Written by Adam Burke

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Could it be the biggest rivalry in Northeast Ohio? No, it’s not the east side of Cleveland vs. the west side of Cleveland. No, it’s not Browns-Steelers or Indians-Tigers. It’s an epic clash of two of the state’s most storied high school football programs lovingly titled “The Holy War”. St. Edward High School of Lakewood and St. Ignatius High School of Cleveland will meet for the 50th time in their history on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd of nearly 15,000 at Parma’s Byers Field. Kickoff for the showdown is slated for 7 p.m.

Both teams enter this game 9-0, with St. Ignatius ranked #14 in the USA Today Super 25 high school football poll. This marks the last regular season game for both teams, who have a tendency to meet in the playoffs more often than not. Ohio high school football may not be referenced in the same breath as that of Texas, Florida, or California, but it’s certainly in the second-tier and could be a top-five state in terms of talent and competitiveness.

The road that got St. Edward High School to this game was one that featured a lot of points and a lot of impressive victories. Glenville High School, who has churned out several Ohio State University recruits in recent years, was victim number one, falling 42-14 to open the season. Since then, the Eagles have also beaten the best Ohio has to offer, notching victories over Cincinnati Elder, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Cincinnati Moeller, and Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. In the game against Cincinnati Moeller last week, the Eagles were down 42-21 before rattling off 28 unanswered points to stay perfect on the season with a 49-42 win.

As for St. Ignatius, their road has also been paved with dominating performances, winning all nine of their games by 11 points or more. Like St. Ed’s, they also beat Cardinal Mooney, Glenville, and St. Xavier. According to the USA Today Super 25, the Wildcats’ strength of schedule ranks 65th in the country, having beaten some of the best in Ohio, as well as teams from Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan. SI.com ranks the Wildcats #4 in the country.

This game will feature some of Ohio’s top collegiate recruits. From St. Edward, the top recruit is Solomon Warfield, a three-star safety committed to the University of Iowa. Anthony Young, a three-star wide receiver, has committed to the University of Indiana. In terms of national rank, Warfield ranks #39 at safety, while Young is #137 at wide receiver. From St. Ignatius, the top recruit is defensive tackle David Katusha, who has not yet committed to a school, but is the #95 defensive tackle in the national rankings. Running back Tim McVey, at 5’9”, is not nationally ranked, but he has committed to the University of Buffalo. Defensive end Kevin Kavalec is committed to Boston College.

The energy from the cramped stands at Byers Field is just another example of the importance this game holds. Ohio may not have massive high school stadiums like Texas and Florida do, but as far as “Friday Night Lights” goes, there is no bigger spectacle than The Holy War. In the 50-year history of the rivalry, St. Ignatius has the edge, with a 27-21-1 record.

This year, the game takes on additional significance for the Wildcats and their head coach Chuck Kyle. Kyle, who has been the head man on the sidelines for 29 seasons, is looking for his 300th career victory on Saturday. Under Kyle, the Wildcats have only lost nine times in 31 matchups against the Eagles. Eagles coach Rick Finotti is just 1-3 in this rivalry.

In a rivalry with a lot of one-possession games, ball control and defense will be the keys for each team. With a fairly windy day expected and some showers in the forecast, securing the football will have to take precedence. A really low-scoring game, historically, favors the Eagles, who are 19-0 when holding the Wildcats under 13 points. If the Wildcats score more than two touchdowns, they are 23-1 in the series.

The stage is set for Ohio’s premier high school football game. Two of the most storied programs in the state, battling for bragging rights during the regular season and a psychological edge if they meet in the playoffs. A loud, sold out crowd of parents, alumni, friends, students, family, and just people who like to watch the game of football should create a phenomenal atmosphere for a game that certainly deserves the fanfare.

The game will be broadcast live on SportsTime Ohio.