The Elite Eight of high school football continues tonight. Tickets to the state semifinals are in high demand and teams will have to pay top-dollar to get their shot at a state championship. Divisions 2, 3, and 5 had their turn last night. Local area teams, Avon, Chagrin Falls, Aurora, and Kirtland were all successful last night across the various divisions. Tonight brings us Divisions 1, 4, and 6. There are two prominent D1 games that we'll take a quick look at.
Division I Region 1 Final - Saturday 7pm
#1 Mentor Cardinals (11-1) vs. #2 St. Ignatius Wildcats (10-2) at Lakewood Stadium
It doesn't get much better than this for local fans. A rematch of Mentor's 38-24 victory in Week 3, this game promises to bring the intensity tenfold. Coach Steve Trivisonno leads his team against the Ohio high school football legend Chuck Kyle. Mentor is coming off of an exciting 42-40 win against Solon, while the Wildcats are brimming with confidence having knocked off the defending Division I State Champions, St. Ed's. It's very difficult to beat the same team twice, especially when the opposing coach is one of the best of all-time in Kyle. Mentor can enjoy an edge having defeated St. Ignatius already. Mentor QB Mitch Trubisky threw for boatloads of yards in the first match, but also threw 4 interceptions. Trubisky threw 5 picks against Solon last week. Despite the high volume of turnovers, the junior QB has accounted for 53 TDs through the air and on the ground. Defensively, it's hard not to notice DE Tom Strobel. The Michigan recruit has been a monster all year for the Cardinals. The Wildcats will attempt to control the clock with RB Tim McVey and Dan Grace. St. Ignatius needs to keep it close from the start. Both teams have tremendous kickers, which nullifies any advantage on special teams they normally enjoy. It's going to be a great game in Lakewood tonight, and I'm taking Mentor to advance.
Prediction: Mentor
Division I Region 2 Finals - Saturday 7pm
#1 Toledo Whitmer Panthers (12-0) vs. #7 Wadsworth Grizzlies (11-1) at Cedar Point Stadium
This is a rematch of a wild 2007 first round match-up. Wadsworth led late, only to be turned back by multiple trick plays and onside kicks from the Panthers. Whitmer won this region last season and returns much of what got them there. The Panthers have Division I recruits all over their roster, including DL Chris Wormley, RB Joey Webb and Leroy Alexander, and OL Storm Norton. Defensively, Whitmer has held teams to just more than a TD per game and less than 200 total yards. Wadsworth counters with the Division I Inland District Offensive Player of the Year in RB Jack Snowball, who's rushed for over 2,500 yards and 31 TDs. Paving the way for Snowball are OG Nick Tavanello and FB Bret Baughman, who rushed for 76 yards and 4 TDs against the Hudson Explorers last week. Baughman also leads the defense from the LB position, as the Grizzlies allow just over 14 points per game. Look for the head coach of the Grizzlies, Greg Dennison to ground-and-pound, putting together long drives with 10+ plays. It'll be up to the offensive line to keep the Panthers off of Snowball until he can get to the second level. Wadsworth is making their first trip to the Elite Eight since 2003. It's going to be a tough go for the Grizzlies. My heart wants the Grizzlies to win, but my head is saying Whitmer.
Check out these games if you're in the areas. Both of these games will not air live on TV and it's supposed to be a great night. Good luck to all teams, especially the Wadsworth Grizzlies.
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