Breaking down the Worthington Kilbourne, Big Walnut football showdown

A showdown many high school football observers have seen coming for weeks is almost here.

Worthington Kilbourne puts its 6-0 record on the line Oct. 2 at Big Walnut, which improved to 6-0 with a 47-40 overtime win at Ironton last week.

That the winner remains in position for the OCC-Capital championship might be overshadowed by the fact that massive computer points will go to the winner in its pursuit of a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Both teams are third in their respective regions. Big Walnut is in loaded Division II, Region 7, where Kilbourne would have been had it not been realigned into Division I, Region 3 in the spring.

Kilbourne has not been undefeated this late in the season since a 7-0 start in 2015, when it reached the Division II,

Region 5 final.

Big Walnut has won 26 of its past 28 regular-season games. Both losses came to Watterson, in the 2024 and 2025 season openers. The Golden Eagles are off to their best start since going 12-1 in 2021.

Here is a breakdown of the key personnel and numbers entering the game:

Worthington Kilbourne's Alex Meek (7) runs the ball against Walnut Ridge's Antoine Jackson Jr. (3) in the first half of the Division II, Region 7 playoff game at Walnut Ridge High School on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

A look at Worthington Kilbourne’s offense

Key players and stats: It all starts with quarterback Jackson Szabo, who has completed 107 of 159 passes for 1,977 yards and 24 touchdowns with three interceptions and rushed for 682 yards and 12 touchdowns on 83 carries. Some pundits already are speculating that Szabo could be a Mr. Football candidate, thanks in part to a deep receiving corps that includes Alex Meek (35 catches, 715 yards, 8 TDs), Shawn Rice (33 catches, 675 yards, 11 TDs) and tight end Grady Wanner (19 catches, 342 yards, 4 TDs). If needed, kicker Erkan Erciyas – who has made both of his field-goal attempts this year – can be trusted from 40 yards or more.

Kilbourne coach Mike Edwards on his team’s offense: “Those guys are making plays. Obviously, we have the guys to do it. They’re stepping up and making big-time plays, led by Jackson Szabo. Last week [against Delaware Hayes], we had a little hiccup with some protection issues and a couple of turnovers that kept us from scoring two more touchdowns.”

Big Walnut coach Curtis Crager on defending Kilbourne: “Everything concerns me about their offense. Obviously, Jackson Szabo is a phenomenal talent because he can beat you with his arm and he can beat you with his feet and he controls the entire offense, but they’re also very skilled. They have good wide receivers who can make plays and when they get the ball in space, they’re dangerous. They’re averaging [48.9] points a game, so I don’t think you want to get in that type of contest with them.”

Worthington Kilbourne's Griffin Miller (33) intercepts a pass intended for Big Walnut's Gavin Harrington (17) on Oct. 3, 2025, at Worthington Kilbourne. (photo by John Hulkenberg)

A look at Worthington Kilbourne’s defense

Key players and stats: Linebacker Brendan Rhoads’ 60 total tackles – 43 solo – lead a unit that has allowed 20 or more points four times but has forced eight takeaways, evenly split between fumbles and interceptions. Rhoads and defensive back Montell Wrice Jr. have one defensive touchdown apiece. Linebacker Andrew Beymer (45½ tackles) and lineman Will Simon (23½ tackles) both have six tackles for loss, and Rhoads’ three sacks lead the team. Kilbourne has allowed 5.1 yards per carry and an average of 218 yards per game on the ground, which could play into Big Walnut’s favor.

Edwards on his team’s defense: “They’re doing a great job. They’re getting better all year. Our biggest goal this year was to get the defense to stop the run. That’s our main objective. We have to get better stopping the run. We have to be better at [not] giving up big plays. It seems like every week this defense is growing and getting better and better.”

Crager on going against Kilbourne’s defense: “They’re never misaligned. They run to the football well. They feed off their offense. They have a lot of belief in what they’re doing. We’re going to have our hands full there as well.”

Big Walnut's Nolan Buirley (3) runs the ball after a catch against Hilliard Bradley during Week 1 of Ohio high school football at Big Walnut High School on Aug. 21, 2026.

A look at Big Walnut’s offense

Key players and stats: To say it all starts with a strong ground game is partly accurate, given that running back Nolan Buirley is 38 yards from 1,000 for the season and has over 5,000 yards on the ground for his career. The Northwestern linebacker commit has 15 touchdowns, but the run can set up the pass as much as the pass sets up the run for Big Walnut, which averages 42.2 points. Michigan State quarterback commit Eli Stumpf is 78-of-106 passing for 1,082 yards and 13 touchdowns and has rushed for 314 yards on four scores on 44 carries. A balanced group of receivers includes Jackson Bowers (18 catches, 307 yards, 4 TDs), Gavin Harrington (21 catches, 270 yards, 4 TDs), Fen Stumpf (15 catches, 198 yards, 2 TDs) and, yes, Buirley (16 catches, 223 yards, 3 TDs).

Crager on his team’s offense: “We still have room for improvement, but having a three-year starter at quarterback is a blessing because Eli is comfortable. He knows the offense. He’s playing very confidently and he’s playing very well. We have Nolan as a three-year starter as well, our offensive line is playing well and our receivers are doing a great job.”

Edwards on defending Big Walnut: “They play at a really high level up front. Obviously, their quarterback [Stumpf] has committed to Michigan State and he’s playing at a different level this year, and he was great last year. Their running back [Buirley] is a really good football player and with the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous.”

Big Walnut's TJ Minor (99) against Hilliard Bradley during Week 1 of Ohio high school football at Big Walnut High School on Aug. 21, 2026.

A look at Big Walnut’s defense

Key players and stats: Five players have at least 30 tackles, led by Gage Eckelbarger’s 38 and 30 from Cole Hysell, numbers that underscore the Golden Eagles’ balance on defense. Eight players have one interception each. Hysell leads the unit in solo tackles (23), tackles for loss (6½) and sacks (3½). Touted junior defensive end TJ Minor adds 19 tackles and 2½ sacks. Big Walnut has held its opponents to 12.5 points per game and 3.2 yards per rushing attempt and has given up only two passing touchdowns.

Crager on his team’s defense: “We have a lot of room for growth. Any time you give up a large amount of points [like last week], you start looking at things and how much better we can play fundamentally. This week, if you’re misaligned, if you take a wrong course on this young man that we’re playing [Szabo], he will punish you with his feet and his arm and he will make you pay. We have to have a phenomenal week of trying to contain him as best we can.”

Edwards on going against Big Walnut’s defense: “I’m really impressed with their defensive line. They present a lot of issues with their physicality and their speed off the ball. It’s hard for us to pinpoint one [player] because there are a few on there who do concern us with some matchup issues. Overall on defense, they play very disciplined and sound and as a unit really well together.”