Ohio State makes college football playoffs; Eds wins state championship

The high school football season has wrapped up after this past weekend’s state championship games in Columbus. All seven of the divisions’ champions were decided from Thursday through Saturday night. Northeast Ohio had two champions crowned. St. Edward won the Division I championship, while Benedictine won the Division IV championship. In other high school football news, Athens High School quarterback Joe Burrow was named Ohio Mr. Football. In college, the college playoff teams were announced and after a dominating victory over Wisconsin, Ohio State was named as one of the four teams competing in the first ever playoffs. Mount Union and John Carroll faced off for the second time this season with the same results. It has been a great football season in Ohio with still more college football games yet to be played.

With the high school football season over, this will be my last installment of the Ohio College and High School Football Roundup of the year. I will continue to follow the remaining college football games for WFNY so stay tuned for most pieces on those matchups. I appreciate the readership so many of you have given me over the 15 weeks of football in Ohio. I hope you all enjoyed these roundups and have enjoyed talking about football in Ohio as much as I did. So let’s take a look at Week 15’s and the final installment of the Ohio College and High School Football Roundup!

College Football

Ohio State rolls over Wisconsin 59-0

Ohio State showed all the naysayers that they are one of the best four teams in the nation by crushing Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game. The Buckeyes won the Big Ten Championship behind their “third-string” quarterback and former Glenville quarterback Cardale Jones. I added quotes to third-string after watching Jones destroy the top five Badger defense. Jones threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. His backfield mate running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Jones’ main target in the game was former Massillon receiver Devin Smith, who had four receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns. Among all the great performances in the game, the defense might have had the best night off all. The Silver Bullets held the Badger offense to just 258 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers. The Bucks were also able to hold Wisconsin’s star running back Melvin Gordon to only 76 yards rushing. It was a great performance that most likely gave Ohio State the final push to get into the playoffs. Ohio State ends the regular season at 12-1.

Next Game: Ohio State vs Alabama (Jan. 1 8:30pm @ Superdome (LA)) Playoff Semifinal

Bowling Green falls to Northern Illinois 51-17

Northern Illinois was too much for Bowling Green on the way to their third MAC title in four years. Huskies’ quarterback Drew Hare threw for 218 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while also rushing for 60 yards and a touchdown. His backfield companion running back Cameron Stingily rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Hare was successful throwing to receiver Juwan Brescacin, catching seven passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. In the loss, Bowling Green running back Travis Greene rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons finish the regular season at 7-6.

Next Game: Bowling Green vs South Alabama (Dec. 20 9:15pm in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl (AL))

Cincinnati beats Houston 38-31

Cincinnati defeated Houston to take a share of the American Athletic Conference title with a final record of 9-3. The Bearcats were led by running back Mike Boone, who rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Before leaving with an injury, Bearcats’ quarterback Gunner Kiel threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Kiel and his replacement, Munchie Legaux, combined to complete five passes to Maple Heights alum Shaq Washington. Washington finished with 63 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.

Next Game: Cincinnati vs Virginia Tech (Dec. 27 1pm in the Military Bowl (MD))

Mount Union defeats John Carroll 36-28

Mount Union beat John Carroll for the second time this season to advance further in the Division III playoffs. The Purple Raiders’ offensive attack was led by former St. Edward quarterback Kevin Burke. Burke threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in the playoff victory. Burke completed six of his passes to receiver Roman Namdar. Namdar had 123 receiving yards and a touchdown reception in the game. Sherman Wilkinson added two touchdown receptions for Mount Union. Former St. Ignatius quarterback Mark Myers threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns for John Carroll in the loss. John Carroll ends their season at 11-2, while Mount Union stays perfect at 13-0.

Next Week: Mount Union vs Wesley (Sat. noon)

Schedule of Bowl Games for Ohio Teams

Dec. 20– Raycom Media Camellia Bowl: Bowling Green vs South Alabama

Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL 9:15pm on ESPN

Dec. 27– Military Bowl presented By Northrop Grumman: Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD 1pm on ESPN

Jan. 1– Allstate Sugar Bowl-College Football Playoff Semifinal: #1 Alabama vs. #4 Ohio State

Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA 8:30pm on ESPN

Jan. 4– GoDaddy Bowl: Toledo vs. Arkansas State

Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL 9pm on ESPN

Final Top 5 College Teams in D-1

	1. Florida St. Seminoles (13-0)	Florida State completed a perfect season when they defeated Georgia Tech to win the ACC championship. Jameis Winston has had the magic late in games and will look to continue it in the college football playoffs. Next Game: FSU vs Oregon (Jan. 1 5pm @ Rose Bowl (CA)) Playoff Semifinal
	2. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1)	Alabama had the most impressive season of all the one loss teams, finishing with a SEC title win over Missouri. The Crimson Tide’s offense has really become one of the best in the nation behind their star receiver Amari Cooper. Next Game: Alabama vs Ohio State (Jan. 1 8:30pm @ Superdome (LA)) Playoff Semifinal
	3. Oregon Ducks  (12-1)	Oregon finished off their season on a roll, beating Arizona to win the PAC-12 championship. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has put the Ducks on his back and is the favorite to win the Heisman trophy. Next Game: Oregon vs FSU (Jan. 1 5pm @ Rose Bowl (CA)) Playoff Semifinal
	4. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)	Ohio State made the final push this past weekend by crushing Wisconsin to win the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes’ offense seemed to have lost nothing by replacing quarterback JT Barrett with Cardale Jones. Next Game: Ohio State vs Alabama (Jan. 1 8:30pm @ Superdome (LA)) Playoff Semifinal
	5. TCU Horned Frogs (11-1)	TCU finished their season off with a win over Iowa State, but came up short in making the college football playoffs. TCU’s weaker schedule turned out to be the downfall for the Horned Frogs in making the college football playoffs. Next Game: TCU vs Ole Miss (Dec. 31 12:30pm in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (GA))

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High School Football

Ohio State Football Championship Games

Div. I: Lakewood St. Edward beats Huber Heights Wayne 31-21

St. Edward finished off their season with the school’s second state football championship and it once again came over Huber Heights Wayne. The Eagles flew past Wayne behind their quarterback Brett Kean. Kean threw for 164 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the state championship victory. The Eagles were extremely successful rushing the ball with running backs Cole Gest and Andrew Dowell. Gest rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown, while Dowell added 61 yards and a touchdown. One of the players of the game for the Eagles was Michael O’Malley, playing on both sides of the ball. O’Malley had four tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, an interception, and added a five-yard touchdown reception on offense. In the loss, Ahmad Wagner caught five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown and also added a kick return for a touchdown. The Eagles finish their season off with a 13-2 record, while Huber Heights Wayne falls to 13-2.

My Initial D1 Pick: St. Edward

My Game Pick: St. Edward

Div. II: Cincinnati LaSalle rolled past Macedonia Nordonia 55-20

The Nordonia Knights were no match for the talented Cincinnati LaSalle Lancers. Nordonia reached its second ever state football championship game, but like 2002 they fell short of winning the championship game. In LaSalle’s first ever appearance in the state championship game, the Lancers took the game over quickly, building a 34-13 lead at half. LaSalle’s offensive attack was led by their star running back Jeremy Larkin, who rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Quarterback Nick Watson threw for 72 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 43 yards and a touchdown for the Lancers. In the loss, Nordonia quarterback David Murray threw for 251 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His main targets were Ohio State commit receiver Denzel Ward, who caught five receptions for 89 yards and receiver Alex Alders, who had ten receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. It was a great year for the Knights in getting to their second ever state championship game and ending their season at 14-1. The Lancers end their season with a 14-1 record.

My Initial D2 Pick: Bedford

My Game Pick: Cincinnati LaSalle

Div. III: Toledo Central Catholic outlasts Athens 56-52

In probably the most entertaining game of the weekend, Toledo Central Catholic outscored Athens in the high scoring shootout to win their third state football championship in school history. The game was back and forth with both teams taking multiple leads throughout the game. But Central Catholic was able to score last when quarterback Marcus Winters rushed for the game-winning touchdown with just 15 seconds left in the game. In the game, Winters threw for 153 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while also adding 134 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. His backfield mate, running back Michael Warren, rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns and had two catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Athens had a historic game from Mr. Football and Ohio State quarterback commit Joe Burrow. Burrow threw for 446 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception, along with 54 yards on the ground. He broke the record for the most passing yards and touchdown passes in an Ohio Division III championship game. His main target was Ryan Luehrman, catching eight passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. The game saw a lot of yardage including 501 rushing yards for Central Catholic and a combined 1,217 yards of offense by both teams in the game. Toledo Central Catholic finishes their season at 13-2, while Athens falls to 14-1.

My Initial D3 Pick: Toledo Central Catholic

My Game Pick: Athens

Div. IV: Cleveland Benedictine takes down Kettering Archbishop Alter 21-14

Benedictine beats Kettering Archbishop Alter to win their seventh state football championship in school history. The Bengals were able to slow down the Alter offense behind their star linebacker and Ohio State commit Jerome Baker and defensive back Justin Layne. Baker had 11 tackles and a half tackle for a loss, while Layne had four tackles and an interception for a touchdown. The Bengals’ defense held Alter to just 276 yards of offense. Just like on defense, Baker was the leader of the offense. Baker rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing for 55 yards. Running back Dontez Rash added 72 yards rushing, while Layne was the leading receiver with five receptions for 96 yards. Alter’s quarterback Dusty Hayes threw for 73 yards along with rushing for 79 yards and a touchdown in the defeat. The Bengals finish the season with a 14-1 record, while Kettering Archbishop Alter falls to 14-1.

My Initial D4 Pick: Clarksville Clinton-Massie

My Game Pick: Cleveland Benedictine

Div. V: Coldwater cruises past Canton Central Catholic 62-21

Canton Central Catholic was no match for the talented Coldwater. Coldwater swept pass Canton Central Catholic on their way to their fifth state football championship in school history. Dual-threat quarterback Brody Hoying led Coldwater’s offensive attack. Hoying threw for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for a game high 236 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Chris Post added 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground for Coldwater. For Canton Central Catholic, quarterback Jake Boccuti threw for 218 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, along with rushing for 77 yards. His main target was Jimmy Russell, who had 12 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown. Coldwater finishes the season 14-1, while Canton Central Catholic falls to 14-1.

My Initial D5 Pick: Columbus Bishop Hartley

My Game Pick: Coldwater

Div. VI: Minster comes back to beat Kirtland 46-42

In one of the wildest finishes of the weekend, Minster overcame a late deficit to beat Kirtland and win their second ever state football championship. With just 4:18 left in the game, Minster found itself down 42-33 to Kirtland. But, Minster scores a touchdown to cut the deficit to two with only 1:56 left to play. This is when the miraculous happens. Minster onsides the ensuing kickoff and recovers the ball. They then finish off the comeback when quarterback Josh Nixon throws a 51-yard game-winning touchdown pass to receiver Eli Wolf with just 1:22 left in the game. Nixon threw for 417 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in the victory for Minster. His two main targets in the game were Wolf and receiver Bryce Schmiesing. Wolf had nine catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns, while Schmiesing had seven receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown along with a rushing touchdown. For Kirtland, quarterback Sam Skiljan threw for 145 yards and three touchdowns and added 95 yards on the ground. His backfield mate running back Adam Hess rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Minster finishes off the season with a 12-3 record, while Kirtland falls to 14-1.

My Initial D6 Pick: Kirtland

My Game Pick: Kirtland

Div. VII: Maria Stein Marion Local cruises past Norwalk St. Paul 41-0

Maria Stein Marion Local rolled over Norwalk St. Paul to win their school’s eighth state championship in football. Marion Local put the game away quickly, going up 21-0 after the first quarter and 35-0 at half. Marion Local was outstanding on both sides of the ball, outgaining Norwalk St. Paul 447 yards to just 98 yards. Their team’s offensive attack was led by running back Jacy Goettemoeller, who rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns. His backfield companion quarterback Dustin Rethman threw for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Rethman threw frequently to receiver Hunter Wilker, catching seven passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. His was tough sledding for Norwalk St. Paul with no rusher exceeding 32 yards rushing in the game. Maria Stein Marion Local finishes the season perfect at 15-0, while Norwalk St. Paul falls to 13-2.

My Initial D7 Pick: Maria Stein Marion Local

My Game Pick: Maria Stein Marion Local

Ohio Mr. Football Winner

As I had predicted two weeks ago, quarterback Joe Burrow of Athens (The Plains, OH) High School was named the Ohio Mr. Football, which is the award given to the player in Ohio who the voters view as the player of the year. Burrow led his team to the state championship game in Division III, but fell short in one of the most exciting championship games of the weekend. In the regular season, Burrow threw for 2,887 yards, 42 touchdowns, and just one interception. He continued his outstanding year in the championship game when he threw for 446 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception, along with rushing for 54 yards. He will be taking his talents down to Columbus to play for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

(Stats courtesy of ESPN, OAC.org, team websites, Cleveland.com, and OHSAA.com)