SportsHigh School Sports

Actions

Ohio high school football: Looking ahead to this weekend's regional finals

0-3.jpg
Posted at 11:50 AM, Nov 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-21 12:50:49-05

CINCINNATI — Greater Cincinnati high school football will be in the spotlight in four Ohio High School Athletic Association regional finals this weekend.

In Division I, Region 4, Colerain (11-1) plays Elder (10-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at Mason High School’s Dwire Field at Atrium Stadium.

It is the second straight season the two West Side programs will meet in the regional final. Colerain leads the all-time series 8-6. The winner earns a trip to the state semifinals Nov. 29.

“Our kids know what’s on the line,” Elder coach Doug Ramsey said.

RELATED: Join the Cincinnati area high school sports Facebook group
RELATED: Colerain, Elder and Harrison coaches preview this weekend

Elder is led by several standouts including senior quarterback Matthew Luebbe, who has thrown for 2,538 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 1,322 yards and 14 touchdowns.

0-4.jpg
Elder senior quarterback Matthew Luebbe has thrown for 2,538 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 1,322 yards and 14 touchdowns.

His 70-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-2 late in the fourth quarter against St. Xavier last week helped to lift the Panthers to a 28-24 win in the regional semifinal at Mason.

“Those types of plays, those types of things don’t happen too often,” Ramsey said. “I think you are right in Matthew’s case – that’s a play he won’t ever forget. I will tell you Matthew isn’t thinking about that play one bit this week. He is focused.”

Other offensive standouts including senior offensive linemen Jakob James (Ohio State commit) and Luke Kandra (Louisville) along with senior tight end Joe Royer (Ohio State).

Defensively, senior defensive back Colton Sandhas has 103 tackles while senior defensive end/linebacker Connor Keyes has 83 tackles including 6 ½ sacks.

Colerain, the 2018 Division I state runner-up, is in its third consecutive regional final and fourth in the past five seasons.

The Cardinals – winners of 10 consecutive games - have prepared for Elder all week as they keep senior standout running back/linebacker Jaylen Thomas in their thoughts and prayers.

Colerain coach Shawn Cutright said it’s been a roller coaster of emotions this week as the school community continues to show its support for Thomas. Cutright said Wednesday Thomas has a goal of making it to the game Friday.

“The vibe around the team is keep our heads up and keep looking forward to the game and play our hearts out for (Jaylen),” senior defensive back/wide receiver Deshawn Pace said.

0-1.jpg
Colerain senior defensive back/wide receiver Deshawn Pace has made a significant impact on both sides of the ball.

Colerain is led by several players including junior defensive lineman Dontay Corleone, a University of Cincinnati verbal commit who has 8 ½ sacks.

Pace, a University of Cincinnati verbal commit, has 49 tackles (34 solo), five interceptions and a forced fumble on defense along with six touchdowns on offense and a punt return for a touchdown.

“He’s been great,” Cutright said. “He’s a natural born leader. He takes them on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball and gets them on his back. He just leads by example out there and verbally.”

Pace and senior center Ace Ehrenschwender will make their 42nd career starts on Friday night.

“These guys are impossible to replace,” Cutright said. “They are just key to our success.”

Colerain or Elder will play Springfield (11-1) or Dublin Coffman (10-2) in the state semifinal Nov. 29 at a location to be determined. The Division I state final is scheduled for Dec. 5 or 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Harrison (11-1) plays La Salle (10-2) in the Division II, Region 8 final Friday night at Lakota West. This is the first meeting between the programs since the 2017 regional quarterfinal.

This Friday night marks the third time Harrison is in the regional final (2006 and 1988), according to Harrison athletic director Mark Meibers.

Harrison is led by several players including senior quarterback Connor Kinnett, who has thrown for 3,532 yards this season. He entered the OHSAA all-time record list for most passing yards in a season.

Last week, he was 17 of 24 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Columbus DeSales. He also rushed for three touchdowns.

0-5.jpg
Harrison senior quarterback Connor Kinnett has thrown for 3,532 yards and 36 touchdowns this season.

“His running was off the charts,” Harrison coach Derek Rehage said. “The most complete game probably in the biggest situation of the year for us honestly.”

Harrison’s wide receiving corps and defensive line has also been very effective during the postseason. Junior Levi Tidwell (1,525 yards receiving) and senior CJ Young (1,038 yards receiving) have been consistent for the offense.

Rehage said the chemistry on the team has been very evident.

"These guys are lifelong friends," Rehage. "Five of our offensive starters have played football since kindergarten. It's been amazing."

Eight seniors and three juniors highlight the Harrison starters on defense. Junior defensive lineman Masyn Dallio (seven sacks), senior linebacker Jake Reardon (136 tackles) and senior defensive back Kyler Fankhauser (four interceptions) are among the leaders.

"They play together and we play great team defense," Rehage said.

Friday night is the fifth regional finals appearance for La Salle, according to athletic director Brian Meyer.

The top-seeded Lancers defeated Walnut Ridge 35-7 last week. Lancers coach Pat McLaughlin liked how his team started fast last week.

Senior running back Cam Porter (Northwestern commit) scored three touchdowns while sophomore running back Gi’Bran Payne had 141 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

The Lancers’ defense has also been very strong in the postseason. Second linebacker Luke Thiemann had a team-high eight tackles last week while senior defensive lineman Ben Blevins had six tackles. The secondary is very strong with the likes of senior Cole Hildebrand and juniors Jaylen Johnson, Jaymar Hargrove-Mundy, Iesa Jarmon and Devonta Smith.

“They just get after people and they prevent people from making plays,” Rehage said.

0-6.jpg
La Salle senior running back Cam Porter has rushed for 723 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Lancers entering Friday night.

La Salle or Harrison will play Toledo Central Catholic (12-0) or Lewis Center Olentangy (7-5) in the state semifinal Nov. 29. The state final will be Dec. 5 or 6.

Badin (9-3) plays Trotwood-Madison (9-3) in a Division III, Region 12 final at Miamisburg Friday night. Badin defeated Alter 38-21 in the regional semifinal last week.

This is Badin's eighth regional final since 1989, according to the school. The most recent regional final was in 2013 (Division V).

“I liked the focus and execution we had throughout the game but especially at the beginning,” Badin coach Nick Yordy said. “Our kids really executed our game plan in all three phases.”

Senior running back Alex DeLong had 230 yards rushing and senior wide receiver/defensive back Joshua Hegemann had a receiving touchdown and a pick-six on defense last week. Senior Marshal Flaig also had a receiving touchdown.

DeLong has rushed for 1,168 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Rams. Hegemann has 675 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. He also has three interceptions on defense.

Trotwood-Madison is led by several players including senior defensive back Sammy Anderson, who recently made a verbal commitment to UC.

"The key to Trotwood is to take advantage of the opportunity, finish on offense, stop the big play on defense and win on special teams," Yordy said. "Our message is pretty simple- just play hard and do your job."

Badin or Trotwood-Madison plays Columbus Bishop Hartley (11-1) or Plain City Jonathan Alder (12-0) Nov. 29. The Division III state is scheduled for Dec. 5 or 6.

Wyoming (12-0) will represent the area again in the Division IV, Region 16 final Saturday when the Cowboys play Germantown Valley View (10-2) at Princeton.

Wyoming is appearing in its fourth consecutive regional final. The Cowboys have won 27 consecutive games after being the 2018 state champion.

Wyoming is led by several players including All-American senior quarterback Evan Prater (UC), who has thrown for 1,626 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,308 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Senior linebacker Camden O'Gara has 114 tackles including two sacks along with two interceptions. Junior defensive lineman Beau Thomas has six sacks. Sophomore linebacker Jared Hancock - coach Aaron Hancock's son - had two forced fumbles last week against Indian Hill. He has 84 tackles.

“We are excited about getting back to the regional championship,” Wyoming coach Aaron Hancock said. “That’s always been a goal of ours. Our goal is to win to region and we feel like if we win the region we have an opportunity to win a state title. That’s our focus.”

Valley View senior quarterback Cade Cradlebaugh threw for 103 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-27 win over Roger Bacon last week. He has thrown for 1,962 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 809 yards and eight touchdowns this season.