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[Rocketcorner News]

By Andrew Marcum

Visit http://www.pitmanstats.com/ to see everything from Andrew. Also follow Andrew on twitter @PITmanStats.


On to week 13, the regional championships! It's been a fun first 2 weeks of the playoffs so far, and it's only going to get better in the final 3 weeks of the season. There have been some outstanding games and big upsets, giving us an excellent lineup of regional championship games this Friday and Saturday. Here is a rundown of the regions, games, and state semifinal regional pairings.

DIVISION I
Region 1: Mentor (11-1) vs. St. Ignatius (11-1) at Parma Byers Field

In one of the craziest games this season, Mentor stormed back to upset #1 St Edward and create a rematch with St Ignatius for the region 1 championship. Iggy gave Mentor their only loss of the season way back in week 3, by a score of 48-21, in one of the most impressive single-game performances by any team all year. This should be a fantastic match-up! Ignatius was my original pick to win state at the start of this year's playoffs. Fantastic50.net predicts St Ignatius to win by 4.

Region 2: Massillon (11‐1) vs. Toledo Whitmer (12‐0) at Mansfield Arlin Field

Whitmer is back to defend their regional championship and faces a Massillon team that couldn't have picked a better time to hit their stride. Having beaten heated rival McKinley twice in the same season, this Massillon squad has proven they have the consistency to play and win big games. Whitmer is no slouch, though, and is undefeated (and the favorite) for a reason. Fantastic50.net predicts Whitmer to win by 7.

Region 3: Pickerington North (11‐1) vs. Hilliard Davidson (10‐2) at Ohio Wesleyan

Many considered Pickerington North the best team in region 3 this year, and they have not disappointed, disposing of defending state runner-up Pickerington Central and #1 seed Hilliard Darby. Hilliard Davidson is back at it again, producing some playoff success like we're used to from this great football program. Fantastic50.net predicts Pickerington North to win by 11.

Region 4: Colerain (12‐0) vs. Archbishop Moeller (9‐3) at Nippert Stadium

Colerain has had one heck of a playoff run already, beating up on St Xavier – winning by 21 and giving them 2 wins over the Bombers in 2012 – and topping Cincinnati Elder in overtime. They go up against a Moeller team who had state and national title aspirations before the season started and finally seems to be clicking at the right time, starting with their week 10 win over previously-unbeaten, defending national champion Louisville (KY) Trinity HS. I love paying attention to region 4 and its outstanding tradition. This region is always a meat-grinder, and this year was no different! Fantastic50.net predicts Colerain to win by 12.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 1 vs. Region 2 — Region 3 vs. Region 4

DIVISION II
Region 5: Chardon (10‐2) vs. Aurora (11‐1) at Twinsburg

Aurora is the defending regional champion and has managed to make a return trip to the regional title game. They'll face a Chardon team that many perceive as untested. However, the Hilltoppers are deserving to be here and could surprise some people. I enjoyed watching Aurora in person last year, and picked them as state runner-up this year (loss to Trotwood-Madison). Fantastic50.net predicts Aurora to win by 8.

Region 6: Avon (11‐1) vs. Toledo Central Catholic (11‐1) at Clyde Robert Bishop Jr. Stadium

Avon is having a great season and comes into this game having won 11 in a row after a season-opening loss to DI Avon Lake. They run into a DII buzzsaw, Toledo Central Catholic, that has been atop many polls for most the season, and whose only loss came to undefeated DI foe Toledo Whitmer. TCC has stomped both its playoff opponents thus far and will definitely be favored in this one. Fantastic50.net predicts Toledo Central Catholic to win by 8.

Region 7: New Albany (10‐2) vs. Columbus Marion‐Franklin (11‐1) at Gahanna Lincoln

The reigning regional champs, Marion-Franklin, are at it again, having another successful season. New Albany has rattled off 10 wins in a row, though, and could be playing their best ball at the right time, especially after topping 11-0 Tri-Valley last week. Fantastic50.net predicts New Albany to win by 8.

Region 8: Cincinnati Turpin (12‐0) vs. Trotwood‐Madison (10‐2) at Kings Stadium

This should be the best game in Division II. Cincinnati Turpin comes in as the undefeated #1 seed, but the defending state champs, Trotwood-Madison, might have something to say about that. My pick to win DII at the start of this year’s playoffs, I think the Rams have what it takes to repeat. Their 2 losses were to an undefeated, nationally-ranked Florida school and Division I Huber Heights Wayne. Fantastic50.net predicts Trotwood-Madison to win by 1.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 5 vs. Region 6 — Region 7 vs. Region 8

DIVISION III
Region 9: Chagrin Falls (11‐1) vs. Akron St. Vincent‐St. Mary (10‐2) at Solon

This is easily the biggest game in Division III this week. Chagrin Falls is as experienced as there is when it comes to the playoffs in the last several years, so they know what to expect and know how to win. However, SVSM is improved from last year when they got booted by Chargrin Falls, and they could be looking for some revenge. I picked Chagrin Falls to win DIII, but I wouldn’t be surprised if SVSM goes on to win the title, either. Fantastic50.net predicts St Vincent-St Mary to win by 2.

Region 10: Napoleon (11‐0‐1) vs. Bellevue (11‐1) at Findlay

Neither of these teams is ranked in the top 5 of Fantastic50.net’s DIII rankings. In my opinion, there’s not a lot of interest in this game, but congratulations to both these teams for making it to the regional championship. Fantastic50.net predicts Bellevue to win by 2.

Region 11: Dover (10‐2) vs. Millersburg West Holmes (11‐1) at Fawcett Stadium

Both of these teams are playing some darn good football right now, obviously. Dover will try to use a diverse offensive attack to put points on the board, while West Holmes will continue their dominating run game that has been successful so far this year. Dover comes to this game beating Granville and Poland Seminary, while West Holmes easily handled Indian Creek and Steubenville. Dover was my DIII runner-up pick, but I’m rooting for West Holmes. Besides, we now know the winner of this game faces Chagrin Falls/SVSM. Fantastic50.net predicts West Holmes to win by 1.

Region 12: Dayton Thurgood Marshall (11‐1) vs. The Plains Athens (11‐1) at Reynoldsburg

Thurgood Marshall has been atop many people’s lists in the DIII ranks all season, and their only loss has come at the hands of DII Winton Woods, who just lost in the playoffs last week to Trotwood-Madison. Athens is no doubt a good team, but Marshall has higher hopes than just a regional championship. Fantastic50.net predicts Thurgood Marshall to win by 15.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 9 vs. Region 11 — Region 10 vs. Region 12

DIVISION IV
Region 13: Brookfield (12‐0) vs. Creston Norwayne (12‐0) at Stow

This is the game everyone’s been pointing to in region 13. Norwayne, the defending DIV state champs, have cruised through this season with no real threat or challenge. The same can be said for Brookfield (whom Norwayne beat 42-7 in week 11 last year), who has dominated their opposition. Both these squads have beaten their playoff opponents by a combined score of 195-42. Norwayne’s passing game could be the difference if Brookfield cannot slow it down, but Brookfield’s running game was impressive in their win over Manchester last week. This should be a great game, and I’ll be there tailgating with friends supporting the Norwayne Bobcats! They were my state runner-up pick for DIV. Fantastic50.net predicts Norwayne to win by 2.

Region 14: Columbus Bishop Hartley (12‐0) vs. Ottawa‐Glandorf (12‐0) at Piqua

This is the biggest game of the weekend in Division IV, as the 2 top-ranked teams go at it. I’m still not sure who I think is better, but my gut goes with O-G, who is loaded with 3-year starters. Bishop Hartley, on the other hand, has been atop the state poll from start-to-finish. They were the preseason favorite, and they are still looking like the favorite to win DIV. This would be an outstanding game to attend if I wasn’t watching Norwayne. While I think the winner of this game will make it to the finals, I picked St Clairsville for the DIV state champion because their odds are better of getting there (guessing Hartley/O-G was 50/50, in my opinion). Fantastic50.net predicts Bishop Hartley to win by 3.

Region 15: St. Clairsville (12‐0) vs. Johnstown‐Monroe (10‐2) at Zanesville

As I just mentioned, St Clairsville was my pick to win DIV, but I’m wishing I had gone with Norwayne. Anyway, Johnstown-Monroe is back to the regional championship for the 2nd straight year after getting to the state semis last year before falling to Norwayne. It is impressive knowing that they lost some studs due to graduation yet still made it back. St Clairsville has their own studs this year and should be favored. Fantastic50.net predicts St Clairsville to win by 11.

Region 16: Clinton‐Massie (12‐0) vs. Milton‐Union (10‐2) at Centerville

Clinton-Massie has taken care of business this year quite convincingly after falling in the state semis last year to Kenton. Milton-Union seems to be the next team in their path. The winner of this game goes up against the Hartley/O-G winner. Fantastic50.net predicts Clinton-Massie to win by 15.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 13 vs. Region 15 — Region 14 vs. Region 16

DIVISION V
Region 17: Kirtland (12‐0) vs. Youngstown Ursuline (8‐4) at Aurora

After having arguably the best team in DV last year yet failing to make the playoffs, Ursuline is back in action in 2012 and poised for a regional championship. All that stands in their way is the undefeated, defending DV state champion Kirtland. This is the biggest game in DV this weekend, and the winner will likely be heavily favored to meet Coldwater in the state title. Ursuline was my pick to win DV (over Coldwater). Fantastic50.net predicts Ursuline to win by 6.

Region 18: Liberty‐Benton (11‐1) vs. Hamler Patrick Henry (10‐2) at Lima

I remember watching Liberty-Benton in the state championship a few years ago when they had Aaron Craft running the show! That was a fun team to watch. 7-seed Patrick Henry is no slouch this year, though. Whoever wins this faces the Coldwater/Covington winner, so it might not matter if Coldwater wins. Fantastic50.net predicts Liberty-Benton to win by 10.

Region 19: Lucasville Valley (12‐0) vs. Liberty Union (10‐2) at Nelsonville

I don’t have a lot of interest in this game. Neither one of these teams is ranked in the top 6 in DV according to Fantastic50.net, so I can’t imagine either being able to take out Kirtland or Ursuline. Fantastic50.net predicts Valley to win by 9.

Region 20: Coldwater (12‐0) vs. Covington (12‐0) at Dayton Welcome Stadium

Other than Ursuline, Coldwater is the other BIG favorite to make it to the state championship game… probably more favored than Ursuline, given Ursuline’s regional final opponent. It’s nice that Covington is coming into this game having won every game this year, but I and everyone else in the state has a feeling it’s about to come to an end. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, though. Division V has been all about Coldwater. Fantastic50.net predicts Coldwater to win by 19.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 17 vs. Region 19 — Region 18 vs. Region 20

DIVISION VI
Region 21: Mogadore (12‐0) vs. Youngstown Christian (9‐2) at Ravenna

Mogadore has been at or near the top of the DVI ranks all season, and they have backed up that ranking so far in the playoffs. The Green Machine faces their 2nd 9-2 team in a row. Last week they beat Western Reserve 28-7 and this week Youngstown Christian is the opponent. For some reason I still don’t have faith in Mogadore to win it all, but they should win this one, at least. Fantastic50.net predicts Mogadore to win by 11.

Region 22: McComb (12‐0) vs. Delphos St. John’s (8‐4) at Findlay

McComb is my pick to win DVI, however unlikely it might be, but they’re still alive. They face a tough test this week against Delphos St John’s, who has won the mighty MAC an impressive 8 times in 30 years. McComb’s biggest win of the season was over DV 10-1 Liberty-Benton in overtime in week 3. They’ll need a couple repeat performances if they wish to live up to my expectations as state champs! Fantastic50.net predicts McComb to win by 4.

Region 23: Danville (11‐1) vs. Newark Catholic (10‐2) at Westerville Central

Danville has really surprised me this year with their 11-1 record and cruising through the MBC. They even beat Bishop Rosecrans last week, getting revenge for their only loss of the season in week 2. However, they face arguably their toughest test of the season this week in Newark Catholic. NC’s two losses came to DIV Bishop Ready and DIII playoff team Granville. This should be a great game. Fantastic50.net predicts Newark Catholic to win by 1.

Region 24: St. Henry (9‐3) vs. Maria Stein Marion Local (10‐2) at Wapakoneta

Two more MAC rivals go at it in this region championship as St Henry and Marion Local face off for a chance to represent their conference in the state semis, a place with which the MAC is all too familiar. Marion Local already knocked off 1 MAC team in the playoffs (Minster last week in a 41-34 thriller). Now they’ll need to step up again if they want to make me a happy man, having picked them as my DVI state champion. Fantastic50.net predicts Marion Local to win by 6.

State Semifinal Pairings: Region 21 vs. Region 23 — Region 22 vs. Region 24

That wraps up my preview of the 2012 OHSAA football regional championships. There are still 2 local teams – Norwayne and West Holmes – still alive, which makes it exciting for the Wayne/Holmes County areas. Good luck to all teams!

[Rocketman]

What great analysis............much better than the blokes over on the Plain Dealer website

[polkhigh33]

The Plain Dealers preview was awful and full of misinformation. They actually had the balls to list Fairport Harbor as a "contender" for the Div.VI title.

[TheVanillaBum]

Odd that he says McComb is his pick for DVI but then at the bottom says Marion Local needs to make him proud as his pick to win DVI lol