MOUNT ORAB, Ohio — Western Brown junior quarterback Drew Novak is the fourth Ohio high school football player to throw for at least 5,000 yards in a season, according to information from the Ohio High School Athletic Association record book list.

Novak's 5,269 yards passing this season is sixth all-time in the OHSAA record book. Kenton's Benjamin Mauk (2002 and 2001) and Maty Mauk (2010 and 2011) accomplished the 5,000 yards mark twice.

"Drew had a phenomenal year," Western Brown football coach Nick Osborne said. "I think he is only going to get better as time goes on. We're excited for his future."

Novak completed this season with 5,269 yards passing and 56 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,202 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Novak's 56 passing touchdowns this season is ranked among the all-time best for most passing TDs in a season, according to the OHSAA record list.

Novak passed Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay High School) on Friday night. Roethlisberger threw for 54 touchdowns during the 1999 season.

Novak, ranked No. 1 nationally in passing yards this season by MaxPreps, will also be on the OHSAA's career passing yards list (9,924 yards) and career passing touchdowns (96 touchdowns) category.

He will also be on the OHSAA record book list for most passing touchdowns in a game (7) and most passing yards in a game (503 and 521).

Granville defeated Western Brown 57-49 Friday in the Division III, Region 11 final. Novak threw for 383 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

It was the first regional final appearance for the Broncos (11-3).

Osborne said the community support had a significant impact on the program this year. He said "Bronco Nation" was in full effect from start to finish Friday night.

Osborne said the community truly congratulated the student-athletes and the program Friday night. The student-athletes and coaching staff enjoyed the memorable journey.

"Our kids never quit," Osborne said. "They fought every game. We lost three games this year by eight (points), seven and eight again so we were right in it. We were honestly five plays away from being 14-0 right now and playing in the final four. But, it's part of life. That's what I told them last night. You are going to win some in life, you are going to lose some. It's how you respond from here on out. I'm just real excited for the future of our program and the future of our seniors that left us last night."

Western Brown senior kicker Evan Grimes is tied for fifth on the OHSAA list for most extra points in a season (82).

Senior wide receiver Logan Campbell will enter the OHSAA record book list in career receptions (187), career receiving yards (2,584) and consecutive games with a reception (25).

Senior Dylan Novak will enter the OHSAA categories in consecutive games with a reception (22) and most receptions in a season (92).

The Broncos will also enter OHSAA categories for having 700 points as a team and a 50 points per game scoring average.

MOUNT ORAB, Ohio — Western Brown junior quarterback Drew Novak moved up to No. 11 on the state's all-time single season passing yards list Friday night and surpassed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in that high school football statistical category.

Novak has thrown for 4,466 yards and 50 touchdowns this season. He entered Friday night as the nation's top passing yards leader, according to MaxPreps.

Novak passed Burrow, an Athens High School product, on the Ohio High School Athletic Association record list for most passing yards in a season Friday night.

Burrow threw for 4,437 yards during his senior season at Athens High School in 2014, when he was named Ohio Mr. Football.

Novak, who is visiting Iowa State University today, was 28-of-42 passing for 343 yards and five touchdowns in the Broncos' 50-20 win over visiting Bellefontaine in a Division III, Region 11 quarterfinal Friday night.

Novak rushed 12 times for 111 yards, too. He has rushed 994 yards and 17 touchdowns overall this year.

Novak's 50 touchdown passes is also on the OHSAA list for most TD passes in a season.

Novak is No. 15 all-time in Ohio for most career passing yards (9,121) and is on the state list for most career passing touchdowns (90).

Western Brown coach Nick Osborne said Novak and the Broncos don't dwell on the stats, but the program is grateful for the recognition.

"It's cool for him and cool for the program," Osborne said.

"Kind of getting the Western Brown name out there again like it used to be. I think Drew is handling it really, really well and the kids are handling it well. Drew is just a very humble kid. He's a true leader and he doesn't care about the spotlight."

This is the first time the Western Brown football team has advanced to the third round of the playoffs, according to Osborne.

Western Brown (10-2) plays Jackson (10-2) in a Region 11 semifinal Nov. 12 at a neutral site. Western Brown defeated Jackson 33-28 on Sept. 10.

The Broncos persevered Friday night to reach the regional semifinals.

Western Brown trailed 20-14 at the end of the first quarter Friday night, but the Broncos scored 28 unanswered points in the second and third quarters.

The defense really played well after the first quarter, led by several players, Osborne said.

Other offensive leaders included junior Zachery Chisman who caught two touchdown passes and rushed for two scores. Senior Dylan Novak, Drew's brother, had seven receptions for 71 yards.

"To be able to come away with a 30-point victory in the second round is something special for our kids," Osborne said. "They've worked hard for it and it just shows you their hard work and their dedication they put in this offseason."

READING, Ohio — Mount Notre Dame High School senior guard KK Bransford - the 2021 Ohio Ms. Basketball recipient - has chosen Notre Dame as the next stop on her journey for college.

Bransford's had also considered UCLA, according to a school news release.

Bransford, a four-star recruit, helped to lead the undefeated Cougars (28-0) to the Division I girls basketball state title in March 2021.

MND, which was ranked No. 1 nationally by Blue Star Media and No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps this past spring, has won 72 consecutive games entering the start of this season in November.

The win streak is third in Ohio High School Athletic Association girls basketball history. MND is two wins away from tying Pickerington (1991-94) for second place all-time.

Bransford, who was also part of the 2019 state championship team, averaged 21.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.0 steals for the Cougars this past season.

"KK is special," MND coach Dr. Scott Rogers said this past spring. "A great player and a great person. She is more concerned about her team getting better than anything else. She is constantly working on the little things. That separates her."

Bransford had 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in MND's 57-55 double overtime win over Newark in the Division I state final March 13.

"KK Bransford is an electric player,” Centerville coach Adam Priefer said in a media release this past spring. “She’s a long, active defender, a great rebounder, dynamic scorer, good passer. She can do it all.”

Bransford is ranked No. 29 nationally on the ESPN girls basketball player rankings for the 2022 class, including the nation's seventh-best guard in her class.

Bransford, who has 1,600 career points, was named the Gatorade Ohio player of the year, MaxPreps Ohio player of the year and a MaxPreps All-America first team selection as a junior.

MND is scheduled to open its season against Sheridan High School Nov. 20 at the Reynoldsburg Showcase at Reynoldsburg High School, according to MND assistant athletic director Keith Schenkel.

MND has won eighth state girls basketball championships overall - the most in OHSAA history.

WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio — There is no debate that Lakota West senior offensive tackle Tegra Tshabola is one of the nation's top high school football players in the 2022 class.

The 6-foot-6, 330-pound offensive lineman is verbally committed to The Ohio State University.

This past May, he committed to the prestigious All-American Bowl.

What may not be as commonly known is the 17-year-old with size 17 shoes speaks fluent French.

His family moved to West Chester Township more than a dozen years ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo where French is spoken. Tshabola had to learn English because French was his first language and is still spoken in his family.

"People usually don't know but then when they see me speak with my parents sometimes they look at me funny," Tshabola said.

Football has been also a common language in the Tshabola family for a number of years.

Tshabola has two elder brothers, Dan, a 2018 Lakota West graduate and former defensive lineman, and Michael, a 2016 graduate and former linebacker, who played for the Firebirds.

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Tegra used to stand next to the stadium bleachers as a young football player watching the Lakota West games while listening to the coaching staff instruct the team. He did everything he could to learn about the game from his brothers.

"They both played really hard," Tshabola said. "They taught me to play every play like it's your last so when I'm out here playing football I finish out every play."

Tshabola has had quite the journey since his freshman season when he played on the defensive line to his junior season when he was named a Division I first-team all-state offensive lineman.

Caleb Noe/WCPO

"He was a basketball kid, a good basketball player," said Lakota West coach Tom Bolden, who arrived at Lakota West for the 2019 season.

"He always had that athleticism but just everything was just so raw and not refined. Now he really works at his craft and his pass pro and his run blocking and all that. He's really, really stepped up and he's become a complete football player from the standpoint that it's not just him bullying people around. He's using the skill set that he has now."

Soft-spoken and unassuming off the field, Tshabola is imposing between the lines. He's seen defensive linemen do anything possible to try to avoid his blocking. Tshabola said he is patient in waiting to put his hands on a defender in a game and perfecting his craft in practice.

"I'm an offensive lineman so I like hitting so you get to come out here, you get to grind it out,"
Tshabola said.

"You get to work with your friends that you see every day. Come out here and all work to achieve the same goal."

Tshabola embraced his role as a captain and has made it a point to help younger players this season.

"This program I've learned that when you really want something you got to really put in the work if you want to get somewhere far in life," Tshabola said. "I've definitely bought into that. I've been working hard trying to get up to Ohio State soon in January."

Tshabola will graduate from Lakota West in December and join Ohio State as an early enrollee in January.

"He's got the tools," Lakota West offensive line coach Jeff Wadl said. "He's obviously got the size. But, he's got the strength and he works hard in the weight room so he's got a good work ethic there. I think what I've really seen him do this year is be more cognizant of his technique and things he needs to do especially at the next level."

Bolden said Tshabola's best football days are ahead of him.

"It will be really cool to see in a couple of years from now with a couple college seasons under his belt what he does," Bolden said. "Because like I said I think he's gotten better each year and I think the sky is the limit with him."

Tshabola, who has worked with Bengals great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz, would like to play in the NFL. He'd also like to help others along the way.

"My biggest goal is to train other athletes, train other kids," Tshabola said. "My dream is to have a training facility, like a big national training facility for people to come to."

READING, Ohio — The Mount Notre Dame High School volleyball team is ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps this week.

These are the first national girls volleyball rankings for MaxPreps this season.

MND (4-0), the reigning Division I state champion, plays host to St. Ursula (5-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

"It's going to be a great match," MND coach Michael Crofton said.

MND received national recognition earlier this week when senior outside hitter Carly Hendrickson (University of Florida verbal commit) was named a MaxPreps preseason All-American. She was also named Ohio's top player entering this season.

"She's addicted to volleyball all around," Crofton said. "She wants to be in the gym as much as she can. Throughout the entire summer she was training in the mornings before we would have camp or open gyms. She was training with past alumni of MND as well as some players who are back home from playing overseas."

MND defeated Ursuline 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-16 on Tuesday night.

Hendrickson had a team-high 33 kills. Junior Audrey Armbruster had 42 assists.

"We shook off some nerves early," Crofton said. "For us looking at the roster there's only been one or two kids who have actually played in that atmosphere before. With COVID last year there wasn't that scene. So having seen that and seeing us be tested very early on and being able to keep our composure, focus on our game plan and execute in the end was what I really liked."

GREEN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — La Salle junior kicker Mason Luensman made four field goals as the host Lancers defeated Winton Woods 21-7 Friday night.

Luensman made field goals from 38, 34, 30 and 36 yards to help lead the Lancers.

"He did a fantastic job," La Salle coach Pat McLaughlin said. "The operation from snap to hold to kick was good. Protection was good. Anytime you have a weapon when you kick the ball, anytime you get inside the 20, it's awesome. He did a great job tonight."

La Salle earned a 13-0 halftime lead and went ahead 18-0 when senior linebacker Tristen Wolf made a tackle for a safety late in the third quarter.

The kickoff was delayed due to inclement weather like many Greater Cincinnati high school football games Friday. The game didn't conclude until well after 11 p.m.

La Salle earned three interceptions, including a pick-six by senior defensive back Gage Howard late in the second quarter.

Senior defensive end JJ Ruffin had a game-high 10 tackles (six solo). Senior linebacker Chase Stein had nine tackles.

"We're finding a way to win," McLaughlin said. "They battled. They play hard. We played a ton of kids tonight. I told them I'm proud of just how hard they played."

La Salle (2-0) is scheduled to play IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) Sept. 3. That will be the third consecutive home game for La Salle.

"We want to bring the best teams in here," McLaughlin said.

"I think we got one of the best teams in the last 25 years in Colerain Week 1. We got one of the best teams in Kentucky. We got one of the best teams in Division II this week. We got one of the best teams in the country (with IMG Academy) and then you have our league. Our kids are going to be excited. We're going to have a good week of practice and we'll go out there like we did tonight and play hard from start to finish."

IMG Academy is scheduled to play Bishop Sycamore (Ohio) Saturday afternoon.

IMG Academy, ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps, was declared the 2020 national champion by MaxPreps and USA Today.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — St. Xavier football coach Steve Specht said the Bombers are still in the process of figuring out their identity as a team.

If Friday night was any indication, the Bombers are giving a strong first impression to the 2021 season, a year after winning the Division I state championship.

St. X scored 28 unanswered points in a 31-14 win over visiting Lakota West in front of 5,300 fans at Ballaban Field at RDI Stadium.

"Look at our cheering section," Specht said. "We've got 400 kids, 500 kids coming out to support their school's team. The band is playing tonight. This is living. What happened last year – these kids didn't get to live. They're living now. I think that's a bigger victory than anybody winning or losing on the field tonight is the fact that these kids get to compete again. That's exciting."

St. Xavier senior linebacker Grant Lyons, a Miami University verbal commitment, was named the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown MVP after two key interceptions, including a pick-six in the third quarter to give the Bombers (1-0) the lead for good.

"It was awesome," Lyons said. "I love playing out here with my guys. We work so hard all offseason and it showed up tonight. It was a lot of fun."

St. X, ranked No. 22 nationally by MaxPreps, took an early 3-0 lead when senior kicker Mason Rohmiller made a 27-yard field goal to complete a 13-play, 44-yard drive that took 3:47.

Lakota West struck twice in the second quarter and took a 14-3 lead midway through the quarter.

Junior quarterback Mitch Bolden found sophomore Brennan Remy for a 4-yard touchdown pass and senior Tyler Sparnall added the extra point at the 8:52 mark to give Lakota West a 7-0 lead.

The Firebirds took advantage of a St. X special teams turnover and capitalized.

Bolden found senior wide receiver Alex Afari in the corner of the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown pass connection to help give the Firebirds a 14-3 lead.

The Bombers closed the gap to 14-10 at halftime after senior running back Charles Kellom scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:24 left in the first half.

Lyons gave the Bombers the lead for good on his 27-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter.

Senior quarterback Brogan McCaughey found senior Max Klare for a 25-yard touchdown pass connection five minutes later to give St. X a 24-14 advantage.

Kellom scored on his second touchdown carry late in the fourth quarter to help give the Bombers a 31-14 lead.

McCaughey was 11 of 21 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Kellom rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Senior linebacker Max Bonner had a team-high eight tackles.

St. X plays at Colerain (0-1) Aug. 27.

Lakota West, which plays host to West Clermont (0-1) Aug. 27, couldn't find consistency on the offensive side in the second half.

Lakota West coach Tom Bolden said the Firebirds lost junior wide receiver Trent Lloyd to an injury in the first quarter and that impacted the offense.

Mitch Bolden, Tom's son, had 81 yards rushing and 103 yards passing. Senior linebacker Aden Miller had a game-high 10 tackles.

Bolden said he was proud of the Firebirds' effort, especially on the defensive side. He said several younger players gained experience, too.

SHARONVILLE, Ohio — The undefeated Mount Notre Dame basketball team is a regional champion for the third consecutive season after the Cougars won their 70th consecutive game Saturday afternoon.

MND defeated Huber Heights Wayne 49-33 in a Division I regional final at Princeton.

MND junior guard KK Bransford scored a game-high 20 points to go along with eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Bransford was 12 of 17 from the free-throw line.

Senior guard Laila Phelia added 15 points. Senior forward Autumn Crockett had 10 rebounds.

MND outscored Wayne 12-1 in the second quarter after the Cougars trailed 13-8 at the end of the first quarter.

The Cougars (26-0) advance to a Division I state semifinal against Toledo Notre Dame Academy (16-1) at 8 p.m. March 12 at University of Dayton Arena.

The state final is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. March 13 at UD Arena.

MND is just the second Greater Cincinnati high school basketball program (boys or girls) in Ohio High School Athletic Association history to win at least 70 consecutive games.

The Middletown boys basketball team, led by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas, won 76 consecutive games from 1955-58. Lucas led Middletown to two state titles in 1956 and '57.

MND, ranked No. 3 nationally by MaxPreps, is third all-time in OHSAA girls basketball history for most overall consecutive wins (including the postseason tournament).

Only Pickerington High School (74 wins, 1991-94) and Millersburg West Holmes (108 wins, 1983-87) have more consecutive wins than MND in state girls basketball history.

The Cougars advance to the state tournament for the third consecutive season (2021, 2020, 2019). The 2020 state tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. MND was not able to make to the trip to St. John Arena in Columbus to participate.

MND completed its 2019-20 season with a 28-0 record and was a Division I state semifinalist. The Cougars were ranked No. 1 nationally by the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings.

Prior to that, MND was the 2019 Division I state champion, the program's seventh state basketball title.

MND started its current win streak Jan. 17, 2019 when it defeated host Mercy McAuley 60-58. MND's most recent loss was to Centerville (70-56) Jan. 14, 2019.

MND coach Dr. Scott Rogers has led the Cougars to four state titles under his head coaching direction including 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019.

The Cougars also won state titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009 under then-coach Dante Harlan.

WILLIAMSBURG, Ohio — Williamsburg High School softball standout Madi Ogden is having quite the memorable senior season.

Ogden has thrown six no-hitters this spring including two this week, according to the school.

"She's the fire," said Williamsburg softball coach Rick Healey, who is the school's athletic director.

"The kids look to her just as in 2017 the kids looked at (former Williamsburg standout) Carly Wagers. So they look at her and to her for that leadership."

Williamsburg (18-0), which won the 2017 Division IV state title, is ranked No. 21 nationally by MaxPreps and No. 4 in the Division III state poll.

"I think we have surpassed what I expected," Ogden said. "I think our defense has really came together as well as our hitting."

Ogden, a Morehead State University softball signee, is a significant reason for that success.

"Every game I kind of just think at the beginning I want this to be a perfect game," Ogden said.

"The first walk I'm always like, 'All right you know what? Now I want it to be a no-hitter.' If I give up a hit then I think, 'OK this needs to be a shutout.' You just set goals for yourself and I think that's what really has pushed me and helped succeed this year."

Ogden, 18, has been recognized statewide and nationally in softball. She set a single-season state record with 77 hits in 2019.

In May 2020, she was named by MaxPreps as one of the top 100 high school athletes nationally to watch this school year.

Ogden, who has 4.0 grade-point average, also played volleyball and basketball earlier this year and has earned accolades in those sports, too.

"The thing with her is she is such an athlete and she comes from a great family," Healey said. "But, it's her example that if you push and you work as she told you then really, really good things can happen."

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While Ogden has accomplished plenty in her high school career, she is the first to say she's grateful for the support so many people have exhibited in her life.

Ogden isn't often asked anymore about the severe car accident she experienced as a passenger in eighth grade when she was 13 years old in August 2016. But, her family and those who know her most understand her journey. The accident required her to be in the hospital for 22 days.

She underwent brain surgery the day of the accident and had pelvic surgery a week later. Doctors wondered if she would walk or run again.

Less than three years later, she set the state record for most hits in a season and was second all-time in runs batted in (85). She batted .700 including a 29-game hitting streak in 2019.

This week, she reflected on her high school athletics career.

"I'm probably just proud of the fact that I did go through all I went through as a 13-year-old," Ogden said.

"And I've just pushed myself to get to where I'm at because I wasn't sure if I would play softball. Definitely not play it collegiately at a D-I level. So that's what I'm most proud of is just my effort."

Ogden's family understands how much she's invested into being a three-sport athlete.

"She's had a heck of a high school career," said Steve Ogden, Madi's father.

While teams have often pitched around Madi Ogden this spring at the plate, she has had the opportunity to excel as a pitcher where she has reached 65 miles per hour.

"We're really proud of her," said Steve Ogden. "Oh my goodness. Her pitching has came such a long way."

Sandee Rohne

Williamsburg is hoping the team has an opportunity to make the long drive to the state tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron in early June.

The disappointing cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has helped to fuel the team's motivation.

"It just made me appreciate more of everything that comes with playing the game of softball," Ogden said.

"Not only just the games and the success but being able to spend that time with my teammates. And coming back this year I set myself more goals. It's awesome to have a great season as a sophomore but you have to set more goals to have a great season as a senior."