(3) EUCLID VS. (7) ST. EDWARD

Division I, Region 1 semifinal game Byers Field, 7600 Day Drive, Parma 7 p.m., Nov. 9 Euclid 9-2, St. Edward 7-3 Euclid def. Austintown-Fitch, 35-0, St. Edward def. St. Ignatius, 21-19

Winner advances to the regional championship game on Nov. 16 to play the winner of Mentor-Canton McKinley

There is some recent history with these two programs. They met in a playoff opener in 2016, with the Eagles winning, 42-7. Euclid’s only two losses this year are to St. Ignatius in Week 3 and Mentor in Week 9. St. Edward started 0-2 against Mentor and Detroit Cass Tech, then won six in a row before a Week 10 loss to St. Ignatius that the Eagles avenged last week in the first round of the playoffs . ... Euclid has scored 35 or more points eight times this season. Dion Valentine has thrown for 1,744 yards and 23 touchdowns, with Dre’Von Lindsay (34 catches, 621 yards) being his favorite target. Michigan State recruit Brandon Wright has run for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns behind a big offensive line anchored by Ashawn Berry and Darrius Johnson. Defensively, Jalyn Jacobs and Sean Jackson Jr. are big-time playmakers. Job Rand is a differencemaker in the secondary . ... St. Edward’s defense was on point last week, holding St. Ignatius to 94 yards rushing and 8-for-18 passing. Offensively, QB Garrett Dzuro ran for 89 yards and threw for 156 yards.

semifinal game Wildcat Stadium, Mayfield 7 p.m., Nov. 9 Riverside 9-2, Maple Heights 11-0 Riverside def. Nordonia, 43-38, Maple Heights def. Boardman, 42-12

Winner advances to the regional championship game on Nov. 16 to play the winner of Akron HobanGarfield Heights

This is new territory for the Beavers, since they won the program’s first playoff game last week against Nordonia in a thrilling come-from-behind game. Riverside won a co-title in the Western Reserve Conference this year, while Maple won the Lake Erie League. Riverside’s two losses were to 10-1 Perry and 10-1Kenston. .. Riverside has scored 28 or more points seven time, this year. The Beavers outscore the opposition by an average of 32.1-20.8. QB Andrew Keller is a marvelous playmaker. He has thrown for 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns, and also run for 767 yards and 13 scores. Patrick Gonzales (28 catches) and Danny Smith (24) are the top receivers. Bullish Joseph Robinson has run for a team-best 796 yards and six scores. Keep an eye on Sith (687 yards) in the rushing game, too. Defensively, Frank Soukup has more than 20 TFLs. He’s a fast, physical defender . ... Maple Heights is coached by celebrated alum Shaq Washington. The Mustangs have a dynamic QB in Devil Dial.

These two teams each had close calls in the first round of the playoffs. Kenston has won two in a row since a Week 9 loss to Chardon on the game’s final play. Buckeye opened its season with a 43-6 loss to Richfield Revere, but has won 10 in a row since then. Both teams have very good offensive units. After scoring six points in the season opener, Buckeye has scored 28 more points in nine of the last 10 games. Kenston has scored at least 24 points in every game this year, and 40 or more eight times . ... Kenston RB Jack Porter has run for 1,831 yards and 23 touchdowns. The big offensive line, led by George Sell and Alex Robarge, opens big holes. QB Jon Tomcufcic has thrown for 2,245 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has run for 10 more scores. Bransen Stanley headlines a deep list of receivers. Defensively, Matt Iklodi is an active stopper for the Bombers. ... Buckeye’s win last week was the first postseason win in program history.

This is a rematch of a Region 13 semifinal game last year, won by Perry, 50-21. Both teams have an amazing amount of firepower, so this could be a real offensive slugfest . ... Perry’s lone loss was a 49-43 overtime loss to Chardon in Week 2, while Girard’s loss was 48-32 to Hubbard in Week 2 . ... Mark Waid is the unquestioned leader for the Indians. He has thrown for 3,299 yards and 39 touchdowns, while running for 1,001 yards and 16 scores. The lines are led by Jack DelGarbino (6-2, 265) and Haeden Gump (6-5, 250). Aidan Warga and Terrance Davis have combined for 1,300 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns. ... Perry is led by junior QB Drew Schiano (2,272 yards passing, 29 TDs). His favorite targets are Jake Reid (43 catches, 717 yards), Anthony Rosati (41-534) and Jacob Allen (28-599). The rushing game churned out more than 200 yards last week against CVCA, with Jaylen Anderson rounding into form after missing half of the season with a meniscus surgery. game. Gilmour only has two wins against teams with a better-than .500 record Warren JFK and last week’s win over Crestview. Orrville’s two losses came to Division II Wooster and Division V regional semifinalist Akron Manchester. Six of the Red Riders’ opponents went to the playoffs . ... Gilmour is led by senior RB C.J. Charleston (2,352 yards rushing, 48 TDs). While Connor Krebs (617 yards) is another very good runner and QB Jack Krebs can throw and run; the offense runs through Charleston.