LANCASTER — The high school football season gets underway this week in what should be another exciting year.
With the Ohio High School Athletic Association reducing the playoffs from 16 teams to 12 in each region a year ago, qualifying for the postseason could be a little tougher. The playoffs begin Oct. 30, but before we get there, teams are preparing for their 10-game regular-season schedules.
More: Lancaster-area 2026 high school football schedules: Mark your calendar
Here is a closer look at the Rockets, Irish and Lakers as they prepare for their season opener on Aug. 21.
BERNE UNION
Coach: Tony Hurps (8th season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
2025 record: 4-6
Key returners: Ashton O’Rourke, Sr., WR/DB; Carson Kiger, Jr., QB; James Hocking, Sr., WR/DB; Dillan Cornell, Jr., WR/DB; Colton Moore, Sr., OL/DL; Aiden Long, Sr., OL/DL; Dylan Kistler, Sr., OL; Bryson Stoneburner, SR., FB/DL; Haiden Coy, Jr., DL; Cam Hammond, Soph., LB, Jamison Boggs, Soph., LB; Mason Huston, Jr., DB.
Key newcomers: Jackson Little, Soph., WR/DB; Allen Cooper, Soph., OL; Aidan Harris, Soph., RB; Dilan Carter, Sr., RB/LB; Cam Brown, Sr., WR/LB.
Coach Hurps’ take: “We are really excited about the speed and playmaking ability from our WR’s going into this year. We feel like they can all catch the ball well and each of them is a broken tackle away from going the distance at any given time. We have an experienced group on the back end of our defense, and our linebackers are really coming downhill and flying to the football. Our defense will keep us in a lot of games if we are struggling to move the football offensively. We have a pair of new offensive tackles that we will be leaning hard on to protect our quarterback, but an experienced group inside.”
Schedule
Aug. 21: at River Valley
Aug. 28: at Huntington
Sept 4: at Symmes Valley
Sept. 11: at Miller
Sept. 18: Millersport
Sept. 25: Worthington Christian
Oct. 2: at Grove City Christian
Oct. 9: Fisher Catholic
Oct. 16: Fairfield Christian Academy
Oct. 23: Zanesville Rosecrans
FISHER CATHOLIC
Coach: Luke Thimmes
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
2025 record: 8-3 (earned first-round bye in playoffs and hosted 2nd-round game)
Key returners: Sam Tencza, Sr., RB/LB; James Wilkinson, Jr., QB/DB; Nick Harris, Sr., OL/DL; Ethan O’Rielley, Sr., RB/LB; Blake Woher, Jr., WR/DB; Damian Neal, Sr., WR/DB; Anderson Crook, Jr., RB/DB; Deaglan Neighbor, Sr., OL/DL; Zane Anderson, Sr., OL/DL; Jude Clum, Sr., OL/DL.
Key newcomers: Colton Sisco, Soph., OL/DL; Wyatt Hillis, Soph., WR/DB; Charlie Tencza, Fr., RB/DB; Kaleb Gust, Fr., OL/DL.
Coach Thimmes’ take: “A great football team needs seniors to lead the way and young players ready to carry the torch. This team has both, and that combination can make it dangerous.”
Schedule
Aug. 21: at Belpre
Aug. 28: open
Sept 4: Portsmouth Notre Dame
Sept. 11: Fairfield Christian Academy
Sept. 18: Zanesville Rosecrans
Sept. 26 (Sat.): Miller
Oct. 2: Millersport
Oct. 9: at Berne Union
Oct. 17 (Sat.): Grove City Christian
Oct. 23: open
MILLERSPORT
Coach: Jack Treinish (6th season)
Conference: Mid-State League-Cardinal Division
2025 record: 2-8
Key returners: Cash Inman, Sr.; Landon Lyons, Sr.; Landon Ailes, Sr.; Jackson Rawlins; Zach Kelly, Sr.; Macon Mynes, Sr.; Dillon Donaldson, Sr.; Hayden Keller, Jr.; Easton King, Jr.; Caiden King, Jr.; Keagan King, Jr.; Gabe Young, Jr.; Mason Coleman, Soph.; Evan Raver, Soph.; Cooper Phillips, Soph.; Owen Schuster, Soph.; Lincoln Terry, Soph.
Key newcomers: Owen Everett, Sr.; Aidan Eckstein, Jr.; Caiden Wiseman, Jr.; Hayden Keller, Jr.; Mason Coleman, Soph.; Jayvian Carroll, Soph.
Coach Treinish’s take: “We lost some key players from last season, and we will be unable to duplicate their skill sets. The 2026 Lakers hope to be more physical in the trenches. Player numbers seem to be holding steady with the intent of picking up some JV games for the second time in two years. A sophomore class of 14 continues to be the biggest group and is starting to show some real ability and leadership. Senior captain Cash Inman continues to lead this team in all aspects of the game.”
Schedule
Aug. 21: at Windham
Aug. 28: Federal Hocking
Sept 4: open
Sept. 12 (Sat.): at Tuscarawas Central Catholic
Sept. 18: at Berne Union
Sept. 25: Grove City Christian
Oct. 2: Fisher Catholic
Oct. 9: at Fairfield Christian Academy
Oct. 16: Zanesville Rosecrans
Oct. 23: at Miller
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Football | A closer look at Berne Union, Fisher Catholic and Millersport