CANTON — Hillsdale’s remarkable high school football odyssey encompassed more than a season. The Falcons 2025 campaign ended with a Division VII state runner-up trophy, just like the 2024 season. This one came after Saturday’s 37-3 loss to St. Henry on Saturday before 3,912 fans at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Therein lies […]
Owen Sloan
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Hillsdale smashes McDonald to reach 2nd straight state championship game
NEW PHILADELPHIA – Some folks were saying the McDonald football team had a bit of a Cinderella-story vibe to it entering Friday night’s Division VII state semifinal against Hillsdale. The No. 3-ranked Blue Devils were playing in their 100th season, had tied their program record for wins and featured one of the best senior classes […]
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Great Expectations: Added pressure hasn’t bothered Shelby, Hillsdale in pursuit of state titles
Winning a regional championship is tough enough. Winning a regional championship you are expected to win is an even bigger challenge. Both Shelby and Hillsdale carried the weight of impossible expectations into the season. The Whippets returned a wealth of talent from a team that reached the third round of the playoffs last year. The […]
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Hillsdale tops Danville in another instant classic
WEST LAFAYETTE — Jesse Trevathan never doubted he would return, even during his darkest days. And there were plenty of dark days. Trevathan tore the ACL in his right knee during Hillsdale’s run to the Division VII state championship game last year. He suffered the injury in Week 12 and spent the final four weeks […]
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Sloan’s huge home send-off pushes Falcons back to Elite Eight
JEROMESVILLE – Hillsdale’s senior football players had their last dance at home Friday night. Owen Sloan made sure it wasn’t a slow dance. Hosting fourth-seeded Symmes Valley in a Division VII, Region 27 semifinal, the top-seeded Falcons needed just one run from their record-breaking senior running back to set the tone for the game. Sloan […]
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2nd-half barrage fuels Hillsdale’s pounding of Rittman
JEROMESVILLE — A week ago Hillsdale erupted for 49 points in the first half to subdue Northwestern. This week Rittman absorbed the Falcons’ charge in the second half. Hillsdale posted 28 points after intermission to pull away from a one-score game and earn a 49-13 victory over the Indians. Senior running back Owen Sloan ripped […]
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Lewis brothers connect, Hillsdale bounces Loudonville
JEROMESVILLE – Hopes were high Friday night that Ashland County’s “Backyard Brawl” rivalry game between Hillsdale and Loudonville could bring some suspense between two unbeaten teams. The Falcons, however, showed their talent and moxie is still soaring after a trip to the Division VII state championship game a year ago. Hillsdale quarterback Kael Lewis hit […]
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Hillsdale blasts Black River with offensive show
SULLIVAN — Hillsdale’s quest to return to the state championship game got off to a flying, and running, start on Friday night in Sullivan. The Falcons dominated Black River to the tune of a 42-14 score in a non-conference season opener. Two of Hillsdale’s biggest guns came out firing from the start. Running back Owen […]
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State title game primer: Hillsdale faces Ohio high school football king
CANTON — Hillsdale’s flight to the Division VII state championship football game will reach a majestic perch on Friday. The Falcons meet No. 1-ranked Maria Stein Marion Local (15-0) in the storied venue of Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for a 10:30 a.m. kickoff. For a resume of each team, the Ohio High […]
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Falcons rally past Danville, advance to state championship game
SHELBY — Two north central Ohio heavyweights traded blows on a frigid Friday night before Hillsdale landed the knockout punch. Sophomore quarterback Kael Lewis ran for a 3-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and a revitalized defense pitched a second-half shutout as the Falcons rallied for a 25-22 win over Danville in a frigid […]