Bishop Watterson vs. Toledo Central Catholic live scores, OHSAA Division III state championship game updates and highlights originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Two Catholic school powerhouses will meet in Canton on Friday night to determine the winner of the OHSAA Division III state football championship.
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Crowned by Bishop Watson and Toledo Central Catholic, it promises to be a classic.
Watson enters the game as the defending state champion and has a 13-0 record this season.
They are led by quarterback Drew Bellisari, a commit from Miami (Ohio). Bellisari’s career record as the starting quarterback is 29-0.
In total, Watson won three state championships (2002, 2010, 2024) and finished as runner-up four times.
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Toledo Central Catholic enters the finals with an 11-4 record and is trying to become the first state championship team to lose its first three games of the season.
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TCC is a five-time state champion (2005, 2012, 2014, 2022, 2023) and finished as runner-up in 2015 after losing to Watson a season ago.
They are led by Texas A&M CB Victor Singleton and Notre Dame TE Preston Fryzel.
You can follow live updates from the entire game below.
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Bishop Watson 30, Toledo Central Catholic 0: Fourth quarter
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fourth quarter
– Bishop Watson scored a touchdown. Carter Bellisari returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, which would start the clock and keep the game going with about six minutes left. (Watson 30-0)
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– With 6:27 left in the game, Zyeri McCray was sacked on fourth down and punted to give Central Catholic the ball.
– Interception by Bishop Watson. Central Catholic looked for Frazier in the end zone, but Nate Henderson caught it. There were 8 minutes and 27 seconds left after Watson touched the ball.
– Toledo Central Catholic interception. The TCC defense is doing everything they can. Zenaj Ligons’ fourth interception in defense of Belisari prevented a score again. TCC took over at its own 12 with 10:44 left in the game.
– Drew Bellisari completed a 41-yard pass to Nate Henderson on the first play of the fourth quarter to the 2-yard line.
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– Watson would play a first-and-15 at the TCC 43-yard line to start the fourth quarter.
third quarter
– Interception by Bishop Watson. Offsetting free throws at the end of the game doesn’t negate Hayes’ INT, and he may have made this game as close as possible. It seems that if Watson scores again, this thing will be completely impossible to achieve.
– Touchdown to Bishop Watson. The seven-play, 47-yard drive ended with a 6-yard score by Jack McCoy. A 2-point pass attempt failed, but it was all Watson’s credit. (Watson 23-0, 3:07 of the third quarter)
– Central Catholic got a huge 21-yard gain to Victor Singleton, but ultimately turned it over on an incomplete pass on fourth-and-1 down the middle. Watson led 17-0 with 6:42 left in the third quarter.
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– Toledo Central Catholic interception. Watson caught a long pass from Drew Bellisari and got inside the 10-yard line, but a few plays later Jerome Davis V threw an interception to prevent the scoring and get the ball back for TCC.
– Central Catholic really kicked the ball deep to start the second half. Watson took the ball first and took the lead.
half time
– Bishop Watson is expected to open the second half with a lead. It will be interesting to see if Toledo Central Catholic kicks the ball deep or tries something else to open up the second half.
second quarter
– Bishop Watson takes a shot. Watson’s drive with 1:10 left went like this: Drew Bellisari to Ben Lamielle for 15; Bellisari to Jack McCoy for 6; Bellisari to 14; Bellisari to Joe Hayes for 19; Ben Uhlenhake to 2 points; Belisari is incomplete; Belisari is incomplete. Eli Eagan made a 28-yard field goal. A strong momentum before the first half earned the team three points. (Watson 17-0, 0:17 2Q)
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– Watson responded to the pick by forcing three incompletions and a punt. All three timeouts were completed, and he took over at his own 33-yard line with 1:10 left in the half.
– Toledo Central Catholic interception. Keyon Robinson connects with Watterson on a key inside break on the edge of the red zone. There were 1:37 left in the half.
– A fumble was awarded on the field, but was overturned by Bedoun into a forward pass. It was a third down, though, and Central Catholic punted. Watterson took over at the TCC 38-yard line with 2:20 left before halftime.
– Toledo Central Catholic interception. Jerome Davis V intercepted by Belisari. TCC would start the game at their own 12 after a personal foul on the return game.
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– Central Catholic had a three-and-out in its own half and kicked the ball back to Watson.
– TCC was sacked on third down, forcing Watterson to punt. Central Catholic’s new drive begins at 6:19 and continues into the second half.
– Facing fourth-and-7 from the Watson 37-yard line, Central Catholic threw an incomplete first-and-goal. Volume fell.
– Ali Beydoun then hit Preston Fryzel for a 22-yard field goal to the Watterson 40-yard line.
– Ali Beydoun hit Victor Singleton for six yards on the first play of the second quarter and the ensuing drive gave Toledo Central Catholic a first down to try to start a comeback.
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first quarter
– Watson was forced to punt after his first drive of the game stalled. Toledo Central Catholic would go on to score second and ninth in the 22 to start the second quarter.
– Central Catholic had three outs. After the punt, Watson will start at his 23. If Watson can organize another offense, TCC will be in huge danger.
– Touchdown to Bishop Watson. Drew Bellisari threw a short breakout pass to Joe Hayes for a 5-yard touchdown. Bellisari completed a 16-yard pass to Ben Ramiere to start the drive, and then the quarterback ran two runs of his own for a touchdown. (14-0 Watson, 3:43 of the first quarter)
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– With Central Catholic on a three-and-out, Nate Henderson returned a punt 39 yards to the TCC 31-yard line, setting up Watterson’s next possession.
– Touchdown to Bishop Watson. Jack McCoy hit a hit from one yard out to take the lead and score the extra point. The touchdown run was set up by Bellisari’s 17-yard pass to Noah Holzinger to the 1-yard line. (7-0 Watson, 6 minutes and 53 seconds of the first quarter)
– Drew Bellisari threw two big passes to Watterson on the opening drive, first a 30-yarder to Nate Henderson and then a 35-yarder to Caden Mangini that reached the 21-yard line.
– After a good run, Watson’s defense stopped and forced a punt to win their first possession. They will start at their own 10-yard line.
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-The state finals are underway. Toledo Central Catholic returned the kickoff to its own 36-yard line and off we went. Jeremiah Fuller ran for 15 yards on the ensuing first play from scrimmage.
Before the game
– Bishop Watson won the coin toss and deferred. Toledo Central Catholic will receive the opening kickoff, which is expected to take place a few minutes after 3 p.m.
– Both teams are coached by alumni, Watson’s Brian Kennedy and Central Catholic’s Greg Dempsey.