HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Games at 7 p.m. Friday DIVISION I
Olentangy Liberty (8-1) at Springfield (7-1)
Given that Olentangy Liberty won Region 2 on the way to the final four in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and Springfield edged Dublin Coffman 7-3 in last year’s regional title game, it’s amazing that these programs have never met. “Yes, but we’ve seen each other a lot on film scouting for playoff games,” Liberty coach Steve Hale said. “I know this about them: They’re fast, really athletic and well-coached. Their quarterback is really good and he is surrounded by a lot of speedy big-play threats we’ll have to keep under control.” Springfield is led by senior quarterback Te’sean Smoot, who has passed for 1,725 yards and 21 touchdowns and run for a team-high 473 yards and eight scores.
The Wildcats won their regional semifinal by no-contest as undefeated Clayton Northmont was unable to play due to a COVID-19 exposure. Liberty is coming off a season-defining 18-15 win at top-seeded Dublin Coffman, avenging its lone defeat.
“It was just a brutal battle,” Hale said. “Our defense was fantastic. That unit came into the season with a lot of firstyear starters to begin with, then some key kids were injured. It took some time to develop, but the defense has gotten better each week.”
Liberty has ridden a balanced offense led by quarterback Mitch Fields (1,580 yards, 16 TDS passing) and versatile running back Aidan Kenley (1,017 yards, 18 TDS).
Westerville Central (7-1) at Pickerington Central (9-0)
This marks the first time in 15 years and third time ever that these Ohio Capital Conference teams have met, and they’re doing so with the regional championship on the line. Top-seeded defending state champion Pickerington Central is shooting for a fifth straight regional title. The Tigers have been largely unchallenged in outscoring their opposition 365-48. After somewhat of a shaky start with a tight win over Upper Arlington (28-23) and a 34-20 defeat to Pickerington North, Westerville Central has been dominant, allowing just 41 points. “We’ve studied their past three games on film and we’ve had a hard time finding any flaws,” Pickerington Central coach Jay Sharrett said of the Warhawks. “Defensively, they’re very, very stout. On offense, they’re sharp with the football and they don’t turn the ball
over. With the way they spread the field, you have to make a decision how to defend them. Are you going to give them this to stop that?”
DIVISION II
Westerville South (7-0) at Massillon Washington (7-1)
With an offense averaging 48.1 points per game, Westerville South hopes to conduct business as usual in its regional semifinal game at historic Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. But perennial power Massillon Washington, which has allowed just 78 points, likely has a different notion.
“We’ve certainly had our share of highscoring games, but we’re kind of hoping it’s not a shootout this week,” South coach Matthew Christ said. “We know they’ve got a really potent offense to go with their defense, and I think it’s really imperative for us to get defensive stops, be opportunistic and take care of the ball. People look at our passing numbers, but we’ve done a good job running the ball and we feel like our defense has come into its own the past few games.”
Quarterback Peter Pedrozo (2,284 yards, 28 touchdowns passing) is flanked by a talented corps of receivers led by Penn State-bound junior Kaden Saunders (41 receptions, 876 yards, 12 TDS).
The 2018 and 2019 state runner-up, Massillon Washington has its own stud receiver in four-star Ohio State recruit Jayden Ballard. But Massillon leans on a power run game and its defense. The Tigers have won 13 regional titles with five state runner-up finishes, but have
yet to win a championship in the playoff era.
Olentangy (6-2) at Massillon Perry (8-0)
Arguably the top team in football-obsessed Massillon at the moment, topseeded Perry has scored the same number of points as Olentangy (237), but features a defense that has allowed just 63 points. Only one opponent (Canton Mckinley) has managed to top 14 points.
“They’ve got tradition, a legendary coach and hard-nosed, blue-collar kids who fly all around the field,” said Olentangy coach Mark Solis, who hails from northeast Ohio. “This is a team that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. We’re going to have to match their physicality. We’ve got to be point-on in all areas Friday.”
Operating a wing-t offense, Perry has rolled up 352 yards per game on the ground while completing just 17 passes. Tailback Josh Lemon (1,540 yards, 17 TDS) leads the charge. Olentangy is plus-11 in turnovers with Caleb Gossett’s four interceptions leading the way.
Outside of quarterback Kaden Doup (1,302 yards, 11 TDS passing), Olentangy may not feature anyone with gaudy statistics, but the Braves done the little things to get this far.
DIVISION III
Jonathan Alder (8-0) at Desales (6-1)
Desales earned the top seed in a competitive region on the strength of beating Hartley twice, splitting with Watterson and drubbing 2019 state runner-up Mansfield. The Stallions have played in four one-score games, and their 56-35 win over Granville last week was close for a while.
“I think we’re playing pretty well, but we’re still trying to put it all together,” Desales coach Ryan Wiggins said. “We have been able to run the football, be the more physical team at the line of scrimmage and play good, sound defense, and that’s how you win playoff games.”
Quintell Quinn has rushed for 871 yards and 14 TDS to pace Desales. Regional runner-up in 2019, Alder has held six opponents to 10 or fewer points. Quarterback JT Keith (1,618 yards, 16 TD passing), running back Will Heisler (868 yards, 11 TDS) and receiver Jackson Izzard (62 receptions, 728 yards, 11 TDS) form a potent triumvirate.
Thornville Sheridan (8-0) at Hartley (5-3)
Although Hartley earned the No. 2 seed and home field for this regional semifinal based largely on its level of competition, coach Brad Burchfield was quick to point out that Sheridan beat Watterson 28-20 a week ago and blanked another common opponent, Tri-valley, 33-0.
“I’m telling you, they’re impenetrable on defense,” Burchfield said. “They’re not giving up anything to anybody. Watterson is very high-powered team and they got only one offensive touchdown against them. Sheridan is wellcoached, very physical and seem to play with a lot of confidence, as they should.”
Both teams feature excellent running attacks. With Nyal Johnson (812 yards) and Marcelis Parker (500) leading a four-pronged backfield, Hartley has amassed 2,499 yards with a 7.1-yardsper-carry average. Led by Jason Munyan (1,299 yards, 20 TDS), Sheridan has run for 1,913 yards at a 7.1-yard clip.
DIVISION VII
Newark Catholic (5-3) at Glouster Trimble (8-0)
Both teams enter this matchup having allowed just 75 points. Trimble has four shutouts on its resume. Newark Catholic has yielded just 19 points the past three games.
“Our defense has really come on of late,” Newark Catholic coach Ryan Aiello said. “It’s a very young group, and several kids who were banged up early are healthy now. As crazy as this season has been with COVID-19 concerns, it seems like we’re just now getting in the groove.”
sblackledge@dispatch.com @Blackiepreps