Ohio High School Football Division VII State Final Preview: Who Wins?

Who wins in Week 15? Man versus machine wraps this week. For the past eight years I've picked Ohio high school postseason games against Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 formula. And I've done well. This season we again added Need Freeman's CalPreps picks into the mix. And this week we're adding even more! We extended an invite to several Ohio prep experts/personalities and solicited their picks for the state finals. Glad they obliged. This is a new wrinkle we added last season and this year we are pleased to continue. The insight is appreciated.

As for last week? I won with a 12-2 record. Both the Fantastic50 and CalPreps went 11-3. Overall, the Fan50 and CalPreps are tied with 159 total playoff picks right. I'm bringing up the rear at 152.

Below is a comprehensive look at who each of us - and our pool of guest pickers - thinks wins the D-VII state title. I've also listed names expected to affect the outcome.

Best of luck to all involved. The State Finals have arrived.

Division VII State Championship Preview

McComb (13-1/No. 2 MaxPreps/No. 6 AP) vs. Trimble (Glouster) (13-1/No 12 MaxPreps/No. 15 AP)

When: Saturday at 10:00 a.m., Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton)

Players to Watch:

* Brice Markel, McComb, sr., LB: Described as “hard-nosed” and “blue collar” by head coach Kris Alge, Markel was named first team All-Ohio. Also a standout wrestler, Alge said, “He’s that coach in the defensive huddle.”

* Tanner Schroeder, McComb, sr., QB/DB/K/P: One of the state’s most versatile small school players, Schroeder took over quarterbacking duties in the preseason due to an injury. An “incredible athlete” according to Alge, Schroeder plays four sports (basketball, baseball and track). He started kicking two years ago. He’s since made 19 field goals and was named first team All-Ohio at punter. In last week’s 28-14 state semifinal win over Fort Loramie, Schroeder ran for two touchdowns (80 and 22 yards), threw for two touchdowns (60 and 52 yards), kicked four PATs and had three interceptions on defense. Has rushed for 1,778 yards and 22 touchdowns and thrown for 985 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also has six touchdowns receiving, two via interception return and one via punt return.



* Robert O'Dell, McComb, sr. WR: Has caught 35 passes for 838 yards and 13 touchdowns.

* Kheaghon Loe, McComb, sr., RB: Has carried the ball 155 times for 1,181 yards and 18 touchdowns.

* Andrew Smith, McComb, sr., OL/DL: Two-way starter earned All-Ohio honors on offense.

* Sawyer Koons, Trimble, jr. LB: The recently named OPSWA Ohio Defensive Player of the Year is the youngest in a family of football players. His older brother Jacob, a linebacker at Ohio University, was the D-VII Ohio Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 (Tomcats finished state runner-up). “He’s going to hit you every play,” Trimble head coach Phil Faires said. “Just a tough kid. You can’t teach that. It’s just inside him. He loves contact every play.”

* Conner Wright, Trimble, jr. RB: First team All-Ohio and Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year. Special mention All-Ohio as a sophomore.

* Alex Coffman, Trimble, sr., OL: Faires said the Tomcats rushing attack starts up front. Coffman, a first team OPSWA All-Ohio selection, is the leader of the OL.



* Cameron Kittle, Trimble, jr. QB: A two-time third team All-Ohio selection.

* Max Hooper, Trimble, sr., RB: Ran for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries in last week’s 47-21 state semifinal win over Cuyahoga Heights.

Predictions:

Eric Frantz (MaxPreps, @EFrantzMP)
After watching Trimble gain all 480 yards in its semifinal win on the ground, McComb knows what’s coming. “(Trimble is) just going to do what they do and you have to stop it,” Alge said. “The challenge will be stopping their run. No one has really done that all year.” Said Faires: “Our kids have a lot of confidence in it.” Wright and Kittle form a special backfield for the Tomcats who are making the program’s second appearance in the state final and first since 2013. McComb, making it’s second state final appearance and first since winning the 1983 title, counters with a special group itself. “Ten of our 11 guys go both ways,” Alge said. “They never come off the field. We call them the Ironmen. If they want to win, they know they have to play. They’ve played a lot of football this year.” Schroeder has been nothing short of spectacular this season and should provide an edge in the final as McComb finds enough gas to outlast Trimble. McComb wins 28-20.

Fantastic 50.com
McComb (13-1 D7 R26) by 15 (83%) neu Glouster Trimble (13-1 D7 R27)

CalPreps.com
McComb 34-14.



Lee Cochran (Managing Editor, This Week Community News, @TWLeeCochran)
The Tomcats have not let me down in these playoffs and I see no reason for it to start now. Trimble 28-17.

Steve Blackledge (Prep Writer, Columbus Dispatch, OPSWA HOF, @BlackiePreps)
Just fifth-seeded, McComb negotiated a meat grinder of a region that boasted seven teams with either zero or one losses. Trimble's defense registered nine shutouts, but has shown slight signs of cracking as its competition toughens. And, for what it's worth, small-school football in northwest Ohio is superior to that of southeast Ohio. McComb 23, Trimble 13.

Steve Helwagen (Writer, 247sports.com, @SteveHelwagen)
Should be a great match-up between two even teams. Trimble 29, McComb 26.

Tim Rogers (Freelance Writer, GateHouse Media, OPSWA HOF, @TimRogersCLE):
Since losing to Pandora-Gilboa on Oct. 5 the McComb Panthers have been uncaged and have scored an average of 41 points a game over the last seven weeks. I have a lot of respect for the Cuyahoga Heights program and Glouster Trimble scored 41 points in eliminating the Redskins earlier in the playoffs. If this is a pick your poison game, I’m picking McComb, 38-21.

Seth Staskey (Sports Editor, The Times Leader, @TLSportsSeth)
Defense has been the name of the game for Glouster Trimble, which is proven by the nine shutouts it's pitched this season. Included in those was a stretch of six consecutive. However, McComb has played an arguably tougher schedule, which makes this game even more interesting. Trimble's defense – rightfully so – gains most of the attention, but the offense is no slouch either. Against Cuyahoga Heights last week, the Tomcats didn't gain any of their 480 yards via the pass. Whether or not McComb can make the most of its possessions is the key. Trimble not only plays stingy defense, but it shortens the game, too. Trimble wins 27-20.

Mark Porter (Owner, ScoutingOhio.com, @Mark__Porter)
Trimble.



Thomas Wilson (Sports Writer, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, @twil2323)
Both teams have been there before. Trimble’s defense has been outstanding all season with nine shutouts. The Tomcats’ run-heavy offense is also hard to stop. I like Trimble to win this one in a low-scoring affair, 20-10.

Gary Housteau (Photographer, Bucknuts.com, @garyhouse2)
I’ll go with the higher seed in this one, Trimble. Tomcats win.

Kurt Stubbbs (Contributor, MaxPreps, @ohiohshoops)
Two schools separated by nearly 183 miles will face off in Stark County. McComb, a tradition-rich program located in Northwest Ohio, is seeking its first gridiron championship since 1983. The Panthers, who have just 31 players on the roster, faced a daunting road to Canton securing wins over Patrick Henry, Leipsic, Edgerton, and Fort Loramie along the way. The Panthers are led by senior Tanner Schroeder, who does everything but wash the towels for the Panthers. Trimble has been defensive to say the least pitching nine shutouts on the year including six in a row. The Tomcats have given up a total of 35 points the last two weeks, but the competition level increased with Lucas and Cuyahoga Heights. Trimble ran into a Northwest Ohio giant (Marion Local) the last time it made the state final in 2013, and will have to face another if it wants to win its first state title. I think McComb hit its stride at just the right time and gets it done against one of the state’s best defenses, 21-7.

EF Picks 2017: 6-1 (86%)

EF Picks 2016: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2015: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2014: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2013: 4-3 (57%)
EF Picks 2012: 5-1 (83%)
EF Picks 2011: 3-3 (50%)
EF Picks 2010: 4-2 (67%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 5-2 (71%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 4-3 (57%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 4-3 (57%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 3-4 (43%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 5-1 (83%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 5-1 (83%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: N/A

CalPreps Picks 2016: 4-3 (57%)

State Semifinal History

EF Picks 2018: 12-2 (86%)

EF Picks 2017: 13-1 (93%)
EF Picks 2016: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2015: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2014: 13-1 (93%)
EF Picks 2013: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2012: 7-5 (58%)
EF Picks 2011: 9-3 (75%)
EF Picks 2010: 8-4 (67%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2018: 11-3 (79%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 13-1 (93%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 10-4 (71%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 6-6 (50%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 6-6 (50%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 7-5 (58%)



CalPreps Picks 2018: 11-3 (79%)

CalPreps Picks 2017: 11-3 (79%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 10-4 (71%)

Regional Final History

EF Picks 2018: 17-11 (61%)

EF Picks 2017: 21-7 (75%)
EF Picks 2016: 23-5 (82%)
EF Picks 2015: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2014: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2013: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2012: 16-8 (67%)
EF Picks 2011: 20-4 (83%)
EF Picks 2010: 17-7 (71%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2018: 17-11 (61%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 21-7 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 21-7 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 23-5 (82%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 22-6 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 25-3 (89%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 19-5 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 18-6 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 16-8 (67%)

CalPreps Picks 2018: 17-11 (61%)

CalPreps Picks 2017: 20-8 (71%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 19-9 (68%)

Regional Semifinal History



EF Picks 2018: 39-17 (70%)

EF Picks 2017: 46-10 (82%)
EF Picks 2016: 43-13 (77%)
EF Picks 2015: 43-13 (77%)
EF Picks 2014: 44-12 (79%)
EF Picks 2013: 40-16 (71%)
EF Picks 2012: 39-9 (81%)
EF Picks 2011: 31-17 (65%)
EF Picks 2010: 35-13 (73%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2018: 42-14 (75%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 45-11 (80%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 42-14 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 45-11 (80%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 42-14 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 41-15 (73%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 39-9 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 35-13 (73%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 37-11 (77%)

CalPreps Picks 2018: 44-12 (79%)

CalPreps Picks 2017: 45-11 (80%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 43-13 (77%)

Regional Quarterfinal History

EF Picks 2018: 84-28 (75%)

EF Picks 2017: 92-20 (82%)
EF Picks 2016: 87-25 (78%)
EF Picks 2015: 94-18 (84%)
EF Picks 2014: 94-18 (84%)
EF Picks 2013: 93-19 (83%)
EF Picks 2012: 72-24 (75%)
EF Picks 2011: 76-20 (79%)
EF Picks 2010: 72-24 (75%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2018: 89-23 (79%)

DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 91-21 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 91-21 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 89-23 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 94-18 (84%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 89-23 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 72-24 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 82-14 (85%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 77-19 (80%)



CalPreps Picks 2018: 86-26 (77%)

CalPreps Picks 2017: 92-20 (82%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 94-18 (84%)