What a way to start the postseason.
The first week of the high school football playoffs held true to form in several aspects of the Division I regional quarterfinals last week, save one exception – Middletown defeated host Archbishop Moeller 45-10 on Saturday night.
That’s not a misprint. Moeller, which was the No. 2 seed in Region 4, was considered by some to be an area favorite to represent Cincinnati in the state title game next month.
Caleb Watkins, Middletown
File photo by Todd Shurtleff
Visiting Middletown (10-1), which defeated Princeton in the regular-season finale just to make the playoffs, had 430 yards of total offense on Saturday night. Moeller (9-2) had just 175 yards, including 64 yards rushing.
"It was our speed against their size," Middletown coach Jason Krause told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We did what we had to do. We played with some frenzy on defense."
Middletown’s defensive leaders included sophomore defensive end Jaylen Herring (two sacks) and senior linebacker Aaron Lewis (interception). The Middletown offense was led by senior quarterback Caleb Watkins, who rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Ironically, Middletown was making its first playoff appearance since 1990. The Enquirer reported the Middies defeated Moeller in the first round that year, too. For Moeller, which has at least five Division I college recruits in the 2010 class, the premature ending hit home hard.
"This was a devastating loss," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "I applaud the Middies. They were prepared and very focused."
It was the second consecutive loss for Moeller, which fell to St. Xavier in the regular-season finale on Halloween Night.
"This was by far the most athletic team I’ve had, but also the hardest-working team," Rodenberg said. "I can’t say enough about them."
Middletown will play Anderson in a Division I regional semifinal at University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner plays the winner of St. Xavier versus Elder, which is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
2. Dublin Coffman continues to roll: The Dublin Coffman (11-0) football team defeated Springfield 31-12 last week in a Division I regional quarterfinal. Dublin Coffman quarterback Colton Caldwell threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to give the Shamrocks a 7-6 lead it wouldn’t relinquish, according to This Week News. Dublin Coffman plays Westerville South (9-2) in a Division I regional semifinal at Upper Arlington at 7 p.m. Saturday. Dublin Coffman is ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings.
3. Wills wins again: Mason junior Zach Wills won his second consecutive Division I state boys cross country title on Saturday in Columbus. Wills won in 15 minutes, 45.11 seconds at Scioto Downs. The Comets finished fourth as a team in the Division I standings. Versailles sophomore Tammy Berger won the Division III girls competition in 18:47.94. Minster won the Division III team title.
4. Pleasant commitment: Dublin Scioto senior defensive end Grant Pleasant (6-foot-3, 230 pounds) reportedly made an oral commitment to Toledo last week, according to ScoutingOhio.com. Pleasant also had offers from Bowling Green and Akron. It is the second oral commitment Toledo has received in a week from the 2010 class. La Salle senior defensive lineman Keenan Gibbs (6-4, 246) committed to the Rockets during the final week of the regular season.
5. Basketball season is near: Boys basketball teams officially started practice Friday morning across the state of Ohio. Among the early favorites in Southwest Ohio is Archbishop Moeller, which held a morning practice on Friday. Moeller returns senior forward Griffin McKenzie (a Xavier commit) along with junior guards Alex Barlow and Charlie Byers. Moeller (20-3) was a Division I district runner-up last season.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Halle Pyle, Centerville, girls soccer: The sophomore goalkeeper earned the shutout against Cincinnati St. Ursula in a Division I regional semifinal at Princeton. Pyle had five saves against the reigning Division I state champion Bulldogs.
Cara Eby, Huber Heights Wayne, girls soccer: The senior forward had two goals in a 3-0 win over Cincinnati Turpin in a regional semifinal game at Liberty Township Lakota East. Eby led the Greater Western Ohio Conference with 65 points going into the regional final. She had 24 goals and 17 assists.
Steven Foreman, Dayton Carroll, boys soccer: The goalkeeper had nine saves in the Patriots' 3-1 win over Finneytown in a Division II regional semifinal.
Jeremiah Goins, Winton Woods: The senior running back rushed 14 times for 103 yards and three touchdowns in a 59-7 win over visiting Hamilton Ross in the first round of the Division II playoffs.
Looking ahead
Beavercreek vs. Gahanna Lincoln, boys soccer: These two teams play in a Division I state semifinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hilliard Davidson High School. Gahanna Lincoln, which is 21-0-1, defeated Lewis Center Olentangy Orange 1-0 last weekend. Beavercreek, which is 15-2-4, defeated West Chester Lakota West 1-0 last weekend. The state final is 7 p.m. Friday at Columbus Crew Stadium.
National signing day, Wednesday: Several athletes will sign a national letter of intent on Wednesday. This is the early signing day for basketball players. The regular period for basketball is April 14, 2010. Several baseball, softball, tennis, golf and volleyball players will also make their college commitments official this week.
State volleyball tournament: Cincinnati Ursuline (27-0) and Dublin Coffman (28-0) play in Division I state semifinals on Thursday at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. The nationally ranked powers could meet in the state final at 11 a.m. Saturday. Dublin Coffman plays Stow-Munroe Falls (15-11) at noon Thursday in a semifinal, while Ursuline plays Rocky River Magnificat (24-3) at 2 p.m.
Recruiting news
Middletown senior defensive end Rashad Frazier (6-6, 225) has been offered by Miami University. He also has an offer from Bowling Green. …Loveland senior WR/DB Adam Engel (6-1, 195) received an offer from Wisconsin on Friday morning. Engel is also a standout baseball player. ...Mason senior right-handed pitcher/first baseman Scott Klever has orally committed to play baseball at Xavier University. He also considered the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Toledo and Virginia Tech.
Random thoughts
Sycamore senior swimmer Alex Norris has committed to the Ohio State women’s swimming program. Norris was third in the 100 butterfly and fourth in the 200 IM at the Division I state meet last season. …Mason senior swimmer Danielle Jansen committed to the North Carolina swimming program. Jansen, a 15-time high school All-American, was Division I state runner-up in the 100 freestyle last season. …Columbus Eastmoor junior free safety Ronald Tanner (6-1, 190) has been offered by Northwestern, according to ScoutingOhio.com. He also reportedly has offers from West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Michigan.
