OHSAA Playoffs Round 2

Sports Fans, the OHSAA Regional Semifinals are set beginning tomorrow and Saturday night. These games are played at neutral sites all around the state. I'm looking forward to these matchups, and I'll try to predict the winners. The key word is try because I think I played the Homer card too much last week and got burned for it with some local teams being eliminated. We'll give it another shot this week. Those that read this, please provide your picks and analyses for this round.

Here goes nothing....

Division 1 Region 1

#4 Austintown-Fitch Falcons (10-1) vs. #1 Solon Comets (11-0) @ Warren Mollenkopf Stadium

Solon rolled over Brecksville as expected whereas the Falcons had a little more trouble with the Rebels of Willoughby South. This should be a great matchup between two physical teams. I'm going to go with Solon on this because they have proven winners in previous playoff seasons with QB Chris Humphries and RB Kyle Hammonds

#3 Lakewood St. Edward Eagles (11-0) vs. Cleveland Glenville Tarblooders (11-0) @ Parma Byers Field

This can be looked at as a possible state final matchup. St. Ed's brings tenacity, physicality, and discipline against the outworldly athletic and fast Tarblooders. Special Teams get magnified in the playoffs. Glenville will have the edge returning kicks, whereas the Eagles have an edge in punting and kicking. This should be a dogfight that goes to the end. I'll take the Eagles here.

Division 1 Region 2

#8 Medina Battling Bees (9-2) vs. #4 Toledo St. John Jesuit Titans (10-1) @ Huron Memorial Stadium

The Battling Bees pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in Medina County history coming back from a 21-0 deficit to take out the Canton McKinley Bulldogs 31-28. Justin Letts proved to be the difference coming back from his suspension when he nailed a go-ahead 31-yard field goal in the fourth. The Titans defeated the Fremont Ross Little Giants using their size and strength. Medina has the speed edge in this matchup and loads of momentum on their side. I'll take the Battling Bees in a second upset.

#7 Twinsburg Tigers (10-1) vs. #3 Toledo Whitmer Panthers (10-1) @ Ashland Community Stadium

QB Aaron Macer led the Tiger attack in scoring an overtime upset of previously undefeated Sylvania Southview. Between their explosive offense and intense defense, Mark Solis' Twinsburg team will prove to be a tough out. Toledo Whitmer defeated Massillon Washington. I'll take the Panthers here again with the caveat that I wouldn't be surprised if the Tigers won.

Division 2 Region 5

#5 Ashland Arrows (9-2) vs. #1 Tallmadge Blue Devils (11-0) @ Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

The Arrows defeated the Greenmen of Aurora while Tallmadge handled their business against Kent Roosevelt. The Blue Devils have proven to be quite a playoff team in past years when they get in. This should be a tremendous matchup between two talented teams. I'll take Tallmadge here.

#6 Warren Howland Tigers (11-0) vs. #2 Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars (10-1) @ Solon Stewart Field

The Tigers upset Copley last week while the Cougars had their way with Kenston. Richie Sanders starred on both sides of the ball in their big win and I look for more of the same. Lake Catholic takes this one.

Division 2 Region 6

#8 Sandusky Blue Streaks (7-4) vs. #5 Maple Heights Mustangs (11-0) @ Avon Lake Memorial Stadium

The Blue Streaks took down the #1 seed Avon Eagles last week behind timely defense and a tough ground game. Maple Heights ran over and around Toledo Central Catholic. Sandusky will be hard pressed to stop QB Shaq Washington, RB Devonte Ransom, and WR Andre Stubb. Maple Heights wins big.

#7 Maumee Panthers (8-3) vs. #3 Olmsted Falls Bulldogs (8-3) @ Clyde Robert Bishop Stadium

The Bulldogs were successful in defeating playoff rookie Cleveland JFK. Maumee upset host Avon Lake. I'll take Olmsted Falls to stop the Panthers

Other Local Matchups

Division 3 Region 9:

#1 Padua Franciscan Bruins (10-1) over #4 Akron Buchtel Griffins (8-3) @ Brunswick Judy Kirsch Field

#6 Youngstown Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (6-4) over #7 Akron St. Vincent St. Mary (7-4) @ Uniontown Lake Blue Streak Stadium

Division 4 Region 13

#1 Akron Manchester Panthers (11-0) over #5 Campbell Memorial Red Devils (10-1) @ Ravenna Stadium

#2 Chagrin Falls Tigers (10-1) over #6 Cortland Lakeview Bulldogs (9-2) @ Aurora Veterans Stadium

Division 4 Region 14

#1 Belleville Clear Fork Colts (10-1) over #4 Genoa Area Comets (11-0) @Tiffin Frost-Kalnow Stadium

#2 Elyria Catholic Panthers (10-1) over #3 Orrville Red Riders (8-3) @ Medina Ken Dukes Stadium

Division 5 Region 17

#1 Youngstown Ursuline Fighing Irish (11-0) over #5 Creston Norwayne Bobcats (9-2) @ Green Memorial Stadium

#3 Cuyahoga Heights Redskins (10-1) over #2 Kirtland Hornets (11-0) @ Bedford Bearcat Stadium

Division 6 Region 21

#2 Mogadore Wildcats (11-0) over #3 Thompson Ledgemont Redskins (11-0) @ Twinsburg Tiger Stadium

Good luck to all teams this weekend!