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Dyer: Nine takeaways from Week 7 in Ohio high school football

Dyer: Nine takeaways from Week 7 in Ohio high school football
Posted at 2:51 PM, Oct 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-11 09:48:59-04

CINCINNATI – The development of the postseason picture in the area high school football scene took another step Friday night.

Week 7 provided plenty of intrigue in the Greater Catholic League South division, a program milestone for Colerain and the strengthening of projected No. 1 seeds Wyoming and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

Let's take a look at some of the top storylines from Friday night and turn our attention to the final three weeks of the regular season:

1. Colerain wins No. 500: The Colerain football program won its 500th game Friday night in a 47-8 win over host Middletown at Barnitz Stadium. Colerain coach Tom Bolden, who earned his 100th coaching winearlier this season, thanked the current and former players along with the community for its support over the years.

“Think about how special that is,” Bolden said. “It’s neat stuff for everybody involved.”

The Cardinals (7-0), ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Division Istatewide poll, are No. 6 nationally in the MaxPreps computer rankings. Colerain won its first game in 1935 against Taylor. It won No. 100 in 1964 against Harrison and No. 250 against Hamilton in 1988.

Bolden and Ohio State assistant coach Kerry Coombs account for 53 percent of the program wins.

“I would say without question the success of Colerain football rests entirely within its community,” Coombs told WCPO.com. “Tommy and I both grew up in the shadow of the stadium, and Friday nights were always very special. It was a wonderful place to play and to coach because you always felt that what you were doing mattered to so many people.”

2. How ‘bout them Cowboys: Wyoming is 7-0 for the first time since the 2009 season when it went 10-0 in the regular season. Wyoming defeated host Madeira 57-0 Friday night. That marked the third consecutive shutout this season.

“I’m very proud of the way our guys were focused and executed all night,” Wyoming coach Aaron Hancock said. “We talk about having the opportunity to be the best you can possibly be every Friday night, and to do that we have to be dedicated to doing everything better.”

Wyoming is projected to be No. 1 in the Division IV, Region 16 standings, according to analyst Steve Shuck. Senior quarterback Andrew Marty (Northwestern commit) was 17 of 22 passing for 198 yards and three touchdowns including two TDs to senior Garyn Prater.

3. La Salle wins King of the Road: La Salle won the battle of North Bend Road with a 17-14 win over visiting St. Xavier Friday night. The Lancers have clinched at least a share of the Greater Catholic League title. La Salle (5-2) also snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bombers.

The Lancers, the two-time reigning Division II state champions, will certainly pick up some significant computer points with the win. La Salle was projected No. 4 in Division II, Region 8 entering the game. La Salle has won three consecutive games after it dropped two in a row in mid-September.

“A lot of people thought, ‘What’s wrong with those guys?’” La Salle coach Jim Hilvert said. “Well, we’re getting better. We need to keep getting better. It’s all about us and we took care of us tonight.”

4. Mason wins on Homecoming Night: Mason improved to 5-2 this season with a 21-17 win over visiting Fairfield Friday night.

“Our team chemistry is really strong,” Mason coach Brian Castner said. “They are really playing for each other and with each other. That’s a huge plus.”

The Mason defensive line led by junior Zaid Hamdan (2 ½ sacks) and senior Alex King (Kentucky commit) played well against the talented Fairfield offensive line of junior Jack Carman and regular defensive lineman Malik Vann. …Mason senior quarterback Preston Hutchinson (Eastern Michigan commit) is expected to be out three to four weeks with a thumb injury, Castner said. Junior Jake Harris made his first start Friday night and threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns. …The Comets were projected to be No. 3 in Division I, Region 4 entering Friday night, according to Steve Shuck.

5. Bonner nears school record: Sycamore senior running back Ra’Von Bonner (Illinois commit) had 27 carries for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-0 win over visiting Lakota East Friday night. Bonner needs 121 yards to set the school’s new career rushing yards mark which has been held by Paul Jordan since 1972. Jordan had 3,769 yards from 1969-1972, according to Aviators coach Scott Dattilo.

“(Ra’Von) is a great back,” Dattilo said. “He’s a real talent. But, I say it all the time: He’s a better person than he is a player, and that’s what makes coaching so rewarding -- when you get to coach kids like him.”

The Aviators (3-4) still have an opportunity at a playoff position with just three weeks remaining. Sycamore plays at Princeton (5-2) Oct. 14.

6. CHCA continues dominance in MVC: Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy improved to 61-7 in the Miami Valley Conference this season with a win at Summit Country Day. Junior quarterback Danny Vanatsky was 10 of 16 passing for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Kesean Gamble had 202 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

CHCA coach Mark Mueller continues to say Gamble is able to be a significant part of the offense with his rushing style and toughness. CHCA (7-0) is projected to be the No. 1 seed in the Division V, Region 20 standings.

7. Lebanon sitting well for playoffs: Lebanon defeated Centerville 28-14 Friday after the Warriors led 28-0 entering the fourth quarter. Lebanon senior quarterback Dakota Allen was 13 of 23 passing for 169 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown. Lebanon (6-1) is projected to be the No. 2 seed in Division I, Region 4.

8. Playoff projections update: Moeller (3-4) is in a spot where it has to win against Cleveland St. Ignatius Oct. 14 (at Otterbein) or against Lakewood St. Edward Oct. 22 (at Lockland) in order to have an opportunity at the postseason, according to Steve Shuck. Moeller lost to Elder 30-28 Friday night. ...Princeton (5-2 is on the bubble after its 21-14 loss at Hamilton Friday night. The Vikings are on the bubble in Division II, Region 8, according to Shuck.

9. Zelwyn Robinson breaks school records: Lakota West senior Zelwyn Robinson broke two schools records Friday night. He scored six touchdowns, rushed for 291 yards on 26 carries and threw for 36 yards in a 49-21 win over visiting Oak Hills. "He was great in his first start as a quarterback," Lakota West coach Larry Cox said. Robinson broke the single-game mark for most touchdowns (6) and the career touchdowns mark (44). The previous school record for a single game was five touchdowns by Mike Lovell (2001) and Kole Gentry (2014). The previous career touchdowns mark was held by Lovell, who had 40 from 1999 to 2001.

Extra points: East Central (St. Leon, Indiana) and Oak Hills have agreed to a home-and-home football agreement starting in 2018, according to East Central coach Justin Roden. Roden and Oak Hills coach Kyle Prosser are good friends and former coaching colleagues at Mount St. Joseph. East Central will travel to Oak Hills Aug. 24, 2018, Roden said. The schools will play games at all three levels. The 2019 game will be at East Central. …Ohio State recently offered Walnut Hills 2019 defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, according to Walnut Hills coach Brian Lainhart. Briggs also has offers from UC, Wisconsin, Michigan and Miami University. …Colerain senior linebacker Kyle Bolden, senior lineman Howard Watkins Jr., and senior safety Keontae Jones are expected to visit Indiana University next weekend for its game against Nebraska.