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By: Tyler Danburg
The 2019 High School football season is in its final weeks, flying by in a timely and non-disappointing fashion. This Friday will tell the fate of the eight high schools remaining in each Divisions in a terrific slate of games that include revenge, storied rematches, and rivalries. Let’s take a look at some of the top contests going on this weekend.
DI Region 1 Final: #1 Mentor vs. #2 St. Edward’s
How They Got Here:
Before both the Eagles and Cardinals were projected to face each other in a highly-anticipated rematch of Week 1’s 29-28 Mentor victory, they had to prepare for the Regional Semis. St. Ed’s took care of an up-and-down Euclid team, manhandling the Panthers by a score of 47-9. Eagles quarterback Conor O’Malley was the highlight, passing for a career-best five touchdowns, tying the school record.
Their Regional Championship opponent, Mentor, took down Canton-McKinley 34-13 in a contest in which the Cardinals running game was the focal point. State Player of the Year candidate Brian Trobel did not disappoint, running for 220 yards, and added 60 yards receiving for three total touchdowns.
The Preview:
As previously mentioned, this game will be single-handedly the most anticipated game in the state of Ohio with all due respect to the other possible instant classics this weekend. St. Ed’s is hungry after blowing a second half comeback from Mentor, in which Cardinals quarterback Ian Kipp dashed for a game-winning touchdown. But twelve weeks later, these two teams have developed. Eagles quarterback Conor O’Malley’s biggest test will be against a Mentor secondary led by Marco Toth, that has forced six turnovers in the past two games. However, this game will be a battle of the running backs, as two player of the year candidates Joey Formani (St. Edward) and Brian Trobel (Mentor) will square off for the second time this season. Formani has tallied over 1,500 all-purpose yards and 22 touchdowns compared to Trobel’s 1,800+ scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. This game should come down to the final quarter, with either team coming out on top in what could be another game for the ages.
DII Region 6 Final: #1 Avon vs. #2 Avon Lake
How They Got Here:
Avon has been one of the top feel-good stories of the year, coming into Friday’s game undefeated at 12-0 and are currently at a half-dozen starters lost to injury, including QB Danny Zeh. The Eagles played the tough Benedictine Bengals last week, but proved their top spot in Region 6, with a satisfying 49-28 victory over the Bengals. They were anchored by the career numbers of Avon backup running back Devon Hunter, who ran for a record-breaking 207 yards and five touchdowns. Avon’s cross-town rivals Avon Lake, however, had a more tough path to getting to the Regional title game. Facing a tough Wadsworth opponent, the Shoremen stepped up immensely on defense, forcing five turnovers in a 31-21 victory to advance.
The Preview:
Avon has constantly proved time and time again why they are the top seeded team in their region, and the 18th-ranked team in Ohio. Their depth has surprised, perhaps the whole state. But their job gets tougher with rivals Avon Lake. In Week 1 these two teams met, with Avon just outlasting Avon Lake with a 13-12 at full strength. On Friday night, Avon will be going with either second-string quarterback Niko Pappas, or third-string Chase Myers, as Pappas went down in last week’s game. Unfortunately for the Eagles, their opponent is playing their best defense of the year, led by Shoremen defensive back Nathan Cikalo, who had two interceptions last week versus Wadsworth. Tomorrow night, look for a low-scoring game going either way, while Avon is currently favored to decide the evenly-matched playoff version of the Silver Rail Trophy.
DII Region 5 Final: #1 Massillon vs. #3 Archbishop Hoban
How They Got Here:
Just one minute and 17 seconds were left in the Regional Semi-Final game between Mayfield and Archbishop Hoban. It was fourth down for Hoban in the red zone, in dire need of heroics. What came next was a perfect pass from Knights quarterback Shane Hamm to wideout Kharion Davis in the back of the end zone for a 21-17, game-winning touchdown. Contrarily, all it took was the first half for Massillon to jump out early on Perry, as quarterback Aidan Longwell had a career day, passing for over 300 yards and accounting for every one of the Tigers’ five touchdowns.
The Preview:
This is one of the top games in the state without a doubt, in a rematch of last year’s DII State Title game, in which Hoban beat Massillon 42-28. This year might be different, as Longwell and the high-powered Tigers offense will be smelling revenge in a great Region five title game. But Arizona State recruit and Hoban running back DeaMonte Trayanum will suit up for the Knights after nursing’s an injury. Trayanum has been the x-factor for the Knights, and will look to wreak havoc on the Tigers defense following his activation.
Other Great Regional Final Games On The Slate:
DI Region 4 Final: #3 Cincinnati Colerain vs. #4 Cincinnati Elder
DI Region 3 Final: #2 Pickerington Central vs. #4 Groveport Madison
DIII Region 9 Final: #4 Aurora vs. #6 Chardon
DIV Region 13 Final: #1 Perry vs. #2 Poland Seminary
DV Region 17 Final: #1 Kirtland vs. #2 Manchester
