Cornell Beachem highlights Winton Woods High SchoolWatch the senior receiver and AOW Nominee in action against Massillon Washington. Beachem accounted for three touchdowns in the state semifinal win over the Tigers. Who wins in Week 15? This is it. For the past seven years I've picked Ohio high school postseason games against Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 formula. This season we again added Need Freeman's CalPreps picks into the fold. This week we're adding even more! We extended an invite to several Ohio prep experts and solicited their picks for the state finals. Glad they obliged.
As for last last week...it was again close. Of the 14 state semifinal games, I predicted 13 of 14 correctly. So did the Fantastic 50. This is the second straight week have tied. CalPreps was behind with 11 correct outcomes.
Overall, I maintain a two-game lead on the Fantastic 50 and open a four-game lead on CalPreps with one week left.
Below is a comprehensive look at who each of us - and the guest pickers - thinks wins this year's Division VI state final...
Division VI State FinalMarion Local (Maria Stein) (14-0) vs. Kirtland (14-0)Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.
STATEWIDE BRACKETS
OHIO STATEWIDE STAT LEADERSLIVE SCORES, RESULTS & SCHEDULESEric Frantz (MaxPreps.com/JJHuddle.com): Two years ago Kirtland stopped Marion Local’s bid for a record-tying fifth straight state title with a 22-20 come-from-behind win over the Flyers in the D-VI state final. According to Flyers head coach Tim Goodwin, revenge isn’t a factor. Only Notre Dame-bound senior offensive linemen John Dirksen appeared in that game for Marion Local. The Flyers new cast is out to write its own history and should by securing the program’s 10th title overall (all since 2000). Kirtland won’t go easy. The Hornets have history of their own. Kirtland is playing in its sixth straight state final and is 3-2 over that span. The Hornets also don’t fear the Midwest Athletic Conference. With two solid running backs (both over 1,000 yards) and a line that features three All-Ohio players, Kirtland will give Marion Local its best shot. Usually that’s good enough to win...
Marion Local 28, Kirtland 17.
Drew Pasteur (Fantastic50.net): Maria Stein
Marion Local (14-0 D6 R24) by 9 (72%) Kirtland (14-0 D6 R21)
CalPreps (Calpreps.net): Marion Local 28-13
Steve Helwagen (247sports.com): Marion Local gets 10th title and revenge for 2015 title game loss to Kirtland...Maria Stein
Marion Local 31, Kirtland 27.
Gary Housteau (Bucknuts.com): Marion Local over Kirkland. No reason. Two bad ass programs. Conference pick.
Mark Porter (ScoutingOhio.com): Marion LocalTim Rogers (OPSWA HOF): Two undefeateds. Number 1 vs. Number 2. It doesn’t get much better, does it? How can you pick against a program that has won the state championship in five of the last six years and has nine state titles overall? Not to mention the 71 playoff victories. I thought the same thing in 2015 and Kirtland set me straight, interrupting the Flyers’ run. I don’t think it will follow that pattern this year. Pick:
Marion Local 30, Kirtland 26
Kurt Stubbs (@ohiohshoops): There have been very few teams in the Buckeye State with more success than Marion Local and Kirtland in recent memory. Marion Local is looking for its 6th title in seven years and 10th since 2000. The Flyers lone state championship game loss in the past six seasons came at the hands of Kirkland in 2015. The Hornets made the title game every year from 2011-2015 with championships in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Well, this is an odd year, so does Kirtland have another title waiting for it. Marion Local defeated five playoff teams in the regular season and shut out its first three opponents in the playoffs. The Hornets beat just one playoff team and their road to Canton has been much more difficult with close calls with Mogadore and Rootstown. For
Marion Local, it’s a perfect 10 as in its 10th state championship, with a 21-7 victory.
Steve Blackledge (Columbus Dispatch/OPSWA HOF): State champion five of the past six seasons, Marion Local has a winning pedigree like few programs in Ohio. Kirtland's resume is also impressive. All things considered, a Flyers defense that has allowed only 82 points earns the nod…
Marion Local 20, Kirtland 17.
Marion Local is going for its 10th state title (all since 2000).
Photo by Gary Housteau/Bucknuts.com
EF Picks 2016: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2015: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2014: 3-4 (43%)
EF Picks 2013: 4-3 (57%)
EF Picks 2012: 5-1 (83%)
EF Picks 2011: 3-3 (50%)
EF Picks 2010: 4-2 (67%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 5-2 (71%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 4-3 (57%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 4-3 (57%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 3-4 (43%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 5-1 (83%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 5-1 (83%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: N/A
CalPreps Picks 2016: 4-3 (57%)
State Semifinal HistoryEF Picks 2017: 13-1 (93%)
EF Picks 2016: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2015: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2014: 13-1 (93%)
EF Picks 2013: 11-3 (79%)
EF Picks 2012: 7-5 (58%)
EF Picks 2011: 9-3 (75%)
EF Picks 2010: 8-4 (67%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 13-1 (93%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 10-4 (71%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 9-5 (64%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 6-6 (50%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 6-6 (50%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 7-5 (58%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 11-3 (79%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 10-4 (71%)
Regional Final HistoryEF Picks 2017: 21-7 (75%)
EF Picks 2016: 23-5 (82%)
EF Picks 2015: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2014: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2013: 24-4 (86%)
EF Picks 2012: 16-8 (67%)
EF Picks 2011: 20-4 (83%)
EF Picks 2010: 17-7 (71%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 21-7 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 21-7 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 23-5 (82%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 22-6 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 25-3 (89%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 19-5 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 18-6 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 16-8 (67%)
CalPreps Picks 2017: 20-8 (71%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 19-9 (68%)
Regional Semifinal HistoryEF Picks 2017: 46-10 (82%)
EF Picks 2016: 43-13 (77%)
EF Picks 2015: 43-13 (77%)
EF Picks 2014: 44-12 (79%)
EF Picks 2013: 40-16 (71%)
EF Picks 2012: 39-9 (81%)
EF Picks 2011: 31-17 (65%)
EF Picks 2010: 35-13 (73%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 45-11 (80%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 42-14 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 45-11 (80%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 42-14 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 41-15 (73%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 39-9 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 35-13 (73%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 37-11 (77%)
CalPreps Picks 2017: 45-11 (80%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 43-13 (77%)
Regional Quarterfinal HistoryEF Picks 2017: 92-20 (82%)
EF Picks 2016: 87-25 (78%)
EF Picks 2015: 94-18 (84%)
EF Picks 2014: 94-18 (84%)
EF Picks 2013: 93-19 (83%)
EF Picks 2012: 72-24 (75%)
EF Picks 2011: 76-20 (79%)
EF Picks 2010: 72-24 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2017: 91-21 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2016: 91-21 (81%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2015: 89-23 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2014: 94-18 (84%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2013: 89-23 (79%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2012: 72-24 (75%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2011: 82-14 (85%)
DP FAN 50 Picks 2010: 77-19 (80%)
CalPreps Picks 2017: 92-20 (82%)
CalPreps Picks 2016: 94-18 (84%)
