
sblackledge@cbussports.com
Watterson defensive linemen Michael Boyle (40) and Jonah Gruver make a stop during the Eagles’ win over Cleveland Glenville Friday at Ohio Dominican. Photo: John Hulkenberg
COLUMBUS, Ohio – It took Bishop Watterson some 20 minutes to pick up just its second first down Friday night in a mammoth statewide matchup against Cleveland Glenville.
Riding a behemoth offensive line and an uber-aggressive defense, the Tarblooders grabbed a 13-0 lead before a shellshocked home crowd at Ohio Dominican University’s Panther Stadium.
But there was no panic on the sidelines of two-time defending Division III state champ Watterson, winner of 34 straight games dating to Dec. 1, 2023.
“We knew we’d find a way,” Eagles coach Brian Kennedy said. “There was no doubt in our minds that our offense would get going. Honestly, we didn’t really change much … just a few blocking assignments. But the way they were loading the box to take away our run game, it became obvious that we were going to have to take some shots to loosen them up.”
Enter junior first-year starting quarterback Dash Hoy, who exploited Glenville’s blitzing defense with timely downfield passes that finally opened the floodgates for Watterson, which scored 35 unanswered points in wearing down Glenville 35-13.
“We haven’t had to play from behind much during our streak, we never had a doubt we wouldn’t figure it out and succeed,” Hoy said. “Once we started making plays, we made a lot of them. I was focused on their linebackers coming down and getting rid of the ball quick downfield to our playmakers. Once things got rolling … I mean we have that kind of swagger and confidence to put people away.”
Watterson wide receiver Austin Alles makes a catch for a touchdown just before halftime against Cleveland Glenville Friday at Ohio Dominican. Photo: John Hulkenberg
The only time Watterson had faced a two-TD deficit during its streak was in the 2025 opener when it trailed Big Walnut 15-0 only to score 37 unanswered points.
To answer a question many are surely wondering, yes, Glenville did bring its ‘A’ team to Columbus for the first-ever meeting between the perennial powers. Although 11 players were assessed two-week school and two-game suspensions for their part in allegedly stealing roughly $4,500 from a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Grove City Aug. 27 during a trip to face Olentangy Liberty, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District gave Glenville (2-2) the option when to assess the penalties and it has yet to do so.
“That’s probably the best team we’ve seen in the past two years,” Kennedy said, “and that’s what makes this win so awesome.”
Glenville, which has won three Division IV state titles in the past four years under legendary 30th-year Ted Ginn, Sr., has produced some 30 players that either played or are now playing in the NFL. The list includes Heisman Trophy winners, Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl champions and some with Hall of Fame busts in Canton.
After the Tarblooders thoroughly dominated time of possession and field position, the momentum took a dramatic swing just before halftime.
Hoy hit Carter Bellisari on a 30-yard TD pass with 1:34 remaining.
After a defensive stop and clever clock management, Watterson got a 24-yard punt return from Austin Alles to secure excellent field position. On the next play, Hoy found Alles in the back of the end zone on a 28-yard TD strike.
Watterson’s Ben Uhlenhake (10) prepares to make a tackle against Cleveland Glenville during the Eagles’ come-from-behind win at Ohio Dominican Friday. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“They were outplaying us in the trenches, so it became obvious we had to win on the outside and use their aggressiveness against them,” said Bellisari, a Miami University commit who made second-team All-Ohio in 2025. “We took the momentum into halftime, took a reflection of ourselves and came out and hit them in the mouth.”
On a third-and-13 in the final minute of the third quarter, Hoy connected with Ben Lamielle on a 33-yard TD pass.
With its rushing game finally established and Glenville’s interior defenders visibly worn down, Watterson (4-0) closed out the win on TD runs by Ben Uhlenhake (28 yards) and Caden Mangini (8 yards).
Hoy completed 6 of 14 passes for 163 yards and TDs to three different receivers. Mangini rushed for 93 yards on 21 carries.
Defensively, first-team All-Ohio lineman Michael Boyle – fresh off a U-20 world championship in wrestling – racked up 17 tackles (four for loss) with two sacks. The three-time state champion and Ohio State wrestling commit also was the lead blocker on the final two TD runs. Uhlenhake (16 tackles) and Kayden Jones (14) also had big games.
While this marked just another step in Watterson’s quest for a three-peat (the Eagles moved up to Division II this fall), the lessons taken from this win should prove invaluable down the road.
“Make no mistake about it, that’s a great team we just beat,” Hoy said. “And the way we did it shows what we’re made of here. We’re a very experienced team that knows how to win.”
Watterson wide receiver Ben Lamielle (8) celebrates his touchdown reception with his teammates during the Eagles’ win against Cleveland Glenville Friday. Photo: John Hulkenberg