Football Game Preview: Bishop Hartley Hawks vs. Bishop Watterson Eagles

Two dominant backs in Robert Lathon and Jack McCoy are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Bishop Hartley Hawks will head out to face off against the Bishop Watterson Eagles at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Bishop Hartley has given up an average of 25.9 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Bishop Hartley's offense might be in the hot seat on Friday considering what happened against Walsh Jesuit on Friday. They were outmatched by the Warriors and fell 49-0. While losing is never fun, the Hawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio football rankings (they are ranked 85th, while the Warriors are ranked 14th).

Bishop Watterson hadn't beaten St. Francis DeSales on the road since September 18, 2020 but that history sure didn't bother them last Friday. The Eagles took their contest with ease, bagging a 42-7 victory over the Stallions. Considering the Eagles have won five matchups by more than 21 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.

Bishop Hartley better focus on containing Caden Mangini and Carter Bellisari as the pair were huge in Bishop Watterson's win. Mangini rushed for 123 yards on only 11 carries, while Bellisari picked up 66 receiving yards and one touchdown. Mangini's longest rush was for an impressive 68 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total.

One reason for the win was Bishop Watterson's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for five sacks. Leading the way was Michael Boyle with three. Thanks to that big game, he is now up to 7 sacks on the season.

Bishop Hartley dropped their record down to 4-3 with the loss, which was their fourth straight on the road dating back to last season. As for Bishop Watterson, their record now sits at 6-0.

Things could have been worse for Bishop Hartley, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took a 28-13 loss to Bishop Watterson when the teams last played back in September of 2024. Can the Hawks avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.