The Cincinnati Elder football team is returning to the Division I state semifinals for the second consecutive season.
Because of injuries, the Panthers (10-2) were partially written off by some observers at the start of the postseason. Yet, Elder can make it two consecutive Division I state final appearances if it wins over Hilliard Davidson (11-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. It is believed to be the first meeting between the schools.
File photo by Wayne Litmer
Adam Brown, Elder
Elder, the 2008 Division I state runner-up, defeated Anderson 28-21 Saturday night at the University of Cincinnati. It was the first loss for Anderson (12-1), which was the Division II state runner-up last season.
"To win back-to-back regionals, in our region – that doesn’t happen too often," Elder coach Doug Ramsey told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We’ve had good senior leadership, but I know the kids aren’t satisfied yet."
Elder was led by senior quarterback Mark Miller, who threw for 203 yards and four touchdowns. Junior running back Ben Coffaro had 144 yards rushing.
It was the first meeting between the schools since 2003, when the Panthers won 28-7. Elder also won in 1996 for the only other meeting between the schools.
Hilliard Davidson defeated Dublin Coffman 22-7 on Saturday in the Division I regional final in Columbus. Davidson scored two touchdowns off turnovers.
"All the credit goes to our defense," Davidson coach Brian White told the Columbus Dispatch.
2. Winton Woods advances: The Winton Woods football team advanced to the Division II state semifinals for the first time with a 28-7 win over Trotwood-Madison last week. The Warriors (11-2) play Columbus Marion-Franklin (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Centerville. Winton Woods, which has won seven consecutive games, is led by senior quarterback Dominique Brown (a Cincinnati commit) and senior running back Jeremiah Goins, who has rushed for 1,726 yards and 22 touchdowns.
3. Standouts still committed to Notre Dame: Archbishop Moeller senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix and Elder senior tight end Alex Welch remain orally committed to the Irish despite speculation about the future of Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. Hendrix made an oral commitment to Notre Dame this past summer, while Welch committed in the spring. Moeller coach John Rodenberg told the Cincinnati Enquirer last week that Hendrix was "very nervous" about the Notre Dame coaching situation.
4. Perry steps down at St. Ursula: Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy girls’ volleyball coach Julie Perry announced last week that she is retiring from coaching at St. Ursula in order to spend more time with her family. Perry, who has 502-218 overall record in 29 years, led the Bulldogs to eight state titles. The eighth state title came in 2003 when St. Ursula was national champions. She won her 500th match on Oct. 6, 2009. "I have loved coaching here at St. Ursula Academy for the past 29 years," Perry said last week. "The volleyball program will always be a part of me." Kevin Lucas, a varsity assistant for a number of years, will take over the head coaching responsibilities.
5. Mark your calendars: Cincinnati Colerain is scheduled to play Cincinnati Elder in another highly-anticipated football game on Sept. 3, 2010, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. It will be the second consecutive year the Cincinnati football powers will meet in the regular season. The schools agreed to a home-and-home arrangement earlier this year. Elder defeated visiting Colerain 20-7 in a nationally-televised game during Labor Day weekend this year.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Jibreel Black, Cincinnati Wyoming: The senior defensive lineman had 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in the Cowboys’ 14-7 win over Springfield Shawnee in the Division III regional final. Black is orally committed to the University of Cincinnati.
Dominique Brown, Winton Woods: The senior quarterback rushed 28 times for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the Division II regional final win over Trotwood-Madison. He also recorded a sack on defense in the Warriors’ 28-7 last week.
Kyle Seyfried, Cincinnati Wyoming: The junior quarterback continues to add his school records list this fall. He was 18-of-27 passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns.
Looking ahead
Wyoming vs. Columbus St. Francis DeSales football: The Division III state semifinals will be 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dayton’s Welcome Stadium. DeSales played some Division I Cincinnati teams tough this season – including close losses to Anderson and Elder in the regular season. Wyoming makes its first state semifinal appearance since 1998.
McNicholas at Amelia boys’ bowling: The teams open their season at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday on the east side of Cincinnati. Amelia was the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Cardinal division champion last season.
West Chester Lakota West at St. Ursula girls’ basketball: These two Cincinnati powers open the season at 2 p.m. Saturday. Lakota West is considered a top contender in the Greater Miami Conference. The Firebirds have won the GMC for three consecutive seasons, including co-champions in 2006-07.
Recruiting news
Middletown senior defensive end Rashad Frazier (6-6, 225) was offered by Kent State last week. Frazier also has offers from Bowling Green and Miami University. He was scheduled to attend the Ohio State-Michigan game in Ann Arbor this past weekend. … Dublin Scioto senior tight end Jamare Mills (6-6, 250) has been offered by Duke. …Wake Forest has shown interest in Anderson senior offensive lineman Greg Mancz (6-5, 275). He has an offer from Toledo. …Cincinnati Elder senior quarterback Mark Miller (6-1, 185) has committed to play at Ohio Dominican, an NAIA program in Columbus.
Random thoughts
Elder senior pitcher Brian Korte has signed to play at Indiana. He was 3-1 with a 3.78 ERA and 45 strikeouts last season. …Liberty Township Lakota East football coach Greg Bailie resigned Tuesday after coaching several years within the Lakota district. He had 92 wins in the school district. Lakota East was 3-7 this season. The school hopes to name a new coach after Jan. 1. … Archbishop Moeller senior QB Andrew Hendrix (Notre Dame commit) has accepted an invitation to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl on Jan. 2 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.