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Ohio High Magazine is published online nine times a yearand also produces an online and hard copy issue in July(Football Preview/Year in Review). Ohio High is an inde-pendent source of news and features relating to Ohio highschool sports. Ohio High strives to report informationbased on fact, but assumes no responsability for any inac-curacies that may appear. Ohio High is not authorized,sponsored or sanctioned by any university, athletic confer-ence or athletic governing body. Subscriptions are avail-able and may be purchased online at jjhuddle.com.Copyright 2009, Ohio HighMagazine andMVPMagazine, LLC.

All rights reserved.COVER PHOTO: Gary Housteau

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Volume 7 Issue 3

JJHuddle.com

Wide open? A total of 10 former state finalists in field.Division II Preview & Predictions8

Mooney, Steubenville, Dover, Wyoming, ColumbusDeSales, Watterson and other studs in the fold

Division III Preview & Predictions10

Can anyone beat Kettering Alter? Knights repeat?Division IV Preview & Predictions12

You want wide-open? D-V might just be it. Coldwater, Anna,Cuyahoga Heights, Patrick Henry...who survives?

Division V Preview & Predictions14

Defending state champion Delphos St. John’s has won 17straight games...can they make it 22?

Division VI Preview & Predictions16

Cleveland St. Ignatius searching for state title No. 11;Southwest Ohio will be major player again

Division I Preview & Predictions6Photo by Scott Grau/www.nwoprepsports.com

Coldwater and senior

QB Keith Wenning

(Ball State) are look-

ing for thier second

state title in thre

years.

PhotobyNickFalzerano

J JHUDDLE .COM6 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I Playof f Preview STORY BY MATT NATAL I

Cincinnati Moeller and

quarterback Andrew

Hendrix (Notre Dame)

are looking for the

school’s first state title

since 1985.

Photoby

Brian

Swartz

J JHUDDLE .COM 7JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I Playof f Preview

GOING FOR 11Cleveland St. Ignatius won a record tenth state title in school history last season –

its first title since 2001.No. 11 could very well be of the repeat nature.Ranked No. 1 in the final Ohio High Power Poll and 8th in the country according to

USAToday, Ignatius (10-0) passed every test this season with a schedule that includ-ed wins over playoff teams Cleveland Glenville, Massillon Washington and CincinnatiSt. Xavier. Ignatius has a 24-game winning streak heading into the postseason and iscoming off a 28-0 win over rival Lakewood St. Edward. Pittsburgh recruit Mark Myersleads the efficient Ignatius offense under center while Ohio State linebacker recruitScott McVey is the anchor on defense.Though Iggy is the top-seed in Region I, Youngstown Boardman is a tough first

round draw, however I expect the Wildcats to advance and meet Glenville in the sec-ond round in a rematch of the season-opener.Glenville will be the toughest test for Ignatius in the region. Last season, Glenville

defeated Ignatius in the regular season but the Wildcats returned the favor in the sec-ond round of the playoffs. Look for Ignatius to get a season sweep on the way to theregional finals and to the state tournament.

REGIONAL FINAL RIVALRY GAME?Canton McKinley upended rival Massillon last week 35-21 to back into the playoffs.

It was the first Bulldogs win over the Tigers dating back to 2005 when McKinley beatMassillon in the season finale as both teams were undefeated at the time. Massillon(7-3) beat McKinley (6-4) in the regional finals that season on the way to a state run-ner up finish. McKinley’s road to the regional final is a bit tougher than Massillon’s withToledo Whitmer, Canton GlenOak and Wadsworth on its side of the bracket.

REGIONAL FINAL RIVALRY GAME? PART 2Dublin Coffman edged Hilliard Davidson 10-7 in Week 8 to claim the Ohio Capital

Conference Central Division.“We will play them again,” Davidson head coach Brian White told his team after the

game.If White is correct, the Coffman vs. Davidson rematch would kickoff in theRegion 3 Finals.Davidson (8-1) won the state title in 2006 and Coffman (8-1) was a state semifinal-

ist in 2007.

NEWYEAR, NEW DIVISION, SAME RESULTCincinnati Anderson jumped up to Division I this season after finishing state runner-

up last season in Division II and state champ in 2007. The Redskins (10-0) had solidwins over playoff teams Columbus St. Francis DeSales and Cincinnati Winton Woodsbut could face its toughest test of the season against West Chester Lakota West andOhio High’s top senior Jordan Hicks. Anderson’s road to the state tournament ismore challenging this season in a vaunted Region 4 that includes St. Xavier,Cincinnati Moeller, Cincinnati Elder, Centerville, Huber Heights Wayne andMiddletown.

DARKHORSE: HUBER HEIGHTSWAYNEAfter a 3-3 start to the season that included losses to Glenville, Troy and Clayton

Northmont, Wayne reeled off four straight wins to close the season, including big winsover Centerville and Springfield to get into the playoffs. Behind Ohio High’s top-rankedjunior Braxton Miller under center, the Warriors have a lot of momentum heading intothe postseason and will give Elder everything it can handle in the opening round.

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 1QuarterfinalsSt. Ignatius over BoardmanSolon over EuclidMayfield over ParmaGlenville over North RoyaltonSemifinalsSt. Ignatius over GlenvilleSolon over MayfieldFinalSt. Ignatius over Solon

Region 2QuarterfinalsWhitmer over Canton McKinleyWadsworth over GlenOakTwinsburg over BrunswickNorth Canton Hoover overMassillon WashingtonSemifinalsWhitmer over WadsworthHoover over TwinsburgFinalWhitmer over Hoover

Region 3QuarterfinalsDublin Coffman over SpringfieldWesterville South over OlentangyLibertyHilliard Davidson over LancasterPickerington Central overPickerington NorthSemifinalsCoffman over Westerville SouthPickerington Central over HilliardDavidsonFinalCoffman over PickeringtonCentral

Region 4QuarterfinalsSt. Xavier over CentervilleElder over Huber Heights WayneMoeller over MiddletownLakota West over AndersonSemifinalsSt. Xavier over ElderMoeller over Lakota WestFinalMoeller over St. Xavier

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Cincinnati Moeller

Matt Says...Region 1QuarterfinalsSt. Ignatius over BoardmanSolon over EuclidMayfield over ParmaGlenville over North RoyaltonSemifinalsSt. Ignatius over GlenvilleSolon over MayfieldFinalSt. Ignatius over Solon

Region 2QuarterfinalsCanton McKinley over WhitmerTwinsburg over BrunswickMassillon Washington over NorthCanton HooverGlenOak over WadsworthSemifinalsGlenOak over Canton McKinleyMassillon over TwinsburgFinalMassillon over GlenOak

Region 3QuarterfinalsDublin Coffman over SpringfieldWesterville South over OlentangyLibertyHilliard Davidson over LancasterPickerington Central overPickerington NortSemifinalsCoffman over Westerville SouthHilliard Davidson overPickerington CentralFinalCoffman over Hilliard Davidson

Region 4QuarterfinalsSt. Xavier over CentervilleMoeller over MiddletownLakota West over AndersonHuber Heights Wayne over ElderSemifinalsSt. Xavier over Huber HeightsWayneMoeller over Lakota WestFinalSt. Xavier over Moeller

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Cleveland St. Ignatius

DIVISION I

Southwest region loaded again with St.Xavier, Elder, Moeller, Anderson and

Lakota West all in the mix

St. Ignatius lookingfor state title No. 11

J JHUDDLE .COM8 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I I P layof f Prev iew STORY BY MATT NATAL I

NOT THE FIRST TIME TO THE RODEOThough Division II appears to be wide open, the playoffs do feature six former

state champions, including Mentor Lake Catholic, Aurora, Toledo St. FrancisDeSales, Toledo Central Catholic, Avon Lake and Columbus Brookhaven. Thereare also four schools that have finished state runner-up.Of course, Aurora (8-2) won its first state title last season in Division III and

the Greenmen will try their hand in Division II and a stout Region 5.Avon Lake (7-3), Brookhaven (8-2) and Toledo Central Catholic (8-2) won

state championships from 2003-05, respectively, with Avon Lake finishing runnerup to Brookhaven in 2004.Canfield (9-1), Louisville (10-0) and Trotwood-Madison (7-3) have also fin-

ished state runner-up, respectively. Mentor Lake Catholic (9-1) has won three state championships in school his-

tory, including back-to-back titles in 1991-92. The Cougars (9-1) last hoisted thetrophy in 2001 and are in good position to end that drought this season. MLC ismaking its 17th postseason appearance after missing the playoffs last year. If anything is guaranteed, though, there will not be a repeat state champion in

Division II. Sylvania Southview, which defeated Cincinnati Anderson last seasonfor the trophy, moved up to Division I. The Cougars missed the Division I,Region 2 postseason.

LOUISVILLE THE TEAM TO BEAT?The Leopards finished state runner-up to Anderson in 2007 and is in great

position to make the trip back to Massillon. Louisville had a perfect regular season against a schedule that had seven

teams finish with winning records. Logan (10-0), which finished Ohio High PowerPoll champions, will be the toughest test for Louisville in Region 7. I look forthese two teams to tangle in the regional final.

PANTHERS ON THE PROWLMaumee (9-1) makes its first playoff appearance since 2004 after qualifying

the four previous season before that. The Panthers have a five-game winning streak following a loss to Whitehouse

Anthony Wayne in Week 5. The Maumee defense has allowed just nine pointsper game in the second half of the season, including a shutout, and will need tocontinue its locking down its opponents to get through a tough Region 6.

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAINWilmington (7-3) makes its third playoff appearance in school history coming

off a 26-14 loss to Cincinnati Turpin (10-0) in the regular season finale.Up next: Cincinnati Turpin.The Hurricane will travel to Turpin this week to take on a Spartans team that

is averaging nearly 35 points per game. It is the fourth straight playoff appearance for Turpin.

DARKHORSE: TOLEDO ROGERSThough it is only the third playoff appearance in school history for Rogers and

its first since 2005, don’t count out the Rams. Granted, Region 6 is probably thetoughest to get out of in Division II but Rogers (9-1) has allowed just 5.5 pointsper game since the Week 4 loss to Toledo Whitmer. Toledo City Athletic Leaguefoes Central Catholic and St. Francis will be the biggest hurdles for the Rams inthe region.

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 5QuarterfinalsMentor Lake Catholic overRavennaCanfield over AuroraWarren Howland over MedinaHighlandAshland over West GeaugaSemifinalsMentor Lake Catholic overCanfieldAshland over Warren HowlandFinalMentor Lake Catholic overAshland

Region 6QuarterfinalsToledo St. Francis over NorthRidgevilleMaumee over Avon LakeToledo Central Catholic overRocky RiverMaple Heights over Toledo RogersSemifinalsToledo St. Francis over MaumeeToledo Central Catholic overMaple HeightsFinalToledo Central Catholic overToledo St. Francis

Region 7QuarterfinalsLouisville over Marion-FranklinOlentany Orange over Tri-ValleyLogan over Canal WinchesterBrookhaven over Walnut RidgeSemifinalsLouisville over OrangeLogan over BrookhavenFinalLogan over Louisville

Region 8QuarterfinalsTurpin over WilmingtonTrotwood-Madison over MountHealthyWinton Woods over HamiltonRossTecumseh over West CarrolltonSemifinalsTrotwood-Madison over TurpinWinton Woods over TecumsehFinalWinton Woods over Trotwood

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Logan

Matt Says...Region 5QuarterfinalsMentor Lake Catholic overRavennaWarren Howland over MedinaHighlandWest Geauga over AshlandAurora over CanfieldSemifinalsMentor Lake Catholic over AuroraWarren Howland over WestGeaugaFinalMentor Lake Catholic over WarrenHowland

Region 6QuarterfinalsToledo St. Francis over NorthRidgevilleToledo Central Catholic overRocky RiverToledo Rogers over Rocky RiverMaumee over Avon LakeSemifinalsToledo St. Francis over MaumeeToledo Rogers over ToledoCentral CatholicFinalToledo St. Francis over ToledoRogers

Region 7QuarterfinalsLouisville over Marion-FranklinLogan over Canal WinchesterBrookhaven over Walnut RidgeOlentangy Orange over Tri-ValleySemifinalsLouisville over Olentangy OrangeLogan over BrookhavenFinalLouisville over Logan

Region 8QuarterfinalsTurpin over Wilmington Winton Woods over HamiltonRossTecumseh over West CarrolltonTrotwood-Madison over MountHealthy SemifinalsTurpin over Trotwood-MadisonWinton Woods over TecumsehFinalTurpin over Winton Woods

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Louisville

DIVISION II

Six former state champions and four runners-up among D-II’s 32 teams;

Region 7 is a meat grinder

Wide Open? Yep...and deeply stocked

J JHUDDLE .COM 9JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I I P layof f Prev iew

Undefeated Louisville is

looking for its second

state final apppearance

in three years.

Photo by Gary H

ouste

au

J JHUDDLE .COM10 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I I I P layof f Prev iew

Youngstown Mooney senior RB

Braylon Heard (West Virginia)

and the rest of the Cardinals

are looking for their fifth state

final appearance in six years.

Photo by Gary H

ouste

auSTORY BY MATT NATAL I

J JHUDDLE .COM 11JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion I I I P layof f Prev iew

BUSINESS AS USUALYoungstown Cardinal Mooney will be aiming for its fifth state championship

game in six years when the Division III postseason kicks off Friday.Mooney (10-0) has answered every challenge this season against one of the

most brutal schedules in the state regardless of Division. Mooney recorded big winsover playoff teams Youngstown Boardman, Columbus St. Francis DeSales, MentorLake Catholic, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Youngstown Ursuline and ColumbusBishop Watterson an dthis season marks the eighth undefeated regular season inprogram history. Mooney fields a fundamentally sound team putting up over 35points per game and allowing just under two touchdowns.Running back Braylon Heard, who is a West Virginia recruit, has over 1,000

yards rushing and in an offense that has tallied over 2,500 total yards.Though Mooney is the heavy favorite to come out of Region 9, the task won’t be

easy with the likes of Akron SVSM, Poland Seminary Akron Hoban and Hubbard allqualifying for the postseason. Mooney last reached the title game in 2007 wherethe Cardinals finished Division IV runners-up. Mooney has won six state titles inschool history with the last coming in 2006. A state title this season would tieMooney with Cincinnati Moeller for third place for all time championship behindNewark Catholic (8) and Cleveland St. Ignatius (10).

ROLL RED ROLLSpeaking of recent success, Steubenville will be aiming for its third state title

game since 2005. The Big Red (9-1) won the Division III title in 2005 and theDivision IV title in 2006 and is on the hunt for its fourth championship in school his-tory. This season marks the ninth straight postseason appearance for Steubenvilleand 22nd over all. The Big Red saw a 68-game regular season game winningstreak come to an end in Week 9.

REGIONAL FINAL RIVALRY GAME? PART 3Columbus DeSales has a four-game winning streak over rival Columbus

Watterson including last year’s 20-17 win in the playoffs and this season’s 17-10win in Week 7 for the Central Catholic League title. DeSales (7-3) got off to a slowstart against a Mooney-like schedule starting off the season 2-2. But the Stallionsbounced back to go 5-1 after that start. Watterson (7-3) finished the season 2-2against top competition and that experience should help the Eagles.

BACK IN THE DANCEDayton Chaminade Julienne is back in the playoffs for the first time since

2005.The Eagles (8-2) got some help from a forfeit win over Dayton ThurgoodMarshall and got good wins over Division I Troy in the season-opener and DivisionII Dayton Carroll. Monroe (8-2) is a tough draw for CJ in the first round and shouldthe Eagles soar on, Cincinnati Wyoming and Circleville Logan Elm appear to be thebiggest hurdles in Region 12. CJ won a Division II state championship in 2002.

DARKHORSE: DOVERThough Dover is a playoff regular, the Tornadoes could be the sleeper team to

escape a brutal Region 11 that includes Steubenville, Canal Fulton Northwest (7-3)and Rayland Buckeye Local (8-2). Division II playoff qualifier Canfield handedDover (9-1) its only loss of the season as the Tornadoes dished out Ashland, NewPhiladelphia and Dresden Tri-Valley their only losses of the season. The win overcentury-old rival New Philadelphia last week kept the Quakers out of the postsea-son.

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 9QuarterfinalsYoungstown Mooney overMogadore FieldHubbard over Medina BuckeyePoland over Akron SVSMAkron Hoban over PaduaFraciscanSemifinalsMooney over HubbardHoban over PolandFinalMooney over Hoban

Region 10QuarterfinalsColumbus DeSales over BryanTippecanoe over SanduskyPerkinsWatterson over BellefontaineNapoleon over EastmoorSemifinalsColumbus DeSales overTippecanoeWatterson over NapoleonFinalCol. DeSales over Watterson

Region 11QuarterfinalsSteubenville over AllianceMarlingtonGranville over SalemDover over Harrison CentralBuckeye Local over Canal FultonNorthwestSemifinalsSteubenville over GranvilleDover over Buckeye LocalFinalSteubenville over Dover

Region 12QuarterfinalsGoshen over SpringfieldShawneeLogan Elm over New RichmondCincinnati Wyoming over EatonChaminade Julienne overMonroeSemifinalsLogan Elm over GoshenWyoming over CJFinalWyoming over Logan Elm

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Youngstown Mooney

Matt Says...Region 9QuarterfinalsYoungstown Mooney overMogadore FieldPoland over Akron SVSMAkron Hoban over Parma PaduaFranciscanHubbard over Medina BuckeyeSemifinalsMooney over HubbardPoland over Akron HobanFinalMooney over Poland

Region 10QuarterfinalsColumbus DeSales over BryanWatterson over BellefontaineEastmoor over NapoleonTippecanoe over SanduskyPerkinsSemifinalsColumbus DeSales overTippecanoeWatterson over EastmoorFinalCol. DeSales over Watterson

Region 11QuarterfinalsSteubenville over AllianceMarlingtonDover over Harrison CentralCanal Fulton Northwest overBuckeye LocalGranville over SalemSemifinalsSteubenville over GranvilleDover over Canal Fulton NorthwestFinalSteubenville over Dover

Region 12QuarterfinalsSpringfield Shawnee overGoshenCincinnati Wyoming over EatonChaminade Julienne overMonroeLogan Elm over New RichmondSemifinalsLogan Elm over ShawneeCJ over WyomingFinalLogan Elm over CJ

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Youngstown Mooney

DIVISION III

Columbus DeSales, Watterson,Wyoming and Dover add depth;

Chaminade Julienne back in the dance

Mooney, Steubenvilleand other studs in fold

J JHUDDLE .COM12 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion IV P layof f Prev iews STORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

Kettering Alter and junior

quarterback Zane Pitzer

is looking to defend their

D-IV state title

Photo by Nick

Falz

erano

J JHUDDLE .COM 13JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion IV P layof f Prev iews

CAN ANYONE BEAT KETTERING ALTER?Few schools in the state can match Ketttering Alter’s recent run. The Knights

have won 41 straight regular season games on the field (they had to forfeit theirfirst two wins last year for playing an ineligible player) and have been to theplayoffs nine straight years. They’re also looking to defend their D-IV state titleand make the state championship game for the third time in four years.Although gone from last year’s team are Chris Borland (Wisconsin) and Austin

Boucher (Miami, Ohio) a new corps of standouts has emerged. Junior ZanePitzer has successfully inherited the QB spot from Boucher, and senior DB CodyByers (Wisconsin) is this year’s defensive leader.Head coach Ed Domsitz is a playoff veteran.The Knights, ranked No. 1 in the D-IV Power Poll, completed an undefeated

season Friday with a 21-0 win over rival Chaminade Julienne. It was the Knightsninth straight win over the Eagles to end the regular season. CJ did beat Alter inthe 2004 playoffs.As to who could beat Alter in the playoffs this year – that list is small.In their own region, Region 16, Kenton or Clinton-Massie, who they’ll likely

meet in the regional final pose the biggest threats to the Knights. After that thelist includes Genoa Area, Amanda-Clearcreek, Ironton and maybe the biggesthurdle – Chagrin Falls.

WHO ELSE WANTS TO SEE AMANDA-CLEARCREEK PLAY IRONTON?Hopefully the Aces and Tigers meet in the Region 15 final - Ron Hinton vs

Bob Lutz…state titles vs state titles…tradition vs tradition. This game would haveit all – including some serious smash-mouth football…both running and hitting.Ironton has been to eight state finals and has two titles, while A-C has been tofive state finals and has two titles. Combined the schools have 41 postseasontrips. Did we mention Lutz is the state’s all-time leader in coaching wins?

GENOA AREA FOR REALThe Comets are 33-3 in their last 36 games, which covers the start of the

2007 season until now. In the three year run prior to that, Genoa was a com-bined 8-22. The Comets turnaround can be credited to defense. This year Genoa has

allowed 24 points and has seven shutouts. Over the last three years Genoa has12 shutouts.

CHAGRIN FALLS BEATING GOOD TEAMSNo one can look at Chagrin Falls’ record and not give the undefeated Tigers

props. Chagrin Falls has beaten six teams with winning records and one that fin-ished 5-5. They’ve also downed playoff teams Peninsula Woodbridge (D-IV),Aurora (D-II) and West Geauga (D-II). The fact that the Tigers also survived the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin

Division – which produced D-III state champion Aurora last year – says a lot aswell. No wonder the Tigers are the No. 1 seed in Region 13.

DARKHORSE: MARTINS FERRYThe Purple Riders would have to run a gauntlet that more than likely will

include undefeateds Girard and Chagrin Falls just to get out of Region 13, but ifdefense is any indicator, it could be done. Martins Ferry has allowed 73 pointsall year and is four points away from being undefeated. The Purple Riders haveposted four shutouts.

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 13QuarterfinalsChagrn Falls over CampbellMemorialGirard over CVCAMartins Ferry over PeninsulaWoobridgeAkron Manchester over CortlandLakeviewSemifinalsChagrins Falls over ManchesterMartins Ferry over GirardFinalChagrin Falls over Martins Ferry

Region 14QuarterfinalsGalion over PembervilleEastwoodGenoa Area over Milan EdisonOrrville over ClearforkOttawa-Glandorf over WoosterTriwaySemifinalsGenoa Area over OrrvilleOttawa-Glandorf over GalionFinalGenoa Area over Ottawa-Glandorf

Region 15QuarterfinalsAmanda-Clearcreek overAlexanderIronton over Sparta HighlandHeath over Zane TraceCoshocton over WestMuskingumSemifinalsAmanda-Clearcreek overCoshoctonIronton over HeathFinalIronton over Amanda-Clearcreek

Region 16QuarterfinalsClinton-Massie over WaynesvilleKettering Alter over JonathanAdlerNorth College Hill over CarlisleKenton over Valley ViewSemifinalsKenton over Clinton-MassieAlter over North College HillFinalAlter over Kenton

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Kettering Alter

Matt Says...Region 13QuarterfinalsChagrin Falls over CampbellMemorialCortland Lakeview over AkronManchesterGirard over CVCAMartins Ferry over PeninsulaWoodridgeSemifinalsChagrin Falls over LakeviewMartins Ferry over GirardFinalChagrin Falls over Martins Ferry

Region 14QuarterfinalsGalion over PembervilleEastwoodOttawa-Glandorf over WoosterTriwayGenoa Area over Milan EdisonOrrville over ClearforkSemifinalsOttawa-Glandorf over GalionGenoa Area over OrrvilleFinalGenoa Area over Ottawa-Glandorf

Region 15QuarterfinalsAmanda-Clearcreek over AlbanyAlexanderCoshocton over Zanesville WestMuskingumIronton over Sparta HighlandHeath over Zane TraceSemifinalsAmanda-Clearcreek overCoshoctonIronton over HeathFinalAmanda-Clearcreek over Ironton

Region 16QuarterfinalsClinton-Massie over WaynesvilleKenton over Valley ViewKettering Alter over Plain CityJonathan AlderNorth College Hill over CarlisleSemifinalsKenton over Clinton-MassieAlter over North College HillFinalAlter over Kenton

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Kettering Alter

DIVISION IV

Knights just completed fourth straightundefeated regular season (on thefield); Genoa Area defense ridiculous

Who can stop Alterfrom repeating?

J JHUDDLE .COM14 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion V P layof f Prev iews STORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

URSULINE IN – LIBERTY-BENTON OUTHad defending state champion Youngstown Ursuline not beaten Akron St.

Vincent-St. Mary in the season finale (the Irish rallied for a 38-24 rout), the D-Vplayoffs might have been without both teams that appeared in last year’s statefinal. Findlay Liberty-Benton, last year’s runner-up, was knocked out of the post-season with a 27-21 loss to Leipsic on Friday.The Irish and Eagles have had similar season where they’ve had to overcome

the loss of a star.Ursuline has played this year without Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner who is

currently enrolled at and playing for Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy.Liberty-Benton lost the services of All-Ohio senior quarterback Aaron Craft

when he decided not to come out for football his final high school season. Craft,an Ohio State basketball recruit, was the D-V offensive player of the state inOhio last season.No doubt Ursuline will again be a threat to defend their state title. The Irish’s

only losses are to Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PA), Mentor Lake Catholic andCardinal Mooney.

REGION 20 WREAKS OF TRADITIONAL POWER CONFERENCESThe Region 20 playoffs are a whose-who of the state’s top football confer-

ences. Three teams – Coldwater, Anna and St. Henry – are from the MidwestAthletic Conference. Bishop Ready is from the Central Catholic League. WestJefferson is from the Mid-State League. Hamilton Badin is from the GreaterCatholic League. Those four conferences have combined for 44 state footballtitles.

REGION 20 ALSO SMELLS LIKE D-V’S DEEPESTSee above for starters. That being said, Coldwater spent most of the season

at No. 1 in the D-V Power Poll. A late season loss knocked them to No. 3, butthe Cavs are one of five teams in Region 20 in the final Power Poll (ColdwaterNo. 3, West Liberty-Salem No. 6, West Jefferson No. 8, Anna No. 9 and St.Henry No. 10). That also doesn’t include the other standout teams – Richwood North Union

(10-0), Bishop Ready (8-1) and Hamilton Badin (7-3).

CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS IS ROLLINGThe Redskins defense is arguably the best in D-V. Heights has allowed 43

points all year and has six shutouts. Of those points, 30 cam in two games –wins over Beachwood and Kirtland. In the other eight games Heights allowed anaverage of 1.6 points. Offensively the Redskins are averaging 42 points pergame.

DARKHORSE: OAK HILLAn undefeated team as a darkhorse? Yes. I don’t know how many people had

the Oaks penciled in as an undefeated playoff team before the season started,but they are a team that’s there and still flying a little under the radar. Located inJackson County in Southeastern Ohio, Oak Hill has dominated its opponents.The Oaks have allowed 63 points all year, while averaging 39 points per game.Oh yeah, Oak Hill also knows how to perform well in the spotlight. The Oakswon the D-IV boys basketball state title in March. Their girls basketball team wasD-IV state runner-up.

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 17QuarterfinalsCuyahoga Heights over AppleCreek WaynedaleIndedpendence over Gates MillsHawkenColumbiana Crestview over EastPalestineYoungsotwn Ursuline overGarfield Heights TrinitySemifinalsCuy. Heights over IndependenceUrsuline over CrestviewFinalUrsuline over Cuyahoga Heights

Region 18QuarterfinalsPatrick Henry over NorthwoodAshland Crestview over HillsdaleDefiance Tinora over SherwoodFairviewLima Central Catholic overHicksvilleSemifinalsPatrick Henry over CrestviewLima Central Catholic overTinoraFinalPatrick Henry over Lima CentralCatholic

Region 19QuarterfinalsFredericktown over CaldwellWheelersburg over MonroeCentralOak Hill over Dawson-BryantRidgewood over MinfordSemifinalsFredericktown over WheelersburgRidgewood over Oak HillFinalFredericktown over Ridegwood

Region 20QuarterfinalsSt. Henry over North UnionWest Jefferson over WestLiberty-SalemColdwater over Hamilton BadinAnna over Bishop ReadySemifinalsWest Jefferson over St. HenryColdwater over AnnaFinalColdwater over West Jefferson

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Coldwater

Matt Says...Region 17QuarterfinalsCuyahoga Heights over AppleCreek WaynedaleGates Mills Hawken overIndependenceColumbiana Crestview over EastPalestineYoungstown Ursuline overGarfield Heights TrinitySemifinalsCuy. Heights over HawkenUrsuline over CrestviewFinalCuy. Heights over Ursuline

Region 18QuarterfinalsPatrick Henry over NorthwoodHillsdale over Ashland CrestviewDefiance Tinora over SherwoodFairviewLima Central Catholic overHicksvilleSemifinalsPatrick Henry over HillsdaleLima Central Catholic overTinoraFinalPatrick Henry over Lima CentralCatholic

Region 19QuarterfinalsFredericktown over CaldwellWheelersburg over MonroeCentralOak Hill over Dawson-BryantRidgewood over MinfordSemifinalsFredericktown over WheelersburgRidgewood over Oak HillFinalFredericktown over Ridgewood

Region 20QuarterfinalsSt. Henry over North UnionWest Jefferson over WestLiberty-SalemColdwater over Hamilton BadinAnna over Bishop ReadySemifinalsSt. Henry over West JeffersonColdwater over AnnaFinalColdwater over St. Henry

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Patrick Henry

DIVISION V

Irish beat SVSM in Week 10 to solidifybid; Region 20 is a gauntlet of who’s

who; Oak Hill as a darkshore?

Youngstown Ursulinemakes it back in

J JHUDDLE .COM 15JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion V P layof f Prev iews

Senior RB Justin Buenger is

Northwest Ohio’s leading

scorer and has Patrick Henry

in contention for a state title.

Photo by Scott Grau/www

.nwo

prepsports.com

J JHUDDLE .COM16 JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion V I P layof f Prev iew STORY BY ER IC FRANTZ

Junior RB Jordan Leininger is one

reason Delphos St. John’s is

unbeaten and rolling towards a

second straight D-VI state title.

Photo by Nick

Falz

erano

J JHUDDLE .COM 17JJ Huddle ’ s Ohio High

Div is ion V I P layof f Prev iew

CAN ANYONE BEAT DELPHOS ST. JOHN’S?Last season Delphos St. John’s rebounded from a 2-8 season to go 13-2 and

claim its fifth D-VI state title in somewhat shocking fashion. This year no one willbe shocked if the Blue Jays repeat.Returning most of last year’s team, DSJ has extended its winning streak to 17

games heading into next week’s Region 24 quarterfinals. In fact the Blue Jays accumulated enough computer points to be a playoff

team in any Division I region as well.During the season DSJ has beaten some very good teams including playoff

squads Coldwater, St. Henry, Defiance Tinora and Lima Central Catholic. TheJays also claimed their first Midwest Athletic Conference title since 2001 thisseason – thanks in part to a key 27-20 win over Coldwater.Junior RN Jordan Leininger has over 1,000 yards rushing, while senior QB

Wes Ulm has over 1,000 total yards (500 rushing/600 passing).Defensively, junior LB Chris Pohlman (with over 90 tackles) leads the way. St. John’s only has one shutout this season but has allowed just 87 points all

season and no more than 20 in a game (to Coldwater).

REGION 21 IS THE TOUGHEST This eight-team gauntlet has three undefeateds (Bucyrus Wynford, Norwalk

St. Paul and McDonald) and three 9-1 teams (Dalton, Mogadore and BerlinCenter Western Reserve). Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, which has won this regionthe last two years en route to back-to-back state runner-up finishes, is also in at8-2. The entrant with the worst record? Warren JFK which comes in at 7-3 withlosses to playoff teams Warren Howland, Girard and Hubbard (combined 28-2).

WHO IS THE FAVORITE IN REGION 23?This is the only region in D-VI without an undefeated team (Region’s 21 and

22 each have three). In fact, Region 23 only has three teams that are 9-1(Malvern, Bridgeport and Grove City Christian).

CAN MARION LOCAL WIN REGION 24? Yes. The Flyers have done it several times before and even did it as a No. 8

seed before (went all the way to 2003 title game). Granted, a 5-5 record isn’tone the Flyers would have wanted before the season, but it’s good enough toget them into the postseason where everyone is 0-0. And a win over Anna cer-tainly solidifies them as a regional and state title contender.

WHO CAN SERIOUSLY CHALLENGE DSJ?A couple teams. In their own region (Region 22), the Blue Jays have potential

roadblocks in Carey, Ada, Leipsic and Fremont St. Joe’s. Others who could walkaway with the title instead of DSJ? Whoever survives Region 21.

DARKHORSE: LEHMAN CATHOLICThe Cavaliers have been on the verge of the state finals the last couple

years. In 2007, Lehman lost in the regional finals. Last year they fell in the statesemifinals. Lehman looks like the best team in Region 24 again (other thanmaybe Marion Local). The question is do they take the next logical step in theirprogression and make that state final? The ability to run the ball and stingydefense are two good strengths to have in the postseason and Lehman hasboth.

DIVISION VI

Defending champion Blue Jays havewon 17 straight games; Region 21 is

the state’s toughest

Eric Says...

Here’s how JJHuddle and Ohio High Managing Editor Eric Frantz andAssistant Editor Matt Natali see D-VI playing out.

Region 21QuarterfinalsMcDonald over Hopewell-LoudonNorwalk St. Paul over BerinCenter Western ReserveWarren JFK over MogadoreBucyrus Wynford over DaltonSemifinalsWynford over McDonaldSt. Paul over Warren JFKFinalWynford over St. Paul

Region 22QuarterfinalsDelphos St. John’s over ArlingtonAda over Cory-RawsonCarey over Columbus GroveFremont St. Joseph over LeipsicSemifinalsSt. John’s over St. JosephAda over CareyFinalSt. John’s over Ada

Region 23QuarterfinalsMalvern over Symmes ValleyColumbiana over ShadysideZanesville Rosecrans over GroveCity ChristianBridgeport over TuscarawasCentral CatholicSemifinalsMalvern over BridgeportColumbiana over RosecransFinalMalvern over Columbiana

Region 24QuarterfinalsAnsonia over CovingtonLockland over Fort LoramieWaynesfield-Goshen over SouthCharleston SoutheasternMarion Local over LehmanCatholicSemifinalsLockland over Waynesfield-GoshenMarion Local over AnsoniaFinalMarion Local over Lockland

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Delphos St. John’s

Matt Says...Region 21QuarterfinalsHopewell-Loudon over McDonaldBucyrus Wynford over DaltonNorwalk St. Paul over BerlinCenter Western ReserveWarren JFK over MogadoreSemifinalsWynford over Hopewell-LoudonSt. Paul over Warren JFKFinalSt. Paul over Wynford

Region 22QuarterfinalsDelphos St. John’s over ArlingtonFremont St. Joseph over LeipsicAda over Rawson Cory-RawsonCarey over Columbus GroveSemifinalsSt. John’s over St. JosephAda over CareyFinalSt. John’s over Ada

Region 23QuarterfinalsMalvern over Symmes ValleyTuscarawas Central Catholicover BridgeportColumbiana over ShadysideGrove City Christian overZanesville Bishop RosecransSemifinalsMalvern over Tuscarawas CCColumbiana over GC ChristianFinalColumbiana over Malvern

Region 24QuarterfinalsAnsonia over CovingtonMarion Local over LehmanCatholicFort Loramie over LocklandWaynesfield-Goshen over SouthCharleston Southeastern LocalSemifinalsMarion Local over AnsoniaWaynesfield-Goshen over FortLoramieFinalMarion Local over Way.-Goshen

SSTTAATTEE CCHHAAMMPPIIOONN::Delphos St. John’s

Can anyone unseatDelphos St. John’s?