By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
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Two weeks of football are complete in Ohio, but there are still many questions yet to be answered and numerous big games looming.
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A number of powerhouse Buckeye State teams went outside of Ohio in search of a week two opponent. Cincinnati St. Xavier took on Indianapolis Cathedral and walked out with a 23-3 victory. The Bombers are 2-0 on the season, but will begin a treacherous walk this week, with games against St. Edwards and national No. 1 Lakeland, Fla., in the next two weeks.
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Massillon battled Washington D.C.'s Woodson and had little trouble winning 59-7. The Tigers appear poised for another run at the playoffs. Cincinnati Elder traveled across the river and beat Highlands, Ky., 21-16. Canton McKinley not only went out of the state, but they went out of country looking for an opponent, trampling Waterdow, Ontario, Canada, 56-0.
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In Division IV, Youngstown Mooney downed Athol Springs St. Francis, 28-0, and Bellaire beat John Marshall, W.V., 37-21.
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At Canton South, the Torrence Show hit the big time Friday night. Brothers Devon and Devoe Torrence led their Wildcats to a 27-17 upset win over Canfield. Devon, a highly-touted football and baseball player was upstaged by the younger Devoe, who scored twice. Following the game Devon announced he will play for Ohio State next season.
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Two of the biggest early season surprises are Valley View and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. Both teams figured to be in the playoff hunt, but now at 0-2 face an uphill climb in their search for the postseason.
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Record-Setting Pace
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Cody Donald of Johnstown followed up last week's performance by putting up more stunning numbers, rushing for 347 yards and five touchdowns. In two weeks of work he now has 702 yards and 10 scores.
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Ada quarterback Zac Dysert is also lighting up the scoreboard. In a win against Spencerville, Dysert connected 40 times for 392 yards and threw the winning touchdown as time expired. He now has 911 yards in two games.
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Looking Ahead
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Most football fans in Ohio will be looking to Texas Saturday night, but the Ohio State-Texas game isn't the only show in town. For the die-hard high school fan it doesn't get any better than the I-wireless Prep Classic at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium, where two of the nation's top teams will square off.
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The Classic begins at 10 a.m. with Withrow and Taft kicking things off. Highlands and Louisville will play at 1 p.m., followed by Cincinnati Moeller and Massillon at 4 p.m. The day's final game offers the most attractive pairing; St. Xavier and Lakewood St. Edwards. MaxPreps included both teams in its preseason national top 25 and few would argue that one, or both, will be playing come December.
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St. Edwards, No. 6 in MaxPreps preseason rankings, has rolled in its first two games of the season, winning 24-7 over Cleveland's Benedictine, and 31-0 over Shaker Heights. Led by Ohio State recruit, defensive back Nate Oliver, and linebacker LB Diauntae Morrow, the Eagles have a devastating defense that has been nearly impenetrable this season, allowing a mere seven points in eight quarters.
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St. Xavier, the defending Ohio champion and No. 12 in the Max Preps preseason rankings, are led by all-everything running back Darius Ashley. After a three-touchdown performance in week one, Ashley scampered for 139 yards and one score against Indianapolis Cathedral in week two. Defensively, Xavier has been stellar. The attacking Bomber defense held Cathedral's star running back William Stubbs to a mere 49 yards rushing.
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The recipe for success is simple for both squads; run the football and play hard-nosed defense. Look for the winner of this match-up to be the one that follows that formula most closely.