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December 1, 2014The Ohio high school playoffs have finally reached the pinnacle of the season as two teams in each of the seven Ohio divisions fight for the championship trophy. In Division I, St. Edward is on a roll after cruising past Hudson on Saturday. Benedictine beat Steubenville to advance to the Division IV championship game. This week will be fun for high school football fans, when the championship games kick off on Thursday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. In college football, Ohio beat their rival, but lost their star quarterback JT Barrett. In the MAC, the championship game is set for next week pitting Northern Illinois against Bowling Green. Mount Union and John Carroll are preparing for a rematch this coming weekend in the NCAA Division III playoffs. It was another fun week of football in Ohio.
In this week’s Ohio football roundup, I have included the schedule of the Ohio football championship games this week, along with my picks for each game. I also have my top 5 candidates for the Ohio Mr. Football award and my original championship picks. Give me your opinions on any of these topics in the comments below. So let’s take a look at Week 14’s installment of the Ohio College and High School Football Roundup!
College Football
Ohio State beats Michigan 42-28
Ohio State beat their hated rival, but that news probably took a back seat to the injury to quarterback JT Barrett. In the beginning of the fourth quarter, Barrett was tackled and in the process broke his ankle ending his season. It is a huge loss to the playoff hopeful Bucks, losing their second Heisman hopeful quarterback of the season. Before his injury, Barrett threw for 176 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Glenville alum Cardale Jones came in for Barrett and will lead the team in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns, including the big fourth down touchdown run that opened up the game. The 11-1 Buckeyes face Wisconsin next week in the Big Ten Championship.
Next Week: Ohio State vs Wisconsin (Sat. 8:17pm @ Lucas Oil Stadium (IN))
Kent State slips past Akron 27-24
Kent State beat their rival Akron with a touchdown pass with under a minute to go in the game. Kent State quarterback Colin Reardon completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to former Solon receiver Chris Humphrey to win the game. On the day, Reardon threw for 298 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while Humphrey had nine receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown. Nick Holley added 95 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Kent State. In the loss, Akron running back Jawon Chisholm rushed for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Kent State ends their season at 2-9, while Akron falls short of a bowl game at 5-7.
Toledo rolls over Eastern Michigan 52-16
Toledo cruised past Eastern Michigan and clinched a share of first place in the MAC West Division. The Rockets will miss out on the conference championship game because of their loss to Northern Illinois earlier in the season. In the win, Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside threw for 323 and five touchdowns. Woodside was an equal opportunist in the victory, completing a touchdown pass to five different players. On the ground, former Willoughby South running back Kareem Hunt rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown for Toledo. Toledo finishes the season at 8-4 and awaits their matchup in a bowl game.
Bowling Green falls to Ball State 41-24
The Falcons end the regular season with a lost to Ball State. In the defeat, Bowling Green had a solid day rushing the ball. Falcons running back Travis Greene rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown, while running back Fred Coppet rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown. Even with the loss, the Falcons play next week in the MAC Championship against Northern Illinois.
Next Week: Bowling Green vs Northern Illinois (Fri. 7pm @ Ford Field)
Ohio outlasts Miami (OH) 24-21
Ohio kicker Josiah Yazdani kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to give Ohio the victory. Bobcats’ quarterback Derrius Vick threw for 121 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while also rushing for 61 yards. His backfield mate, AJ Ouellette, rushed for 96 yards and caught five passes for 31 yards and a touchdown. With this win, Ohio moved to 6-6 and qualified for a bowl game.
Mount Union cruises past Washington and Jefferson College (PA) 67-0
Mount Union continued their purge through the Division III playoffs with this win over Washington and Jefferson College. Purple Raider and former St. Edward quarterback Kevin Burke had an outstanding game, throwing for 402 yards and six touchdowns. His main targets were receiver Luc Meacham and receiver Roman Namdar. Meacham had nine catches for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Namdar had eight catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Jamal Johnson rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown for the Purple Raiders. Mount Union faces John Carroll next week in a rematch from the regular season.
Next Week: Mount Union vs John Carroll (Sat. noon)
John Carroll slides past Wheaton (IL) 14-12
John Carroll fought a close battle with Wheaton (IL), but held on to win the game and advance to a rematch against Mount Union in the Division III playoffs. In the victory, John Carroll and former St. Ignatius quarterback Mark Myers threw for 229 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Former Benedictine receiver Marshall Howell had five receptions for 85 yards, while former St. Ignatius tight end Brendan Carozzoni had five catches for 67 yards for John Carroll. Former Lake Catholic running back Tommy Michals rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, while also catching six passes for 34 yards.
Next Week: John Carroll @ Mount Union (Sat. noon)
Top 5 College Teams in D-1
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High School Football
St. Edward rolls over Hudson 42-14
St. Edward was too much for Hudson this week on their way to the Division I Championship Game. The Eagles were dominant, going up 42-0 at one point and holding Hudson’s offense to just 166 yards through three quarters. St. Edward quarterback Brett Kean threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Eagles’ running back Cole Gest rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, too. Hudson quarterback Mitch Guadagni threw for 138 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions, while just rushing for 59 yards in the loss.
Next Week: St. Edward vs Huber Heights Wayne (Sat. 3pm @ Ohio Stadium)
Saint Vincent-Saint Mary falls to Athens (The Plains, OH) 34-31
The Fighting Irish fell short of returning to the Division III Championship game after losing to Athens. Their talented quarterback Joe Burrow, an Ohio State commit, led Athens in the victory. Burrow threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Fighting Irish quarterback Dom Davis threw for 37 yards and two interceptions, but rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Vince Lockett added 169 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the Fighting Irish.
Nordonia cruises past Mayfield 52-14
Nordonia was impressive again this week by beating Mayfield soundly. Nordonia rolled over Mayfield on their way to the Division II Championship game, their first championship appearance since 2002. Nordonia has been led all season by their star quarterback David Murray and this win was no exception. Murray threw for 391 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding a 52-yard touchdown run in the game. Denzel Ward had two catches for 135 yards and a touchdown, while Dylan Mabin added two receiving touchdowns for Nordonia. In the loss, Mayfield quarterback Monestero threw for 148 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Next Week: Nordonia vs Cincinnati LaSalle (Fri. 8pm @ Ohio Stadium)
Benedictine beats Steubenville 40-12
Benedictine continued their roll through the Division IV playoffs by beating Steubenville. This win moves them to their first championship appearance since 2004. The Bengals took over the game early, leading 33-6 at halftime. In the win, Bengals’ running back DeCavilon Reese rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns, with most of it coming in the first half. Benedictine three-headed rushing attack of Reese, Dontez Rash, and Jerome Baker will look to finish off their season next week by raising up the Division IV championship trophy.
Next Week: Benedictine vs Kettering Archbishop Alter (Fri. 10am @ Ohio Stadium)
Ohio State Football Championship Schedule and Picks
Thursday
7:30 p.m. – Div. III: Athens (14-0) vs. Toledo Central Catholic (12-2)
Pick: Athens
Friday
10:00 a.m. – Div. IV: Cleveland Benedictine (13-1) vs. Kettering Archbishop Alter (14-0)
Pick: Cleveland Benedictine
3:00 p.m. – Div. VI: Kirtland (14-0) vs. Minster (11-3)
Pick: Kirtland
8:00 p.m. – Div. II: Macedonia Nordonia vs. Cincinnati LaSalle
Pick: Cincinnati LaSalle
Saturday
10:00 a.m. – Div. VII: Norwalk St. Paul (13-1) vs. Maria Stein Marion Local (14-0)
Pick: Maria Stein Marion Local
3:00 p.m. – Div. I: Huber Heights Wayne (13-1) vs. Lakewood St. Edward (12-2)
Pick: St. Edward
8:00 p.m. – Div. V: Canton Central Catholic (14-0) vs. Coldwater (13-1)
Pick: Coldwater
My Top 5 Ohio Mr. Football Candidates
- Joe Burrow, QB, Athens (The Plains, OH) High School
The Ohio State quarterback has led his team to a deep playoff run in Division III. In the regular season, Burrow threw for 2,887 yards, 42 touchdowns, and just one interception.
- Mitch Guadagni, QB, Hudson High School
The Toledo commit has led Hudson on a perfect season and a long playoff run in Division I. Guadagni threw for 1,838 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, while also adding 673 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the regular season.
- Demario McCall, RB, North Ridgeville High School
The junior running back was the entire North Ridgeville offense this season. McCall rushed for 2,302 yards and 35 touchdowns in amazing junior season.
- LJ Scott, RB, Hubbard High School
The Michigan State Commit was a one man wrecking crew for Hubbard and led his team to deep playoff, losing to St. Vincent-St. Mary in the Division III playoffs this past weekend. In the regular season, Scott rushed for 2,106 yards and 30 touchdowns.
- Justin Hilliard, LB, St. Xavier High School
The Ohio State commit was a beast for the talented St. Xavier defense. In the regular season, Hilliard notched 48 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and four sacks.
Original 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. With the championships upon us, I still have four of my original seven teams I picked still playing for the trophy. Comment below about my picks and who you see winning it all in each of the divisions’ championship games this week.
Division I | St. Edward |
Division II | Bedford |
Division III | Toledo Central Catholic |
Division IV | Clarksville Clinton-Massie |
Division V | |
Division VI | Kirtland |
Division VII | Maria Stein Marion Local |
(Stats courtesy of ESPN, OAC.org, team websites, Cleveland.com, hsgamecenter.com, and OHSAA.com)
2 Comments
So close, zips. And no bowl game, either? Maybe next year!
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/074/8/2/ringo_and_paul__laugh_at_you_by_eggirl2-d5y3lbj.gif
That’s a tough break for OSU. Barrett was really fantastic this season.