By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
ÿ
The OHSAA playoffs are down to the Final Four with six semifinal games on the slate for this weekend.
ÿ
In Region 4, the much-anticipated Colerain-St. Xavier game turned into a Cardinal blowout.ÿ For the second-consecutive season, these two national powers met in the Regional Final, but this time it was Colerain moving on with a 24-7 thumping of the Bombers.
ÿ
In front of 17,000 fans at Nippert Stadium the Cardinals imposed their revenge on St. Xavier, a moment they had been waiting on for just over a year.
ÿ
"We've been waiting a year and a week for this. It wasn't just another game to us. Day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute we've lived this. And our kids rose up and played like champions," Colerain coach Kerry Combs said in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
ÿ
The Cardinals amassed nearly 400 total yards of offense as tailback Gary Pride rushed for 188 yards and quarterback Doug Reynolds added 134 yards.
ÿ
With the victory Colerain will play Hilliard Davidson at Dayton's Welcome Stadium for a ticket to the championship game.
ÿ
Up north there is another Cardinal team looking for the D-I state title - the Mentor Cardinals.
ÿ
After knocking off Glenville, Mentor downed Warren G. Harding, 34-24, earning a trip to the final four and a game against Canton McKinley. The Bulldogs rolled over Toledo Whitmer, 49-7.
ÿ
Mentor was paced by strong armed junior quarterback Bart Tanski, who tossed for 193 yards and three touchdowns. The defense did just enough to propel the Cardinals to their first ever state semifinal.
ÿ
As for Canton, with its three state titles and three second place finishes, this is old news and just another game. The Dogs are paced by running back Morgan Williams, who has compiled over 5,000 rushing yards in his career.
ÿ
The two face off Saturday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
ÿ
The D-II Final Four consists of Piqua, Macedonia Nordonia,ÿ Pickerington Central, and Cincinnati Turpin. Central and Nordonia will square off in one game, and Piqua and Turpin in the other. The division remains wide open with all four teams having a legitimate chance at the title.ÿ
ÿ
Nothing has changed in Division III after 13 weeks of play. Steubenville and Kettering Alter are still the teams to beat, although Steubenville had a real scare. The Big Red slipped past Dover 33-30 and will play Aurora. Kettering Alter had a much easier time advancing as its defense continues to be simply amazing. The Knights pitched their third-consecutive playoff shutout and have now gone 12 quarters without giving up a point. New Albany will take its shot Saturday night.
ÿ
Division IV has been and still is Youngstown Mooney's to lose. The Cardinals machine rolled over Orville, 50-21, in their Regional Final. Mooney will play Bellaire in a rematch of last season's state semifinal won by Mooney. The other state semi pits Oak Harbor and Jonathan Alder. It is a contrast in styles with the long ball air attack of Alder facing off against the ground attack of Oak Harbor.
ÿ
Like Division IV, D-V belongs to one team, the St. Henry Redskins. Until someone can prove they can even stay close there is no reason to bet against the Skins. Saturday afternoon they rolled over Lima Central Catholic, 53-20, and were up 46-7 at the half behind five Andy Puthoff touchdown runs. They play Liberty-Benton Saturday afternoon. Amanda-Clearcreek and Warren John F. Kennedy do battle in the other semifinal.
ÿ
The state's small division has Marion Local playing Norwalk St. Paul, an eight seed out of the Region 22. In the other semifinal Mogadore faces Shadyside.