Rematches highlight this weekend's Regional quarterfinal football contests
The second round of the 2021 high school football playoffs is highlighted by rematches in one form or another as area schools get set for regional quarterfinal play on Friday and Saturday.
It all begins Friday with Division III and IV action followed by Division V and VII on Saturday.
No. 7 Aurora (9-2) at No. 2 Dover (10-0)
Division III, Region 9
It's not a regular season rematch, but the Crimson Tornadoes have hosted the Greenmen in preseason scrimmages in recent years.
But this time there's more at stake.
Playing for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in a Week 8 loss at Barberton, Alex Moore, Aurora's three-year starting quarterback wasted little time making his presence felt. He connected with Jack Cardaman on a 65-yard touchdown pass on the game's second play, setting the tone for the Greenmen's 42-14 victory over Ravenna last Friday night.
In 14 minutes of action, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder completed 7-of-14 passes for 133 yards with the two TDs.
While Moore gave his squad a huge lift, Cardaman was the player of the night.
The versatile senior had the aforementioned scores, picked off two Eathan Cobbin passes and had a pair of booming punts sailing 56 and 63 yards. In fact, his 56-yard effort, which pinned Ravenna at its own 2-yard line, set up Cardaman's second pick.
And just for good measure, Cardaman provided the PAT after the Greenmen's final score — an Enzo Catania short scoring run. Aiden Henderson, who rushed for 71 yards in a dozen carries, accounted for the other second-half points with a 5-yard run.
Dover recorded a hard-fought 18-15 win over Akron St. Vincent -St. Mary at Crater Stadium last Friday on a 22-yard field goal by junior Lucas Lane to move on to the second round.
Lane tied Zachary Rafter (2010) by making his 42 consecutive PAT since missing his very first one of the season in Game 1 against Mentor Lake Catholic.
Five members of the 2021 team had grandfathers play on the 1967 undefeated team that was coached by Dick Haines: Lane (Steve Mastin), Zane Connor (Dean Burkhart), Ryan McVicker (Jim Blickensderfer) and Jonah Marks and Kelden Hall (John Marks) Jonah also wears the same number as his grandfather, 33.
In addition, JJ Barton is the grandson of former Dover-Phila Game MVP Gene Reese (1975).
The winner will play No. 3 Kenston (10-1) or No. 6 Steubenville (9-2) in a Regional semifinal next Friday.
No. 7 Tiffin Columbian (7-4) at No. 2 West Holmes (11-0)
Division III, Region 10
Heeding their coach's call to play more physical, the West Holmes Knights put a pounding on visiting Sylvania Southview last Friday, pummeling the Cougars 60-14 in the opening round of the Division III playoffs at Knights Stadium.
The win, No. 11 on the season, advanced West Holmes to the Regional quarterfinals against Tiffin Columbian, the team that knocked the Knights out of the playoffs last year and fueled the fire that is burning in this year's team.
West Holmes QB Noah Clark, who enjoyed a stellar night statistically, (11-of-13 passing, 227 yards, three touchdowns through the air and a 31-yard scoring run), commended the play of the defense for setting the tone early and never letting up.
The Knights are 11-0 and one win shy of a school record for wins in a season.
Meanwhile, Tiffin Columbian offered a menacingly balanced approach while handling Lodi Cloverleaf with an all-around effort during a 48-14 playoff victory at home.
They won despite missing three players, who were suspended from the team for the remainder of the season last month after officials confirmed their alleged involvement in a string of vandalism cases.
The student-athletes are accused of vandalizing the residences of three Tiffin City Schools staff members.
In addition to sitting out the remaining regular-season contests along with the postseason, they are forfeiting any regular and post-season awards they might receive.
The winner will play either No. 3 Rocky River (8-3) or No. 6 Medina Buckeye (8-3) in a Regional semifinal next Friday.
No. 5 Indian Valley (7-2) at No. 4 Heath (9-2)
Division IV, Region 15
The absence of All-Ohio senior receiver Reece Huber was a loss for the Heath football team last Friday against Gallia Academy, but his teammates made sure to still put the Bulldogs in the win column.
Heath put its depth at skill positions on display during a 21-2 victory in a Division IV, Region 15 opener.
Sophomore Scott Humphrey Jr. replaced Huber at receiver and free safety, where Huber was dynamite during the stretch run of the regular season, helping the Bulldogs repeat as Licking County League-Cardinal Division champions. Sophomore Conner Toomey earned more time at receiver and caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from classmate Brayden Bayles.
Relying on underclassmen is nothing new for Heath’s Bulldogs. Bayles has broken Aaron Latiolais’ single-season record for TD passes, sitting now at 25, and sophomore Kaden Green and freshman Connor Corbett each had a sack last Friday as they continue to be key members of what has been a dominating defense.
Meanwhile, a pair of early injuries gave Tyson Pryor his opening last Friday.
The Indian Valley sophomore running back made the most of the opportunity.
Pryor turned 32 carries into 185 yards and four touchdowns, as the fifth-seeded Braves downed 12th seed Philo 30-12 in a first-round contest.
It was the 100th career win for Matt Lancaster, as his Braves, who improved to 7-2, will travel to fourth seed Heath.
The opening became available when Indian Valley lost starter Gavin Henry and a lineman as well, but the Braves rallied.
The winner will play either No. 1 Bloom-Carroll (11-0) or Marengo Highland (8-3) next Friday in a Regional semifinal.
No. 7 Carrollton (8-3) at No. 2 St. Clairsville (11-0)
Division IV, Region 15
The two squads have been playing regularly since 2015, sans last year, including the 2021 season opener at Community Field.
St. Clairsville shook off a pair of early turnovers to overcome a 14-0 deficit and take a 42-35 victory back in August.
However, the venue will switch for the postseason as the Warriors travel to the Red Devils for the rematch.
In the season opener, St. Clairsville QB Drew Sefsick finished the game 9-of-16 passing for 173 yards with two touchdowns and three picks to go with 101 rushing yards. Colin Oberdick had four grabs for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Carrollton was led by the offensive duo of Austin Coletti and Chase Oehlstrom, who each had multiple touchdowns.
St. Clairsville outscored visiting Licking Valley 55-38 as the Red Devils jumped out to a 28-0 lead and held on for the first-round victory.
Jacob Jordan rushed 20 times for 160 yards and five touchdowns, which covered 4, 17, 8, 8 and 5. He had an 80-yarder called back due to holding.
Sefsick was just 5 of 11 passing, but he finished with 225 yards. He connected with Oberdick three times for 150 yards.
Carrollton claimed a 37-21 first-round win over Cambridge as Colletti rushed for three scores and Oehlstrom added 214 yards on 34 carries and a score against the Bobcats.
The winner will play either No. 3 John Glenn (7-3) or No. 6 Meadowbrook (9-2) in a Regional semifinal next Friday.
No. 6 Southeast (9-1) at No. 3 Garaway (11-0)
Division V, Region 17
It will be a Battle of the Pirates when No. 3 Garaway entertains No. 6 Ravenna Southeast at Burke Wentz Field.
The Southeast football team showed last Saturday night that it had no problems putting its Week 10 loss to John F. Kennedy in the rearview mirror.
Playing on a muddy field in a steady rainfall for a good portion of the night, the run-centric Pirates easily dispatched the Lutheran East Falcons 42-22 in a first-round encounter at Freedom Field.
Senior running back Jaidyn Sapp scored four touchdowns and Pirates senior quarterback Aidan Fischer added two more as Southeast shook off its 35-0 loss to JFK in resounding fashion, amassing nearly 300 yards on the ground in less than stellar conditions.
While its offense churned out yards and put points on the board, Youel's defense held the Falcons (5-6) to only two offensive scores.
After a slow start, Garaway got into a groove and kept on rolling against Buckeye Local.
Ethan Miller scored four touchdowns and the Pirates defense was dominant in a 40-10 win in a first-round playoff game on the hill in Sugarcreek last Saturday night.
Miller led the winners with 123 yards rushing on 15 carries.
It was the 150th win for Garaway head coach Jason Wallick in his 21st season at the Pirate helm.
The winner will play either No. 2 South Range (11-0) or No. 7 Crestwood (7-3) next Saturday in a Regional semifinal.
No. 5 Wheelersburg (8-3) at No. 4 Ridgewood (10-1)
Division V, Region 19
Wheelersburg, the 2017 state champs, were eliminated last year by Ridgewood, 13-10.
The Pirates, a 23-14 winner over Portsmouth West last Saturday, gets a chance at redemption at West Lafayette this Saturday.
All-Ohio defensive back Josh Clark. All-district linebacker Carson Williams and All-Ohio kicker Braxton Sammons are among the returning standouts for Wheelersburg.
Ridgewood looked more to form last Saturday after falling to Garaway in the Inter-Valley Conference South Division title game the week before.
The fourth seeded Generals excelled in all three phases in a dominant 35-6 victory over 13th seed Columbus Bishop Ready.
Gabe Tingle completed 11 of 14 passes for 196 yards with a touchdown and ran 18 times for 153 yards and a pair of scores to pace the Ridgewood offense.
The winner will play No. 1 Ironton or No. 9 Portsmouth (8-3) Saturday in a Regional semifinal.
No. 8 Malvern (9-2) at No. 1 Lucas (9-1)
Division VII, Region 25
The Hornets forced five Lowellville turnovers as No. 8 Malvern improved to 9-2 after a win over No. 9 Lowellville in a first-round game last Saturday.
The task will get much tougher Saturday night with a trip to No. 1 Lucas.
No. 16 seed Mapleton s led Lucas 8-6 at halftime Saturday night, leading many to wonder if Mapleton could pull off a huge upset.
In the second half, however, the Cubs and their relentless ground game gradually wore down the underdogs for a 35-16 victory.
Senior running back Grant Barrett rushed for four touchdowns and 140 yards, while Andrew Fanello complemented him with 128 yards and a score as Lucas gained 324 yards on the ground.
Lucas head coach Scott Spitler said the tough game will only help Lucas, which is looking to make another deep postseason run. Two years ago, the Cubs were state runners-up.
After a scoreless first quarter, Malvern drew first blood last week when Bryson White scored on a 6-yard run with 11:57 left in the second quarter. The extra point failed, but the Hornets led 6-0.
It stayed 6-0 until there was 7:58 left in the third quarter when Xavier Watson scored from 10 yards out. Tristan Phillips connected with Dylan Phillips on a two-point try and the hosts were up 14-0.
Malvern forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Watson returned the ball to the Lowellville 1 where White punched it in for the touchdown 13 seconds after their last score and the hosts led 21-0.
KJ Thomas added a rushing score and Johnny Walker returned an Interception for a touchdown to round out the scoring.
The Hornets forced four interceptions as they continue to add to their team record for interceptions, now with 23 on the year.
The winner will play either No. 4 Dalton (9-2) or No. 5 Independence (9-2) next Saturday in a Regional semifinal.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Rematches highlight this weekend's Regional quarterfinal football contests
