St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) vs. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
St. Edward fans are excited about the prospect of an Ohio state title.
Photo by Scott Seighman
In order to advance to the state semifinals for the fourth time in 10 seasons, No. 19 St. Edward must extinguish Austintown-Fitch's unbeaten season. The Falcons (12-0) are one of only three undefeated teams left in Ohio Division I and are trying to advance to the state semis for the first time since 1992. Three-star junior running back
Darrin Hall had more than 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in Austintown-Fitch's 40-24 win against Westerville Central last week. St. Edward (10-1) advanced with a dominant 42-7 win over Cleveland Heights.
Just the facts: Saturday will be the 10th meeting between these teams ever and first since 1997. St. Edward has won the last three, but Austintown-Fitch has a 5-4 edge in the series. … The last time these teams met this late in the postseason was a 1986 state semifinal game won by St. Edward (30-0).
Mitch Stephens: St. Edward 31, Austintown-Fitch 28
Kevin Askeland: St. Edward 38, Austintown-Fitch 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Edward 41, Austintown-Fitch 20
Stephen Spiewak: St. Edward 28, Austintown-Fitch 17
Leland Gordon: St. Edward 31, Austintown-Fitch 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Edward 28, Austintown-Fitch 21
