Don't miss these games during Greater Akron's 2024 high school football season

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
East's Ziaire Stevens scores on a 69-yard TD run at Buchtel on Oct. 7, 2023.
East's Ziaire Stevens scores on a 69-yard TD run at Buchtel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Instant classics are rare, but when you stumble upon a phenomenal high school football game during the fall in the Greater Akron area, you'll remember it forever.

Back-and-forth battles, comebacks, dramatic endings and upsets. Rivalries, league championships and revenge games. Everyone who purchases a ticket can only hope to see something special.

In the eternal quest for those memorable moments, we have compiled this list of can't-miss games for the 2024 season.

Medina wide receiver Dylan Whitehill, top, is wrapped up by Wadsworth defensive back Calix Lemp during a Division I regional quarterfinal Nov. 3, 2023, in Wadsworth.
Medina wide receiver Dylan Whitehill, top, is wrapped up by Wadsworth defensive back Calix Lemp during a Division I regional quarterfinal Nov. 3, 2023, in Wadsworth.

1. Medina (10-4 last season) at Wadsworth (9-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, Week 3 of the 2024 high school football season

Medina defeated Wadsworth twice last season — 40-23 in Week 3 of the 2023 regular season and 22-19 in a Division I regional quarterfinal. This season, you'll have only one chance to see this matchup. Medina remained in Division I, Region 1, but Wadsworth moved down to Division II, Region 6, meaning they won't clash in the playoffs.

Ticket info: www.payschoolsevents.com/events/org/wadsworth-high-school-athletics; 330-335-1372

Walsh Jesuit quarterback Keller Moten throws a pass against St. Vincent-St. Mary on Sept. 22, 2023.
Walsh Jesuit quarterback Keller Moten throws a pass against St. Vincent-St. Mary on Sept. 22, 2023.

2. St. Vincent-St. Mary (5-6) at Walsh Jesuit (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, Week 3 of the 2024 high school football season

Walsh Jesuit has defeated St. Vincent-St. Mary in each of their past three meetings, including 43-13 at STVM in Week 6 last season. Now new STVM coach Doran Grant will rejoin the rivalry after playing in it from 2007-10.

Ticket info: walshjesuit.hometownticketing.com/embed/all; 330-929-4205

Highland running back Lukas Stiles, left, rushes for a first down through a host of Aurora defenders Oct. 14, 2022, in Aurora.
Highland running back Lukas Stiles, left, rushes for a first down through a host of Aurora defenders Oct. 14, 2022, in Aurora.

3. Highland (11-3) at Aurora (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, Week 4 of the 2024 high school football season

Aurora defeated Highland 9-7 in the 2023 regular-season finale for both teams and thereby captured the Suburban League American Conference championship. The rematch will be highly anticipated in both communities.

Ticket info: gofan.co/app/school/OH119; 330-954-2008

Green's Evan Reed brings down McKinley quarterback Keaton Rode on Sept. 15, 2023, in Canton.
Green's Evan Reed brings down McKinley quarterback Keaton Rode on Sept. 15, 2023, in Canton.

4. Canton McKinley (9-4) at Green (10-4), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, Week 6 of the high school football season

In a Federal League nail-biter, Green lost 28-27 on the road to Canton McKinley in Week 5 of last season. Both teams went on to produce impressive playoff runs. Green fell 31-6 in a regional final to eventual Division II state champion Massillon. And McKinley lost 41-17 in a regional semifinal to eventual Division I state champ St. Edward.

Ticket info: greenlocalschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/all; 330-896-7565

Norton coach Glen Kruger shares a laugh with an official during a Division III playoff game against Bay on Oct. 28, 2022, in Norton.
Norton coach Glen Kruger shares a laugh with an official during a Division III playoff game against Bay on Oct. 28, 2022, in Norton.

5. Streetsboro (10-2) at Norton (11-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, Week 6 of the 2024 high school football season

Reigning three-time Metro Athletic Conference champion Norton deserves to be on this list after winning its first 11 games last season. MAC foe Streetsboro will look to avenge a 35-14 home loss to Norton in Week 4 of 2023. By the way, that setback was Streetsboro's lone defeat through its first 11 games last season.

Ticket info: www.nortonschools.org/PurchaseTickets.aspx; 330-825-4167

Twinsburg football coach Charles Saulter keeps an eye on practice Oct. 24, 2023, in Twinsburg.
Twinsburg football coach Charles Saulter keeps an eye on practice Oct. 24, 2023, in Twinsburg.

6. Twinsburg (7-5) at Nordonia (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, Week 6 of the 2024 high school football season

If you seek dramatic recent history, here it is. Twinsburg lost 38-31 at home to Suburban League National Conference rival Nordonia in Week 6 of last season. But in Round 1 of the 2023 playoffs, Twinsburg defeated Nordonia 22-10 on the road to eliminate the Knights. Enough said.

Ticket info: nordoniaschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/all; 330-908-6000

Central Catholic's Conner Thomas brings down Mogadore's Cole Reese on Sept. 29, 2023.
Central Catholic's Conner Thomas brings down Mogadore's Cole Reese on Sept. 29, 2023.

7. Canton Central Catholic (7-5) at Mogadore (11-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, Week 7 of the 2024 high school football season

Before these teams were eliminated from the playoffs last year by eventual Division VI state champion Kirtland, they clashed in Week 7 of the regular season. That's when Mogadore lost 20-13 to host Canton Central Catholic. Mogadore had knocked CCC out of the playoffs in 2022 and 2021.

Ticket info: www.mogadore.net/page/tickets; 330-628-9943

Hudson tight end Nathan Judy makes a move to get around Nordonia's Israel Petite on Oct. 6, 2023, in Hudson.
Hudson tight end Nathan Judy makes a move to get around Nordonia's Israel Petite on Oct. 6, 2023, in Hudson.

8. Hudson (9-3) at Nordonia (8-3), 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, Week 8 of the 2024 high school football season

Hudson defeated visiting Nordonia 17-14 in Week 8 of last season. These members of the Suburban League National Conference are accustomed to thrillers. Hudson also beat Nordonia 28-14 in 2022, but the Explorers lost 29-28 to the Knights in 2021.

Ticket info: nordoniaschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/all; 330-908-6000

OHSAA football schedules: One can't miss Akron-area game for Weeks 1-10 of the 2024 high school season

Buchtel's Justin Hill looks for an opening between two East defenders on Oct. 7, 2023, in Akron.
Buchtel's Justin Hill looks for an opening between two East defenders on Oct. 7, 2023, in Akron.

9. East (8-3) at Buchtel (6-6), noon Saturday, Oct. 19, Week 9 of the 2024 high school football season

The City Series rivals shared the league championship last season, but East won the head-to-head matchup 14-11 in Week 8. The last time one of these teams won consecutive meetings in this series, Buchtel prevailed in 2017 and 2018. It's been back and forth ever since.

Ticket info: www.akronschools.com/divisions/athletics/tickets; 330-761-2813

Hoban's Elbert Hill IV returns a kickoff between St. Edwards defenders Bradley Eaton, left, and Behlen Waugh on Oct. 20, 2023, in Akron.
Hoban's Elbert Hill IV returns a kickoff between St. Edwards defenders Bradley Eaton, left, and Behlen Waugh on Oct. 20, 2023, in Akron.

10. Archbishop Hoban (13-2) at St. Edward (15-1), 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, Week 10 of the 2024 high school football season

Last season, Hoban lost 14-7 at home to St. Edward. Hoban went on to finish as the Division II state runner-up. St. Ed's won its third consecutive Division I crown. When these perennial heavyweights rumble, people pay attention.

Ticket info: stedwardeagles.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?depts=2; 216-521-8828

More high school coverage: 7-on-7 football is here. Is spring football next for Ohio high schools?

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Greater Akron's 2024 can't miss high school football games

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