COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the Division III state championship game Friday afternoon, Bishop Watterson High School in Columbus will be taking on Toledo Central Catholic, with the Eagles looking for revenge after falling short in last year’s state championship game.

What You Need To Know

  • Watterson's football team is headed to the state championship game

  • Family blood runs deep on this team, with three sets of brothers

  • They're playing the same team they lost to in states last year, looking for revenge 

But despite the loss last December, Watterson’s senior class has had plenty of success over the last few years, going 41 and 4 since their sophomore season.

And the family blood lines run deep.

“It’s the state championship you’re excited about that but at the end of the day you know it’s going to be your last game,” said Dominic Theado, senior at Bishop Watterson High School. 

Theado said he’s not taking anything for granted and is going to leave it all on the field. And it’s extra special for him because his younger brother and cousin will also be on the field alongside him. 

“To play with them is full circle, we’ve been playing with each other for years like in the backyard and family gatherings so to have this opportunity is very special and I’ll cherish it forever,” Theado said. 

And Theado's younger brother, Max, is cherishing this last game with his brother. 

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play with my older brother to win a state championship and go through high school with him is definitely a privilege,” said Max Theado, junior at Bishop Watterson High School. 

And family is a common theme on this Watterson team. There’s two other sets of brothers, the Uhlenhakes and the Manginis. 

“We’ve been playing back yard football against each other our whole lives, so it’s really special to be on the same team for once,” said Cal Mangini, Senior at Bishop Watterson High School. 

“We’ve played sports our whole lives so I’ve never really gotten to be on the same field as him but for the first year it’s really special and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Caden Mangini, sophomore at Bishop Watterson High School. 

And Cal and his fellow seniors gathered around the table for one last dinner before heading to the state championship. Smiles all around the table, getting ready to play in a game they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. 

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