Granville High School has a multitude of home games during the fall season, here’s a curated list to pick and choose the biggest matches for every sport this fall.

Cross Country

“Depending on how far we make it is either States or Regionals,” claimed, Eli Kretchmar, a 4-year member of the varsity cross country team. “Lots of tough rivals within Licking County, like Watkins, Lakewood, and Heath. We just want to win the LCL,” Kretchmar said.

Both the girls and boys cross country teams have a big agenda this season, citing their state meet as their most important race. Members of each team, such as Zoee Lehman, were sure of their qualifications and confident in their team’s ability to win. The State meet is held on Nov. 5th at Fortress Obetz for both teams.

Golf

“Our last LCL which is next Tuesday,” said Senior golfer Jaiden Tripp. Prior to the league championship, there are several important meets. “Lakewood is our number one [rival], and we beat them at our last LCL Wednesday.”

The girls golf team wants to keep their streak running as they battle Lakewood on Sept. 16, at CTCG Cumberland Trail, with their match starting at 12:00 pm. The boys team is indecisive regarding their rivalries but freshman, Edward Rutherford was said to be looking forward to their next LCL. The boy’s team’s next LCL match is Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8:00 am against Newark Catholic.

Girls Tennis

Senior Abby Sanders chose a match with a personal connection. “Probably with Watkins again, because I beat the girl last time barely and it was a really good match,” Sanders said.

The girls tennis team will battle Watkins on Thursday, Sept. 22nd, with the event starting at 4:30 pm at the high school tennis courts. The competition between the opponents of both teams is a quintessential rivalry for Granville Athletics.

Field Hockey

“Definitely Senior Night, Sept. 14 vs Olentangy Berlin,” said, Lorie Hord, a member of the girl’s field hockey team.

After the girl’s field hockey team found success against Bexley, winning their game 2-0, senior Lorie Hord claims their next biggest match will be their senior night. They play Olentangy Berlin at home with their match starting at 6 pm.

Volleyball

“Senior Night, we play Zanesville, and it’s our second to last game of the regular season,” said Paige Hamilton a senior member of the girls volleyball team.

As any senior would, Paige said she looks forward to the recognition of Senior night with their game being on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7 pm.

Football

“I’m really excited to go on the road to Heath and Valley because we’re rivals and it’s always a good competition,” Dante Varrasso said.

While traveling to competition might be harder for other athletes, Varrasso, clearly enjoys the challenge. The junior on the football team is always a fan of big games because the student section carries the football team through. The Granville team plays Licking Valley Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 pm away at the Randy Baughman Stadium.

Soccer

Both the boys and girls soccer programs have found success this season with big wins in the last month. Truman Kennedy and Jake King said their biggest game is against Bexley, a team that they beat last year in the district final. The boys team plays them Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Bexley High School.

The girl’s soccer team will face a few big matches, “Either Upper Arlington or Watkins, because Upper Arlington will be a really good challenge for us, and I think that we could definitely do it,” senior Ella Hoover said. “And Watkins just because they beat us last year and I think they think they’re going to win and I just want to prove them wrong.”

The rivalry between the girls soccer team and Watkins remains strong while Upper Arlington is a new come challenge for the team this year. Both games are at home with Upper Arlington scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 27, and Watkins scheduled for Oct. 13

Caroline Otter, the senior student section leader, puts everything in perspective when she mentioned her favorite upcoming game. “The football Homecoming game, because it’s about the entire senior class.”

Otter reminds the unity of school sports and the bigger picture behind each game. While every sport is a competition it is also a point of unity for both the athletes and the spectators.

So while a rivalry might get heated, remember the reason for coming to the match, and don’t forget to enjoy the experience with the fans.