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Elite Eight: Greater Akron area teams win, here's what to look for in Week 13 OHSAA football

brad bournival, akron beacon journal
·6 min read
Hoban football coach Tim Tyrrell works a huddle with his team during the first half of a Division II playoff football game, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Akron, Ohio.
Hoban football coach Tim Tyrrell works a huddle with his team during the first half of a Division II playoff football game, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, in Akron, Ohio.

Congratulations Medina, Archbishop Hoban, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Hudson, Highland, Norton, Buchtel and Mogadore. You've made it to Week 13.

After an incredible Week 12, eight Greater Akron football teams remain.

The regional semifinals are next and there are some great rematches and even better round of 16 games on Friday and Saturday.

Without further ado, here's what and who to watch in advance of the big games:

Division I, Region 1

No. 2 Medina (11-1) vs. No. 3 Mentor (8-3)

7 p.m. Friday at Twinsburg High School

The Bees survived a 49-35 scare against Wadsworth last week. The Cardinals scored with 12 seconds left to win 19-14 and quash an upset bid by Canton McKinley. The last time these two played, Medina won a Week 7 Greater Cleveland Conference matchup 52-38.

Quarterback Danny Stoddard (4,661 yards, 55 TDS), Brennen Schramm (94 catches, 1,338 yards, 16 TDs), Austin Knowles (72, 1,257, 16) and Jack Wojciak (74, 1,203, 15) lead a team that has punted once in the last four weeks.

Quarterback Scotty Fox (2,732 yards, 28 TDs) powers the Cardinals with Jacob Snow (47 catches, 632 yards, 7 TDS), Holden Cerny (46, 597, 3) and Nick Jaris (32, 401, 6) as his main targets. Mitchell Waite (768 yards rushing, 10 TDs) carries the rushing load.

Defensive end Brenan Vernon (63 tackles, 10 for loss, 30 quarterback pressures, 1 sack), a Notre Dame commit, is a handful.

St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Terry Cistone has the Fighting Irish rocking in advance of their rematch with Hoban.
St. Vincent-St. Mary coach Terry Cistone has the Fighting Irish rocking in advance of their rematch with Hoban.

Division II, Region 5

No. 1 Archbishop Hoban (11-1) vs. No. 5 St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-3)

7 p.m. Friday at University of Akron

The Knights knocked out Barberton 41-13. The Fighting Irish upset Austintown Fitch 21-14.

Hoban hasn’t been in anything less than a regional final since 2015 and has won five state titles in that time. It also has reigning Division II Offensive Player of the Year Lamar Sperling, a Buffalo commit who has rushed for 569 yards and 10 touchdowns in the postseason.

Don’t expect STVM to cower in fear even though the Knights beat the Irish 28-14 in Week 7.

STVM played to a scoreless tie for the first 2½ quarters in the first game and would have made Hoban sweat even more if not for six turnovers.

A touchdown with 32 seconds left by Santonio Harper was the game-winner against second-seeded Fitch, so there is a ton of momentum coming in on the Irish’s side.

Ohio High School Football:JacQai Long's composure vital for Hoban, especially with STVM rematch on deck in playoffs

No. 2 Hudson (12-0) vs. No. 2 Painesville Riverside (11-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Maple Heights High School

The Explorers rolled through Walsh Jesuit 34-7 last week. The Beavers didn’t have much resistance in a 62-28 win over Nordonia.

Hudson goes as Jaggar Pallay (1,387 yards passing, 14 TDs, 698 yards rushing, 6 TDs), Ian Ludewig (1,873 yards rushing, 25 TDs) and a stout defense go.

The Explorers prefer defensive games with the defense holding opponents to 14 points or less 11 times.

They’ve allowed only seven points this postseason.

The Beavers score 42.4 points per game and have tallied 125 points in the last weeks.

Riverside, which is making its first regional semifinal appearance, is led by Jason Mackey (1,299 yards rushing, 9 touchdowns), Mike Maloney (2,175 yards passing, 27 TDs, 610 yards, 14 TDs) and Jake Elly (56 catches, 1,047 yards, 12 TDS).

Lukas Stiles leads the offense and defense for Highland as it heads into a rematch with Toledo Central Catholic on Friday.
Lukas Stiles leads the offense and defense for Highland as it heads into a rematch with Toledo Central Catholic on Friday.

No. 2 Highland (12-0) vs. No. 3 Toledo Central Catholic (11-1)

7 p.m. Friday at Sandusky Perkins High School

The things change. Well, they don’t here.

Highland beat North Olmsted 49-7. The Fighting Irish blanked Avon Lake 21-0.

Last season, the Hornets appeared to be ready to take the lead in the final minute when spectacular defense gave the ball back to Central Catholic in a 23-20 win by the Irish.

None of that matters this time.

Lukas Stiles (1,231 yards rushing, 22 TDs) leads the team on offense. The defense has allowed 64 points this season, but you know that if you’ve been paying attention.

Last season, Highland held Chris Edmonds to 66 yards and touchdown on 13 carries. He comes into Friday with 11 consecutive 100-yard games, including a 109-yard, one-touchdown showing against the Shoremen.

Division III, Region 10

No. 6 Norton (10-2) vs. No. 10 Padua (7-5)

7 p.m. Friday at North Royalton High School

The Panthers traveled to third-seeded Clyde and pulled a 28-13 upset. Padua dumped second-seeded Tiffin Columbian.

That brings a match that some may have not seen coming. Norton always knew it had the opportunity, and a seven-game winning streak proves it.

Luke Dobbins has gone over 1,000 yards for the Panthers and should be a major problem for the Bruins along with Noah Willig and Toby Tatka. Norton hasn’t given up more than 14 points during its win streak so points may be at a premium.

Marquise Hall (749 yards rushing, 12 TDS) and Caden Fyock (688, 5) are the ones to look out for against Padua. Tyler Tusai has thrown for 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Buchtel's Wiley Cheairs has the Griffins thinking big things after their second straight postseason upset.
Buchtel's Wiley Cheairs has the Griffins thinking big things after their second straight postseason upset.

Division IV, Region 13

No. 1 West Branch (11-1) vs. No. 13 Buchtel (7-4)

7 p.m. Saturday at Ravenna High School

Cinderella kept rolling when the Griffins knocked out Northwest 31-14. Two-time reigning regional champ West Branch bounced Struthers 54-35.

Buchtel has top-notch players in Wiley Cheairs (165 carries, 813 yards, 8 TDs), Stevie Diamond (1,672 yards, 17 TDs) and Marcel Boyce (853 yards, 10 TDs), but the defense is playing great when the Griffins need it to the most.

Buchtel has forced 20 turnovers, including four against Northwest.

The Warriors have a Division I talent in quarterback Dru DeShields (3,391 yards passing, 43 TDs). Christian Martig (68, 949, 12 TDs), Anthony Perry (45, 846, 9) and Joey Jackson (55, 842, 10) are his main targets.

Mogadore's Mason Williams (87) on a run during a Week 12 playoff game against Canton Central Catholic on Friday, November 4, 2022.
Mogadore's Mason Williams (87) on a run during a Week 12 playoff game against Canton Central Catholic on Friday, November 4, 2022.

Division VI, Region 21

No. 2 Mogadore (12-0) vs. No. 6 Cuyahoga Heights (9-2)

7 p.m. Saturday at Twinsburg High School

The Wildcats have never lost a playoff game at home in 25 appearances, including a 19-14 win over Canton Central Catholic. Cuyahoga Heights dropped Valley Christian 10-6.

The Red Wolves haven’t given up more than 26 points and have held opponents to 16 points or less 10 times. Running back Andy Jakubczak is the one to watch for Cuyahoga Heights.

Mason Williams continues to be a man among boys for Mogadore. Last week, he rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats have given up more than 14 points only once in the last seven games.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: A look at Greater Akron area football teams in OHSAA playoffs