Football: Watterson captures second straight title with defensive masterpiece
Friday, December 5, 2025
By Michael Rich
mrichnotwealthy@gmail.com
Michael Boyle, a stellar two-sport athlete at Bishop Watterson, had six tackles to lead the Eagles’ defense in their state title win against Toledo Central Catholic in Canton Friday. File photo
Michael Boyle had a sense of pride when talking about the Watterson football team’s second consecutive state championship.
The junior tight end and defensive lineman helped the Eagles defeat Toledo Central Catholic 30-0 in the Division III state final Dec. 5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
It wasn’t just a sense of pride in himself or his team. It’s Watterson’s second consecutive state crown and fourth overall.
Not only has Boyle helped the Eagles win both titles in football, but he has an individual wrestling championship at 215 pounds last winter – helping that team capture its first title as well.
“I’m proud of all the work we put in, all the work my coaches put in, all the film we watched, all the weight room sessions,” said Boyle, an Ohio State wrestling commit, who had six tackles, including one for a loss and three quarterback hurries against Central Catholic.
And then he added, “And I’m also just glad for the community. This is the third state title Watterson’s brought back this (school) year – just in the fall – between girls cross country, boys soccer (and) now football. So, I’m excited for everything.”
Boyle’s impact Dec. 5 was immediate. After Jeremiah Fuller broke off a 15-yard run on the Fighting Irish’s first play from scrimmage, Boyle was a part of the next two tackles. Watterson (14-0) held Central Catholic to 3 yards on the two runs before an incomplete pass on third down forced a punt.
“It was the first play where we got a first down and then after that, it really went downhill,” Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey said. “The scoreboard says it all. We did a poor job having (our players) ready to come out and play tonight and we got beaten in every facet of the game. It’s a coach’s job in every game to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Watterson quarterback Drew Bellisari shook off some turnovers to guide the Eagles’ offense to a 30-0 state title win Friday in Canton.
Eight plays and 90 yards later, Jack McCoy scored on a 1-yard run and Watterson never let the lead go after that.
Boyle and the Eagles held Central Catholic (11-5) to just 68 yards of offense in the first half and 179 for the game. The Irish had minus-7 yards rushing in the second half as Watterson salted it away.
Ali Beydoun was 14 of 36 passing for 150 yards and three interceptions and Jeremiah Fuller was held to 34 yards on 12 carries.
Victor Singleton Jr. and Preston Fryzel had five catches apiece. Singleton Jr. ended up with 57 yards receiving and Fryzel 45.
Keyon Robinson led the Central Catholic defense with nine tackles.
Meanwhile, Drew Bellisari completed his first five passes for 103 yards, including a 5-yarder to Joe Hayes on third-and-goal. The touchdown pass gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead with 3:43 left in the first quarter.
Bellisari struggled at times, tossing four interceptions, including two by Jerome Davis V, but the Irish couldn’t capitalize on Watterson’s turnovers.
Bellisari, whose father, Greg, is a former Ohio State linebacker and is now an assistant coach with the Eagles, finished with 13 of 22 passing for 250 yards and added 39 yards on 14 carries.
“It’s just how (my dad) raised me,” Drew said. “Forget about the past, you can’t do anything about it now. Earlier in my career, when I threw a pick, yeah, I’d be super down.
But you got to realize that if you’re down, then everybody else is going to be down. You got to go out there (and) lift the team up.”
Watterson head coach Brian Kennedy saw his Eagles squad win their second straight title Friday in Canton, shutting out Toledo Central Catholic 30-0. File photo
Bellisari added that his offensive line helped keep him in good spirits.
“They’re awesome,” he said. “I threw four picks and everyone had my back. I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. Credit to my receivers too. They get down and dirty and they’re blocking. It’s just everybody working as one unit and getting it done.”
Hayes, Nate Henderson and Carter Bellisari each had interceptions for the Watterson defense, which recorded its fourth shutout of the season. Carter Bellisari, who is former Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari’s son, returned his interception 35 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
The Eagles, who ran their overall winning streak to 30 games, have held opponents to nine points or fewer in all but two games this season.
“I think it’s a credit to our kids,” Watterson coach Brian Kennedy said. “They do a really good job of preparing. They watch a lot of film. They ask good questions. When we go through stuff, they’re focused. We try to put them in a position where they can line up and play fast and that’s what they’ve done.”
This was the eighth state final appearance for both programs and the third consecutive time the two have met in the final with the Eagles winning 19-14 last year and the Fighting Irish 27-7 in 2023.
“Last year’s defense was very good, though they’re a year older, a year faster and a year stronger,” Dempsey said. “Offensively, they were really a chuck-it-around team two years ago and last year was more running. They are much more balanced this year, which I think poses a threat to anybody.”
Watterson also won state titles in 2002 and 2010.