RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesJul. 30—Before the 2026 high school football season kicks off, let's look back at what went down last season in the Dayton City League with an eye on what it could tell us for this fall:
Defending champions
Meadowdale.
Game of the year
Meadowdale 19, Dunbar 13. With the score tied midway through the fourth quarter in Week 10 against their biggest rival, Lions senior Trae Raye-Redmond scored on a 52-yard fumble recovery to give his team the lead for good. With the victory, Meadowdale secured its second straight Dayton City League title.
Performance of the year
Belmont junior Aaron Dandrea threw for a career-high 355 yards and four TDs and rushed for 105 yards on 12 carries as the Bison beat Thurgood Marshall 44-0 in Week 8.
Playoff results
For the first time since 2022, the City League did not have a team advance to the playoffs. Both Meadowdale and Belmont finished 16th in their region — which would've qualified them for the postseason under the old format used in 2024.
One number that
defined the season: 47
Meadowdale has been strong on defense the past two seasons, allowing just 47 points in eight conference games with two shutouts. Dunbar is the only team to score in double digits in the last two years against the Lions.
Biggest question
entering 2026
Can Meadowdale make it three in a row? The Lions have won back-to-back titles, going 4-0 in each of the past two seasons. Meadowdale will have to replace several skill players, including quarterback Jordan Brown, running back Courtney Russell and receiver Kingston Tyler. Dunbar won three straight titles from 2021-2023.
League Leaders
2025 All-Ohio selections (underclassmen in bold):
Division II
Third Team:Bariyus Allen, Belmont, 6-5, 290, jr., DL
Honorable Mention: Aaron Dandrea, Belmont, 6-2, 200, jr., QB
Division III
Second Team: Ulysses Porter, Dunbar, 5-9, 170, jr., RB
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