COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — After 15 weeks of high school football, it’s finally time to crown state champions in Ohio.

Fourteen teams are competing at the state football finals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton this weekend, including two from central Ohio. Watterson will take on Toledo Central Catholic in the Division III championship on Friday at 3 p.m., and Olentangy Liberty will face Cincinnati Moeller at 7:30 p.m.

Here’s a look at how each school is approaching their final games of the year.

Liberty on cusp of first title

After three previous attempts of making the state championship game fell short, Olentangy Liberty is in a final for the first time in school history. The Patriots took down three-time defending state champions Lakewood St. Edward 21-7 in a Division I semifinal last Friday in Mansfield.

Liberty was a state semifinalist from 2016 to ’18.

“I’m just happy our guys get to keep playing football and get an opportunity here that we’ve never had,” coach John Sansbury said. “I don’t think we focus as much on who we’re beating but just where we’re at right now and just trying to be the best team that we can be.”

The Patriots will take on Moeller, which has a storied history that includes nine state titles but none since 2013. The Crusaders are also getting over the hump after three straight losses in the state semifinals.

“They’re a good football team, obviously, or else they wouldn’t be here,” Sansbury said. “Their offense is explosive. They have an excellent quarterback. Big strong receivers and tight ends. Their defense is solid, too.”

Liberty, which earned a share of the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division title, will rely on senior Andrew Leonard, who has 2,913 passing yards and 37 total touchdowns. His main targets have been seniors Jake Struck and Christian Moulton, who have combined for 44 touchdowns.

“I think our players are ready for the challenge and are excited for it,” Sansbury said.

Watterson a win away from undefeated season

After the school’s first 15-0 start, Watterson stands one win away from its first Division III championship since 2010. And the Eagles will face a familiar opponent.

Toledo Central Catholic returns to the final a year after the Fighting Irish defeated Watterson 27-7 for back-to-back championships. Friday’s game is the only rematch from last year this weekend in Canton.

And Eagles coach Brian Kennedy said his team is better prepared.

“Toledo Central Catholic was dominant last year. Making sure our kids believe that they could go play with them,” Kennedy said. “It’s a little bit of a different approach this year.”

Watterson has been dominant itself, averaging 41.3 points this season. In the state semifinals, the Eagles defeated previously undefeated London 56-21 in a performance that included 49 straight points.

The offense is orchestrated by junior Drew Bellisari, who has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. Senior Zack Weber leads the running game with 192 carries for 1,733 yards and 23 TDs. Bellisari has strong legs of his own, adding 13 rushing touchdowns.

Kennedy thinks having the experience from last year’s state title game will help end the school’s championship drought.

“Our kids aren’t going to be awestruck by walking into that stadium,” Kennedy said. “It’s not like, hey, we’ve been here before, but we’ve been there before, so it’s a little bit different.”

This year’s team has already left its mark, thanks to the senior class.

“They’re going to walk out of Watterson as the winningest class in the history of Watterson high,” Kennedy said. “They’re the leaders, they’ve done everything.”

Everything but win a state title. That can change on Friday.