Mount Union beats John Carroll; Hudson eliminates St. Ignatius

Playoffs are well underway in Ohio high school football and just around the corner in college football. Ohio State is continuing their run to get into this year’s new college football playoffs. The big matchup in Division III between Mount Union and John Carroll was as good as advertised with the Purple Raiders narrowly beating JC. Bowling Green won this week and clinched the MAC East division. In high school, Hudson advanced in the playoffs after beating powerhouse St. Ignatius. St. Edward and Bedford are rolling through the playoffs and looking like the teams to beat in their respective divisions. It’s an exciting time in the football season in Ohio and the next weeks should be even better.

So let’s take a look at Week 12’s installment of the Ohio College and High School Football Roundup!

College Football

Ohio State beats Minnesota 31-24

Ohio State kept their playoff hopes alive with a sloppy win over Minnesota on Saturday. The Bucks had another great game from quarterback JT Barrett. Barrett threw for 200 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, while also rushing for 189 yards and a touchdown. In this game, Barrett broke three school records including the single season touchdown record held by Braxton Miller. The Bucks kept the Gophers around because of their three turnovers in the game. Receiver Jalin Marshall had five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown, but also had two big fumbles. It was a messy game, but the Buckeyes took care of business over a top 25 team on the road. The Bucks are now 9-1 on the season.

Next Week: Ohio State vs Indiana (Sat. noon)

Akron crushed by Buffalo 55-24

Akron continued their slide with another MAC loss to Buffalo. Akron lost its fourth consecutive game because of their inability to stop the Buffalo offense. Bulls quarterback Joe Licata threw for 193 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. His backfield mate, running back Anthone Taylor, rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown. Akron falls to 4-6 on the season.

Next Week: Akron @ Buffalo (Tues. 8pm)

Bowling Green beats Kent State 30-20

Bowling Green clinched the MAC East Division with this win over Kent State. The Falcons were led by their running game, especially running back Andre Givens. Givens rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Falcons quarterback James Knapke threw for 315 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Kent State quarterback Colin Reardon threw for 284 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions in the loss. Bowling Green moves to 7-3, while Kent State falls to 1-9.

Next Week: Bowling Green @ Toledo (Wed. 8pm)

                   Kent State @ Buffalo (Wed. 8pm)

Toledo falls short to Northern Illinois 27-24

Toledo’s loss to Northern Illinois ties them with the Huskies for first place in the MAC West Division. Northern Illinois running back Cameron Stingily led the charge with 81 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Toledo and former Willoughby South running back Kareem Hunt rushed for 119 yards, while Dwight Macon added 97 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Toledo falls to 6-4 on the season.

Next Week: Toledo vs Bowling Green (Wed. 8pm)

Notre Dame College wins over West Liberty (WV) 33-27

Notre Dame College ended their season at 7-4 with this win over West Liberty (WV). This seventh win was the most wins in the school’s brief football history. Falcon and former Willoughby South quarterback Ray Russ threw for 303 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception in the win. Falcons running back Alec Torgerson rushed for 161 yards and former VASJ receiver CJ Germany caught two receiving touchdowns for the Falcons.

Malone toppled by Northwood (MI) 41-17

Malone finished off their tough season with another loss, this time losing to Northwood (MI). Malone running back Matt Blaslole rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The Pioneers were held to just 260 yards of offense and committed three turnovers on the day. Malone ends its season at 1-10 after this season ending loss.

Youngstown State loses to Indiana State 27-24

Youngstown State lost their second consecutive game, this week to Indiana State in overtime. The Penguins scored 14 points in the fourth to force extra minutes, but lost in overtime on Indiana State’s game-winning field goal after not scoring on their turn in the first overtime. Penguins running back Martin Ruiz rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Youngstown State falls to 7-4 on the season and fourth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Next Week: Youngstown State @ North Dakota State (Sat. 3:30pm)

Dayton beats Butler 21-14

Dayton moved to 7-3 on the season with this win over Butler. The Flyers were successful on the ground behind running back Connor Kacsor, who rushed for 125 yards. Dayton quarterback Will Bardo threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Dayton is second place in the Division I FCS Pioneer Football League after this win.

Next Week: Dayton vs Campbell (NC) (Sat. 1pm)

Mount Union outlasts John Carroll 31-24

Mount Union finished off another perfect regular season at 10-0 with this close win over John Carroll. The Purple Raiders got the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute left in the game. Mount Union and former St. Edward quarterback Kevin Burke led the offensive attack, throwing for 258 yards and a touchdown and running for 62 yards. Receiver Sherman Wilkinson had eight receptions for 134 yards, while running back Bradley Mitchell added two rushing touchdowns for the Purple Raiders. John Carroll was led by running back Tommy Michals, who rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns. John Carroll ends the regular season at 9-1. Both teams start their playoff runs next week at home.

Next Week: Mount Union vs Adrian (Sat. noon)

                   John Carroll vs Centre (Sat. noon)

Baldwin Wallace crushed by Heidelberg 52-20

Baldwin Wallace ended their season with another loss, this time to Heidelberg. The Yellow Jackets were unable to stop Heidelberg all day, giving up 644 yards of offense. Baldwin Wallace was led on offense by their running game. Three different players scored a rushing touchdown for the Yellow Jackets, while running back Issac Reed III rushed for 92 yards. Baldwin Wallace finishes the season at 5-5.

Top 5 College Teams in D-1

	1. Florida St. Seminoles (10-0)	Florida State squeaked out another close win this week versus Miami (FL). Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has led his team through a lot of close games and remains undefeated. Next Week: FSU vs Boston College (Sat. 3:30pm)
	2. Alabama Crimson Tide (9-1)	Alabama had the biggest win of the week when they beat the number one team in the country Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide’s defense has become one of the best in Division I. Next Week: Alabama vs Western Carolina (Sat. 4pm)
	3. Oregon Ducks  (9-1)	Oregon was off this week after continuing their winning roll against Utah two weeks ago. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is the leading candidate to win the Heisman trophy this year. Next Week: Oregon vs Colorado (Sat. 4:30pm)
	4. TCU Horned Frogs (9-1)	TCU narrowly beat Kansas this week after trailing for most of the game. TCU’s offense is one of the best in the nation and can make up a deficit very quickly. Next Week: TCU on a bye (@ Texas Nov. 27)
	5. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1)	Ohio State has really emerged as a legit championship contender over the last few weeks. Quarterback JT Barrett is dominating opposing defenses, while leading the explosive Bucks offense. Next Week: Ohio State vs Indiana (Sat. noon)

***

High School Football

Hudson outlasts St. Ignatius 28-23

Hudson beat a tough St. Ignatius team to advance in the Division I playoffs this past weekend. Explorers’ quarterback Mitch Guadagni did almost everything for his team. Guadagni threw for 130 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown. He even had an interception on defense for Hudson. Hudson’s Matt Restifo had two receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing touchdown. St. Ignatius quarterback Dennis Grosel threw for 373 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in the loss. Wildcats receiver Jack Cook also had six catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Week: #1 Hudson vs #4 Mentor (Sat. 7pm @ University of Akron)

Mentor cruises past Canton GlenOak 38-14

Mentor rolled through the second round of the Division I playoffs when they beat Canton GlenOak on Saturday. Cardinals’ Eddie Daugherty caught seven passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 20 yards, and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass, too. Mentor quarterback Jake Floriea threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown. Jason Blizzard added two catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns for Mentor.

Next Week: #4 Mentor vs #1 Hudson (Sat. 7pm @ University of Akron)

Saint Vincent-Saint Mary beats Poland Seminary 20-10

The Fighting Irish advanced further in the Division III playoffs after beating Poland Seminary on Friday. Vince Lockett, who rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown, led the Irish attack. The Irish defense was stout, allowing only 137 yards of offense to Poland Seminary. Linebacker Patrick Oliverio had 11 tackles, a sack, and two tackles for a loss, while defensive end Dre’K Brumley had nine tackles, a sack, and four tackles for a loss.

Next Week: #2 St. Vincent-St. Mary vs #1 Hubbard (Fri. 7:30pm @ Ravenna HS)

St. Edward rolls over Powell Olentangy Liberty 41-12

St. Edward was dominant again this week, beating Powell Olentangy Liberty and advancing to next round of the Division I playoffs. Eagles quarterback Brett Kean threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown. Running back Cole Gest added 72 yards and a touchdown on the ground for St. Edward. St. Edward’s Shaun Crawford had 52 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in the victory.

Next Week: #2 St. Edward vs #3 Westerville Central (Sat. 7pm @ Mansfield Senior HS)

Midview outlasts Avon 42-36

Midview advanced in the Divison II playoffs after beating Avon in an overtime classic. Avon nearly won in regulation, but Midview scored with a second left to tie it up when Crum threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to receiver Dimitri Redwood. The Middies could have won it there, but they fumbled the snap on the extra point. Midview scored first in overtime on a run by running back Brett Zupancic and then held Avon from scoring to win in overtime. Midview quarterback Dustin Crum threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown. Avon quarterback Jake Sopko threw for two touchdowns in the loss.

Next Week: #1 Midview vs #2 Nordonia (Fri. 7:30pm @ Brunswick HS)

Benedictine cruises past Youngstown Cardinal Mooney 56-16

Benedictine advanced in the Division IV playoffs after crushing Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. Bengals running backs DeCavilon Reese and Dontez Rash both rushed for over 100 yards. Benedictine went up 42-9 at half with Reese and Rash combining for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Justin Layne added 197 receiving yards and two touchdowns by half. Reese ended up with two rushing touchdowns, while Rash had three rushing touchdowns.

Next Week: #1 Benedictine vs #7 Bay (Fri. 7:30pm @ Parma Byers Field)

Bay outlasts NDCL 27-24

Bay advanced to the next round of the Division IV playoffs with this win over NDCL. Bay’s offensive attack was led behind running back Nick Best. Best rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Bay’s Chris Francati rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown, while also catching two passes for 19 yards.

Next Week: #1 Benedictine vs #7 Bay (Fri. 7:30pm @ Parma Byers Field)

Bedford cruises past Willoughby South 54-24

Bedford continued to roll through the Division II playoffs with this win over Willoughby South. Bedford followed quarterback Carlin Colston to this victory. Colston threw for 238 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, while also rushing for another touchdowns. Running back Chawntez Moss rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown and also added a 70-yard touchdown reception. Cameron Odom and Deandre Chambers each caught a touchdown pass from Colston.

Next Week: #1 Bedford vs #2 Mayfield (Fri. 7:30pm @ Solon HS)

Nordonia overtakes Perrysburg 56-52

Nordonia came back to win over Perrysburg to advance in the Division II playoffs. Nordonia came back to win with a 75-yard kickoff touchdown return by Alex Alders with two minutes left in the game. Alders also caught ten passes for 104 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Nordonia quarterback David Murray threw for 341 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Next Week: #2 Nordonia vs #1 Midview (Fri. 7pm @ Brunswick HS)

Final Top 5 HS Teams in Northeast Ohio

	1. Hudson Explorers (12-0)	Hudson revenged last season’s season-ending loss to St. Ignatius by beating the Wildcats this past weekend. Quarterback Mitch Guadagni has played great all season and is a big time player for the Explorers.
	2. Mentor Cardinals (11-1)	Mentor continued their playoff run this week with a win over Canton GlenOak. The Cardinals are once again in the championship chase behind an explosive offense.
	3. St. Edward Eagles (10-2)	St. Edward rolled again this week and is looking like the team to beat. The Eagles have a lot of playmakers who can change the game in one play.
	4. Bedford Bearcats (12-0)	Bedford continued its offensive dominance this week over Willoughby South. The Bearcats backfield of Carlin Colston and Chawntez Moss is one of the best backfields in Ohio.
	5. Nordonia Knights (12-0)	Nordonia played a tough game with Perrysburg, but came back to win this past weekend. The Knights offense is high scoring machine behind quarterback David Murray.

High School Football Playoff Predictions

Just a reminder that these are the seven teams that I have predicted to win the championship in each of Ohio’s seven football divisions. All of the teams that I have predicted are still in the playoffs and chasing the championship trophy. Comment below about my picks and who you see winning it all in each of the divisions.

(Stats courtesy of ESPN, OAC.org, team websites, Cleveland.com, and hsgamecenter.com)