On 10/28/2024 at 3:59 PM, theguru said:

Who do you like to win it all?  I am interested to see how Moeller finishes. 

Moeller is always a good one to follow! Had the opportunity to see them in person when they came to Ironton a couple of years ago. Ironton played them solid, losing 25-6. Moeller's starting QB was hurt yet their backup came in and had he played on a team in the EKY area, probably would have been one of the top players in the tri-state of KY, OH, and WV. He was big, made good decisions, could make quick throws and occasionally ran the ball. That team was so loaded and their depth at each positions amazed me. Ironton came a shoestring tackle from breaking a long run early out of a completely different alignment from what they normally show but aside from that, their lone score came late.

In Division V, Ironton has made amazing strides under Coach Trevon Pendleton and his family, as his brother Jerrod and their Father known as "Papaw" Pendleton also do a tremendous job along with several Ironton alums that played under Bob Lutz, who is Ohio's all-time winningest football coach. The reason I bring up Ironton is that they are in a big matchup this week with Harvest Prep of Columbus. This is a matchup that has been talked about for some time and was expected to happen. Harvest Prep played Ashland early in the season and handed them what is their only loss on the schedule so far. They will throw it but overall they run more of a Gun-T, power style offense where they have a couple of big, bruising backs. Ironton is more balanced and Shaun Terry can score from anywhere on the field. His nickname is "Scary Terry" and he has made some amazing plays for the Fighting Tigers over the course of his career. Shaun is committed to Missouri. 

Harvest Prep ended Ironton's season in a 20-14 thriller last year. If anybody has strong interest in Ohio football this is definitely one to have on the radar. Both schools have come SO close to a state title in recent years and they are looking to break the door down this year. Harvest Prep has four semifinal appearances in the last decade and Ironton has state finals appearances in 2019, 2020, and 2022. I personally have ties covering both, and they have always been first class to work with. Ironton has a dedicated fan base and if you come to one of their home games any later than 5:00, their home stands will be full. Harvest Prep does have some EKY ties with a couple of my pastors, Boyd County graduates - David Amos and Blake Rice - both of whom have amazing stories and mentor a lot of the Harvest Prep students. Harvest Prep is affiliated with World Harvest Church and run by Pastor Rod Parsley.

 

Taft has a real chance to make some noise.  They are playing Alter in the regional final, they beat Alter week 3 of the regular season.

Some big games this Friday.

Moeller vs St X

LaSalle vs Anderson

Alter vs Taft

Not a fan of the playoff expansion in Ohio from a couple years ago.  Also wasn't a fan back in the day when it was only 4 teams per region that made the playoffs.  Really thought 8 teams was the goldilocks scenario, but oh well.  Those three games listed above should be outstanding football games this weekend.  

Cincinnati Anderson is still playing! I still got a school!

Semifinal scores from tonight:

Division I

Olentangy Liberty 21 St. Edward 7
Cincinnati Moeller 49 Centerville 10

Division II

Avon 35 Archbishop Hoban 10
Cincinnati Anderson 28 Big Walnut 24

Division III

Toledo Central Catholic 7 Youngstown Ursuline 6
Columbus Watterson 56 London 21

Division IV

Sandusky Perkins 13 Glenville 11 
Indian Valley 29 Cincinnati Taft 20

Division V

Liberty Center 48 South Range 14 
Ironton 63 West Liberty-Salem 21

Division VI

Kirtland 41 Galion Northmor 7 
Coldwater 28 Bluffton 6 

Division VII

Hillsdale 25 Danville 22
Marion Local 41 Columbus Grove 6

6 hours ago, DevilMayCare said:

Semifinal scores from tonight:

Division I

Olentangy Liberty 21 St. Edward 7
Cincinnati Moeller 49 Centerville 10

Division II

Avon 35 Archbishop Hoban 10
Cincinnati Anderson 28 Big Walnut 24

Division III

Toledo Central Catholic 7 Youngstown Ursuline 6
Columbus Watterson 56 London 21

Division IV

Sandusky Perkins 13 Glenville 11 
Indian Valley 29 Cincinnati Taft 20

Division V

Liberty Center 48 South Range 14 
Ironton 63 West Liberty-Salem 21

Division VI

Kirtland 41 Galion Northmor 7 
Coldwater 28 Bluffton 6 

Division VII

Hillsdale 25 Danville 22
Marion Local 41 Columbus Grove 6

Where is Olentangy Liberty?

25 minutes ago, MBKT said:

Where is Olentangy Liberty?

The school is in a town called Powell, located about 15 minutes north of Columbus. The Olentangy district is pretty large, encompassing four different high schools.

5 minutes ago, DevilMayCare said:

The school is in a town called Powell, located about 15 minutes north of Columbus. The Olentangy district is pretty large, encompassing four different high schools.

Thank you. Interesting.