Based on history, Friday morning's OHSAA Division IV state championship game sets up as a battle of contrasts.
Shelby will be playing in its first-ever state football final. Glenville won the whole thing in both 2022 and 2023.
But don't let that fool you. This sets up as one of the best championship matchups of the weekend.
Shelby enters the game at 14-0 and is led by Ohio Mr. Football runner-up Brayden DeVito, the do-everything senior quarterback who is heading to Air Force.
DeVito is fourth on the OHSAA's all-time passing yardage list and eighth all-time in passing touchdowns, not even accounting for his 73 career rushing TDs. His top target is Brady Bowman (82-1607-24 this season. The Whippets also have West Virginia commit Carter Kessler leading their defense.
Glenville is 11-3, with losses to three of the best large-school teams in the state.
The Tarblooders, led by Ted Ginn Sr., won D-IV state titles in 2022 and 2023 before falling in the state semifinal a season ago to Sandusky Perkins. Glenville has also been state runner-up twice (2009, 2013).
The defense is the story for Glenville, where linebacker Cincere Johnson and lineman Jamir Perez are both committed to Ohio State. The Tarblooders also have at least four seniors committed to play in the MAC.
Division IV gets Friday rolling at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton with the bright and early 10:30 a.m. Kickoff.
You can follow along below with all the action as it happens.
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GLENVILLE 0, SHELBY 0: PREGAME
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PREGAME
- Temperature will be sub-freezing all day long.
- Sounds like the game will begin a bit after the 10:30 a.m. Scheduled start time.
- Glenville won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. Shelby will receive the opening kickoff in its first-ever state final.
- This is the first of three state championship games in Canton on Friday. The D-III game between Toledo Central Catholic and Bishop Watterson follows, and the nightcap is in Division I between St. Xavier and Olentangy Orange.
- Sunshine and blue skies for the Division IV state final. The football gods are ready for this.
It’s game day!! Shelby vs Glenville for the Division IV state championship!!! Pic.twitter.com/ZI7d8eTeS0
— Jake Furr (@JakeFurr11) December 5, 2025
- The analytics website Fantastic 50 projects Shelby to win by nine points in this game.
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