Coffman knocks out QB, rolls to win
MARION — Dublin Coffman rode a wave of momentum to a victory that put the Shamrocks into a Division I regional final.
Second-seeded Coffman took advantage of an injury to Toledo Whitmer quarterback Riley Keller and cruised to a 43-20 win over the third- seeded Panthers on Friday night.
Coffman ( 11- 1) advances to play fourth- seeded Olentangy Liberty next Friday at a site to be determined.
The Shamrocks trailed 14- 9 after PaSean Wimberly scored on a 99-yard kickoff return for Toledo Whitmer with 8: 41 left in the first half. But after Coffman punted to the Panthers’ 26- yard line, linebacker Devon Williams sacked Keller, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Whitmer on its 1- yard line.
Keller, a Division I college prospect, lay on the turf for several minutes before walking to the sideline with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. He did not return.
“Without him, they were a totally different team,” Coffman coach Mark Crabtree said. “It really changed the complexion of the game.”
Williams used his quickness to get around 6-foot-5, 330pound tackle Darrin Washington to make the decisive hit.
“I was able to get around their big guy and I was there,” Williams said. “His arm went up to throw and that’s when I tackled him.”
The Shamrocks then scored four consecutive touchdowns — two in the waning minutes of the first half and two more in the first three minutes of the second half — to build a 37-14 lead.
Coffman quarterback Ethan Brown rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and he completed 10 of 16 passes for 149 yards with one score. Moussa Diallo had 44 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries.
Mike Drennen rushed six times for 53 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 81 yards.
Keller was 4 of 6 passing for 58 yards and one touchdown for the Panthers (9-3). SHERIDAN 20, GRANVILLE 7: Isaiah Austin scored on a pair of short runs as Sheridan ( 11- 1) built a 14- 0 lead and never looked back in defeating Granville ( 10-2) in a Division III regional semifinal at White Field in Newark. The Generals pushed the lead to 20-0 in the third quarter on a 1-yard TD plunge by Will Hamilton before the Blue Aces got on the board late in the final frame via a 5- yard touchdown toss from Cameron Crouch to Ethan Tackett. BEVERLY FORT FRYE 41, NORTHMOR 23: For the second straight season, Beverly Fort Frye (11-0) eliminated Northmor (10- 1) in the Division VI playoffs, this time in a regional semifi nal at Watkins Memorial. Fort Frye prevailed 6-0 in the first round a year ago.