Massillon and McKinley will butt heads again. This time, for their playoff lives. (Photo by David Richard/OhioSportsshooters.com)
Ashland vs. Lake Catholic at Green Memorial Stadium, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Arrows quarterback Marcus Fuller hasn’t met a football he can’t throw 50 yards. Lake Catholic slinger Jerrod Runyak has never seen a needle he can’t toss a pigskin through.
While both quarterbacks for Ashland (11-1) and Lake Catholic (11-1) will headline the affair, the trenches are where this one will be won. This Region 5 contest could be the best Division II has to offer.
Winton Woods vs. Trotwood-Madison at Mason Dwire Field, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Winton Woods (10-2) is the favorite here behind a rushing attack that churned up 439 yards last week against Tecumseh.
But Trotwood-Madison (9-3) has arguably the best back in the Buckeye state this year in the form of Antwan Gilbert.
Gilbert went over the 2,500-yard plateau last week in a win over Turpin. If the Warriors want to find their way out of D-II, Region 8, they’ll need to figure out how to stop the shifty back from Trotwood-Madison.
Coldwater vs. St. Henry at Wapakoneta Harmon Field, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Here we go again. Coldwater (11-1) beat St. Henry (9-3) in Week 7 by the score of 17-0.
The Redskins will tell you, however, that games played five weeks ago don’t count.
Brad Stahl will be the difference for St. Henry in this D-V, Region 20 tilt. Win and the squad exacts revenge. Lose and, well, Coldwater is right where it expected to be in Week 14.
Solon vs. Glenville at Byers Field, Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Comets (12-0) escaped with a 13-10 overtime win over Mayfield last week. The Tarblooders (11-1) owned the Wildcats 30-13.
If Solon plans on making a trip to the finals for the first time since 2000, it had better figure out how to beat a Glenville defense that forced eight turnovers last week in a D-I, Region 1 semifinal matchup.
Massillon vs. Canton McKinley at Infocision Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Well, look at this. Three weeks ago, the Bulldogs were fighting for their playoff lives. They beat the Tigers (9-3) 35-21 to sneak into the playoffs and now are a step away from the state semifinals, having beat GlenOak last week in the D-I, Region 2 semis.
Massillon has to get the ball to Devin Smith if it wants to exact some revenge this time around.
Hilliard Davidson vs. Dublin Coffman at Moorehead Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Coffman (12-) beat Davidson (10-1) by three five weeks ago in one of the most heated rivalries the Columbus area has to offer.
The Wildcats haven’t beat Coffman in four straight tries, but might have a slight advantage as Colton Caldwell is under center at Coffman. That’s not a knock at Caldwell, who beat Davidson last time.
It’s just that the senior has started five games this season after Cole Stoudt was lost to injury in Week 7. Whoever wins this D-I, Region 3 tilt has bragging rights for a year.
Anderson vs. Elder at Nippert Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m.
You had St. X and Moeller in the D-I, Region 4 finals didn’t you?
This one should be interesting with Anderson (12-0) virtually sneaking under the radar as everyone concentrated on the Big Two no longer playing.
The Redskins have scored 61 points the last two games and have what it takes against Elder (9-2), which is still missing two D-I prospects.
Ironton vs. Coshocton at Nelsonville-York Boston Field, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Ironton (10-2) has a defense made of steel. Just ask Heath.
The Bulldogs boasted two rushers that ran for 1,000 yards this season, but the Fighting Tigers showed them the door in a D-IV, Region 15 beating.
Coshocton snuck past previously unbeaten Amanda-Clearcreek. The waters are muddied as to who will make the finals, but history is on the side of Ironton, which has made it to the postseason 26 times.
Alter vs. Clinton-Massie at Centerville Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m.
This could be the best matchup of the weekend as defending state champion Alter (12-0) has something to prove against Clinton-Massie (12-0).
Both teams have a similar run-first, pass-rarely mentality and both throw points up in a hurry.
Last week, Alter dispatched Carlisle 41-0. Massie has scored 73 points in two D-IV, Region 16 games. The winner of this one will come out with a bruised and bloodied head held high, no doubt.
St. Paul vs. Wynford at Ashland Community, Stadium, Saturday, 7 p.m.
Eric Schwieterman is good. Real good. He’s thrown for 960 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven games after recouping from a broken thumb.
The All-Ohio quarterback has picked up right where Dan Tracht left off, giving the Flyers (12-0) a shot at making the finals for the first time since 2003 with one more win in the D-VI, Region 21 playofs.
Standing in their way is a Wynford team high on emotion after beating Hopewell-Loudon 39-30.
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