Week 1 breakdowns, predictions in Ohio high school football

Here's our look at every Week 1 high school football game in Portage County:

Thursday, Aug. 20, football games in Portage County

Rootstown (6-4 last year) at Southeast (3-7)

What to watch: After two years without a game, the longtime rivals meet again at Freedom Field in a highly intriguing game. Both look to shake off tough finishes to 2025, with the Rovers and Pirates each dropping their final three games. Expect Rootstown to air it out a bit, led by third-year starting quarterback Blake Mullaly, while Southeast will remain committed to the ground game and its single wing, led by Alaunte Massrock, Nathanael Rivera and Tyler Shaw. It will be fun to watch disruptive defensive lineman Peyton Simms try to keep the Pirates from steamrolling their way down the field.
Who will win: Rootstown 28-21

Warren JFK (6-6) at Garfield (9-3)

What to watch: The Eagles and G-Men have been two of the top small-school programs in Northeast Ohio for a while. Garfield has won nine-plus games in each of the last seven years. Led by Devin Bates and Ryder Cain, arguably the area's best running back duo, the G-Men are poised for another strong season. It looked like the Eagles were destined for a rare down season in 2025, losing their first five games, but they rebounded to win their next six. So JFK brings confidence into 2026 even if it's hard to know what life will look like post-LaMarcus Provitt, the Eagles' leader in nearly every offensive category last season.
Who will win: Garfield 35-21

Friday, Aug. 21, football games in Portage County Crestwood (3-7) at Mogadore (11-2)

What to watch: The first Red Devils-Wildcats game since 2019 was highly compelling, with Mogadore emerging with a 13-6 victory last year. Much of the offense in that game came from Wildcats running back Conner Lehner and Red Devils wide receiver Wyatt Januska, both of whom graduated last spring. Watch for Michael Kalista and Maddox Smith, both first-year starting quarterbacks in 2025, to play much bigger roles in the rematch, though Mogadore does boast a dangerous secondary.
Who will win: Mogadore 28-20

Ravenna (3-7) at Field (3-7)

What to watch: These teams have played three consecutive one-score games and the expectation is for more of the same in 2026. Both will look to acclimate new quarterbacks — Ravenna's Ethan McKamey and Field's Mason Ford. Both have intriguing do-it-all type players — the Ravens' Mark Miller and the Falcons' Alex Williams. They even have similar numbers for returning letterwinners — 15 for Field, 14 for Ravenna. In short, expect this rivalry game to remain very competitive.
Who will win: Field 17-14

Springfield (1-9) at Waterloo (0-10)

What to watch: A year ago, the Vikings' most competitive game came against the Spartans. Keyshawne King nearly led Waterloo to victory with a five-touchdown performance in a 40-32 loss to Springfield. Now, King hopes to help the Vikings avenge that loss in a game featuring two very young teams. Meanwhile, 6-foot-2, 250-pound offensive lineman Spencer Casto looks to lead an improved ground game as the Spartans' size up front could pose a challenge to the Vikings.
Who will win: Waterloo 35-28

Stow-Munroe Falls (2-8) at Aurora (6-4)

What to watch: This is the first game between the Bulldogs and Greenmen since at least 1971. Stow is trying to snap a streak of four consecutive losing seasons and Aurora is looking to bounce back from only its second season not making the postseason since 2005. Watch for the Bulldogs' Jack Miller and the Greenmen's Luke McGovern, two of the Suburban League's most intriguing athletes.
Who will win: Aurora 31-21

Streetsboro (9-3) at Copley (7-4)

What to watch: A year ago, Streetsboro beat Copley 34-20 as Marcus Council and Janiere Cook both rushed for 100-plus yards. Council is now at Akron East and Cook graduated, but senior Logan Fincham is back for the Rockets and poised for a breakout season. He turned eight carries into 87 yards and a touchdown in last year's matchup. Of course, Copley is capable of putting up the points as well with quarterback Dane Wininger and wide receiver Jacob Kuczkowski forming a potent pair.
Who will win: Streetsboro 35-28

Roosevelt (5-5) at Twinsburg (6-5)

What to watch: Both of these programs have positive momentum. It wasn't long ago (2021) that Twinsburg was 1-9, but in his first three years leading the Tigers, Charles Saulter has led them to two postseason appearances. The Rough Riders also have momentum after making a three-win jump a year ago, from 2-8 to 5-5. This game features a battle of strength on strength. Roosevelt has long had a strong secondary, and this year should be no different, led by Chace Dennison, Tyler Ellington and Sevyn Jones. And they'll have their work cut out for them against Twinsburg quarterback Dylan Fantone, who passed for 2,307 yards last year.
Who will win: Twinsburg 28-21

Plymouth (1-9) at Windham (1-9)

What to watch: This may be the most mysterious game of the week. Plymouth was a late add to Windham's schedule and both teams are making the shift to eight-man football after going 1-9 in 11-man last year. The Bombers could be one of the area's surprise teams this season, with a rising backfield led by savvy veteran quarterback Bryan Smithberger, the electric Dejuan Ramsey and the powerful Alex Eye.
Who will win: Windham 35-21

Contact Jonah L. Rosenblum at jrosenblum@recordpub.com and follow him on Twitter at @JLRSports.