MANSFIELD — It has become the unofficial kickoff to the high school football season in north central Ohio — and it never disappoints.
Some of the state’s top programs will make their way to Arlin Field on Tuesday when Mansfield Senior hosts its annual seven-on-seven passing scrimmage and lineman challenge.
Among the teams scheduled to take part are two-time defending Division IV state champion Cleveland Glenville and three-time reigning Division I state runner-up Springfield.
“It’s always good to see Mansfield Senior Tyger football players go against some of the best in the state of Ohio,” Senior High coach Chioke Bradley said. “It prepares our kids for a level of speed and athleticism they don’t see every day.
“You see it when you get deeper into the playoffs, which is where we want to go.”
Former Mansfield Senior coach Jamie Masi started the event during his tenure in the late 2000s. Bradley took over in 2010 and built it into what it is today.
“Jamie started it, but it wasn’t as big back then. There were more local teams involved,” Bradley said. “We took it over and invited some of the best programs in the state.”
Another piece of the puzzle, Bradley said, is the exposure that comes with the event. Several recruiting services will be on hand Tuesday.
“It’s a good opportunity for our kids to be seen,” Bradley said.
The highest-profile recruit in this year’s event is Findlay quarterback Ryan Montgomery. The rising senior verbally committed to Georgia in April after throwing for more than 3,300 yards last fall.
Montgomery chose the Bulldogs over Ohio State (where older brother, Luke, is an offensive lineman), defending national champ Michigan, Florida, Miami and Auburn, among others.
Other prospects expected to attend include Baylor Wilkin, Montgomery’s Findlay teammate who recently committed to Indiana, as well as Glenville’s Jameil Hamm, Cincere Johnson and Marquis Whipple and Springfield’s Jamil Miller and Zy’Aire Fletcher. Hamm is headed to Miami of Ohio, while Fletcher is verbally committed to Kent State.
The eight-team tournament also includes Canton GlenOak, Columbus Eastmoor Academy, Columbus Walnut Ridge and Crestview. The Cougars are the only Division VI program in the field.
“The opportunity to play teams with the skill level of Springfield and Mansfield Senior and Glenville and Findlay, that’s what makes you better,” Crestview coach Steve Haverdill said. “That’s what we want to do. We want to get better.
“We have nothing to lose playing against teams like that. Our kids enjoy it. They get to go against athletes who are getting recruited by Ohio State and Michigan.”