MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions celebrates St. Edward High School

The 14th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard passed through Ohio on Friday, January 11 to recognize St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) High School and its football team for winning a state championship and earning a high national ranking.

Having upended Colerain 24-10 in the OHSAA Division I state championship contest, the 11-3 Eagles claimed St. Edward's fourth state football title, earned the No. 10 ranking in MaxPreps' National Rankings and played their way into the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Writers' Poll at No. 24!

One of only 50 football programs nationally to earn a MaxPreps celebration in 2018-19, St. Edward shattered previously unbeaten Colerain's football season with the two-touchdown win. An all male college preparatory school, with an enrollment of 1,000 students in grades 9-12, St. Edward has a rich history of athletic championships in a host of sports. The Eagles have won state football titles in 2010, 2014, 2015 and, of course, 2018.

Sergeant Jeremiah Weppelman of the Ohio Army National Guard was on hand to present head coach Tom Lombardo with St. Edward's third Army National Guard national ranking trophy following his 11th season at the helm of the Eagles football program. Gathered closely around their coach, the Eagles were celebrated by a crowd of nearly 1,000 fans supporting and cheering their congratulations. The school spirit could not have been more thunderous!

The pep rally included a friendly, but competitive game of hoops between some varsity basketball players and select coaches. The first action-packed eight-minute period ended with the coaches leading 18-16. Following intermission, however, the players put an end to the competition with a 38-36 win.

It was great to see unity and pride in the students, players, staff, family and fans. To top it all off – and emphasize the football spirit in the community – an announcement was made giving the students the day after the Super Bowl off!

Congratulations to the 2018 St. Edward Eagles for being one of the best football teams in the country! Click here to view the St. Edward TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Football TOC, please visit the MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.