By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
Playoff time has arrived in Ohio and as usual it should be a very interesting ride.
Games will be split between Friday and Saturday nights, with Division II, III and V playing on Friday nights and Division I, IV and V taking the Saturday slots. Championship weekend is Nov. 31 and Dec. 1, once again split between Canton and Massillon.
In the big school bracket, all eyes are again focused on a handful of teams. Leading the pack is Cincinnati St. Xavier. The Bombers were the preseason pick by most and have done little to hurt that line of thinking.
The Bombers finished the season 10-0 with a number of impressive wins. The crown jewel was a 28-7 thumping of Maryland power DeMatha Catholic. They also downed Cleveland Glenville, Louisville Trinity and Cleveland St. Ignatius. St. Xavier's opponents combined for a 67-29 record, so needless to say the Bombers are tested and ready for the OHSAA playoffs. They host Cincinnati Elder Saturday night.
The biggest challenge to the Bombers might come from within their own region. Region 4, which encompasses Cincinnati, is home to some of the nation's best high school football. Included in this pack is Colerain.
The Cardinals are under new guidance after long time coach Kerry Combs left for the University of Cincinnati. Little has changed as longtime assistant coach Tom Holden is still running the triple option with quarterback Doug Reynolds driving the machine.
The Cards biggest wins of the season were over Hoover, Ala., and Dayton Wayne Huber Heights. There are some lingering questions about the Cardinals as the rest of their schedule is void of any impressive wins.
Region 1 is the Cleveland area and has produced its share of state champions. Mentor, last season's state runner-up, looks poised for another run.
The Cardinals are 7-2, but both the losses came against Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Euclid. They own victories over St. Ignatius, Massillon Washington and Maple Heights, all quality wins. Mentor hosts Riverside Saturday night.
Challenging Mentor for the regional title is Euclid, which has already beaten Mentor in week six. The Panthers lost in their season opener, but have since run off nine-straight victories finishing the year 9-1. Euclid will play Youngstown Boardman.
You can't talk about Region 1 contenders and not talk about St. Ignatius. The perennial Division power appears poised for a big time run at Canton. The Wildcats are 8-2, but nearly knocked off St. Xavier, losing 17-14 in triple overtime. The other loss was a 38-17 blowout at the hands of Mentor, but in between St. Ignatius has been dominant, pitching four shutouts. The Cats playoff run opens against Cleveland Glenville.
Last year Region 3 was overlooked, but in the end it was Hilliard Davidson that shocked the Ohio football world by winning the state title. Davidson will be sitting home, but cross-town rival Hilliard Darby will be looking to duplicate Davidson's run.
Darby missed a perfect season with a 34-17 loss to Groveport-Madison, but is the No. 1 seed in Region 3. The Panthers notched quality wins over Davidson, Central Catholic, and Upper Arlington. Talented and tested, Darby is certain to be a force in the playoffs. They open with a rematch at home against Upper Arlington.
Looking to challenge Darby are Pickerington Central and Dublin Coffman.
Pickerington was the Division II runner-up last year, but were bumped up to the D-I. The Tigers are 10-0 on the season and should have little trouble adjusting to the new level of play.
Dublin Coffman is spearheaded by WR Jake Stonebrunner and OT Mike Adams, both Ohio State recruits. The Shamrocks were 10-0, rolling over opponents with the exception of a 31-24 OT win over Upper Arlington. The `Rocks host Gahanna-Lincoln Saturday night.
Region 2 has been considered the other region for some years now. With Canton McKinley and Massillon Washington sitting out the playoffs, this region is wide open.
The favorite is 10-0 Brunswick with North Canton and Macedonia Nordonia looking to take the regional title.
