Sports fans, we are into the third round of the 5-week OHSAA Playoffs. We are down to the Elite Eight in each division. It's trophy time as one team gets a trophy and goes home, the other gets one and advances to the Final Four. We've got some great games this weekend, so let's get to it.
Division 1 Region 1
# 3 St. Edward Eagles (12-0) vs. #1 Solon Comets (10-2) at Parma Byers Field
Another tremendous game and the third major opponent for the Eagles. QB Kevin Burke leads his multi-set offense against the sturdy defense of the Comets. St. Ed's showed they can play with speed and discipline in dispatching the Glenville Tarblooders last week 42-22. The Eagles have an all Division 1 offensive line, and Burke has tough runners in RB Terrell Bates and Reggie Terrell. Solon is led by QB/FS Chris Humphrey and RB Kyle Hammonds, who is now healthy for this round. Solon's defense has pitched four shutouts behind LB Jovon Johnson and Humphrey. Both teams are excellent on special teams and extremely disciplined. I'll take the Eagles in a nailbiter.
Division 1 Region 2 - #3 Toledo Whitmer Panthers (11-1) over #4 Toledo St. John's Jesuit Titans at BGSU Doyt Perry Stadium
Division 2 Region 5
#4 Ashland Arrows (10-2) vs. #2 Lake Catholic Cougars (11-1) at Brunswick Judy Kirsch Field
A complete contrast of styles as theArrows will put the ball in the hands of 3,000-yard passer Marcus Fuller. The Cougars will look to pound the ball with RB Richie Sanders and his 1700 yards rushing. Both teams can put points on the board, but Lake Catholic has been tougher defensively as they have given up almost a third of the amount of points that Ashland has. Something has got to give here. Ashland has victories over top-seeded Tallmadge and a tough Aurora team. The Cougars have defeated Kenston and Warren-Howland. This promises to be a great matchup. Lake Catholic won this region last year without Richie Sanders, so I anticipate them to win it with him. Lake Catholic in a close one.
Division 2 Region 6
#5 Maple Heights Mustangs (12-0) vs. #3 Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (9-3) at Baldwin-Wallace George Finnie Stadium
The immensely atheltic and speedy Mustangs take a perfect record into Finnie Stadium against the rugged Bulldogs out of the Southwest Conference. QB Shaq Washington brings his 1,7oo-plus total yards to the dance with RB Devonte Ransom's 1,600 yards, 20 TDs on one arm and WR Andre Stubbs' 12 TDs on the other. Maple Heights piled up 600+ yards last week in their win over Sandusky. The Bulldogs steamrolled into the Regional Finals defeating Maumee 56-28. Olmsted Falls' defense has given up and average of only 11 points a game. They'll need to be physical with the Mustangs provided they can catch them. The Mustangs won this region last year with the same skilled players and they are looking to repeat. Maple Heights wins to set up a rematch of last year's Final Four with Lake Catholic.
Division 3 Region 9 #6 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (7-4) over #4 Akron Buchtel Griffins (9-3) at Ravenna Stadium
Division 3 Region 11 - #1 Alliance Marlington Dukes (12-0) over #7 Dover Tornadoes (10-2) at Canton Fawcett Stadium
Division 4 Region 13 - #1 Akron Manchester Panthers (12-0) over #2 Chagrin Falls Tigers (11-1) at Nordonia Bill Boliantz Stadium
Divsion 5 Region 17 - #1 Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish (12-0) over #2 Kirtland Hornets (12-0) at Aurora Veterans Stadium
Division 6 Region 21 - #2 Mogadore Wildcats (12-0) over #5 McDonald Blue Devils (10-2)
Feel free to send your comments and predictions! Good luck to all teams
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