The State Finals

14 weeks down, 1 more to go for 12 teams across the State of Ohio. Out of over 700 schools, only 12 have a shot at a state championship. Some schools are looking for redemption from last season, others are making their maiden voyage into this ocean. It's Canton's Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the legendary Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium that teams strive to end their seasons raising the trophy. Without further ado, let's jump into the matchups.

Division 1 State Championship -Saturday 7pm @Canton Fawcett Stadium

Lakewood St. Edward Eagles (14-0) vs. Huber Heights Wayne Warriors (11-3)

Division 1 Coach of the Year Rick Finnoti leads the champions of Region 1 against Region 4's Wayne Warriors, quarterbacked by Ohio State recruit Braxton Miller. St. Ed's defeated Mentor, Cleveland Glenville, Solon, and Toledo Whitmer en route to Canton. Wayne was the #8 seed in Region 4 defeating Middletown, Centerville, Cincinnati St. Xavier, and Hillard Davidson. St. Ed's is led by QB Kevin Burke, RB Reggie Terrell, RB Terrell Bates and an all Division-1 collegiate offensive line. Their defense is paced by DB Rob Coury's 7 interceptions, LB Sam Martello's 111 tackles and Pitt recruit Deonte Gibsons 19 sacks. St. Ed's has traveled all around the state taking shots from St. Xavier, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and St. Ignatius. Wayne features the most dynamic player in this game in QB Braxton Miller who has accounted for more than 2,500 total yards. RB Anthone Taylor compliments him with over 1,500 yards rushing and 13 scores. Teren Willams and Trey Moore hold it down on the defensive side combining for more than 240 total tackles. The Warriors come out of a rugged Cincinnati region that usually sends one of their premier Catholic/public school. The big question is if St. Ed's can contain Braxton Miller. The Eagles are diversified enough on offense to keep the Warriors guessing, but their D will need to step up like they have against previous playoff opponents. K Mike DiNunzio may have the final say in this game, which bodes well for St. Ed's.

Prediction: St. Edward 38 Huber Heights Wayne 35

Division 2 State Championship - Friday 7:30 pm @ Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

Maple Heights Mustangs (14-0) vs. Trotwood-Madison Rams (12-2)

Todd Flitz returns his high-octane Mustang offense to the state title game for the second straight year. Cincinnati recruit QB Shaq Washington leads the way with over 2,700 total yards and 35 total TDs. Washington has studs in WRs Andre Stubbs and Dana Day combining for over 1,600 yards and 20 TDs receiving. RB Devonte Ransom is nearing the 2,000 yard mark running behind the likes of Donovon Garner and Almonte Patrick. The Mustangs run a 4-2-5 defense, showcasing their overall team speed and power led by DE Claybourne Miller's 11.5 sacks. The Rams feature a 2,000 rusher of their own in Antwan Gilbert, while QB Marcus Graham has thrown for 21 TDs. Defensively, they run a 4-4 defense, led by the trio of LBs in Nick Grigsby, William Wheat and Treyvon-Williams Brown. This promises to be a shootout with explosive players all over the field. Last year in this game, the Mustangs were without Andre Stubbs which took away much of their team speed. Maple Heights is on a mission to bring a state title back with them.

Predicition - Maple Heights 41 Trotwood-Madison 34

Division 3 State Championship - Saturday 3pm @ Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

Akron Buchtel Griffins (11-3) vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson Eagles(12-1)

Fourth-year head coach and alumnus Ricky Powers brings the Griffins to their first state title game since the late 80s when Powers ran Buchtel to two championships. Perennial power Watterson brings a tough running game into Massillon with RBs Ray Cook and Isaiah Murray. The Griffins thrive on the big play, as evidenced by a TD on the first play from scrimmage last week against Alliance Marlington in the semifinals. Corey Smith is the main target on offense with this 1,100 yards and 16 TDs receiving. Defensively, LBs Blake Lewis and Devonte Blackwell lead with a total of over 250 tackles. The Eagles have a dual threat in QB Patrick Rhomberg on offense and are led on defense by Matt Redfield. Watterson has more experience in big games, but the Griffins have the coach that's done it before in their uniform.

Prediction: Akron Buchtel 34 Columbus Bishop-Watterson 21

Division 4 State Championship - Friday 11 am @Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium

Chagrin Falls Tigers (13-1) vs. Columbus-Bishop Hartely Hawks (12-2)

The Tigers return to the Division 4 state title game with a completely different team than last year's. Chagrin Falls features a diversified offense with muliple wideouts in Spencer Diedrich, Mike Hageman, Anthony DeCamillo and Bradley Munday catching passes from QB Timmy Porter. LB Kurt Vidmer and S Everette Dishong lead the defense. Hartley will run the ball as their first, second, and third options. TB Noah Key has 2,700 yards rushing and 39 TDs. He's in a backfield with 1,000-yard rusher Jared Zang and an all-purpose threat in Omar Lane who has almost 1,000 yards combined rushing and receiving. Their defense is paced by their two way RBs, as well as Napoleon Bell. Falls will have to keep Hartley on their toes on offense, but Hartley has multiple running threats.

Prediction - Columbus Bishop Hartley 27 Chagrin Falls 21

Division 5 State Championship - Saturday 11 am @ Canton Fawcett Stadium

Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish (14-0) vs. Coldwater Cavaliers (13-1)

This is a rematch of the D5 state title game, won by the Irish 55-25. Ohio's Mr. Football resides in the Irish backfield with TB Akise Teague's 2,200 yards rushing and his combined 43 TDs. The Cavaliers will be led by WR Reese Klenke on offense, but starting QB Austin Bruns will miss this game with a knee injury. LB Jordan Chapin leads the way on defense. The Fighting Irish are regarded as one of the state's top teams regardless of divsion.

Prediction - Youngstown Ursuline 49 Coldwater 14

Division 6 State Championship - Friday 3pm @ Canton Fawcett Stadium

Shadyside Tigers (13-1) vs. Delphos St. John's Blue Jays (14-0)

Shadyside and Delphos both love to run the ball. TB Brandon Sedinger's 1,600 yards and 18 TDs lead the Tigers, while the Blue Jays will rely on TB Evan Burgei and FB Jordan Bergfeld who have combined for over 3,300 yards rushing and 46 TDs. The Blue Jays are the #1 ranked team in Divsion 6 who will send LB Chris Pohlman and Kyle Neumeier to stop the Tigers offense.

Prediction - Delphos St. John's 31 Shadyside 17

This has been another awesome year of high school football. Good luck to all teams in their quest. Please provide your feedback with comments about the games, teams or predictions!