Moeller High School 2008-09 Football Articles

2008 ARCHBISHOP MOELLER VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM REGIONAL QUARTER-FINALIST 2-1 GCL Row 1: Jeff Aubin, Matt Rudolph, AJ Gatio, Eric Hanne en, Jordan Wid meyer, Adam Bobay, Ethan McAlpine, Adam Deyhle, Matt Wallace , Connor Johnston, Zach Freeman, Mike Poole, Sam Crist,Nick Rein , Peter Bruns, Mike Benedetti , Spencer Hidy, Michael Hopkins, Tony Benedetti, Steve Kuhlman, Adam Schaffer, Kevin Thamann , Richie Dyer, Corey Smith Row 2: Bobby Bruggeman, Timothy McNaul, Devin Williams, Kevin Petit, Billy Wersel, Adam Klever, Landen Hunter, Teddy Sheets, Trent Williford, Troy Suter, Kendall Walker, Garrett Lotz, Josh Burandt, Greg Bechtold , Tyler Hutchinson, David Foster, Kirt Hobler, Sage lacovone, Tony Harris, Ryan Sunderman, Matt Ceddia, Eddie Meyer, Bubba Hoctor Row 3: Andrew Rogers, KG McCluskey, Ben Schneider, Jason Didier, Jon Smith, Brad Josephson, Tyler Visage , Chandler Cottrell, Tyler Grau, Shane Kroger, Tom Holmes, And rew Sweeney, Lyndon Browne, Patrick Blanks, Rob Williford, Kenny Sheilds, David Hill, Garrett Mize, Drew Rosselot, Harvey Clark, Patrick Matthews, Danny Carusone Row 4: Andrew Hendrix, Wmiam Blum, Jeff Tanner, Ali Kassem , David Whitehead , Liam Taylor, David Scheider, Alex Hider, Jesse Hayes, Teddy Sheets, CJ Andwerson, Billy Reinert, Eric Schlueter, Graham Korte, Steven Powell , Jordan Stricker, Tyler Williams, Cameron Scheidler, Joe Combs, Patrick Donovan, Nick Galvin, Marcus Rush, Josh Sivie Row 5: Sean McClellan, Jeremy Duncan, Dave Hauck, Ray Butler, Tim Moorman, Pat Mclaughlin, Chris Majors, John Rodenberg , Todd Naumann, Jack Long, Jai Schiavoni , Mark Doran, Daniel Hopkins, Gary Hopkins, Tim Stamper, Dietrich Albers Row 6: Jim Huxell, Kevin Walker, Jim Hautman, Doug Rosfeld, Jason Combs, Derek Williams, Steve Albrinck Principal . . . . . ..... ... . . . . . .... .. . .. .. ......... .. .. . ... Blane Collison Asst. Principal ...... . .. ..... . ... . .. ... .......... . ... .. ... Carl Kremer Asst. Principal . . .... . . .... ... ...... . . . . . .... . .. .. . . . ... . . . Chris Wilke Asst. Principal . . .. . .... . .. . . . .. . .. . . .. . . ....... . . .. Bro. Ron Luksic, Sm Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Balbach Athletic Director . . ...... . .... .. . . . . . . . . . ...... . . .. ... . .. Barry Borman Athletic Administrative Assistant . .. . .. . . . . . .... . .. . . . ... . ... Kim Hauck Athletic Projects . .... . . . .. . . . .. .. . . . .... .. . ... . . ..... . . Carol Campbell Band Director . ....... . . ......... . . . . . ... . . . . ...... . .. .. Bob Browning Equipment Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Whitey Campbell Athletic Trainer .. ..... . ... . ..... . ... . ..... . . ... .... .... . Craig Lindsey Orthopedic .... . ... . . .. . . ..... . ...... .. ............... Tim Kremchek Chiropractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Rohlfs Cheerleader Moderator...................... .... ............ Debi Cass Pastoral Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Dever Nickname ...... . .. . .. ... . . . ..... . ........... . ... . . Fighting Crusaders

Varsity Head Coach ............. .. .... . . . .. . ... .. ... . .. John Rodenberg Varsity Assistants ... . .... . ........... . ......... Ray Butler, Jason Combs, Jim Hautman, Jim Huxell, Chris Majors, Pat Mclaughlin, Tim Moorman, Todd Naumann , Doug Rosfeld, Kevin Walker, Derek Williams JV Coaches .. . . ... . ... .. .. . .............. . . . .. Jim Stofko, Jim Englehart Ed Flueck, Steve Williford Freshmen Coaches ... . . . .. . ... . . ... . . ... Rob Ebel, Drew Ellison , Ted Forrest Bob Kolkmeyer, Steve Larkin Football Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Doran Football Operations Asst. . ... . .................... Jack Long, Dave Hauck Communications ..... .. . . .......... . . . ... . . . . .Gary Hopkins, Dan Hopkins Statistician ... . . . . . . . . ...... . ... . .. . ....... Jai Schiavone, Steve Albrinck Announcer . . . . ... ... . .. . . . ........ ... .... . .... . .......... Rick Crema Clock Operator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Roth Colors . . .. . . . .... . . . . . ... . ... . . . ... . . . . .. . .......... Blue-White-Gold

SEASON RECORD

FORTY-SIXTH SENIOR CLASS MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL

MHS 27 MHS 6 MHS 34 MHS 45 MHS 26 MHS24 MHS14 MHS18 MHS 33 MHS 17

Princeton Montgomery Bell Acad Centerville Findlay Mentor LaSalle Elder Indianapolis Cathedral Prep Lakewood St. Edwards St. Xavier

MHS10

Playoff Colerain

17 21 30

32 34

10 24 21

29 14

17

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OHSAA nixes Div. I football s~~{. t ... lt,.,- b

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tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Bigger schools disliked proposal's pared-down playoff setup

Lf::iSalle football coach Tom was hoping for it, but not counting on it.

D1tto for Glen Este coach ZakTaylor.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors voted 8-0 Thursday to reject a proposal that would

have split its Division I in half for football. Theoretically, splitting the OHSAA's bigschool division would have enhanced the chances of La Salle, Glen Este and other smaller Division I schools making the state playoffs.

"It's disappointing," Taylor

By Tom Groeschen Grip~a

said of the OHSAA's decision.

"When schools have 300 to 400 more boys than we do and we're playing against them, it's not a level playing field."

La Salle's Grippa has been on both sides of it. He has coached at some of the division's larger (Elder, Fairfield)

and smaller (La Salle) schools and has made the playoffs at each stop. But while Elder and Fairfield own Division I state title trophies, La Salle has made the playoffs only three times since Ohio began its playoff system in 1972.

'There's no way it tan total-

ly be fair," Grippa said. "We didn't think this would pass. I guess we'll keep plugging along."

The proposal was studied for two years by the OHSM. The intent was to alleviate enSee FOOTBALL, Page CS

"When school~ have 300 to 40D more boys than we do ... it's not a level playing field."

Glen Este footbaD coach Zak Taylor

~

Football: No dividing Division I From PageCl rollment discrepancies among the 116 schools in Division I. The largest schools are more than double the size of the smallest in Division I. The division's largest football school, Fairfield, has 1,246 boys ~~ its upper three grades and its sm'1illest, Twinsburg, has 528.

Larger Division I schools mostly were "lgainst the proposal, which would have seen only four teams make the playoffs in each region of the hypothetical 1-A and 1-M upper -divisions. Currently, eight teams make the playoffs in each Ohlo region in Divisions I-VI. St Xavier coach Steve Specht, whose school is among the largest : in Ohlo and won state football titles ¡in 2005 and '07, said the proposal had some holes.

"It just didn't make much sense to split it and take only four teams from each region," Specht said. "It seemed to me that was penalizing the bigger teams."

Princeton athletic director Scott Kaufman, whose team also would have played in the proposed upper division, said the argument about enroJlment discrepancies is valid.

"If they want to divide Division I, then at least allow eight playoff qualifiers in each division," Kaufman said. "I hope they continue to look at other options. I'm glad they didn't make a change before there was enough support for it."

OHSM spokesman Tun Stried said the vote Thursday was 8-0 with one absentee.

"After analyzing the data and hearing from the football coaches' association, it was decided to keep things the same," Stried said. 'The

football coaches' association was unanimous in their membership not being in favor of changirig the playoffs. There also was not overwhelming support among the (OHSM) subcommittee that had studied it."

The OHSM bases classifications on enrollment in the upper three grades. For the most recent cycle, the football cutoff for Division I was 524 boys in the upper three grades; the new proposal would have placed it closer to 680.

'The Board reviewed survey results from Ohio's Division I schools, and the majority of those that responded were not in favor of making a change," Mike Richards, OHSM Board of Directors president, said in a statement "The facts that the officers of the Ohlo High School Football Coaches Association were unanimous in not favoring a change and that the recommendation from the subcommittee that made the proposal was not unanimous were also factored in."

Higb school football

2:.. 2.o ... oq

Moeller going 'home' to Lockland

By Tom Croeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Moeller will move its home football games back to the Lockland High School stadium for 2009 and perhaps beyond, Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said Thursday.

Moeller played home games at UC's Nippert Stadium the past two years. The move back to Lockland is mainly for financial reasons, Borman said, including the fact that renting UC costs more than for games at Lockland. Borman ~eclined to discuss financial fig-

ures but said another attraction is that Lockland now has artificial turf, which it did not when Moeller moved its games to UC in 2007.

Before going to UC, Moeller had played home games at Lockland for five years. Moeller, which does not have a home field at its Kenwood campus, has played home games at many venues through the years.

Borman said the Lockland agreement tentatively is for one year.

"We'll see how it goes next season and go from there," Borman said.

Moeller still might play its St. Xavier game at UC this coming season on Friday, Oct. 30, or Saturday Oct. 31, Borman said. That depends on UC, which is awaiting its 2009 home football schedule before it can commit to the Moeller-St. Xavier game.

Moeller's home games at Lockland next season will include Mentor (Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.), Highland Park, Mich. (Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.) and La Salle (Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.), with the St. Xavier game TBA Scott Wilhoit, UC assistant director of facilities and operations,

said UC cannot comment because of NCM compliance regulations.

"Nippert is an outstanding high school venue, and UC's staff and athletic department have been wonderful to work with," Borman saJd. "Lockland, like UC, also is outstanding to work with. This is primarily for financial reasons, as well as the fact that Lockland has recently put artificial turf in their stadium." • La Salle players Adam Licht (DE/LB) and Nick Shad (center) have committed to Thomas More College, Lancers coach Tom Grippasaid.

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Top seed in region reward for three area teams

By Tom Ramstetter

/'0 .. 21 0Yt

·• Tl6--,-,-t-

tramstetter@enquirer.com

Seventeen local high school football teams have received berths in the playoffs that start Fri-lay night in five of six divisions of t-')ay. r~~~ Three area teams received No. 1 ., ·reds and eight area teams will liost first-round games Friday and Saturday.

Colerain (9-1) is the top seed in Division I, Region 4, Winton Woods (9-1) is No.1 in Division II, Region 8 and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (10·0) locked up the top seed in Division V, Re-

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gion 20.

"We just felt like we played a really good schedule," Wmton Woods head coach Troy Everhart said. "We Everhart let on.e get away early m the year.

We played a good GCL team, we played Anderson and played in my opinion a tough (FAVC) Buckeye league. We played Kings who won their division. So I thought we did what we needed to do to get a No.1 seed."

CHCA coach Eric Taylor had a similar feeling Sunday afternoon 1

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before breaking down tape of his team's first-round foe.

"We're excited to be where we are right now," Taylor said. "Coming out of the regular season 1()..() is quite an accomplishment and our guys have worked extremely hard.

Along the way we have beaten three playoff teams. We've certainly been tested throughout the year.

We've been learning along the way."

Colerain coach Tom Bolden jokingly wondered where the advantage was in being the top seed in Region 4 this season.

See PlAYOFFS, Page C4

Area football regional quarterfinal pairings DIVISION I

(7 p.m. Saturday)

• (8) MoeDer (6-4) at Ill Colerain (9-11 • (6) Centerville (7-3) at 131 EJder (9-1) • 151 Woodward 110.01 at (4) Huber Hts. Wayne (7-3)

DIVISION II

(7:30 p.m. Friday) • (8) Day. Dunbar (8-2) at Ill Winton Woods (9-1) • (7) Western Brown 110.01 at (2) New Carlisle Tecumseh (10-0) • (6) Edgewood (8-2) at (3) Anderson (8-2) • (5) Kings (7-3) at 141 Turpin (9-11

DIVISION Ill 17 p.m. Saturday) • (81 Franklin (6-4) at (1) Thornville Sheridan (10-0)

DIVISION IV

(7:30 p.m. Friday) • 181 North College Hill (7·31 at (1) Coldwater (10-0)

• 171 Badin 17·31 at 121 Cllnton-Massle (10.0)

DIVISIONV

(7 p.m. Saturday)

• 181 East Clinton 17-31 at Ill CHCA (10.0) • (6) West Uberty-Salem (9-1) at (3) Waynesville (8-21

DMSIONVI

(7:30 p.m. Friday) • 181 New Mliml (7·31 at (1) Mechanicsburg (10-0) • (51 Lockland 17·31 at (4) Covington (8-2)

Tony Tribble for The

Enq~irer

Moeller and Tony Harris took down St. Xavier Saturday night to earn the eighth spot in the Division I football playoffs.

Playoffs: Stakes

raised this week From Page C1

"Itdoesn't seem like it this year," Boldenjoked.

'We got the No.1 seed and we're going to get a GCL team. Ifs a heck of a consolation for being the No. 1 seed."

The Cardinals fought back from a late-season loss to Middletown, their first Greater Miami Conference loss since 1999, and will host No.SMoelleronSaturday.Moeller ·needed a last-second kicikoff return for a touchdown to beat Lakewood St. Edward in Week 9 and a late fourth-quarter field goal to beat St. xavier to qualify.

"Other than playing such a good team right outbfthe gate, playing at home is always huge," Bolden said: "Getting that one extra game and having that one extra game is big."

Elder (9-1), ranked 'No.1 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, received the No.3 seed and will host Centerville (7-3} Saturday.

Woodward finished the season 10-0 and will be the No.5 seed. The Bulldogs wi.H travel to No.4 Huber Heights Wayoe Saturday.

• In Division II, Winton Woods will host No.8 Dayton Dunbar (8-2) on Friday.

"Just studying (Dunbar) on tape, they're very gifted in theirskillposilions," Everhart said. 'They're going to probably be better in the skill positions than we are. Their offensive line is big. Their schedule was a little lean. Some of the teams they played weren't very good, but they certainly pounded them.~

Defending Division II state champion and ·No.3 seed Anderson (8-2) will host No. 6 Edgewood (8-2), and No.7 Western Brown (l0-0) will travel to No. •~ New Carlisle Tecumseh (1~).

Perhaps the most interesting matchup in .RegionS will be No.5 Kings (7-3) traveling to No. 4 Turpin (9-1). The Knights batteredTurpin 41-10 in Week 7, but the Spartms will have the home game.

I•In Division IV, No.8 North College Hill (7-3) plays at Region 16 No..l Coldwater (1~). and No. 7 Badin (7-3) plays at No.2 ClintonM:~.ssie (10-0). All Dilvision IV games are scheduled for Friday.

• CHCA will host No. 8 East Ointrm (7-3) in Division Von Saturday. ''From what I understand they are big and physical and play a physical game,"Taylor said of East Clill.ton.

No.3 Waynesville hosts No.6 Liberty-Salem.

• In Division VI, :'io. 8 New Miami (7-3) will play at Region 24 No.1 seed Mechanicsburg (10-0) and No.5 Lockland (7-3) will travel to No.4 Covington (8-2). Division Vl games are scheduled for Friday.

Ofcourse those seeds will mean little once kickoff comes around.

"Now we're going to trv to put all that behind us starting (tDday) and . looking at it as the postseason and recordsmeannothingnow,"Taylor ' said. "It's one game at a time and we're going to have to play good everr single week to give ourselves a chance."

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Editor: Josh Pichler, jpichler@enquirer.corr

i13-768-8381

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BUNDAV, DCTDBER 2S,

t:.

High school football! Moeller 17 ~ St. Xavier 14

Crusaders punch their playoff ticket

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Moeller's Jeff Aubin breaks free on a run Saturday at St. Xavier. Moeller will play No. 1 Colerain next.

Late field goal knocks out defending champs

By Tom Croeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Just like old times, Moeller came up big in a highly pressurized football game Saturday night.

The Crusaders grabbed the eighth and final playoff berth in Division I, Region4 with a bruising17-14 win over Greater Catholic League South rival St. Xavier.

In a situation of winner advances, loser goes home, Moeller won on a 23-yard field goal by junior Corey Smith with 1:52left.

St. Xavier, the reigning Division I state champion, is done for 2008.

Moeller will visit No. 1 regional seed Colerain next Saturday (7 p.m.) to open the playoffs.

Moeller won seven state titles between 1975-85. While the Crusaders earned their seventh consecutive playoff berth Saturday, the program has been trying to regain some luster at the state level.

"I'm real proud of this group of kids," said John Rodenberg, Moeller's first-year coach. '1.bey've really bought into what we've done. There was a rot of pressure all week with this game, and the kids came through."

As a sellout crowd of 7,000 watched at St. Xavier, the decisive points were set up on an interception

by Moeller senior defensive lineman Sean McClellan with 4:17left.

See MOELLER, Page BS

High schools/84-5 • A projected look at the football playoff pairings that officially will be released today.

• Mount Notre Dame reaches state final four in field hockey.

• Mason boys, Colerain girls claim regional cross country titles.

• Defending Division I state champion Mercy ousts Lebanon for district volleyball championship.

• St. Xavier, Milford win Division I soccer districts to set up a meeting Tuesday.

• Seven Hills, Mariemont boys' soccer teams win Division Ill districts and will square off Tuesday.

THE ENQUIRER

FN

HIGH SCHOOLS

Football pairings

Moeller: Crusaders • In, St. Xavier out From Page Bl McClellan, committed to the University of Cincinnati for next season, made a short return to the St. Xavier 3~yard line. Smith made his decisive field goal shortly thereafter.

"I wasn't celebrating right away," t-fcClellan said of his pick, which clune after St. Xquarterback Joe 01oole was pressured heavily.

"I wantld to make sure we scored first."

'After the field goal, senior defensive back Ben Schneider essentially sealed it for Moeller. Schneider intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the St. Xavier 44-yard line with 1:28 left. · -St. Xavier got the ball back one more time and started from its own 8-yard line with 33 seconds left, but it was too much to overcome. The Bombers made it out to their 26yard line before running out of downs.

St. Xavier coach Steve Specht found himself consoling his seniors after the game ended.

"I wish Moeller well," Specht said. "For us to come in here 4-5 and we can still get in at S-5, that

speaks volumes to what these kids accomplished." St. X had numerous injuries this season.

"Our seniors have made us awfully proud," Specht said. 'They've had a great four years."

Sycamore had a chance for the No. 8 playoff seed entering Saturday, but the Aviators' hopes were mathematically ended when Don Bosco (N J .) -which St. Xavier beat earlier this year- won its game Saturday afternoon.

That, in tum, meant the MoellerSt. Xavier winner would make the playoffs.

St. Xavier had not missed the playoffs since 2003.

Moeller (6-4, 2-1 GCL South) was led offensively by junior quarterback Andrew Hendrix. Hendrix was 21 of 31 passing for 154 yards and two TDs, and he was Moeller's top rusher with 12 carries for 54 yards.

Senior running back Nevin Heard led St. Xavier with 26 carries for 117 yards. OToole was 17 of25 passing for 169 yards with two interceptions.

St. Xavier (4-6, ~3) finished with its first losing season since 1996.

"St. Xavier is still a great team, I

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008

The Enquirer's projected football Heath on Friday night. playoff matchups (official pairings Division IV will be released by the OHSAA by • No. 1 Coldwater vs. No. 8 2 p.m. today): North College Hill Division I • No. 2 Clinton-Massie vs.

• No. 1 Colerain vs. No. 8 No.7 Badin Moeller • No. 3 Brookville vs. No. 6 • No. 2 North mont vs. No. 7 Kettering Alter Fairmont • No.4 Jonathan Alder to host • No. 3 Elder vs. No. 6 Center- No. 5 Oakwood ville NOTE: No. 9 Wyoming was edged • No.4 Huber Heights Wayne out for the final spot, hurt by the vs. No. 5 Woodward Franklin win over Oakwood.

Division II

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

St. Xavier's Luke Kuechly puts his helmet on the ball and forces a fumble by Tony Harris of Moeller.

don't care what their record is," McClellan said. "For us, beating them here at their place for a playoff spot is big."

Moeller took a 7-0 lead on an 8yard pass from Hendrix to tight end David Schneider with 6:58 left in the first quarter.

St. X rallied to go ahead 14-7 on two short TO runs by Pete Lees in the second quarter.

Moeller tied it 14-14 on a 5-yard pass from Hendrix to running back Sage Iacovone with 8:13 left in the game. McClellan then intercepted the ball with 4:17left, setting up the

final field goal.

Both teams were penalized 14 times, with St. X nailed for 153 yards in penalties and Moeller for 138 penalty yards.

"A game like this can come down to things like mistakes," Rodenberg said. "We just made one less mistake than they did."

........ -----...1

SLXMW

0 14

0 0

M- Schneider 8 pass from Hendrix (Smith kicl<) SX - Lees I run (Freudiger kicl<) SX - Lees 2 run (Freudiger kicl<) M - la<:ovone 5 pass from Hendrix (Smith kick) M-Smlth23FG Records: M 6-4 (2-1 GCL-S). SX 4-6 (0-3).

Division V

• No. 1 seed Winton Woods vs.

• No. 1 CHCA vs. No. 8 East No. 8 Dayton Dunbar Clinton • No. 2 Tecumseh vs. No. 7 • No. 2 Anna vs. No. 7 Marion Western Brown Local • No. 3 Anderson vs. No. 6 • No. 3 Waynesville vs. No. 6 Edgewood West Uberty Salem • No. 4 Turpin vs. No. 5 Kings • No. 4 West Jefferson vs.

Division Ill No. 5 Casstown Miami East • No. 1 Thornville Sheridan vs.

Division VI No. 8 Franklin • No. 1 Mechanicsburg vs.

• No. 2 Logan Elm vs. No. 7 No. 8 New Miami Columbus Bexley • No. 2 Sidney Lehman vs.

• No. 3 Chillicothe vs. No. 6 No. 7 Ansonia Valley View • No. 3 Portsmouth Sciotoville • No. 4 Columbus Eastmoor vs. No. 6 Springfield Catholic Cenvs. No. 5 Canal Winchester tral NOTE: No. 9 Indian Hill was edged • No. 4 Covington vs. No. 5 out for the final spot after Franklin Lockland beat Oakwood and Bexley beat

10 -17 0 -14

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HIGH SCHOOL .FOOTBALL 2008

Moeller-St. Xavier winner may determine final spot THE SNAP YOUR ONLINE PLAYBOOK MULTIMEDIA ~!l.9.nJifle. fC!LP.h.OJOS . and video highlights from Friday's Lakota East-Lakota West matchup, as well as photo galleries from other games, at Cincinnati .Com. Search: high

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Bruce Crippen for The Enquirer

Indian Hill receiver Adam Bell scores on a 70-yard pass play from quarterback Bo Cordell in the Braves' 27-24 victory over Wyoming that clinched the CHL title. For complete coverage, see page C11.

Seven of the eight D-I playoff berths appear to be clinched

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

The Moeller-st Xavier game tonight might yet determine the eighth and final Division I football regional playoff spot, with Sycamore remaining in the mix after Friday nighfs results were tallied.

Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck said Colerain, Clayton Northmont, Elder, Huber Heights Wayne, Woodward, Centetville and Kettering Fairmont appear to have clinched the top seven spots. The eighth spot may come down to the winner of tonighfs Moeller-St Xavier game at St Xavier (7 p.m.), including these scenarios: • Sycamore will have a maximum total of21.85 computer points, if Roger Bacon beats Purcell Marian today. H Purcell wins, Sycamore's total drops to 21.45 points.

• St Xavier must beat Moeller but still might not make the playoffs,

pending results of defeated opponents' (second-level) games today including Don Bosco (N J.) against Ridgewood and Lakewood St Edward against Cleveland St Ignatius.

• HSt Xavier wins and either Don Bosco or St Edward wins, the Bombers wind up with 22.01 points and move ahead of Sycamore for the eighth spot HSt Xavierwins and both others (Don Bosco, St Edward) also win, the Bombers wind up with 22.67 points and are more solidly in.

• H St Xavier wins but both Don Bosco and St Edward lose, the Bombers will have only 2135 points.

In that case, Sycamore (at least 2145 points) would edge St Xavier for the eighth spot • H Moeller beats St. Xavier, that gives the Crusaders 22.57 points and puts them ahead of Sycamore for the eighth spot Moeller in turn would not See PLAYOFFS, Page Cll

Scoreboard • Sycamore 34, Mason 10 • Elder 49, Western Hills 20 • Winton Woods 26, Glen Este 21 • Madeira 64, Taylor 14 • Edgewood 27, Mount Healthy 21 • Uttle Miami 53, Amelia 27 • CHCA 24, CCD 13 • Taft 22, Hughes 6 • Colerain 42, Oak Hills 0 • Indian Hill 27, Wyoming 24 • North College Hill 33, Lockland 7 • Turpin 42, Wilmington 21 • Reading 35, Flnneytown 12 • Summit Country Day 46, Cincinnati Christian 22 • Middletown 29, Princeton 28 • Talawanda 32, Norwood 19 • Kings 28, Walnut Hills 0 Coverage, C10-11

10ffs: 7 of 8 tths solid ~

•

From Page Cl

need St Edward to beat St Ignatius, but if that occurs, Moeller would have an even higher total of 23.19 points for the final spot .

• The loser of Moeller-St Xavier ,is definitely out } Sycamore beat Mason 34-10 Fric_day. The Aviators could have gotten cStJme help and might even have (clinched the final spot if they had gotten second-level points from Glen Este (a 26-21loser Friday to Wmton Woods), lakota East (a20.19loserto ~Lakota West) or Princeton (a ZS-28 'lOser to Middletown).

ThelasttimeMoellerandStXavier both missed the playoffs in the same season was 1995.

A glance at the other divisions: • Division II: Wmton Woods, Tecumseh,. Anderson, Turpin, Kings and Edgewood all look solid. West(em Brown, Dayton Dunbar and Ut. tie Miami were still in the mix pending more results late Friday. _·•i • Division III: Indian Hill won Friday but has not clinched a spot, pendI·ing other results. ;!.Jr • Divisiori IV: Clinton-Massie ,aiJ.d Badin appear to be in, with Wy~ ming and North College Hill in the chase pending other results. ~: • Division V: CHCAhas clinched a home playoff game.

• Division VI: Lockland has clinched a spot New Miami is on the bubble, pending other results.

Official pairings will be announced by 2 p.m. ·Sunday by the OHSAA (OHSAA.onr).

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Season comes down to the Wire

By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@~nquirer.com

Saturday night's St. Xavier-Moeller football game is the headliner ~or this weekend, and the winner might be playing its way into the Division I playoffs. ~ Greater Miami Conference commissioner Steve Shuck, who analyzes the state's computer points system for The Enquirer, said he believes Colerain, Clayton Northmont, Elder and Huber Heights Wayne are solidly in the eight-team regional tournament.

Go online at noon today for a live chat with Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck and get updated playoff projections this evening on the high school sports blog. Search: high school sports

Shuck also believes Woodward and Kettering Fairmont probably have the next two spots secured.

Centerville would take one remain-

ing berth with a victory tonight over Fairmont.

Harrison had been in the running for one of those positions but lost 56-34 to Anderson on Thursday night.

Because of the Wildcats' loss, Shuck said St. Xavier (4-5) could get in with a win over Moeller (54).

Of course, a Moeller win could put the Crusaders into the postseason.

And Sycamore (7-2) also has a chance.

The dust truly might not settle until later tonight or Saturday.

High school football, CS-9

Moeller-St. Xwinner could make playoffs - with help

By Tom Groesct~"' h-CIB 2

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

Reigning state champion St. Xavier still could reach the 2008 Ohio Division¡! football playoffs but may need some help, Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck said Monday.

Shuck said the winner of the Moeller-St. Xavier game (7 p.m. Saturday at St. Xavier) could earn the eighth and final playoff spot in Division !/Region 4, but there are no guarantees for either team.

"One game will not determine

~ything at this point," Shuck said.

By Saturday, we should know for sure going in because most of the other games will have been played Friday night."

Shuck projects that Colerain, .Clayton Northmont, Elder, Huber Heights Wayne, Woodward, Centerville, Kettering Fairmont and St. Xavier will be the eight Region 4 playoff teams, in that order.

One upset could alter the pointtotals for several teams, Shuck said.

Sycamore and Hamilton are amo~ other Division I teams who still have

~huck

a chance, said. .

St. Xavter (4-5) could still make the playoffs because of its strong schedule. Wms over national powers Prattville (Ala.) and Don Bosco Prep (N.j.) -the only defeat for either this season- have helped boost the Bombers' computer point total.

"If God wants us in the playoffs, he'll put us in the playoffs," St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said. "I'm an English teacher and I don't know all the numbers involved. If we win I'm told we have a shot, but we need help."

Moeller (5-4) retains hope of a

con~cutive postsea~on

seventh berth. The Crusaders are alive thanks largely to Tony Harris, whose 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown beat Lakewood St. Edward 33-29 on the game's final play last Saturday.

"At 64 we believe we would have a pretty good shot," Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said. "At 5-5, St. X would probably ace us out."

One thing is certain regarding the Moeller-St. Xavier game, Shuck said: 'The loser is gone."

Who will get in?

Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck projects the Division liRegion 4 playoff teams (in order): 1. Colerain 2. Clayton Northmont

3. Elder 4. Huber Heights Wayne s; Woodward 6. Centerville 7. Kettering Fairmont 8. St. Xavier

Footbal: Moeler 33,

Lakewood Sl Edward 29 ic- '"J~o~

Kickoff return TD lifts Moeller

By Ttm Ramstetter tramstetter@mquirer.com Moeller's Tony Ranis raced 91 yards down the right sideline for the game-winning touchdown as the final seconds ran off to givethe Crusaders a 33-29 win over Lakewood St. Edward Saturday at Nippert Stadium.

St. Edward kicker Mike DiNunzio had just booted a 44-yard field goal for a 29-'2:7lead, seemingly breaking the spirits of the Crusaders after Moeller had battled back for a one-point lead.

"We got the blocking and I did the rest," Ranis said. "We thought we had it won. We were down on the sideline, but we always believe that we're Moeller so we have hope no matter what happens .."

Moeller coach John Rodenberg had saved a timeout before the field goal because the whole stadium assumed the Eagles would squib-kick ''We saved one time out," Rodenberg said. "So that gave us one timeout to get maybe 35 yards for a field goal. Then you kick it to Tony, and he's going to be all-state. He's one of the best receivers in the state. I don't know why they did it, but they did it, and he turned it into a TD." Moeller kicker Corey Smith was good from 36 yards out with 5:11left to give the Crusaders a 27-26 lead, but the Eagles raced downfield to set upDiNunzio's kick.

"Just hang in there," Rodenberg said. "Hey, that's devastating. But that kid that kicked that field goal, you have to give him a lot of credit. You have to give St. Ed's a lot of credit We just came out on top today. just proud of our kids. The coaches didn't do anything. The kids did this, and the kids played hard.~ The Crusaders had rallied from a disastrous first half to beat the Eagles in a game that included nine turnovers- including six

by St. Edward- a blocked punt, a blocked extra point and of course, the kickoff return. Despite cruising 95 yards for a

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• -·-·" auu our package for that day," Rodenberg said. "They said yeah, and we just kept going."

The Crusaders regrouped in the second half under junior quarterback David Whitehead.

Whitehead had touchdown passes to David Schneider and Jeff Aubin in the third quarter, and theCrusaders took advantage of another St. Edward tumover for a field goal .

Rodenberg just laughed when asked if he'd ever been part of a game with so many twists and turns.

"I've been in some crazy games, but I'm just proud of the kids," Rodenberg said.

Moeller will play at St. Xavier Saturday at 7 p.m.

Edward-·-·-···--·

St. Moollot ·--·---·--

7 13 0 7 0 17

9 -29 9 -33

M-HendriX l run (Sm1th kick) Sf-Goodwin I run (lliNunzio kiCk) Sf-O<Iis 30 fumble return (DiNunzio kick) Sf-Anderson 95 intert€ption return (kicl< faiie<l) M-Schneidet 36 pass from Whitehead (Smith kick) M-Smith FG 43 M-Aullin 22 pass from Whitehead (Smith kick) SE·GOO<Iwin 3 run (ki<:k blocked) M·Smith FG 36 Sf-DiNunzio FG 44 M-Harris 91 kicl<off return· Records: M 5-4, SE 6-3.

HIGH ·scHOOL FOOTBALL 2008 i.;:, .. '-/-05

Power outages: No.ls Colerain ·and Turpin fall Enquirer staff reports

How can you tell it was a crazy night on the high

schoolfootball scene Friday?

Well, for starters, Colerain and Turpin, the No.1 teams in the Division I and Divisions fl-VI coaches' polls, lost Colerain, also No. 1 in the state, saw its 61-game Greater Miami Conference winning streak end with a wild 42-39loss at Middletown.

"I am so proud of our kids.

Our kids stepped up," said Middies coach Jason Krause. 'They made the plays when they had to make them. A lot of parts to the game, our kids could've folded, but they didn't" Colerain, ranked No. 8 nationally by USA Today, also had a 35-game regular-season winning streak end.

Turpin had won 22 consecutive . regular-season games but fell at home to Kings 41-10.

And that wasn't all: · • No. 2 Elder defeated No. 3 Moeller 28-14 at NiJ}pert Stadium to win its first Greater Catholic League South title since 2003, the season of the Panthers' last The Enquirer; Joseph Fuqua II state title. "... This is a big deal," El- Elder running back Adam Brown runs through a tackle for a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He later der coach Doug Ramsey had a 40-yard run for a touchdown in the Panthers' 28-14 win that captured the GCL-South title. Story, C11 said. ''For us to beat La Salle, St Xavier and Moeller in the same year, that's hard to do."

Scoreboard • No. 5 St. Xavier, the de• CHCA 35, Lockland 6 fending Division I state • Hughes 14, Western Hills 7 champion, lost at La Salle • New Miami 47, 10-7 to fall to 34.

Cincinnati Christian 27 • Princeton, ranked lOth, ambushed rival Hamilton, • Withrow 21 Shrader 15 which was ranked fifth, 16-0.

• Wyoming 29, Madeira 13 • No. 6 Harrison was • Lakota West 17, Oak Hills 3 beaten by Wmton Woods, • Sycamore 28, Lakota East 7 No. 2 in the small-school • Reading 12, Mariemont 7 poll,34-2l • Little Miami 34, Walnut Hills 19 •Woodward, No. 8inDi• Norwood 31, Mount Healthy 24 vision I, took a big step to• North College Hill 48, ward an unbeaten season Cincinnati Country Day 14 Tony Tribble for The Enquirer with a 16-0 victocy over Taft Nick Bauer, stiff-arming Turpin's Jake Wulfekotter, rushed for four touch• Anderson 52, Loveland 12 Coverage, C10·11

downs Friday to lead Kings past Turpin 41-10. Story, ClO

• Finneytown 14, Deer Park 0

Elder 28, Moeller 14

..'. i ' '

'

.<#

The Enquirer; Joseph Fuqua II

Elder's Steve Newman recovers the fumble by Moeller quarterback Andrew Hendrix in the second quarter Friday night at Nippert Stadium. Elder defeated Moeller 28-14.

Top foes tumb!e 9 but Panthers roll No upset here as Elder reclaims GCL-South title

By Tom Croeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

On a night of stunning upsets, Elder avoided one with a decisive 2814 win over Moeller.

The Panthers also are, for now, clearly the I\o. 1 football team in Cincinnati.

With tO!>"ranked Colerain being upset by Middletown and reigning state champion St Xavier shocked

by La Salle, Elder took care of busines:; and clinched its first Greater Catholic League South title since 2003.

Elder was state champion in 2002 and '03 but since has seen Colerain and St Xavier dominate the area.

Elder coach Doug Ramsey said the best part is that Elder got the GCL title back.

"It's been five years, so this is a big deal," Ramsey said. "For us to heal La Salle, St Xavier and Moeller in the same year, that's hard to do.

It's a great accomplishinent for our ' kids."

Elder is ranked No.2 and Moeller is No.3 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll.

About 10,000 fans watched at UC's Nippert Stadium, where Moeller plays home games.

Elder (6-1, 3-0 GCLSouth) broke away :Tom a 7-7 halftime tie.

Elder junior DB Erich Vogelsang, who had a key third-quarter interception, said he vo;as thrilled to help put the Panthers back atop the GCI..

The Enquirer; Joseph Fuqua II

Elder quarterback Mark Miller drops back to throw a pass in the second qu-arter Friday.

"I remember as a little kid watching them win the GCL and the state,"Vogelsang said. "It feels good to get (the GCL) back."

Moeller (4-3, 1-1 GCL South) made it a game, but two key Elder interceptions helped turn it the Panthers' way.

The first pick was by Vogelsang.

That one set up a 36-yard TO pass from junior QB Mark Miller to ju· nior tight end Alex Welch, putting Elder up 14-7 with 2:33 left in the third period.

Junior RB Adam Brown, who rushed 24 times for 119 yards and two TOs, helped put it seemingly out of reach shortly thereafter.

Brown's 40-yard TO run put Elder up 21-7 with 11:5lleft Moeller replied with a 15-yard TO run by junior QB Andrew Hendrix, which cut Elder's lead to 21-14 with

8:441eft Then, Elder senior defensive back Zach Autenrieb ended Moe!- · ler's comeback hopes with a 36-yard ' interception return for a TO. That made it 28-14 with 3:57left "fwo key turnovers, those were killer," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "You do that, you're gonna lose. Overall it was a great footbail game. Hats off to Elder ... we11 be back."

Elderrushedfor146yards. Miller was 11·for-18 passing for 136 yards and a TO, with an interception.

Moeller rushed for 124 yards, led

by Hendrix with nine carries for 59 yards. Hendrix was 16-for-33 passing for 116 yards, with no TOs and two interceptions.

Ramsey was curious how Elder -would respond after the euphoria of last week's 33-15 win over St Xavier.

"Our defense played exceptional. ly well," Ramsey' said. "Our offense maybe didn't play as well in spots, but we made plays when we had to against a tough defense."

Elder is looking at a 9-1 regularseason record, as the Panthers will be favored at home the next three weeks against COvington Catholic, Cleveland Benedictine and Western Hills.

Elder

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1 o- r .. e~ SHOWDOWN AT NIPPERT: E"xpect plenty ofwide-open offense when Moeller hosts Elder Friday night (7:30) at Nippert Stadium.

Elder and¡ Moeller are second and third in passing yards in the Greater Catholic League. The Panthers have thrown for 1,344 yards, Moeller for 1,191 yards. Badin is first with 1,604 passing yards.

"I expect Elder to rely on their potent passing attack," Moeller coach John Rodenberg said. "They "seem to use the pass to open the run up, so defending one over the other can get you in trouble."

Elder, ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll, is coming off a 33-15 win over visiting St. Xavier last week. The Panthers have won four consecutive games heading into Friday.

"I expect a very tough game from Moeller," Elder coach Doug Ramsey said. ''They are big, physical and very talented. They have a number of weapons on offense."

Junior QB Mark Miller (1,206 pas&ing yar<l5) and senior WRJosh Jones (27 receptions, 522 yards) are among Elder's offensive stars.

"Youmustexpectsome big plays . with their talented receivers as long as you keep them out of the end zone," Rodenberg said.

Moeller, which is tied for fourth in the poll, has won three of the past four meetings between the schools with a 49-33loss in 2007.

Junior QB Andrew Hendrix (1,025 yards) and senior WR Tony . Harris (39 receptions for 511 yards) are among Moeller'S' standouts.

However, the backfield has been hampered by injuries, Rodenberg said. Senior RB Patrick Blanks. who rushed for 167 yards and four touchdowns in three games, is out for the season with a back injury.

Junior RB Richie Dyer (knee), who has rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns, is expected to return for the Oct 18 game against Lakewood St Edward at Nippert Stadium.

Football

.Enquirer file/Tony Tribble

In 2005, Covl1gton Catholic's Drew Ellison (left} and Highlands' Galen Kidwell made their marks on a rivalry that to date has produced 23 state champions over 40 years.

Rivalries: Two of the best From PageCl

. Both series have the ingredients that make rivalries great familiariy, competitiveness, importance, tradition, interest and histOry. Elder-X (or X-Elder, depending on which fans one is talking to) started in 1923 and is one of the area's oldest prep football rivahies. goes back so many years," Specht said. 'The natural part of the rivalry stems from the fact that we had a lot of kids that came from the West Side. That's one of the biggest issues. And then if you look back at some of the great games, e,--pecially lately.

They've just been signature games. Both teams have an incredibly strong following. EJ.. der's speaks for itself and we've developed a great following also."

Specht, who graduated from Otir Lady of Visitation and St. X. knows all about the series history. He attended many games as a youth, rooting for the Panthers. "l was an Elder guy. I was wearing purple from the day I was born until I was in eighth grade," he said. "My brother Oohn) graduated from Elder in 1980; my dad was a huge booster of Elder. "... Some of my best friends today graduated from Elder High School And that's something that adds to the rivalry.

The kids play so physical and so hard. But after the game you're going to see kids hugging each other and telling each other what a great game it was. The amount o( respect is tremendous."

There is plenty to respect · about both programs. Both have a rabid fan base. Both have envied facilities: Both have produced 9:lme of the greatest teams and players in Cincinnati history. The two teams have combined to win more than 1,000 games, 38 GCL titles (19 each) and four Division I state titles.

All the state titles have come in the past six seasons, further intensifying the rivalry.

'That alone, that shows you how good these teams can be," Elder coach Do~ Eamsey said. "You know that in this series, if you're good enough to wiri thls game, you're good enough to win it all."

That sentiment is echoed in the CovCath-Highlands (or Highland~::ovCath) series.

The rivalry has produced 23 state titles, more than any yearly series in the area In many seasons, th~ eventual state champion had to beat its biggest rival twice - once in the regular season and once in the playoffs.

'That's what it's all aboutwinning the state championship. That's what makes it such a great rivalry," Mueller said. "'t's always the same. I never think of anyone having an up year or do'Wll year. I aJ.. ways think llf it as Highlands-

"'t

Best of the ltest

Some of the best

Alook at some of the top games in the area's top two rivalries:

Alook at some of the most noteworthy yea~y meetings in the area: .._, v- a- SeriM . . ,

Elder vs. St Xavier

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19·26

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the~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~:r.;:.~l ::~- =r=t~~flit!llllll son, one of the best in school his- =:;:oo ... 1935 30 2(}.10 13 tory. In its eight previous games, Elder hadn't allowed a single point .

But tight end Rob Sc~oenhoft's touchdown pass to quarterback Greg Jones at The Pit broke the scoreless string.

2001; It was one of the Oct.12, biggest regular season games

lltt;:;f~:l{t~ ceo~ SumrM

1974

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1968 53 19 _34 23 ~..,.,;._"%~~*.All_" ~~~i>k'twdi~~

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in Cincinnati prep histOI)'. Elder ~~i.><.i•tli;:t"Dk:t~£~ was ranked 17th in the country by ~- ...... '-'·~,.+;or,_g~,fl!

USA Today; Xwas 19th. TraffiC St 1962 48 13-34-1 2 around X's campl5 was at a :C~"' ,,:,.::~~~1~~1\;0~ standstill for hours. The first fans MoeiPri...!!_n~ 1963 42 36-7 10 showed up at 2:17p.m., more ·~ than five hours before kickoff. And St: <;. ~-~-~~f-~.GI St. Xsenior running back EriYe Wil- Puotell Manan ~ NA ,.,..

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down run.

Sept. 27, 200.2: Elder got some redemption from the p~vi­ ous season's heartbreaking loss, beating the Bombers 21-17 on a 24-yard pass from Rob Rorian to Nick Daut with 1:05 remaining. The Panthers then held on as St X drove to the Elder 25-yard line in the waning seconm, Ute game finally ending on an inco11plete pass toward the end zone. Elder went on to win its first of two straight Division Istate titles.

According to the fans

Covington Catftolic

Holy Qoss vs. Holmes: (33) 3.37%

vs. Highlands Nov. 5, 1982: Of all the CovCath-Highlands games. ilis one might have had the biggest pregame build-up. And it more than lived up .to the hype. Highlands running back John Banktmper dove over the go~-line on fourth down to give the Bluebirds a 13-7 overtime playoff victory. Three weeks later Highlands capped a 15-0 season with a state title. The game marked the two tEams' first playoff confrontation and first overtime game.

Nov. 21, 1997: Trail~ 22 points in the regional final, CovCath ca,me back to stun Highlands 41-35 in double overtime on a swamp of a field at Da\1d Cecil Memorial Stadium. Highlands was ranked No. 1 in the state and 23rd i1 the nation by USA Today. CovCath, which would ~ 011 to win the state title, was ranked No. 3 in the state. The game was lateE dubbed "The Mud Bowl."

Oct. 27, 2006: The 50th meetir1g between the two scllools produced one of the most memorable moments. Kurt Bovard caught a 3yard touchdown pass from Josh Bleser as time expired, and CovCath, ranked No. 2 in the Enquirer coaches' poll, upset top·ranked Highlands 29-27. CovCath went on to win a state title.

- RyanEntst

Mole than 5,000 people YOied in a recent Enquirer online poll about the area's top prep football rivalries. Here are the results: What is Northern Kentucky's best prep footbaU iMky? C<M:atll vs. Hif#llands: (483) 49.39%

~ Beechwood vs. eo-.<:a!h: (82) 8.38% ~'~ ~

~81[a -~

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Total Votes: 978

~t is Cincinnali's best prep footbaH rivaky?

Elder-St

xavier.r) 41.72%.

• •11'1~

.Moeller-PMceton: (389) 9.54%

Elder.{)ak Hils; (123) 3.02%

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Hanison-East Central (Ind.}: (74) 1.82% .

Total Votes: 4,077

wins the state championship.

And it11 probably be the same way this year. It's just big."

Uke Elder-X, Northern Kentucky's biggest rivalry is a generational tradition. 'The two schools started playing in 1968 and in the 40 years since have produced some of the most memorable games in area history. Highlands enters tonight's game as the toP:ranked Class 5A team in the state. But considering the history of the series, it's tough to count either team out 'That makes it a great rivalry. It's two great communiti~ with great traditions," CovCath coach Dave Brossart said.

"Our kids grow up looking forCovCath. I've never thought of ward to playing that game evit any differently. Because it's ery year. We could be 0.9, but Highlands-CovCath. One of if we beat Highlands, that's otir these two teams almost always season."

High school roundup

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8

Hendrix helps Moeller rip Findlay 45-32 Lowery lifts Hughes over Aiken in OT Enquirer staff reports

Moeller junior quarterback An¡ drew Hendrix threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 270 yards on 17-for-34 passing as Moeller defeated Findlay 45-32 Saturday.

The Crusaders (3-1), ranked fourth in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, racked up 603 yards of offense.

Moeller junior running back Jeff Aubin had 15 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Tony Harris had 111 yards on four catches for Moeller.

The Crusaders next play at MPntor at 2 o.m. next Saturday.

Wyoming coach Plitt gets 200th victory Wyoming's Julie Plitt picked up her 200th and 201st .career victories as head girls' volleyball coach Saturday afternoon as her team beat Thurgood Marshall 25-6, 25-5 and Little Miami 25-23, 23-25, 25-21.

Moeller rallies for win over Centerville Enquirerstajfreports

£:f',, 1- 08,

Junior quarterback Andrew 1fendrix scored on a 7-yard run with eight minutes left to lift the Crusaders to a 34-30 win over Centerville Saturday night at Nippert Stadium, The Elks had led 30-28 early in the fourth quarter, ; · Hendrix was 20-for-31 for 298 yards · and three touchdowns against one interception for Moeller, No, 5 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll. · Sophomore Richie Dyer ran 16 times for 88 yards and a touchdown

Higb school roundup and caught three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Senior receiver Tony Harris caught 10 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Harris also ran three times for 41 yards.

Moeller amassed a season-high 405 yards on offense, including 298 passing and 107 rushing. Centerville rushed for 223 yards and had 75 through the air.

Taft 30, Linden McKinley 0:

Senior linebacker Josh Cobb blocked two punts, including one

he returned 42 yards for a touchdown, for host Taft.

Cobb also had an interception for the Senators (1-2). Taft hosts Withrow at 7:30p.m. Friday.

Summit Country Day 39, Portsmouth Notre Dame 32: Senior Shamar Hester had 155 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries and classmate C.]. Collins had 145 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for Summit (3-0).

Junior Bradley Evans led the defense with seven tackles.

large-school divisions at the Princeton Invitational.

Middletown's Philip Sliger won the boys' race in 17 minutes, 30 seconds. Princeton freshman Claudia Saunders won the girls' in 20:29.

The Reading boys' team won the small-school division. Reading's Trent Estes won in 18:55.

The Indian Hill girls' team won the small-school division title. The Braves' Elizabeth Heinbach won the event in 20:25.

• La Salle won the 10-team Springboro Invitational. SophoCross country mores Travis Hawes and Ethan EoColerain won the boys' and girls' keno placed 1-2, respectively.

High schools I Area teams 2-6 in Herbstreit event

Jim Osb<lf"l for The Enquirer

Bell Academy quarterback Spencer Wise leaves Moeller's Corey Smith in his wake as he scrambles for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game at Paul Brown Stad1um Sunday.

Crusaders victim of ball possession Tennessee power controls tempo in convincing win 8y Carey Hoffman Enquirer contributor

Week Two of the John Rodenberg era at Moeller was a reversal of last week's opening success Moeller dictated pace of play in beating Princeton, but was on the receiving end of the same treatment Sunday.

The Crusaders fell to Tennessee powerhouse Montgomery Bell Academy, 21-6, in the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series at Paul Brown Stadium.

Moeller played fast with its nohuddle attack last week, but wore down in Sunday's heat against an efficient Bell attack that kept Moeller's defense from getting off the field.

Bell ran 73 plays compared to just 50 for Moeller, and had an edge in time of possession of 32:30 to 15:30.

'They controlled the tempo," said Rodenberg, who is Moeller's new coach after coming over from Covington Catholic. 'They made it a slower game, they ran the 25-second clock down, and

Jim Osborn tor T~e Enquirer

Moeller's Richie Dyer rolls around left end during the second quarter against Bell Academy.

then they converted a Jot of third down plays. That really hurt us."

Moeller trailed just 7-6 at the half, but was hurt by three tumovers on its first five possessions of the second half.

But the crusher psychologically came late in the third quarter.

Facing 2nd-and-ll from its own 43, Bell pulled off a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder play.

Quarterback Spencer Wise hit William Tanner in the left flat, and he Jateraled to Patrick Crum, who See MOELLER, Page C6

How local schools fared in Herbstreit SATUI!'DAY Cedar Hill, Texas 38, La Sa~e 14 Colerain 14, McKeespo~t. Pa. 7, OT St. Xavier 15, Prattville, Ala. 10 St '!hom as Aquinas, P.a. 35, Elder 24 Warren Cent., ind. 39, Middletown 35 Youngs. Mooney 57, CClvCatb 0

SUNDAY MBA, Tenn. 21, Moeller6 St. Rita, Ill. 28, lakota West 21

td_inois team edges lakota West 28-21 ·: . Dave Marciano scored the Mtne-winning touchdown on a 5yard run with 1:04left to lead St. Rita (Ill.) past Lakota West 28-21 mthe fourth annual Kirk Herb~treit Varsity Football Series at Nippert Stadium. : ~'We've played two good teams in a row," West coach Larry Cox said. 'Their size wore u·s down, they're probably one of the bigiest teams we'll play all year. Our kids didn't quit- they just outmus~led us. We came down from 14-0 jn-the third quarter and battled back." ''West tied the score at 21 with S:14 remaining on a 71-yard run by S,~~phen Houston and a two-point conversion run by Rick Finley. ·~ ~ ''We talked as a staff and 'said J.vith a three-and-out we'll have the p~l back with plenty of time, but it didn't work out," Cox said. : ~:Lakota West mshed for 219 ~ards and and passed for 48 yards.

C6 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

Jim Osborn for The Enquirer

The Moeller defense brings down a Bell Academy runner during their game at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday.

Moeller: Victim of ball control From Page Cl

beat two defenders down the sideline for a TD and a 14-6 Bell lead.

Moeller quickly went three-andout on offense, and Bell struck aiain. This time, Wise scrambled eight yards for a score, capping a ?(}.yard drive that put Bell fully in control.

"Tit at play has worked for touchdowns three of the four times we've ever run it," said Bell· coach Daniel McGugin. "You can't run plays like that unless you have great players, and we have some great players." · 'That was huge," said Rodenberg. 'We had been moving the ball and we felt good, but that one big TD put us in a position where we had to get in hurry-up mode."

Moeller continued to juggle personnel. looking for the right fit for the new scheme. Junior quarterbacks Andrew Hendrix and David Whitehead split time, with Hendrix getting the start but failing to lead the team to a first down in the first quarter. Whitehead, who completed 1<Hlf-15 passes for 90 yards, led Moeller on a scoring drive in the second quarter, but was intercepted twice in the second half.

"Our struggle is that we're young (on offense) and we've got a new staff," Rodenberg said. "We need to get into a situation where we can settle on one quarterback."

Sophomore tailback Richie Dyer gave the offense a boost, rushing for 32 yards in the first half, includillg a 15-yard scamper to the 1-yard line that set up a TD run by Patrick ~tanks.

• Blanks was held to 40 yards nBhing on 15 carries. ~ 'Their defense was a lot more ~hysical than the one we saw last week," said Blanks, who ran for 100 yards in Moeller's opener. "1be t'!lnning holes out there were becoming pretty small."

Wise had a strong game for Bcll's offense, completing 15-of-25 passes for 244 yards, effectively ~nning the option game and rushing for 22 yards himself. : Bell outgained Moeller in total yards, 44(}.197. ' Moeller plays Centerville next week, after facing the defending tennessee Division II-AA state champion on Sunday. Going 1-1 after a difficult pair of opening games is a reasonable start for Moeller under the circumstances.

'1t may be good for us," said Blanks. ''We've experienced a win and now a loss. We're going to get to know Coach Rodenberg. I'm sur·~ he's going to have us practice bard, and come back out ready to olay this week." 0 7 7 7 -21 ... _ _ _ _ _ ----_

0

6

0

B- Sh•lhng!a- I run (Aetchellutk)

M- Blanks 1 ;,.1, (loCk wide)

S • Crum 54 pass from W1se (Aetcller kiCk) 8 - W1se 8 run (Fletcher kLck) R....OS: B 2.(). M 1-1.

0

~

Moeller faces out-of-state test

By Mark Chalifoux

8-l7- 0 8

mchalifoux@communitypress.com

The Moeller Crusaders will be tested again this week as Moeller takes on visiting Montgomery Bell (Tenn.) in the premier national high school football showcase, the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Series.

Moeller will play Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Moeller head coach John Rodenberg said there's always an unknown involved when playing a team from out of the state, but that Montgomery Bell's head coach has been fantastic during the lead up to the game.

"He's called me and we've traded films from last year and we are working on trading film from this year.

"We help each other out and they have been nothing but a class program since we made contact with them," he said.

Montgomery Bell will bring a strong team to Cincinnati despite losing a number of starters from their state championship team last year.

Rodenberg said Montgomery Bell is the type of program that can reload quickly and is a team that will look to run the football.

The Big Red returns the starting quarterback from last year's nationally-ranked team and will test a Moeller defense that is still trying to gel.

Rodenberg said it will be crucial for his offense to score some points in early season games to give the defense time to get used to each other.

"Our offense will have to score some points so our defense can grow up and get some experience," he said. 路 "If we can get the ball to our playmakers we will be OK." And Moeller certainly has some key playmakers, especially on offense.

The Crusaders return a number of key players on that side of the ball and will look specifically to running

MARK CHAUFOUX/STAFF

Receiver Jeremy Duncan could develop into another big-time playmaker for the Crusaders as his size <lid speed can create problems for adefense.

back Patrick Blanks and to big-play receiver Tony Harris.

Moeller has strong tight ends and could have another playmaking wide receiver路in Jeremy Duncan.

"His speed and his height are unbelievable," Rodenberg said.

"He continues to learn and get better every day and soon he's just going to unleash and give people a lot of problems."

Rcd~nberg said he doesn't expect

the travel to make a considerable difference as Montgomery BeD travels a lot in state because Tenn-essee has separate championships for private and public schools.

Still, Rodenberg kno路.,路s Moeller is not a srraCJ.ger to a big stage like tnis.

"I know they have played in huge games before against big-time teams and I think our team will get up bigtime for this game," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for us."

FOOTBALL WRAP-UP Moeller beats Princeton

Princeton JUnior quarterback Spencer Ware put up big numbers Saturday night against Moeller, but it was not enough as the Vikings lost to the Crusaders 2 7-1 7.

Ware rushed 24 times for 123 yards and a touchdown and completed 14-of-38 passes for 2 75 yards and a touchdown.

Princeton senior wide receiver Jeff Duckworth, a Wisconsin recruit, had seven catches for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Fellow senior wide receiver Jordan Hopgood had seven catches for 106 yards and also completed a 25-yard pass.

Moeller senior running back Patrick Blanks rushed 30 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Crusaders.

Junior quarterbacks Andrew Hendrix (8-for-10, 74 yards) and David Whitehead (4-for-7, 62 yards) shared snaps for Moeller.

Senior wide receiver Tony Harris had four catches for 73 yards and also ran for 15 yards and a TO.

Editor: Josh Pichler, jpichler@enquirer.com. 513-768-8381

+

SUNDAY 1 AUGUST 24 1 2008

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .

Moeller ~gets past Princeton

1'1'

Moeller, ranked sixth in the Enquirer coaches' Division I preseason poll, staked its claim to. a higher ranking with a 27-17 victory over No.4 Princeton on Saturday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Nippert Stadium.

It was Moeller's 15th straight win over the Vikings. Senior Patrick Blanks rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns for the Crusaders.

Earlier Saturday; Anderson opened defense of its Division II state title Saturday looking every bit a champion, rolling past Taft 56-6.

"We just went out today and executed," quarterback Daniel Rod said of the Redskins, the topranked team in the Divisions II-VI poll.

High school coverage, C6-7

~~Sl!D Couldn't make it to the games? Log on to Cincinnati. Com to view student videos from the Colerain-St. Xavier, EdgewoodWith row and Lakota East-Centerville games.

Also check out staff video and photos from Colerain's victory and Saturday's other Crosstown Showdown action at Nippert Stadium. Search: high school sports â&#x20AC;˘ Let us know who you think will win this week's games, and compare your picks to those of our experts. Search: fan picks

Moeller's K.C. McCluskey runs the ball vs. Princeton.

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Moeller 27, Princeton l1

8 . . 2'-l-08

Crusaders beats ~vikings for 15th consefutive time

By Tom Groeschen

/i ~~

'

.

tgroeschen@enquirer.com ~Wt·,. - . .

John Rodenberg said Moeller is a dream job for him, despite the obvious pressure to win big.

The Crusaders' new football coach certainly figured to sleep · well Saturday night, after debuting ·with a 27-17 win over Princeton at UC's Nippert Stadium. Rodenberg hopes to restore some glory to · Moeller, which won the last of its seven Ohio big-school state championships-in 1985.

"I'll admit it, it feels like a lot of pressure is off my shoulders with this one," Rodenberg said, as he watched his happy players file out of the stadium afterward.

"I've gotten a lot of support from ~ the administration and everyone 1 at Moeller," Rodenberg said.

'These kids have been working hard. I know you're expected to win at Moeller, and this is a great start."

Princeton (0.1) is ranked No.4 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll and Moeller (1-0) is No. 6, but it was the Crusaders' 15th straight win over Princeton dating to 1992.

The crowd was estimated at 6,000 in the fourth and final Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown game of the day. . Senior running back Patrick ;. Blanks rushed 30 times for 100 ... yards and three touchdowns for :the Crusaders. .. Junior quarterbacks Andrew ·Hendrix (8-for-10, 74 yards) and ·David Whitehead (4-for-7, 62 ·~ yards) shared snaps for Moeller. , Senior wide receiver Tony Har~' ris had four catches for 73 yards

andalsoranfor15yardsandaTD. Moeller grabbed an early 7-0 lead but then fell behind 10-7 by halftime. Rodenberg didn't waver, keeping his no-huddle offense going with the main intent to pound the ball.

For Princeton, junior quarter-. back Spencer Ware put up big numbers but the Vikings could not sustain enough drives. Ware rushed 24 times for 123 yards and a TD. He also completed 14-of-38 passes for 275 yards and a TD. Princeton senior wide receiver Jeff Duckworth, a Wisconsin recruit, had seven catches for 178 yards and a TD. Fellow senior wideoutJordan Hopgood had seven catches for 106 yards and also completed a 25-yard pass.

"We got plenty of yards, but we just didn't put it in the end zone enough," Princeton coach Bill Leach said. 'Then in the second half, their big line started to wear on us. We started to get tired and stand up, and they were knocking us down."

Princeton, which dueled Moeller for area and state supremacy for most of the 1970s into the .

1990s, also is seeking a return to the top. The Vikings won the last of their three state titles in 1987.

Saturday marked the programs' first meeting since 2004.

The Crusaders now hold a 37-7 series lead .

Princeton-------··-···---···-

7 7

3 0

0 7 -17 7 13 -27

M- Blanks 10 run (McAlpine kick) P- Ware 8 run (Wilson kick) P- Wilson 27 FG M- Blanks 2 run (McAlpine kick) M -Harris 8 run (McAlpine kick) M- Blanks 4 run (kick failed) P- Duckworth 75 pass from Ware (Wilson kickj Records: P 0-1, M 1-0.

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Moeller running back Patrick Blanks is dragged down by Josh West (2) of Princeton. Blanks rushed for three touchdowns.

B4

Tri-County Press

August 20, 2008

2008 Football Preview

Moeller football readies for new era

By Mark Chalifoux mchalifoux@communitypress.com

The 2008 Moeller CruSddt:l5 are one of the most intriguing teams in the city for a number of reasons.

The most obvious is because it's the debut season for new head coach John Rodenberg.

Rodenberg is replacing Bob Crable and has a good idea of what the Crusaders will look like this season.

"A very, very high-tempo team. Very balanced offensively and very fast and physical defensively." he said.

"We'll be fun to watch bewuse uur goal Is to get 75 snaps a game offensively, which is 20-30 more than the average high school game."

One major question facing the Crusaders is the quarterback position.

Gone is standout Ross Oltorik and jumors Andrew

Hendrix and David Whitehead will be battling for the starting position.

Fortunately, Moeller returns a trio of offensive linemen and some key skill position players to help ease in a new starter.

Josh Sivie, Cameron Scheidler, and Bobby Bruggeman will anchor the offensive line.

Moeller also returns starting tailback Patrick Blanks and playmaking wide receiver Tony Harris.

Crusaders basketball player Jeremy Duncan has joined the football team, giving Moeller another big target in the passing game.

"When you're trying to transition to a new quarterback, having those guys back will take a lot of pressure off him," Rodenberg said.

"They will cover some of his mistakes early to let him grow up a little bit, they will help him a ton."

Moeller wide receiver Jeremy Duncan holds on to apass.

Defensively, the Crusaders look to be strong up front.

University of Cincinnatibound defensive end Sean McClellan is one of the anchors for the Moeller defense, along with junior linebacker Nick Galvin.

Linebacker Marcus Rush should also be a key defensive contnbutor and Rodenberg is TONY TRIBBLE/CONTRIBUTOR excited about a trio of under Moeller running back Patrick Blanks looks for running room. the radar defensive players.

"Ben Schneider. Billy Wersel and Robbie Williford Moeller Game days are three guys who don't get enough credit and I think they Aug. 23 Princeton. 8:15p.m.

Oct. 10 lnd. Cathedral will have huge years," he said.

Aug. 31 Muntyomery Bell, Noon UCt. 18 Lakewood St. Edward. 2 Sept. 6 Centerville. 7 p.m. p.rn.

"I think those guys will be Sept. 13 Findlay, 7 p.m.

Oct. 24 @ St. Xavier bigger impacts than anyone Sept. 20 @Mentor, 2 p.m.

Home games @ Nippert Stadium can imagine. " Sept. 26 @La Solie All yames @ 7:30p.m. unless noted The Crusade1s fa~;e another Oct 3 Elueâ&#x20AC;˘ tough schedule, highlighted by a showdown with Princeton in week one in the Crosstown Showdown and a trip to Tennessee the following week to play Montgomery Bell.

"It's a brutal schedule. but I was told when l took the job that people don't call Moeller unless they are going to be pretty good," Rodenberg said.

"It will make us a better TONY TRIBBLE/CONTRIBUTOR TONY TRIBBLE/CONTRIBUTOR team."

New Moeller head coach John Rodenberg.

Moeller players pay dose attention to head coach John Rodenberg.

..

Herbstreit schedule tweaked, finalized TV discussed for prep football fest i-f/1?./o B

By Tom Groeschen

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

The tweaking is complete. The 2008 Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge football schedule is set for Labor Day weekend, according to project manager Nathan Noel of the Chicago-based Intersport sports marketing firm.

The Cincinnati schedule originally was announced several weeks ago but underwent some changes since.

Television remains a possibility, with ESPN possiblY broadcasting the Moeller game and ESPNU the Huber Heights Wayne game on Aug. 31. Negotiations continue.

"The games should be set now," Noel said. "I don't think we have any more scheduling issues. We're looking forward to another great event" · The original schedule had Wayne playing Warren Central on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Elder playing East St Louis on Sunday, Aug. 31. Some scheduling issues were .raised regarding the following week's sched: ules for some teamA: · . erJ>i

str~~~=~e~V:Ulf;~t vi!;~~

Prattville. The Bombers are the reigning Ohio DivisiQn. I champiorr. and Prattville the two-time defending Alabama 6A champion. Prattville fin· ished No. 2 and St Xwas No. 5 in the final USA Today national rankings for fall 2007.

The field again features multiple former state champions from severiil states, including four-time Florida champion St Thomas Aquinas and four-time Indiana champion Warren Central.

Also, La Salle will play Aug. 30 at Texas Stadium in Dallas, as part of the new Herbstreit Texas vs. USA event also managed by Intersport. The Lancers will play Cedar Hill, a Dallas' area program that won the state's 5A Division II state championship in 2006. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Trotwood-Madison, from the Dayton area, also will play in the Texas event against Arlington Bowie (rex~ as).

The Texas event will feature four games on Saturday and three on Monday at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Last year's Herbstreit games included St Xavier beating DeMatha (Md.) 28-7 on ESPN. .

The schedule SAT.AUG.30 At PAUL BROWN STADIUM 11 a.m. - Middletown vs. St. Thomas

Aquinas, Ra. 2 p.m. - Elder vs. Warren Central, Ind.

5 p.m.- Colerain vs. McKeesport, Pa. 8 p.m. -· St. Xavier vs. Prattville, Ala.

SUN.AUG.31 AT PAUL BROWN STADIUM Noon - Moeller vs. Montgomery Bell, Tenn.

3 p.m. - Huber Heights Wayne vs.

East St. Louis, Ill. 6 p.m. - Lakota West vs. St. Rita, Ill.

SAT.AUG.30 At CANTON FAWCm STADIUM , 11 a.m. - Warren Howland (Ohio) vs. Woodland Hills, Pa. 2 p.m. - Canton McKinley vs.

Indianapolis Cathedral 5 p.m. -Youngstown Cardinal Mooney -vs. Covington Catholic, Ky. 8 p.m. - Massillon vs. Jordan, Utah

•

Two GCL linemen join Bearcats' football fold I

there," Austen Bujnoch said. "I guess it helped, but the main reason is I've seen UC grow to become one Elder offensive tackle Austen Buj- of the best programs out there." noch and Moeller defensive lineman The Bujnochs' father, Glenn, was ¡ Sean McClellan have given oral a Bengals offensive lineman from commitments to the University of 197~2. Glenn Bujnoch played colCincinnati football program. lege ball at Texas A&M. Bujnoch (6 feet 5, 265 pounds) McClellan, a former linebacker, and McClellan (64, 245) both will be switched to defensive end and beseniors for the fall2008 high school came a starter as a Moeller junior. season. Both started for their teams He also had offers from Ohio Univerlast season. ¡ sity, Kent State and Akron.

Bujnoch had 12 college offers inMcClellan, like Bujnoch, said he eluding Indiana, North Carolina was impressed with UC coach Brian State, Northwestern and Louisville. Kelly and his staff.

Bujnoch's older brother, Digger, "Cincinnati was just the perfect played offensive line at Elder and setup for me," McClellan said.

UC. Digger Bujnoch completed his UC's 2009 recruiting class inUC career in the fall of 2007 and has eludes oral commitments from four joined the Super Bowl-champion locals - Bujnoch, McClellan, North New York Giants as a free agent College Hill defensive back/wide re"Everybody is asking me if I ceiver Everett Horne and Elder wide picked UC because my brother went receiver Josh Jones.

By Tom Groeschen

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

DAYTON DAILY NEWS

I SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008 I 83

rtonDailyNews.com/hshuddle

Centerville falls to Moeller 34-30

By Mark Gokavi Staff Writer CINCINNATI- Football games rarely are decided by one play, especially a backand-forth contest with five lead changes.

But a few stick out in Centerville's 34-30 loss to Cincinnati Moeller on Saturday night, Sept. 6, at Nippert Stadium.

The biggest one was probably the carry Adam Replogle didn't get with the Elks facing fourth-and-1 at their 33 ' and down by four points with 6:30 left.

"I outguessed myself on a fourth-down play there," Centerville coach Ron Ullery said.

"I anticipated a big play for us there. If we give it to him, he would have got the first down with what they did on defense."

First, some background.

Replogle is a 6-foot-3, 275pound defensive lineman headed to Indiana. He saw his most action as a running back, gaining 62 yards with three touchdowns on 13 carries. He never failed to gain at least one yard.

Twice, he hulled over Moeller's line for first downs on fourth-and-1.

"It was a little more than I'm used to, but I can handle it," Replogle said. "The point of any running back is to go forward and get yardage.

That's what I was trying to do tonight."

Instead of going to Replogle, Elks quarterback Logan Hanes tried an option play and it was snuffed when Moeller's end surprisingly came up field and stopped Nick Miller after a pitch.

Centerville (2-1) converted two turnovers into a 17-6 lead. That evaporated when the Crusaders scored twice in the half's final2:27 for a 2117lead.

Moeller (2-1) got 91 yards rushing and a touchdown from Richie Dyer and 138 yards receiving (on 10 catches) and one score from Tony Harris.

Dyer added 68 yards receiving and a score on a screen pass.

Centerville had two more late-game drives that ended without points. Plus, even another Replogle first down didn't guarantee anything.

"It's disappointing for our players on a stage like this, a signature game for them," , Ullery said. "They responded the way I hoped they would in the second half."

C4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBi PLAYOFF SPOTLIGHT: COLERAIN VS. MOELLER

Enquirer file photos

Moeller quarterback Andrew Hendrfx (left) has thrown for 1,609 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while Colerain quarterback Greg Tabar has rushed for 805 yards.

CRUSADERS FAMILIAR Wrrtl MUST-WIN GAMES Team hopes recent success helps spur upset of Cardinals

By Tom Ramstetter

Online Go to Cincinnati. Com to watch preview videos for our Playoff Game of the Week: Colerain vs. Moeller. Check in from the teams' practices this week. Search: high school sports

tramstetter@enquirer.com

Moeller has ridden a wave of momentum into Saturday's 7 p.m. Division I firstround playoff matchup at Colerain, coming off two straight come-from-behind wins in do-or-die situations to make the postseason.

The eighth-seeded Crusaders needed a last-second kickoff return for a touchdown to beat Lakewood St Edward in Week 9 and a fourth-quarter field goal to beat St Xavier last weekend to qualify and earn a meeting with No.1 Colerain.

Moeller was 4-4 entering the game against St Edward and the postseason was no guarantee.

But coach John Rodenberg has his team playing its best football "No doubt," Rodenberg said. "Our defense since the (Week 5) Mentor game has been lights out, and offensively as we get guys healthy we've been able to find ways to score points."

The Cardinals, meanwhile, fought back from a Week 7 42-39loss to Middletown, their first Greater Miami Conference loss since 1999, to earn the top seed.

Since that loss, Colerain has pummeled foes by scores of 52-14, 35-13 and 42-0.

So how can the Crusaders go on the road and win a playoff game?

"I think the big thing of it is we need to be able to run the ball up the middle," Rodenberg said. "Certainly if you get outside, their speed is going to be able to

track you down. And we have to be able to pass the ball effectively.

"I like our passing game. With Gunior quarterback Andrew) Hendrix running as much as he's been running lately, I think that puts some pressure on their linebackers. They're going to have to stay in and cover him on the run, and if they do that, it certainly opens up a couple lanes passing. We've got options. They're going to have to make the decision to cover Hendrix or to let him go ahead and run."

If the linebackers stay in, Hendrix can get the ball to seniorreceiverTony Harris (70 catches) and junior receiver Trent Williford. Hendrix has completed 145 of 264 passes for 1,609 yards and 11 touchdowns and has carried 64 times for 166 yards and four TDs. 'Their quarterback just makes plays," Colerain coach Tom Bolden said of Hendrix. 'They're big and physical up front and the wide receivers. (fony Harris) is a threat every time he touches the ball.

They're as good as anybody out there."

Bolden would know, because the two teams met in the preseason.

"We actually scrimmaged this year so we've faced them already in the scrimmage format," Bolden said. 'They present problems offensively and defensively.

They are real good on the defensive line.

They get to the football and are real hardnosed players. They were a good team then and they're even better now. We def

initely have our hands full."

The Crusaders also will have their hands full with a team Bolden says has been playing with a chip on its shoulder since the loss at Middletown.

"I think we've gotten better," Bolden said. "We have progressed since Day 1.

We kind of had that hiccup against Middletown, but since that Middletown game we have steadily improved offensively and defensively. I think our best football is yet to come. That one game kind of sticks in our craw a little bit" ¡ Rodenberg is familiar with what his team is up against 'They have a lot of speed and certainly they use an offense you don't see a lot of, although we did scrimmage them, which will help," Rodenberg said. ''I like their defensive secondary, I think their linebackers are good hitters and certainly their offense is clicking on the right gears with their dive and their quarterback Gunior Greg) Tabar. He's a good quarterback. When they're able to pitch the ball, they seem to be able to pick up good yardage, and you can't ignore the pass."

After rallying in each of the last two weeks to get here, the Crusaders are a1- ¡ ready a couple games into the must-win part of the year. ''It makes you prepared and certainly gets you battle-tested," Rodenberg said.

"We came from behind against both of those teams. The pressure has been on and our kids have certainly responded and I think the question is, can you do it again. Doing itfor a third time would be a great victory for our team. I think we can do it, and I believe we can do it But we're going to have to go out there and prove it"

I

High school insider

t c- z... . oJ

No Moeller if revised playoff plan were in use oeller competed in the more boys in the upper three Ohio Division I football grades. Division 1-M would playoffs Saturday night, comprise enrollments of 524 but the Crusaders would through about 679, based on curnot have qualified under the pro- rent enrollment figures.

As mentioned in previous reposed new OHSAAformat Moellerwas a No.8 regional ports here, the larger schools naturally are against the change seed in the 2008 tournament, with eight teams making and the smaller schools natthe playoffs per region urally are for it from each of Ohio's six Discussion continues bedivisions. hind the scenes. The next OHSAA Board of Directors But per a recent OHSAA subcommittee meeting is in December, proposal to divide Diviand nothing of substance is sion I in half, Moeller Tom expected soon. would have sat home this Groeschen "We do not anticipate imweekend. plementation of a change ocThe controversial procurring in the next few posal would result in only four years," Board president Mike Richards said recently. playoff qualifiers per region in From here, we'd say make it Division 1-A (higher enrollments) and Division 1-M (lower eight playoff teams per division.

You would eliminate a bye week, enrollments).

Were that bylaw in place now, add more revenue and everyone here would have been your local is happy. Right? playoff qualifiers in 2008: MORE FOOTBALL: Just areDivision I¡A minder that next Saturday's 1 Colerain (897 boys in upper. (Nov. 8) Division I regional three grades; semifinals will be played in a 2. Clayton Northmont (779); doubleheader format at UC's 3. Elder (760); Nippert Stadium.

4. Huber Heights Wayne Tunes and pairings will be an(868); nounced today, pendingfiaturDivision 1-AA day night's first-round res,ults.

1. Woodward (544); BASKEIBALL: Moeller coach 2. Harrison (536); Carl Kremer said 6-9 junior for3. Loveland (538); ward Griffin McKenzie, one of 4. Springboro (564). the area's top Division I college The split would be based on prospects, is out probably into January with a stress fracture in enrollment in the upper three grades, with the OHSAA seeking his back. to alleviate enrollment discrepan- â&#x20AC;˘ cies between the largest and smallest Division I schools. The bil1'Q"est football schools are

M

t1 1 .. z~o~

High school football I Defense helps Colerain survive scare

.Cards trump Moeller Dixon runs back disputed fumble for game-winner

By Tom Groescben tgroeschen@enquirer.com

There was a strong difference of opinion on whether the decisive touchdown should have counted.

Bottom line, Colerain beat Moeller 17-10 in a first-round Division I football playoff game Saturday night at Colerain.

Colerain senior linebacker Tyon Dixon returned a fum. ble 88 yards for a touchdown for the decisive points, with 7:23left in the game.

The TD came after Moeller had completed a screen pass toJeffAubin, who had tied the score at 10-10 moments before on a 3-yard run.

"I saw Oinebacker) Damon Sims hit him and the ball squirted out," Dixon said. "I just picked it up and ran.

We're taught to go until we hear the whistle."

Moeller coach John Rodenberg said his sideline saw the play differently, believing Aubin was down before the ball came out There is no video review in high school, thus the touchdown stood.

"He was down," Rodenberg said. "He was down clear as day."

Rodenberg spoke matterof-factly and without rage.

See COLERAIN, Page C4

Greg Loring for The E"nquirer

Letting it fly Elder quarterback Mark Miller heaves a pass in the third-seeded Panthers' Division I Region 4 first-round game against No. 6 Ce1,1terville Saturday night. Miller was 13-for-20 in the first half for three touchdowns and Elder won 52-27. Coverage, C4

~olefain: Defense helps Cards survive From Page Cl "It was a great high school football game," he said. "It comes doi"fi to mistakes, and give credit to ~em. They beat us."

Moeller lost the ball on another turnover soon after, as an Andrew Hendrix pass was picked off by Colerain defensive back Cole Pasquale with 4:17left.

That was all Colerain needed to ice the game.

Colerain extended its home winning streak to 49 games at ''The Cage," dating to 1999..

The game was a fierce defensive struggle.

Colerain took a 3-0 lead to halftime after the teams combined for just three first downs in the first half (two by Colerain).

''The way their defense was playing, I was glad Tyon took that ball to the house on the fumble," Colerain coach Tom Bolden said.

"I didn't know if we could get it in the end zone again." · Bolden said Moeller showed some different looks, including four down linemen instead of three, to contain Colerain's potent running game.

"We didn't prepare for that, and that's on me," Bolden said. ''That's as good a.defense as we've seen." .

Moeller won the total yardage category 207-146.

Colerain rushed 45 times for 129 yards, well shy of its average of 333 yards rushing per game.

Quarterback Greg Tabar carried ~18 times for 53 yards as his team's

top rusher.

Tabar completed 1-of-2 passes for 17 yards, typical for a Colerain triple-option offense that rarely throws.

Colerain's defense held Moeller to 85 yards rushing on 31 carries. Hendrix passed for 122 yards (13-of-28, one interception) for Moeller.

Colerain was seeded No. 1 and Moeller was No. 8 in the regional playoffs.

Colerain is scheduled to play Huber Heights Wayne in theregional semifinals next Saturday at UC's Nippert Stadium, with kickoff time to be announced today.

"Survive and advance," Bolden said. ''That's what you want to do right now."

Jordan Ross kicked a 22-yard

field goal to give Colerain a 3-0 lead with 4:01left in the first quarter. .

The score was set up by a blocked punt by Colerain junior · defensive back Jovanta Harrison, who fell on the ball at the Moeller 8-yard line.

Tabar hulled into the end zone from 2yards out on fourh-and-2 to put Colerain up 1M, with eight minutes left in the third period.

Moeller tied it 1().10 on a 22yard field goal by Corey Smith in the third quarter, then a 3-yard run by Aubin with 10:31 to play. , Moeller,_.,.._.,_..__..

Colel'lin.-----

0 3

0 0

C-Ross 22 FG C. Tabar 2 run (Ross kick) M- Smith 22 FG M· Aubin 3 run (Smith kick) c- D~on 88 fumble retum (Ross kick) Records: M 6-5, C 10-1

•l ·

3 7

7 -10 7 -17

T~e

Associated Press/Jchn FroscllctJer

Shaun Alexander waves to the crowd as he walks off the field after Washington's 20-17 win over the Seattle Sea hawks last Sunday. The former NFL MVP with the Seahawks was released later in the week.

r,_3 o~-··

HERE'S THE SKINNY

ki 0ur top prep p1gs n Icons T e

"'c>

he release of Shaun Mex.ander by the Washington Redskins last week probal>ly brought to an erd one of the best NFLcaree:-s ever by a former local high school athlete.

With that in mind, I wondered where Alexander would rank on a top-10 list of former local high school players based on how they perfom1ed in the NFL since the 1970 AFI.rNFL merger.

(Keep in mind this Est is not based on how good they Richard were as high school players, but Skirmer rather on their NFL performance only.)

Here's the top 1()10. Mark Pike Local High Schoot Dixie Heights NFL Teams (Veal'$ Played}: Buf· falo Bills (1987-98) The Skinny: Even thnugh he started only a few NFL games, Pike just sneaks into the top 10 on the strength of h s longevity and the fact he played in four Super Bowls. Pike, who played collegiately at Georgia Tech. b1cked up the great Bruce Srdth at defensive end but stay~ in th~ .NFL so long becau~ he was a valuable special teans player for a franchise that valued speaal teams play. He played in 172 games in his career. and hi~ 20 playoff games rank 491h in NFL history.

9. Mike Senslbaugh Local High School: Lockland NFL Teams (Years Played): Kansas City Chiefs (1971-75), St Louis Cardinals (1976-78) The Skinny: Sensibangh, who starred as a safety at Chio Stat~. is one of only 250 defe!1sive players in NFL history to record at least 27 interceptions, and h.s 12 career fumble recoveries ramk hin1 among the top 200 defensive players in league history. His eight interceptions in 1972 ranked second in the NFL tbat season. He led the Cardinal\> in interceptions in 1976 with four.

8. Greg Stemrlck Local High School: Lncoln Heights NFL Teams (Years Played.:

Houston Oilers (1975-82). :~ew Orleans Saints (1983) The Skinny: Stemrick, who played collegiately at Colorado State, was a starting cornerback for the Oilers for all bul one game from 1978-82. The O:lers made it to the playoffs in l978, 79 and '80 and reached the AFC Championship Game in 1978 and 79. Stemrick recorded 15 interceptions in his career and ">'llS seltcted to the Pro Bowl in l980.

7. Doug Pelfrey Local Hlgh School: Scott NFL Teams (Years Plw}e:l): Cincinnati Bengals (1993-99) The Skinny: Sure, he's a kicker, but Pelfrey had a solid sevenyear career that probably would have gone on longer if no: [or a reputation for not kicking off long enough. He nailed multiple game-winning field goals m his career at a tin1e when the Bengals won games at the last second only because of his kicks.

His 77.3 percent field-goal accuracy ranks 41st in NFL history.

6. Dave Foley Local High School: Roger Bacon NFL Teams (Teams Plarr:d): New York jets (1969-71), Buffalo Bills (1972-77) The Skinny: Foley started 68 games at left tackle for the Bills from 1972-76 as part of the "Electric Company" offensive !be that paved the way for OJ. Simpson's best seasons as a rusher. Simpson rushed for more than 1000 yards in each of those sea:-.ons (the only five seasons he eclipsed that total), including becoming the first running back to surpass 2,000 yards, in 1973. He tallied 7,WJ yards in that span and averaged 5.1 yards per carry F!l1ey, an 0 hio State product, was selected to the 1973 Pro BoY.1 5. Jack Reynolds Local High School: W£>stml Hills NFL Teams (Years Pla)'Sd): Los Angeles Rams (197().80). San Francisco 49ers (1981-84} The Skinny: Reynolds, known as "Hacksaw," was never a major star (he made two Pro Bov.is), but he played in 198 games and started 162 at middle linebacker for teams that won. He !ia.1:ed 22 playoff games in his career (fifth

most in league histmy), was the starting middle linebacker for the Rams in the 1979 Super Bowl and started at inside linebacker for the 49ers' Super Bowkhampion teams in 1981 and 1984.

4. Dana Stubblefield Local High School: Taylor NFL Tems (Years Played): San Francisco 49ers (1993-97, 20012002); Washington Redskins (1998-20CXl), Oakland Raiders (2003) The Skinny: Stubblefield wasn't all that highly regarded coming out ofTavlor but went on to a standout ·career at Kansas, which led to him being a fin:t-round draft pick of the 49e~ in 1993. He was selected NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season thanks to ~ecording 10.5 sacks as a defensi"<! tackle. Four seasons later he piled up 15.5 sacks and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was selected to three Pro Bowls in his career and was All-Pro in 1997.

3. Shau1 Alexander Local High School: Boone County NFL Tea"ns (Years Pt:ayed): Seattle Seamwks (2()()().2007), Washington Redskins (2008) The Skl~:ny: After serving as a backup in 2000, he finally became a starter- and a star- in 2001. That season he rushed for 1,318 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. It V<IS the first of five straight 1,()()().yard ru!bing seasons capped by his MVP season of 2005 in which he rushed for 1,880 yards and scored 28 touchdowns - 27 rushing- a league record at the time. For his career, his 9,453 yards rushing rank 26th in league rJstory. and his 100 rushing touchdowns rank sixth.

2. Crls Carter Local Hl;:h School: Middletown NFL Teal'liS (Years Played): Philadelphia Eagles (1987-89), Min· nesota Vlkngs (1990-2001), Miami Dolphins (2002) The Sklltll)': Carter's career appeared headed to a quick end just four seasons into it when he was released from the Eagles in the 1990 preseason and then caught just 27 passes and made only five starts that season after being picked up by the VIkings.

The turnaround began the next

I

season when he hauled in 72 receptions for 962 yards; he would finish his career with 1,101 catches (second most all time) for 13,889 yards (sixth all time) anrl 130 touchdowns (third aR time).

1. Roger Staubach Local High School: Pur.:ell NFL Teams (Years P aycd): Dallas Cowboys (1969-79) The Skinny: Staubacb already was 27 years old by the tlme he played in the NFL thank!. to a stint in the Navy, and he didn't become a starter until1971, b'lt that didn't keep him from car.ring out a Hall of Fame career. He still led the league in pas·:;er rat· ing four tin1es, was selec1ed to six Pro Bowls and most inlportantly had an 85-29 reconl as a starter. He guided the Cowboys to the playoffs in seven of his eight seasons as a starter, including four Super Bowl appearar.ces and two Super Bowl ti.'le~..

HONORABLE MENTION: DB Harlon Barnett, Princeton (Clt veIand Browns, 1990-92: New England Patriots, 1993-94: Minneoora Vtkings 1995-96); DB/LB Tocd BeU, Middletown (Chicago Bears, 1981-87; Philadelphia Eagles, 1988-89); DLVaughn Bo~cr, J'aft (Kansas City Chiefs 1994-97; Green Bay Packers 1998-99; Cincinnati Bengals 2000-2002); l.B Bob Crable, Moeller (New York Je~. 1982-87); FB Marc EcXialts.

Norwood (San Francisco 49ers.

1997-98; Cleveland Browns 19992000; New England Patriots 20G102; Jacksonville Jaguars, ~()()3.04; Chicago Bears. 2005); DB Carlton Gray, Forest Park (Seattle Seahawks, 1993-96; Indianapolis Colts, 1997; New York Giants, 1998; Kansas City Chiefs,19W2000); TE Don Hasselbeclt, La Salle (New England Patriots, 1977-83; Los Angeles Raiders, 1983; Minnesota VIkings, 1984; New York Giants. 1985); TE lony Hunter. Moeller (Buffalo Bills 1983-S4; Los Angeles Rams, 198586); 1E Eric Kattus, Co!erain (Cincinnati Bengals, 1986-91; New York Jets 1992); lB Anmtn Peek, Woodward (Houston Texans, 2002.{)6; Cleveland Browns.

2007-present).

E-mail raskinner@juse.net

Moeller junior steps in after injuries ;;/2.o!~a

By Mark ithalit6ux

mchalifoux@communitypress.com

· Moeller's Jeff Aubin started the football season as No. 3 on the depth chart at running back behind senior captain Patrick Blanks and sophomore Richie Dyer.

The junior, who lives in Deer Park, finished the year as the leading scor- ;e: ;,•. , ·............: . er for the ;•._,;--,.:' · . ·

c

r u\

•· .: '

Aubin

saders. ~ ~~ .. ; ·;if; .· •• 1 t • s · :' ~ , ,,file unbeliev- ··Year. ..lmlOr a b I e," s a i d Moeller li e a;:'i:l. c·o a c;.~.·

5"10 '180 ·

JO',hri

Roi:tenberg.

"When Pat went down with an injury, and then Richie went down, jeff became the man.

"He had such a positive attitude and came through with some big plays. It was a joy to coach him."

Aubin was always slated to receive time at the running back position this year, but wasn't expected to see the field much.

After a season-ending injury to Blanks and a nagging injury to Dyer, Aubin stepped in and produced for the Crusaders.

The turning point for Aubin was a 77-yard touchdown run against Findlay.

Aubin came into the Findlay game in late September with 6 yards on seven carries and produced 153 yards on 15 carii.es with two touchdowns in the game.

FILE PHOTO

Moeller's Jeff Aulil carries the ball agaM\st st. J<ao.ier. Aubin led the team in rushing this season as ajunior.

Aubin said this season gives him a lot of confidence heading into the off-season and Rodenberg expects even more out of the junior for next year.

"He's got to be able to go into the off-season thinking he's. a lot further ahead than he dreamed he would be, and that should give him confi-

r( ~

"That was the best game of r

my career," he said.

"The line jusr blocked really well and I found the holes and

it was just a great game. lt \\e\~e<l 'E,\'Je me some c.cmudence and proved our running game could still be effective."

Aubin said rhe entire team was supportive of him and no one helped him more than Blanks.

"Pat and Richie both helped me and pointed out some of my faults and what I did well, " Aubin said.

"1 didn't get any pressure because we had a good offense

and I ran behind one of the

best offensive lines in the

entire state. "

Aubin- continued to make plays for the Crusaders and finished the season with eight tou~hdo~ns, leading all players m pomt scored.

dence in the weight room and propel him to work on his speed," he said.

"He should go into 2009 very confident that he could be a very productive player for us."

In a way, Rodenberg said, Aubin characterized the attitude of the entire Moeller team this season.

"We went into the last few games with multiple key guys · down and the way Aubin stepped up this year characterizes what everyone at Moeller is like," he said.

"They work hard and expect to win and when one. guy goes down, there are other guys ready to step in and . compete.''-

â&#x20AC;˘

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Wersel answers questions from the media at arecent practice before playoffs started.

Moeller senior fights through pain to spark Crusaders

By Mark Chalifoux mchalifoux@oommunitypress.oom

The Moeller defense has bigger players and faster players, but one of the most important players on the defense was senior linebacker Billv Wersel. â&#x20AC;˘ "Oh man, he is kind of like the soul of the defense,., Moeller head coach John Rodenberg said.

"He's one of our key seniors and brings a lot of enthusiasm and leadership to the team. He keeps guys calm and can get them excited. He's one r~f thP nn<::11ncr hPrt'IP<:: r~n

thP

said. 11- 19 ..... o8 While Rodenberg appreciates Wersel's skiU on the field he said it's Wersel's leadershir that truly makes him special.

"He's the one guy you car look to. and feed off of, he brings a great presence to the whole team," Rodenberg said.

)l.J.-,b;~X~e-.

~~.-s-,~s-

Werse} fights through pain to spark Crusaders

By Mark Chalifoux . mchalifoux@communitypress.com

The Moeller defense has bigger players and faster players, but one of the most important players on the defense is senior linebacker Billy Wersel.

"Oh man, he is kind of like the soul of the defense," said Moeller head coach John Rodenberg.

"He's one of our key seniors and brtngs a lot of enthusiasm and leadership. to the . team. He keeps guys calm and can get them excited. He's one of the unsung heroes on the team." .

The senior linebacker from Maineville has put together an impressive senior season after miss: ing last year due to a leg injury. , He's played much of this season ' with a partially tom lateral collateral i ligament in his knee and a stress fracture in his fibula.

"It's pretty painful, but I didn't want to miss my senior year, this has always been my dream and I've wait1 ed a long time for it,'' Wersel said.

He said he always knew he'd be going to Moeller as his dad, Bill, played on two national championship · football teams at Moeller and graduated in 1978.

"The kids know he's hurting and it's hard for them to feel sorry for themselves when they see what Billy is fighting through for his team: mates," Rodenberg said. · "He's very selfless, he's the kind • of kid you want on your football team."

His injury hasn't prevented him from making key plays for the Crusader defense, including coming up with a big turnover in the game · against St. Ed's, a 33-29 win on Oct.18.

The Moeller defense hasn't been

"The kids know he's·hurting ~Bfld it'$ hard for them to feel· ~QnrfOrtflemseltes when

tlteyttKI:Wbat Billy i

~li.rmN ·.. thtiJ'~ f!f'!:Jtni'fl{J ., . vyrr.fiJrhfs .

.

teammateS."

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.'· .. JOhn~

Mooleft\@8(1 f90tball ooaCfi

the same since a 34-26 loss to Men~ tor on Sept. 20.

The defense called a team meeting after the loss to get things going back in the light direction.

"We· had some doubters, but everything totally changed after Mentor," Wersel said.

As one of the leaders of the defense, he said it's his job to help people keep a positive attitude and to pick guys up when they're down.

Wersel said football is his true love, but the linebacker also excels in lacrosse as well.

He will be playing collegiate lacrosse next year at Bellarmine University in Louisville.

"Like my position in football, lacrosse is fast and physical and I couldn't imagine not playing a sport in college," he said.

While Rodenberg appreciates Wersel's skill on the field, he said it's Wersel's leadership that truly makes him special.

"He's the one guy you can look to and feed off of, he brings a great MARK CHAUFOUXISTAFF presence to the whole team," RodenWersel has been one of leadefs for the Moeller defense and is one of the team's "unsung hefoes" a:cordiog lD berg said. head coach John Rodenbefg. .

~olerain: j

Defense helps Cardinals -survive Moeller scare

From Page Cl

11.:'

ilarrison, who fell on the ball at H._ Moeller 8-yard line.

That was it for,first-half scoring ·in a defensive stalemate.

Moeller had only 20 total yards in the first half, with minus-3 rush-·

ing.

Colerain had only 32 total yards (all rushing) in the first half.

Moeller had only one first down in the first half and Colerain had only two first downs in that span.

QB Greg Tabar hulled into the

endzonefrom2yardsout (on4th- the game.

Moeller--...................... 0 0 3 : 7 and-2) to put Colerain up 10-0, Colonia-----··-···· 3 0 7 7 with eight minutes left in the third C-Ross 22 FG c- Tabar 2 run (Ross kick) period.

M- Smith 22 FG M-- Aubin 3 run (Smith kick) · Moeller tied it 10-10 on a 22- CDixon 88 fumble retum (Ross kick) yard field goal by Corey Smith in Records: M 6-5. c !Q-1 the third quarter, then a 3-yard Q_ f ~/oz./()8 run by Jeff Aubin with 10:31left in

F-;V

-10 -17

Higb school football! Moeller 17, St. Xavier 14

Crusaders punch their playoff ticket

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

St. .Xavier's Nevin Heard runs the ball against Moeller Saturday night. Moeller will play No. 1 Colerain next.

Late field goal knocks out defending champs

By T1m Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com

The Moeller football team is headed to the playoffs as the eighth and final seed in Division I, Region 4.

St. Xavier, the reigning Division I state champion, is done for 2008.

'The Crusaders beat Greater Catholic League South rival St. Xavier 1714 at St. Xavier on Saturday night, on a 23-yard field goal by junior Corey Smith with 1:52 left in the game.

Senior defensive back Ben Schneider essentially sealed it for Moeller when he intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the St. Xavier 44-yard line with 1:28left.

St. Xavier got the ball back one more time and started from its own

~yard line with 33 seconds left, but it was too much to overcome for the Bombers. They made it out to their own 26-yard line before running out of downs.

Moeller will visit No. 1 regional seed Colerain next Saturday (7 p.m.) to open the playoffs.

A sellout crowd of about 7,000 watched the Moeller-St Xavier game on a chilly night at St. Xavier's Ballaban Field.

Entering the game, both teams knew that the winner would take the final playoff spot Sycamore had a chance for the No.8 playoff seed entering Saturday, but the Aviators' hopes were

See MOELLER, Page 85

High schools/84-5 • A projected look at the football

playoff pailings that officially will be released today.

• Mount Notre Dame reaches state final four in field hockey.

• Mason boys, Colerain girts claim regional cross country titles.

• Defending Division I state champion Mercy ousts Lebanon for district volleyball championship.

• St. Xavier, Milford win Division I soccer distncts to set up a meeting Tuesday.

• Seven Hills, Mariemont boys' soccer teams win Division Ill districts and wiil square off Tuesday.

THE ENQUIRER

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008 E

HIGH SCHOOLS

Football pairings

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

The St Xavier Bombers take the field for Saturday night's match up at St. Xavier's Ballaban Field.

Moeller: Crusaders clinch

playoff berth with victory clinched its seventh consecutive playoff berth.

St. Xavier (4-6, 0.3 GCLSouth) mathematically ended when Don Bosco (N.].)- which St. Xa- finished with its first losing seavier beat earlier this year - won son since 1996. its game Saturday afternoon.

That, in tum, meant the Moel- Moeller .............- - - 1 0 0 10 -17 Xavier ·-........- - 0 14 0 0 -14 ler-St. Xavier winner would make St. M- Schneider 8 p~~ from Hendrix (Smith kici<) SX -lees I run (Freudlger kick) the playoffs. .

SX -lees 2 run (Freudlger kick) Tony Tribble for The Enquirer St. Xavier had last missed the M - lacovone 5 pass from Hendrix (Smith kick) M ·Smith 23 FG playoffs since 2003.

Moeller fans cheer on their team during Saturday night's game against Records: M 6·4 (2-1 GCL-S), SX 4-6 (0-3 GCL-S).

Moeller (6-4, 2-1 GCL South) St. Xavier.

From Page Bl

The Enquirer's projected rootball playoff matchups (official pairings will be released by the OHSAA by 2 p.m. today): Division I • No. 1 Colerain vs. No. 8 Moeller • No. 2 North mont vs. No. 7 , Fairmont • No. 3 Elder vs. No. 6 Centerville • No. 4 Huber Heights Wayne vs. No. 5 Woodward Division II • No. 1 seed Winton Woods vs.

No. 8 Dayton Dunbar • No. 2 Tecumseh vs. No. 7 Western Brown • No. 3 Anderson vs. No. 6 Edgewood • No. 4 Turpin vs. No. 5 Kings Division Ill • No. 1 Thornville Sheridan vs.

No. 8 Franklin • No. 2 Logan Elm vs. No. 7 Columbus Bexley • No. 3 Chillicothe vs. No. 6 Valley View • No. 4 Columbus Eastmoor vs. No. 5 Canal Winchester NOTE: No. 9 Indian Hill was edged out for the final spot after Franklin beat Oakwood and Bexley beat

Heath on Friday night.

Division IV • No. 1 Coldwater vs. No. 8 North College Hill • No. 2 Clinton-Massie vs.

No.7 Badin • No. 3 Brookville vs. No. 6 Kettering Alter • No. 4 Jonathan Alder to host No. 5 Oakwood NOTE: No. 9 Wyoming ~as edged out for the final spot, hurt by the Franklin win over Oakwood.

Division V • No. 1 CHCA vs. No. 8 East Clinton • No. 2 Anna vs. No. 7 Marion Local • No. 3 Waynesville vs. No. 6 West Liberty Salem • No. 4 West Jefferson vs.

No. 5 Casstown Miami East ,.,, Division VI • No. 1 Mechanicsburg vs.

No. 8 New Miami • No. 2 Sidney Lehman vs.

No. 7 Ansonia • No. 3 Portsmouth Sciotoville vs. No. 6 Springfield Catholic Central • No. 4 Covington vs. No. 5 Lockland

Moeller-St. Xwinner could make playoffs - with hel]

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

a.fr~lGr~ls~

~ything at this point," Shuck said.

By Saturday, we should know for

Reigning state champion St. Xavier still could reach the 2008 Ohio Division I football playoffs buf may need some help, Harbin computer analyst Steve Shuck said Monday.

Shuck said the winner of the Moeller-St. Xavier game (7 p.m. Saturday at St. Xavier) could earn the eighth and final playoff spot in Division 1/Region 4, but there are no guarantees for either team.

"One £arne will not determine

sure going in because most of the other games will have been played Friday night."

Shuck projects that Colerain, Clayton Northmont, Elder, Huber Heights Wayne, Woodward, Centerville, Kettering Fairmont and St. Xavier will be the eight Region 4playoff teams, in that order.

One upset could alter the point totals for several teams, Shuck said.

Sycamore and Hamilton are among other Division I teams who still have

~huck

a chance, said. .

St. XaVIer (4-5) could still make the playoffs because of its strong schedule. Wms over national powers Prattville (Ala.) and Don Bosco Prep (NJ.) -the only defeat for either this season- have helped boost the Bombers' computer point total.

"If God wants us in the playoffs, he'll put us in the playoffs," St. Xavier coach Steve Specht said. "I'm an English teacher and I don't know all the numbers involved. If we win I'm told we have a shot, but we need help."

Moeller (5-4) retains hope of a

postsea~on

seventh consecutive berth. The Crusaders are alive thanks largely to Tony Harris, whose 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown beat Lakewood St. Edward 33-29 on the game's final play last Saturday. · "At &4 we believe we would have a pretty good shot," Moeller athletic director Barry Borman said. "At 5-5, St. Xwould probably ace us out."

One thing is certain regarding the Moeller-St. Xavier game, Shuck said: 'The loser is gone."

Who will get in?

Harbin computer analyst Stev1 Shuck projects the Division 1/Re· gion 4 playoff teams (in order): 1. Colerain 2. Clayton Northmont 3. Elder

4. Huber Heights Wayne 5. Woodward 6. Centerville

7. Kettering Fairmont 8. St. Xavier

rootbal: Moeler 33, lakewood Sl Edward 29

Kickoff return

TD lifts Moeller Iff:~~lfm~t~er

ramstetter@enquirer.com

Moeller's Tony Harris raced yards down the right sideline 'or the game-winning touchdown ts the final seconds ran off to girethe Crusaders a 33-29 win over Lakewood St. Edward Saturday tt Nippert Stadium.

St. Edward kicR:er Mike .Di~unzio had just booted a 44-yard ield goal for a 29-27lead, seemngly breaking the spirits of the :::rusaders after Moeller had batJed back for a one-point leaq.

"We got the blocking and I did :he rest," Harris said. "We :hought we had it won. We were :lown on the sideline, but we always believe that we're Moeller so we have hope no matter what ilappens.. " Moeller coach John Rodenberg had saved a timeout before the field goal because the whole stadium assumed the Eagles would squib-kick.

"We saved one time out," Rodenberg said. "So that gave us one timeout to get maybe 35 vards for a field gohl. Then you kick it to Tony, and 'he's going to be all-state. He's one of the best receivers in the state. I don't know why they did it, but they did it, and he turned it into a TD." Moeller kicker Corey Smith was good from 36 yards out with 5:11 left to give the Crusaders a 27-26 lead, but the Eagles raced downfield to set upDiNunzio's kick.

"Just hang in there," Rodenberg said. "Hey, that's devastating. But that kid that kicked that field goal, you have to give him a lot of credit. You have to give St. Ed's a lot of credit. We just came out on top today. I'm just proud of our kids. The coaches didn't do mything. The kids did this, and the kids played hard."

The Crusaders had rallied from a disastrous first half to beat the Eagles in a game that included nine turnovers- including six

by St. Edward- a blocked punt, a blocked extra point and of :ourse, the kickoff return. Despite cruising 95 yards for a touchdown on its first drive, outgaining the Eagles 226-113 and recovering three of four first-half fumbles by the Eagles, Moeller trailed 20-7 at the half.

The Eagles blocked a punt :hat led to a touchdown, scored )n a fumble recovery and added m interception return for a 95vard touchdown.

"I just asked them if they beieved in what we were doing as far as the system and our packtge for that day," Rodenberg said. "They said yeah, and we just <ept going."

The Crusaders regrouped in :he second half under junior ~uarterback David Whitehead.

Whitehead had touchdown )asses to David Schneider and feff Aubin in the third quarter, md theCrusaders took advan:age of another St Edward turn>Ver for a field goal.

Rodenberg just laughed when tsked if he'd ever been part of a ~arne with so many twists and :urns.

"I've been in some crazy ~ames, but I'm just proud of the tids," Rodenberg said.

Moeller will play at St. Xavier ;aturday at 7 p.m. )1

it. Edwenl ••••••••____

lloeller-·-·-

7 13 0 7 0 17

9 -29 9 -33

!-Hendrix 1 run (Smitll kick) ~E-Goodwin 1 run (DiNunzio kick) iE-Odis 30 fumble return (DINuruio kick) iE·Anderson 95 intelteption retum (kick failed) !-Schneider 36 pass from Whitehead (Smith kick) !-Smith FG 43 !-Aubin 22 pass from Whitehead (Smith kick) iE -Goodwin 3 run (kick blocked) !-Smith FG36 iE·DiNunzio FG 44 ~-Harris 91 kickoff retum !ecords: M 5-4. SE 6-3.

WEEK 7SPOTLIGHT:· ELDER VS. MOELLER

WEEKEND PREVIEW GAMES AT AGLANCE

By Mike Dyer I mdyer@enquirer.com

Elder (5-~ 2-0 CCL-South) vs. Moeller (4-2, 1-0)

Tony Tnbble for The Enquirer

Elder's Panthers trounced defe,lding Division I state champion St. Xavier last week.

Moeller's attitude primed for Elder IO-J~Of>

Crusaders show confidence and respect for rival

Colerain (6-0, 3-0 CMC) at Middletown (4-2, 3-0) WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Bamitz Stadium WHATTO WATCH: Colerain scored 2B unanswered points to defeat visiting Mason 48-27 last week. Sophomore RB Tyler Williams led the Cardinals with 238 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Junior lB Tyon Dixon has 3.5 sacks. Middletown, which beat host Oak Hills 40-14 last week, has won four consecutive games. Junior QB Caleb Watkins has thrown for a Greater Miami Conference-leading 1,547 yards. Senior WR Allen Roberts is second in the GMC with 568 receiving yards.

BOnOM LINE: It's Colerain until proven otherwise.

Lakota East (2-4, 1·2 CMC) at Sycamore (4-2, 1·2) WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Sycamore Junior High School, 575 7 Cooper Road WHAT TO WATCH: Sycamore snapped a two-game losing streak with a 48-17 win over host Fairfield last week. Senior RB Bud Golden ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns in that game and has 1,039 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns for the season. Senior WR Steve Hull has 20 receptions for 497 yards and eight touchdowns. Senior DE Brandon Hillary has four sacks. Lakota East has lost two streight games, including 24-3 to Hamilton last week. Lakota East junior DL Brogan Murphy leads the defense with three sacks and senior DL Alex Riedinger has 2.5.

BOnOM LINE: The running game will be crucial for both teams tonight Sycamore should prevail.

By Tom Ramstetter tramslelttr®mquirrr.com

By halftime last Friday, the El· der ?anthers had firmly e·;tablished themselves as the favorites to win the Greater Catholic League South title for the first time since 2003. ·The Panthers (5-l 2..J GCL South) f.eld a 26-0 lead over defendmg state and GCL South champion St. Xavier in a game they would go on to win 33-15.

One more GCL win and the title is back in Price Hill.

Tonight's opponent, however, is in no mood to attend a coronation. Moeller is H> :n the GCL Sou:h (4-2 overall) a.'ld can take over the top spot in the league with a win at 7:30p.m. today at ·Nippert Stadium.

"Actually, we were expecting X to be coming into the last game (on top of the league I," senior receiver Tony Harris said. "But it's the second part of our 5eason right now and we're going to have to step it up."

The Crusaders' defensive captain agreed.

"We've just got to do wttat we got to do," Moeller senior defensive lineman Sean McClellul said. ''\\.e have to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback; that's our No. 1job to do."

That quarterback is junior Mark Miller and he has 1,393 yards already this season with 14 touchdowns and has senior receiver Josh Jones and junior wideout Ttm O'Conner to throw to.

Jcnes has 32 receptions and seven touchdowns this season and O'Conner has 31 catches and five tc.uch.downs.

McClellan, however, sees the Panthers' strength up front ~Their whole offem.ive line is really, really good," McClellan said. "Austen Bujnoch and John .AJievski are two of probably the better linemen we're going to face l'Iisyear."

McClellan, who has two sacks this season, will get help presstir· ing Miller from two junior linebackers. Marcus Rush has seven sacks and Nick Galvin has five. As a team, the Crusadus have 17 sacks.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Nippert Stadium WHAT TO WATCH: After a very strong game against St. X, it will be interesting to see how Elder fares against Moeller. "Beating X has given our kids great confidence, but now I have to guard against them becoming overoonfident, • Panthers coach Doug Ramsey said. Elder has played well, winning four consecutive games. Junior QB Mal1< Miller is second in the Greater Catholic League with 1,206 passing yards. Senior WR Josh Jones leads the league with 522 receiving yards. Moeller defeated La Salle 24-10 last week. Senior WR Tony Hams is second in the league with 511 receiving yards. Junior linebackers Marcus Rush (seven sacks) and Nick Galvin (five sacks) have been playing well.

BOnOM LINE: This is likely the last strong test for Elder during the regular season. llle Panthers seem to have an edge.

Oak Hills (2-4, 0-3) at Lakota West (3-3, 2-1) WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today, Lakota West H.S., 8940 Union Centre Blvd.

WHAT TO WATCH: Oak Hills has lost four consecutive games. Junior WR Robert Klotz leads the team with 126 receMng yards, and junior QB Steve Gebing has 318 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Lakota West had a three-game winning streak snapped when tt lost to Princeton 28211ast week. Rrebirds junior TE Alex Smith has 15 receptions for 1B9 yards and four touchdowns. Senior RB Stephen Houston has 542 yards rushing and five TDs. Senior lB Zach Forsell has 3.5 sacks and an interception, while junior lB Jordan Hicks has three sacks and one pick.

BOnOM LINE: Lakota West seems to have an edge at home.

Princeton (3-3, 2-1 GMC) at Hamilton (5-~ 3-0)

The Enouirer/Emest Coleman

Moeller players (clockwise from top left) quarterback Andrew Hendrix. receiver Tony Harris and linebackers Nick Galvin and Marcus Rush aren't conceding anything to Elder tonight.

Elder has failed to reach 30 points in only one game this season and is beating foes by an average score of 35-18.

"Our defensive coaches are preparing our defense for what they have," Moeller senior receiver Tony Harris said. "We're not going to change too much up.

We're just going to try to contain them and hopefully our offense puts up points, too. Our offense is going ~o have to put up more points than they do."

The Crusaders have their own standout junior quarterback that the Panthers will have to slow down. Andrew Hendrix has thrown for 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns. Harris has 39 catch· es and three touchdowns.

"We're going to stick to our game plan and try to dictate the pace of the game," Harris said. "I think our run game is going to be really big. The run game does dictate how much we pass and how

much we can pass. If we establish the run, the passing game just come to us."

Moeller has turned to three players with more than 50 carries so far this season. Scphomore Richie Dyer has 65 carries and 340 yards with three touchdowns and junior Jeff Aubin hcs carried 57 times for 290 yards a'ld five touchdowns.

"I'm expecting it to be a real tough game," Harris said. ~ey're really good; their confidence really went np against X; they're really hyped up. We're really hyped up too. We won our first GCL game. It's going to be a pretty good game."

Shootout or not, ~cClellan expects the same.

"It's going to be adose game either way," the senior captain said. ~ere's going to be a lot of emotion playing thisgar.Ie. There'sgoing to be two greal teams. Every GCL game is pretty hard fought."

.,;n

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m., Hamilton H.S., 1165 Eaton Ave. WHAT TO WATCH: Princeton is coming off a 2B-21 win over Lakota West. Senior WR Jordan Hopgood had 10 receptions for 1B5 yards and two touchdowns in that game. Senior WR Jeff Duckworth had five catche~ for 44 yards and a TO. lB Mike Robinson, DL Colton Tygrett and DB DaVon Pitts, all seniors, have three sacks each for the Vikings. Hamilton has won three consecutive games. Sophomore Brian Cleckley had four recep· tions for 115 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over Lakota East.

"We know (the Princeton) offense is going to make some plays,· Hamilton coach Jim Place said. "We must have a strong offensive night • BOnOM LINE: This game could go either way, but Hamilton might have a slight edge.

Woodward (6-0, 2-0 CMAC) at Taft (4-2, 3-0) WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Stargel Stadium WHAT TO WATCH: Woodward senior RB Erik Rnklea had 19 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown in a win over Withrow last week. llle Bu 11dogs forced five turnovers in the game. Senior Deshon Payne had 10 tackles and a sack and ran for 90 yards. Taft, which beat Shrader 26-0 last week, has won four consecutive games and has three shutouts this year. Taft coach Mike Martin said he wants his team to be physical up front on both sides of the ball and tum Woodward into a passing team.

BOTTOM LINE: This will be a strong test for Woodward, but the Bulldogs should suiVive.

Hanison (5-~ 1·0 FAVC-B) at Winton Woods (5-~ 1-0) WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today, Winton Woods H.S., 1231 West Kemper Road WHAT TO WATCH: This game will go a long way toward determining the Bui::keye dMsion title. Hamson, which defeated Milford 14-0 last week, has won five consecutive games. Senior QB Randy Doss has thrown for 1,004 yards and 13 touchdowns and senior WR Josh Dugan has 21 receptions for 480 yards and seven TDs. Winton Woods won 23-13 over visiting Anderson last week. Junior RB Jeremiah Goins had 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns last week. Seniors Kyle Pearson and Maalik Bomar each have two sacks.

BOnOM LINE: This game could go either way, but Winton Woods has a

o~ SHOWDOWN AT NIPPERT: Expect lenty of wide-open offense when 1oeller hosts Elder Friday night 7:30) at Nippert Stadium.

Elder and Moeller are second nd third in passing yards in the ~reater Catholic League. The 'anthers have thrown for 1,344 ards, Moeller for 1,191 yards. Bain is first with 1,604 passing yards.

"I expect Elder to rely on their otent passing attack," Moeller oach John Rodenberg said. 'They eem to use the pass to open the un up, so defending one over the ther can get you in trouble."

Elder, ranked No. 2 in the En.uirer Division I area coaches' poll, ; coming off a 33-15 win over vising St. Xavier last we&k. The 'anthers have won four consecuive games heading into Friday.

"I expect a very tough game rom Moeller," Elder coach Doug tamsey said. 'They are big, phys:al and very talented. They have a mmber of weapons on offense."

Junior QB Mark Miller (1,206 •assing yards) and senior WRJosh ones (27 receptions, 522 yards) tre among Elder's offensive stars.

"You must expect some big plays vith their talented receivers as long lS you keep them out of the end :one," Rodenberg said.

Moeller, which is tied for fourth n the poll, has won three of the past our meetings between the schools vith a 49-33loss in 2007.

Junior QB Andrew Hendrix },025 yards) and senior WR Tony farris (39 receptions for 511 yards) tre among Moeller's standouts.

However, the backfield has been 1ampered by injuries, Rodenberg ;aid. Senior RB Patrick Blanks, ll'ho rushed for 167 yards and four · ouchdowns in three games, is out :or the· season with a back injury. runior RB Richie Dyer (knee), who 1as rushed for 340 yards and three :ouchdowns, is expected to return 'or the Oct. 18 game against Lake.voorl St Edward at Ninnert Stadi-

ootball ., o .. '-

Crusaders junior running back Jeff Aubin carried the ball23 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns, both in the first quarter. Junior tight end David Schneider had five catches for 105 yards for Moeller, which is tied for No.4 in Division I. Matlor-----t..Sollt----

14 3 7 0 -24 3070-10

M-Aubln 7 run (Smith kid<) l-fG Schuster 22 M-Aubin 1 run (Smith kick) M-fG Smith 37 M-Han1s 24 pass Hendrix (Smith kid<) l-Edmond 3 run (Schuster kid<)

Records: M4¡2 (GCl¡S 1.0). l2-4 (0.2).

quarterback Andrew Hendrix was 2(}.for-34 for 188 yards and three touchdowns, but it was not enougn for Moeller.

With 1:50 left in the game, sophO: more running back Richie Dyer rari 22 yards to get to the Mentor 5, but Moeller was unable to score. Moel• ler's Tony Hanis had eight catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. '

Girts' tennis ~q_ 2 i -DB '·.

Mount Notre Dame won its Jkst Girls' Greater Cincinnati League - Scarlet Division Tournament title, placing first in every singles match: "I think they responded real well under pressure," said MND coach Judy Dennis. "All season this team has been extremely focused." · Juniors Andrea Wolf and Kelly Dennis and freshman Brooke Den~ nis swept the singles matches in straight sets.

On Wednesday, MND plays St. Ursula (8-1) for a chance at the first league title in school history.

"We are all on a mission," Judy Dennis said.

•

Girts' soccer Sycamore 1, Colerain 0: Syca~ more handed Colerain its first loss behind senior midfielder Alix }ill. dal's goal and junior goalie Katie Strickland's play in front of the net.

Boys' soccer .Moeller 1, Indianapolis North Central 0: Eric Frey scored the winner

on an assist by freshman midfielder Jeffrev Fuller in the second half. Se-

High school roundup

Hendrix helps Moeller rip Findlay 45-32 Lowery lifts Hughes over Aiken in OT _,;.;. ~¡

Enquirer'staff reports

Moeller junior quarterback Andrew Hendrix threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 270 yards on 17-for-34 passing as Moeller defeated Findlay 45-32 Saturday.

The Crusaders (3-1), ranked fourth in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll, racked up 603 yards of offense.

Moeller junior running back Jeff Aubin had 15 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Tony Harris had 111 yards on four catches for Moeller.

The Crusaders next play at Mentor at 2 p.m. next Saturd~.

I

Moeller rallies for win over Centerville

Enrt?~ftreports

Junior quarterback Andrew Hendrix scored on a 7-yard run with eight minutes left to lift the Crusaders to a 34-30 win over Centerville Saturday night at Nippert Stadium.

The Elks had led 3(}28 early in the fourth quarter. , Hendrix was 2(}for-31 for 298 yards and three touchdowns against one interception for Moeller, No. 5 in the Enquirer Division I coaches' poll.

Sophomore Richie Dyer ran 16 limes for 88 yards and a touchdown

High school roundup and caught three passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Senior receiver Tony Harris caught 10 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. Harris also ran three times for 41 yards.

Moeller amassed a season-high 405 yards on offense, including 298 passing and 107 rushing. Centerville rushed for 223 yards and had 75 through the air.

Taft 30, Unden McKinley 0:

Senior linebacker Josh Cobb blocked two punts, including one

he returned 42 yards for a touchdown, for host Taft.

Cobb also had an interception for the Senators (1-2). Taft hosts Withrow at 7:30p.m. Friday.

Summit Country Day 39, Portsmouth Notre Dame 32: Senior Shamar Hester had 155 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries and classmate C.J. Collins had 145 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries for Summit (3-0).

Junior Bradley Evans led the defense with seven tackles.

large-s~ho_oldivisions

at the Prince ton InVItational.

Middletown's Philip Sliger wor theboys'racein17minutes,30sec onds. Princeton freshman Claudi~ Saunders won the girls' in 20:29.

The Reading boys' team won th( small-school division. Reading'!

Trent Estes won in 18:55.

The Indian Hill girls' team wor the small-school division title. Th( Braves' Elizabeth Heinbach wor the event in 20:25. â&#x20AC;˘ La Salle won the 1(}tearr Springboro Invitational. Sopho Cross country mores Travis Hawes and Ethan Bo Colerain won the boys' and girls' keno placed 1-2, respectively.

Moeller faces tough test in Centerville 7 ..... i ... cB

' r •·

By Mark Chalifoux

.

mchalifoux@communitypress.com

·

Moeller will have a good test for the GCL season when the Crusaders take on Centerville at home.

The Elks have a strong, ball-control offense that has impressed Crusaders coach John Rodenberg.

"This is a big year for them, they are rockin' and rollin'," he said.

"I talked to some people who think this is one of the best teams they have had since A.J. Hawk played there."

Rodenberg said Centerville has a "very, very good" offensive line and that one of the keys to the game would be to stop the Elks ground attack.

"They are a power football team and are experience and JIM OWENS/CONTRIBUTOR have good size. We have to Princeton's Dwayne Woods and Anthony Shoemaker try to force the Crusaders' Patrick make sure to keep their Blanks into the end zone for a safety after tackling him on the one yard line. He was ruled offense off the field and we down at the one and the Crusaders were forced to punt Ttrings did get better for Blanks in can't let them grind out big the second half as he finished the game with 100 yards rushing on 30 carries and three possessions," he said.

TO's. Moeller defeated Princeton 27-17.

The Crusaders should be - able to generate some offense against Centerville and Rodenberg was pleased with his playmakers in week one against Princeton.

JIM OWENS/CONTRIBUTOR

The Crusaders' QB Andrew Hendrix steps back to pass while playing in the game against Princeton at Nippert Stadium Aug. 23 in the Skyline Crosstown Showdown.

Hendrix was 8 for 10 for 74 yards. Moeller defeated Princeton 27-17.

Patrick Blanks and Richie Dyer ran the ball well, Tony Harris came up with some big plays, but it was tight end David Schneider that impressed Rodenberg the most.

"He had a really good game, he caught two really tough balls and blocked like a veteran," he said.

Defensively, the Crusaders

gave up a lot of yards in week one but contained one of the most athletic and explosive offenses in the city.

Moeller was also without several starters, including linebacker Marcus Rush.

"Our defense grew up a lot, they took a giant step to becoming a good unit," he said.

Rodenberg was also pleased with his special teams as the kickoff coverage team had Princeton locked up inside its

20-yard line on several occa sions.

Tackling, however, is on area of concern for the Cru saders as Rodenberg said th tackling in week one wa "atrocious" and needed t, improve.

The defense should be eve more cohesive after anoth€ game of experience and wit the return of Rush, but Cente1 ville will be a major test for th Crusaders on both sides of th ball.

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lie Moeller defense brings down 1 Bell Academy runner during heir game at Paul Brown Staditm Sunday.

Moeller: Victim of ball

control From PageCl

>eat two defenders down the side-

u;e for a TD and a 14-6 Bell lead.

-Moeller quickly went three-andmt on offense, and Bell struck ~gain. This time, Wise scrambled ~ght yards for a score, capping a ro.yard drive that put Bell fully in :ontrol.

"That play has worked for touchlawns three of the four times we've ~ver tun it," said Bell coach Daniel ~kGugin. "You can't run plays like hat unless you have great players, md we have some great players."

'That was huge," said Roden>erg. "We had been' moving the ball md we felt good, but that one big rD put us in a position where we uid to get in hurry-up mode."

Moeller continued to juggle per;onnel, looking for the right fit for he new scheme. Junior quarter>acks Andrew Hendrix and David mlltehead split time, with Hendrix ~etting the start but failing to lead he team to a first down in the first }Uarter. Whitehead, who complet~d 10-of-15 passes for 90 yards, led \.foeller on a scoring drive in the ;econd quarter, but was intercept~d twice in the second half.

"Our struggle is that we're roung (on offense) and we've got a 1ew staff," Rodenberg said. ''We 1eed to get into a situation where ,.e can settle on one quarterback."

Sophomore tailback Richie Dyer ~ave the offense a boost, rushing :or 32 yards in the first half, includng a 15-yard scamper to the 1-yard ine that set up a TD run by Patrick Blanks. .-Blanks was held to 40 ,yards :-Ushing on 15 carries. : 'Their defense was a lot more ~j1ysical than the one we saw last week," said Blanks, who ran for 100 ~ards in Moeller's opener. 'The nj_l),ning holes out there were be- ¡ :oming pretty small."

Wise had a strong game for Bell's offense, completing 15-of-25 passes for 244 yards, effectively running the option game and rushlllg for 22 yards himself. ¡ Bell outgained Moeller in total ~irrds, 440.197. : Moeller plays Centerville next week, after facing the defending Tennessee Division II-AA state champion on Sunday. Going 1-1 after a difficult pair of opening games is a reasonable start for Moeller under the circumstances. : "It may be good for us," said ~lanks. ''We've experienced a win and now a loss. We're going to get know Coach Rodenberg. I'm siu'e he's going to have us practice hard, and come back out ready to

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-21 -6

High schools I Area teams 2-6 in Herbstreit event

Jim Osborn for The Enquirer

Bell Academy quarterback Spencer Wise leaves Moeller's Corey Smith in his wake as he scram-

bles for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday.

Crusaders victim of ball possession Tennessee power controls tempo in convincing win

1/.t/.oa

By Carey Hoffman Enquirer contributor

Week Two of the John Rodenberg era at Moeller was a reversal of last week's opening successMoeller dictated pace of play in beating Princeton, but was on the receiving end of the same treat· ment Sunday.

The Crusaders fell to Tennes· see powerhouse Montgomery Bell Academy, 21-6, in the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series at Paul Brown Stadium.

Moeller played fast with its no· huddle attack last week, but wore dovm in Sunday's heat against an efficient Bell attack that kept Moeller's defense from getting off the field.

Bell ran 73 plays compared to just 50 for Moeller, and had an edge in time of possession of 32:30 to 15:30.

'They controlled the tempo," said Rodenberg, who is Moeller's new coach after coming over from Covington Catholic. 'They made it a slower game, they ran the 25-second clock down, and

Jim Osborn for The Enquirer

Moeller's Richie Dyer rolls around left end during the second

quarter against Bell Academy. then they converted a lot of third down plays. That really hurt us."

Moeller trailed just 7-6 at the half, but was hurt by three turnovers on its first five possessions of the second half.

But the crusher psychologically came late in the third quarter.

Facing 2nd-and-ll from its own 43, Bell pulled off a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder play.

Quarterback Spencer Wise hit William Tanner in the left flat, and he lateraled to Patrick Crum, who See MOELLER, Page C6

How local schools fared in Herbstreit SATlJRDAY Cedar Hill, Texas 38, La Salle 14 Colerain 14, McKeesport, Pa. 7, OT St. Xavier 15, Prattville, Ala. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas, Aa. 35, Elder 24 Warren Cent., Ind. 39, Middletown 35 Youngs. Mooney 57, CovCath 0

SUNDAY MBA, Tenn. 21. Moener 6 St. Rita, Ill. 28, Lakota West 21

moe11er l.t, mnceton u

Crusaders beats Vikings for 15th consecutive time r_:.h;;/t~ ~.

By fo~ Groescheri

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

John Rodenberg said Moeller is a dream job for him, despite the obvious pressure to win big.

The Crusaders' new football coach certainly figured to sleep well Saturday night, after debuting with a 27-17 win over Princeton at UC's Nippert Stadium. Rodenberg hopes to restore some glory to Moeller, which won the last of its seven Ohio big-school state championships in 1985.

"I11 admit it, it feels like a lot of pressure is off my shoulders with this one," Rodenberg said, as he watched his happy players file out of the stadium afterward.

"I've gotten a lot of support from the administration and everyone at Moeller," Rodenberg said.

'These kids have been working hard. I know you're expected to win at Moeller, and this is a great start."

Princeton (0-1) is ranked No. 4 in the Enquirer Division I area coaches' poll and Moeller (1-0) is No. 6, but it was the Crusaders' 15th straight win over Princeton dating to 1992.

The crowd was estimated at 6,000 in the fourth and final Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown game of the day.

Senior running back Patrick Blanks rushed 30 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns for the Crusaders.

Junior quarterbacks Andrew Hendrix (8-for-10, 74 yards) and David Whitehead (4-for-7, 62 yards) shared snaps for Moeller.

Senior wide receiver Tony Harris had four catches for 73 yards

and also ranfor15yards and aTD. Moeller grabbed an early 7-0 lead but then fell behind 10-7 by halftime. Rodenberg didn't waver, keeping his no-huddle offense going with the main intent to pound the ball.

For Princeton, junior quarterback Spencer Ware put up big numbers but the Vikings could not sustain enough drives. Ware rushed 24 times for 123 yards and a TD. He also completed 14-of-38 passes for 275 yards and a TD. Princeton senior wide receiver Jeff Duckworth, a Wisconsin recruit, had seven catches for 178 yards and a TD. Fellow senior wideoutJordan Hopgood had seven catches for 106 yards and also completed a 25-yard pass.

"We got plenty of yards, but we just didn't put it in the end zone enough," Princeton coach Bill Leach said. 'Then in the second half, their big line started to wear on us. We started to get tired and stand up, and they were knocking us down."

Princeton, which dueled Moeller for area and state supremacy for most of the 1970s into the 1990s, also is seeking a return to the tpp. The Vikings won the last of their three state titles in 1987.

Saturday marked the programs' first meeting since 2004.

The Crusaders now hold a 37-7 series lead.

7

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13 -··----~---· 7 M- Blanks 10 run (McAlpine kick) P- Ware 8 run (Wilson kick) P- Wilson 27 FG M - Blanks 2 run (McAipme kick) M - Harris 8 run (McAlpine k1Ck) M- 81anks4run(kickfaifed) P- Duckworth 75 pass Jmm Ware (Wilson k1ck)

-'n

Princeton-----

7

Records:PO-l.Ml-0.

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Moeller running back Patrick Blanks is dragged down by Josh West (2) of Princeton. Blanks rushed for three touchdowns.

Editor: Josh Pichler, jpichler@enquirer.com, 513-768-8381

+

SUNDAV. AUGUST 24 1 2008

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .

Moeller gets past Princeton

Moeller, ranked sixth in the Enquirer coaches' Division I preseason poll, staked its claim to a higher ranking with a 27-17 victory over No.4 Princeton on Saturday in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at Nippert Stadium.

It was Moeller's 15th straight win over the Vikings. Senior Patrick Blanks rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns for the Crusaders.

Earlier Saturday, Anderson opened defense of its Division ll state title Saturday looking every bit a champion, rolling past Taft 56-6.

"We just went out today and executed," quarterback Daniel Rod said of the Redskins, the toP" ranked team in the Divisions ll-VI poll.

High school coverage, C6-7

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diJI,J¥1UiilA Couldn't make it to the games? Log on to Cincinnati. Com to view student videos from the Colerain-St. Xavier, EdgewoodWith row and Lakota East-Centerville games.

Also check out staff video and photos from Colerain's victory and Saturday's other Crosstown Showdown action at Nippert Stadium. Search: high school sports • Let us know who you think will win this week's games, and compare your picks to those of our experts. Search: fan picks Moeller's K.C. McCluskey runs the ball vs. Princeton.

Tony Tribble for The Enquirer

Moeller toces out-ot-stote test ~~8

.

By Mark Chalifoux

mchalifoux@communitypress.com The Moeller Crusaders will be tested again this week as Moeller takes on visiting Montgomery Bell (Tenn.) in the premier national high school football showcase, the Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Series.

Moeller will play Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Moeller head coach John Rodenberg said there's always an unknown involved when playing a team from out of the state, but that Montgomery Bell's head coach has been fantastic during the lead up to the game.

"He's called me and we've traded films from last year and we are working on trading film from this year.

"We help each other out and they have been nothing but a class program since we made contact with them," he said.

Montgomery Bell ·will bring a strong team to Cincinnati despite losing a number of starters from their state championship team last year.

Rodenberg said Montgomery Bell is the type of program that can reload quickly and is a team that will look to run the football. · The Big Red returns the starting quarterback from last year's nationally-ranked team and will test a Moeller defense that is still trying to gel.

Rodenberg said it will be crucial for his offense to score some points in early season games to give the defense time to get used to each other.

"Our offense will have to score some points so our defense can grow up and g~t some experience," he said.

"If we can get the ball to our playmakers we will be OK." And Moeller certainly has some key playmakers, especially on offense.

The Crusaders return a number of key players on that side of the ball and will look specifically to running

MARK CHALIFOUX/STAFF

Receiver Jeremy Duncan could develop into another big-time playmaker for the Crusaders as his size and speed can create problems for adefense. · ·

back Patrick Blanks and to big-play receiver Tony Harris.

Moeller has strong tight ends and could have another playmaking wide receiver in Jeremy Duncan. · "His speed and his height are unbelievable," Rodenberg said.

"He continues to learn and get better every day and soon he's just going to unleash and give people a lot of problems."

Rodenberg said he doesn't expect

the travel to make a considerable difference as Montgomery Bell travels a lot in state because Tennessee has separate championships for private and public schools.

Still, Rodenberg knows Moeller is not a stranger to a big stage like this.

"I know they have played in huge games before against big-time teams and I think our team will get up bigtime for this game," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for us."

FOOTBALL WRAP-UP Moeller beats Princeton

Princeton junior quarterback Spencer Ware put up big numbers Saturday night against Moeller, but it was not enough as the Vikings lost to the Crusaders 27-1 7.

Ware rushed 24 ·times for 123 yards and a touchdown and completed 14-of-38 passes for 275 yards and a touchdown.

Princeton senior wide receiver Jeff Duckworth, a Wisconsin recruit, had seven catches for 178 yards and a touchdown.

Fellow senior wide receiver Jordan , Hopgood had seven catches for 106 yards and also completed a 25-yard pass.

Moeller senior running back Patrick Blanks rushed 30 times for .1 0~ Y,ar<!:'> an~ three touchdowns to

Junior quarterbacks Andrew Hendrix (8-for-10, 74 yards) and David Whitehead (4-for-7, 62 yards) shared snaps for Moeller.

Senior wide receiver Tony Harris had four catches for 73 yards and also ran for 15 yards and a TD. '

Braves bury Ross

Cordell tore a meniscus in Week 9 last year, played four more weeks on the way to the regional final, then had surgery in the offseason.

He was ready for baseball season but tore the same meniscus early in the season. After rehabbing all summer, he was in top form at Ross.

His longest pass was a 77-yard strike to junior Jacob Bauer, one of three TD hookups between the two.

"He was really confident," Siple said. "He's finally healthy and he's got a group of receivers that can go get the ball, and everything was clicking."

Indian Hill senior quarterback Bo Cordell was in top fonn Friday night, completing 26 of 33 passes for 510 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-6 win at Ross in 'the season opener for both teams.

"He was just on fire," Indian Hill head coach Kevin Siple said. "Our line protected so well and we got Deer Park, Madeira lose New Richmond shutout Deer Park receivers open and Bo found them."

The coach said his quarterback Friday night 28-0, while Madeira lost showed few lingering effects from to Shroder Paideia 28-21 Saturday

After all '

'

this, a Colerain, x·pairing?

Bombers could slip into 8th spot ByJom Groeschen ,tgr?eschen@enquirer.com

A Colerain-St Xavier rematch ;) could occur in the first round of the q Division Hootball playoffs, computer N analyst Steve Shuck projects. . ·~ Enteling the final weekend of play, c1 Shuck has Colerain finishing No. 1 in :; the regiori and StXavier finishing No. q 8 as the final qualifier. That would ti mean Co~raln would host the Bomb- ~· ·ers in a first-round playoff game.

St Xavier, thereigning state champion, mtist beat Moeller (7 p.m. Satur- 7 day at st)Xavier) to have a chance to make the playoffs. ~ The fillal pairings remain uncertain "~ with many games, including Thurs- :d day · night's _ Hanison-Anderson ,ij matchupi having an effect on who fin- 'ii. · ishes where. ~3 Coleva]n beat St XaVier 13-8 in a:;: · season 'opener in the Skyline Chili !

Crossto;wn Showdown at UC's Nip- 'J · pert Stadium.

Hanison fell to Anderson, likely :: ending their hopes for a playoff berth. I In turn, the Moeller-St Xavier ·; game may dete~e whether either ·i l)f those.teains mal{e the playoffs. . "Filling in the finalpiece of the puz. zle may be delayed until Saturday," ,. · Shuck said. 'There are several teams · with a realistic chance." :1 This year, numerous upsets have ·i shuffled the projected playoff field ·j each week. +· Shu~k said in Division I that Cole- -,' .rain, Clayton Nortbmont and Elder ' · ·have ldtked up the top three spots enteling the weekend.

Regarding a possible Colerain-St ;' .Xavier matchup, Shuck said several., domirioes still must fall. ·: . "Wjthallofthepossiblemovement ,j . around· the eighth spot, it may not ,_ · happen," Shuck said. "Just consider it · . food for thought" Shuck, commissioner of the Greatc:c"'ercMiami Confer~nce,_has.made.com"··o' ·-·~puterlied playoff forecasts for the En- ! . quirer 'and area schools for more than ·; . 20 years. ,.

The top eight finishers in each re- .~ --gion-(Divisions-I.yi)-mitke-the play- ;1; I offs, b!lSed ori the' Ohio High School'.' · Athletic Association computer sys- · tern. : ' Aglanceatthe other divisions: II Division II: Wlnton Woods, An~ r. dersoh, .Turpin _l1fld Kings have~. clinched playoff berths.; Edgewood ,', and Western Brown look solid. ·. llllivision Ill: Indian Hill seems_:, probable. Norwood has· an outside J · shot:' lllil, Division IV: Badin and Wyoming lookgood,withNorth College Hill on the bubble. · ~~ II_DivisionV: CHCAhas a tight on the No.1 seed. " · ll8 Division VI: Lockland appears to ? be in. New Miami could grab one of·.~ the final spots. '' Projected finishes for each region: II 1

grip::

'

~~

'

" , ~1

· DMsion I, Region 4 .

Team lCurrentl !. Colerain IS.!!

Projected 9-1

2. Clayton Northmont (8-1)

9·1

3. Elder 1s.11

9-I

4.Hub'orH~.Wayne(6·31 5. Woodward ('9-01 6. CenleNi\le (6-3) • 1. Kett6fingFainnontl7·2) B. St. Xavier 14-5!

9. Sycamore 17·21

10. Hamilton 16-31 11. Horrison 1'5-41 12. Moeller 15-41

7·3 7-3 6-5 8-2 7·3

6-5

20.25 -

5,5

19.58 ·

IIJ.II

Division II, Region 8

L Winron Woods 18-11 2. Tecumseh (9-0)

Projected 9-1

10-0

3. An<lerson 1'7·21

8-2.

4. Turpin IS.!)

5. HIJ1gs 16-31 6. Edlleoood 17·21 7. WeS!em Brown 19-01

9-1 ,

a Dayton Dunbar {7~2) 9. utile Miami 16-31 10. Taft 15-41

30.35 <J

28.92 · 27.58 J 24.99 , i 24.40 '· 24.05 ~j 22.01 .

21.85 2L40

7-3

*Entering ThursdaY's game

Team ICummtl

Final points _ 3i!O '·

. ?'

Final poiriis .~: 30.05 29.10

26.50 26.20

7·3 8-2

23.35

!ll-ll . 8-2

19.55

21.20 16.90

7·3

!6.40

5-4

!2.59

"Ente~ng Thursday's game

Division Ill, Region 12

Teant: {Current) 1. Thoffiville Sheridan {9-0)

. .

· Projected " 10.0

Final points

26.80

?

1~

23.BO

3.lJJgan 8m (9-0) 4. Chillicothe (7-21

9·1 7-3

22.00 21:85

5.·eotumbus Eastmoor(B·i) 6. Valley View (7-2)

9·1 7-3

20.80 18.90

8-2 6-4 8-2 5·5

16:50 ;t

2. Canal Winchester (9-0)

7.1~dian lfdll7·21 B. Cillumbus Bexley (6-3) 9. Nriowood 17·21 10. Fran~in (5-41

,

DMsion IV, Region 16

Team ICmrenll

Projected

1. Coldwater (9·0) 2. Jo'llltllan Alder (8-1).

10.0 9-1 10-0

4. Dayton Oalw.·ood (7·2)

8-2

3. ~~okvil!e (9:D)

5. Clinl<>n-~lassiel9-0I 6. KettenngAI!er (7-2)

7. Badin 16-31 8. W,omlng 17-21 9. North CoUege Hm 16-31

9-1 8-2 7·3 . 7·3

7-3 ·

Division V, Region 20

Team ICWreml I. CHCA 19-01

Projec!ed

.

2. Waynesville (7·2) 3. WestJeffe<SOn (7-21 4. Ma~on local (8·11 5. Anna (8-1) 6..Casstown Miami East(8·1) 7.West Uber1y Salcm(9-0) 8.'flichwood North Union (7-2) 9.'Eas!Ciin!on (6-31

•

10-0 ·a-2 8-2 9-1 8-2 9-1 9·1 8·2 7·3

Division VI, Remon 24

Team lCUmmtl

10.0 8-1 9-f 8-2 7·3 7-3

1!W . ayn."...fi.e!d-Gosh.en(7-2) 'Ansonia (6-3) .

8-2 7·3 7·3

• ,New Mlamll&-31

1~,.so

;I

.· · F'mal points 30.25 .:, 1 26.85 25.97

23.15 0 22.90 ' 19.35

16.50 15.60

15.30 ·J

F'mal pOints ' 23,55 18.80 18.40 18.30 18.00 17.45 15.60 14.30 13.20

;:) ·•

· ;'

'. ·,

--"Jirojectcd Final points

L.Mect1anlcsburg(9-0) 2. Sidney Lehman (7·11 3, Scillt!>lille Communi~ (8·1) 4. Covinglnn (7·21 5; lockland 17-2) 6i Sprin& Catll. CentJal (6-3)

' U

14.46

13.65

1

24.50 :1 17.70 ·15.15 • 14.05 . I 13.60 12.35

'l1.25

11.00 10.87

-~

10, 175, sr. ' Defense: Unemen-Jake Odom,_ Lakota West, 5-Uf · Kicke~nny Jasper, Attfr, 6-1, 165, sr.

255, sr.j Zahkeem Richmond, Woodward,· 5-9, Defense:, ; ~ linemen-Brett McKinney, Hamilton Ba· ~0, sr.; Donovan Jarrett,·HamUhm': 6-3, 301, din, 6-3, 246, sr.; Corby Running, Cllnton-Massle, sr.; Sean Ftckert, Cente!Vrlle, 5-11, 205, sr.

Unebackers-DOOny Gress, Clayton North- 6-2,205, jr., Brannon Dunn, BrooKville, 6-1. 245, sr.: mORt, fi.O, 222, sr.; Tony CasteUucio, Glen Este, scott Anderson, Alter, s.o, 202, sr.

5-10,220, sr.; Ryan Luggen, LaSaUe, GoO, 205, ; . Unebackers--:Gunner CalhoUn, Clinton-Mas:sle, 6-2, 195, soph.: Kolby,Watkln5, Middletown sr~; Damon Sims, Colerain, S..3, 210, sr.

Ua<:ks-Zach Aulenrieb, Elder, 5·11, 176, ·Madison, s;-2, 220, sr.; T)'ler Haworth, BrookvUie, st.; Quintin Cooper, Clayton Northmont, 5·9, 167, jr.; 5-9, 175, sr.; Cody Conley, Alter, 6-1,185, jr.

Ricky Cardwell, Hamilton, 5--ll, 193, sr.

Backs-Logan McCormlcll, Gllnton..Massie, ' Punter-Garrett Klink. ~uberHts. Wayne, 5·11, &3, 180, sr.; ~ake Wurzelbacher, Hamilton Ba· 180,-sr. · din,64, 1831 sr.j Kyle Ungg, Day. Northridge, 5-8, 170 sr. _ · Honorable mention Tyler Feine, Amelia; Greglabar, Colerain; Punter-N!!Uio Johnson, Milton-Union, 6-4, Adam Engel, Lovelan~i Ortando Spikes, Wood- 218, sr.

OffensiVe players of the·Year: Austin Bou· ward; Galeb Watldn~ middletown; lim Edmond, LaSalle; Chariie Mather, Lovelandi DJ Alexan- cher, Alter; Zach Toemer, Balin. ~er, Western HiRs; Tam O'Conner, Elder; Ml· j :mic~~!M:~~~r Of the ~ear. Logan McCorchael Del Prince, Elder; Josh Dugan, HanisoRi JUstin Foley,. Hanison; Brian Wozniak,. Lav~ coach Of the year: Mike Hetrick·; BrookvUie. Second team · landj S,hnr~r. _ Jordan'· Ho~ good, P ncetonj len· o , Middletown; . Offense: End~ex meman, Badin,. 5-8, Jordan Ross, ColeraJit; Brandon Good, Colerain; :150, so.; Aaron Kelley, FiMeytown, -~11, 175, .

Jacob Sporke, Glen Esfo;.K!le Tieman, Milford; sr.

'Jeff Tanner Mgeller; Darien McCoy; W(lodward; Unemen-Teddy Kuntz,1 Middletown fen· .CiJim looser, COlerain; COrey Mason,,·E1der, : wlc~ S.~, 230, sr.;LucasTalllbee, Middletown Dwayne Woods, Prince~ni Casey Oaks, Oak · Madison, 5oS, 225, sr.;TylerMotley, Badin, 6-~ Hills; Pete Lees, SL Xavier; Design Paiu, Wood- 241, sr.; Brian Johnson, N. College Hill, 6-1, ward; Nick Baeh, Ameli;r, Jake Fishburn, Elder; 245, sr.; Adam M~l. BrookviMe, 5-11, 185, sr.

Ricky Steele, LaSalle; Marty Jones, Sycamore; Quarterback-Hobby Sherk, Day. Oakwood, Ed Bryant, Hamilton; Rahkeem Caver, Hamilton; 6-1, 185, sr. · Anyn Chenault, Fairfield; E\in Dusold, Lakota ' Ba<:ks-Chris Ballweg, Madeta, S.W, 165, .East; Marc .Fowler, Lakota West; Ross Hamo ~ sr.; Jake Jarbo, Preble Shawnee. 5-10, 155, so.; Jorbrick, Foilfield; Matt Luers, Lakota East; Alex dan Scanlon, Cilnton·Massle, 5-10.190, so.

Riedinger, Lakota East; Ryan Schmitz, llami~ Return speclaUst-Adam Lewis, Middleton; Alex Smith, Lakota West; Ryan Tomer, La- town Madison, 5-7, 170; sr. kola West; Jake Wagner, Lakota West; Chase; Kicker-Ben Levy, Wyoming 5-11,170, sr.

Belton,· Clayton Northmon~ Marc Pedro, Kettering Defense: : Fairmont: Dlondre Person, Ketter\M Fairmont: Nate Unemen--Cale Hayes, :Madeira, 6.Q, 180, Victor, Kettering Fairmont; Antoin Campbell, Spring- sr,; Eric Bayliss, Benjamin Logan, 6-2, 220, jr.; 'Josh boro; Nate Woods,LebatKID; Logan Baker, Leba- lies, Martemont, 6-3,210, sr.; PhillipSOWar, AI· !' non; Mark Mays,· Clayton Northmont: Cllase Coo ter1 6-1, 195, sr. : chran, lebanon, Brad Sundstrom, Beavercreek, Joe Llnebacke~Tony cassano, Badin, S.ll, : Joyce,_ Beavercreek; Jamaal Everett, Kettering Fair· 190, sr.; Tun Benner, Wyoming, 6·2, 200, sr.; mont: Alex Caner, Troy; Beau Sauley, Spflngboro; Da- Joey Lefforge, Day. Oakwood, 6-1, 230, sr.; Rob ! kota Anderscm, Xenia; Matt. Daly, CenteNI!Ie; Matt Braun, Cin. Madeira, S..O, 185, sr.

Wa!l, CenteN!IIe;- AleX f1le, W~yne; Eric Damian, Backs-Chris Phillips, N. College HiiJ, s.n, Springboro; Jason Hutr:hlns·, Springboro; AHen Mat~ : 175, sr.; DeSbawn Hanis, :Wyoming, 6-0, 180, : thews, Xenia; Teny Talbott, Wayne; Trey DePriest, sr.; Ryan Ekberg, £rookville, 5-10,180, jr. .1 SpJingfle!d; Travis Coleman, Fairmont; Geoff Olsz.ewHonorabte:menUon skl, Troy; Josh Spmrt, Springboro: Karlos ~arshaiJ, Jake Gibscm, Carlisle; Keeton Daley, Fenwick; Springfield; Terrance Talbott, Wayne; Javon Walker, Chad Phillips, Northeastern; Nathan Stouffer, Cflnton· Wayne. · Massie; Justin Hall, AHe!i Eddie Bonk, Jamestown DMSIONII Greeneview; Josh Couch, Carlisle; Tyler Begley, Preble First team Shawnee; Trw Riley, Carlisle;.TrentHolbrook, Spring-_ Offense~ Ends-Xavier Fugate, Edgewood,, 64, 200, sr.; Nyles Williams, Wilmington, 6-2,· , 191,Jr. Unemen-Andrew Nomen, Anderson, 6-7, 275, jr.; Jeremy Perry, Ntiw Carlsle Tecumseh, 6-2, 256, sr.; COl)' S0riD_!1carroll, 6-4,315, sr.; Kevl~ Thomas, Winton woods, &.a, 265, sr.; Dylan GoehJich,GreerwiUe, 6-2,235, jr.' - . : Quarterback--Domtntque Brown, Winton Wood~ 6·3, 220, jr.

Backs-Zachary Melling,· Greenville, 5-9, 11.0, sr.; Kyle Slater,· Anderson, 6-0!.~5, jr.; Jeremiah Goins, Winton Woods, 5-W, za,jr.

Return Speclallst--llerri•k Harris, King,;, 6--1,190, sr.

Klcke....Z.c Murphy, Kings, 6-3, 175, sr. chester; · Jeff m, Batavia; ·Mike Hill, Defunse: Unemen-Mike Kidder, Kings, 5-11, 235, Betbelolate; Eric Rolfes, Madeira; Chris Groppe, sr.; Cornelius Carradine, Taft. 6-5, 230, sr.; Jor* Mariemont; Angelo Pruill, N. College HUI; Ryan dan Jones, New Ca~lsle Tecumseh, 6-0, 210, sr.; Lo-- Johnson, Batavia; David Brausch, Clermont gan Fehrenbach, Turpin, 6-4, 196, sr. .

Northeastemi Steven COlvin, Finneytown; LuUnebackers-R)'an Hopkins, Western cien Kldd, II. COllege Hi!~ Snlomon T - , Brown, 6-3, 230, sr..; Maalik Bomar, Winton Roger Bacon; Jake Stapleton, Roger Bacon; Woods, S..2. 210, sr.; Si Anglim, Anderson, 5- Jake Stentz, Roger Bacon; Ryan Santoro. Madel11,195, sr.; Noah Kral~ Talawanda, 5·11. 198, ra~~ss ~n, ~ataviS; Cody Sauer, Bethelsr.

DIVISION V Backs-thris Williams, Winton \Vollds; 510, 190, sr.j Pat Sedlar, Carroll, 6-0, 180, sr.; First team Terrence Glenn, Day. Dunbar, 5·8, 160, sr.

Offense: Punter-John llaward, AJ¢,erson,6-0, 180, En&-Aus1in Dixon/ TOad, 6· L 170, sr,: Andrew Pertdns, Cl11. HillS Christian Academy, S. . Offensive player of the year; Zachr.ry Melling, 11,160,sr.

Unemen-Doug Pike, Reading, 6:-3, 250, Greenville.

Defensive p1ayer of the yea~ COmaliusCar- sr.; E.iic: Niekamp, Anna, 6-5, 225, sr.; Kyle Abney, radile,- Taft.

Day. Christian, 6-1, 228, sr, Tyler Beard, CasStown MiCoaches.. of the year. TJ. Powers, Greenville; ami East. 5-11. 225. sr.; 1 T~Ier Hayes, West UbertySalem, 6-3, 250, sr.

Troy Everltart, Winton Woods. .. · Second team Quarterback-Alec Swartr:J Cin. Hills Cllris-Ollense; ~ ; tian Academy, 6-0, 190, jr.

Ellds-Josh Lynch, Day.Meadowda\e, 6-2,,1,65, Bac~eth Millar; WayneSville, 5-8, 165, Jr., sr.; lance Fanthorp, Little Miami, 5-9, 160 jr.

Sam, Smallwood, Casstown Miami East. 5~7, 188,sr.; Unemen-Nick S<:hlnnann, Ande~SCn,, 6-2, SteVen Mcfadden, ~Clinton, S.W, 175 sr.

245, sr.; Marshall Donald, Aiken, 6--2, 25~ sr.; R~ Specialist~arcus Barber, Wil· Kyle Gephart, Uttle Miami; 6-3, 295, sr.; CoJY Iiams burg,· &.2, 180, ~r.

Minnie, Western Brown, 6-1, 265, sr.; TaYJor ;IGcke[I-Joe Reifenbem, Cln. HiUs Ctuistlan Academy, S..2, 175, sr~ Miner, Edgewood, 6-5, 295, jr.

J· Quarterback-Kyle Cook, utile Miam1, .6-3 Defense: Unemen-Zack Duff. Casstown Mi180jr. am!'East, 5·8, 169, sr; Peter lewis, West Uberty-SaBac~hawn Davis, Western Brown, 5· lem; 6-0,180, sr.; Drake Browne, Cin. Hills Cllris-1q, ~ sr.; Justin Elder, EdgewOod, 6-1,!170, tian Academy, S..2, 250, sr.; lucas Hammonds, Jr.; Wayne Dunham·, Turpin, J;--7, 165, lr. Return Waynesville, 6-0, 195, sr, · Unebackers-Matt· Mcfadden, East Clin· Specialist-Leona~ Rl~on, V(dhrow, &-0, 180, ton, 5-10,200, sr.•MontyCounts, Anna, 6-2,190, sr. . . ..

Klcke11-Karson Williams; New Carlisie TeCum· sr.;Joe Hernandez, Waynesville, 6-1, 170, sr.; David seh, 6-4, 240, ji.

Anderson, Purcell Maiian, 6-3, 2101 sr.

Defense: _. ;_ Backs-Adam .Pettyjohn, Deer Park, 6-0, Unemen-Rex BOrlhain, New Carlisle TeCUm- 160, sr.1 Jake Hinkle, ~rcetl Marian, 5-U, lBS, seh, 6-3, 230,jr.; Winston Kemp, Mount~a'lthy; sr.; Brady Deters, Wa,.nesville, 6-2, 180, sr.

6--2. 260 sr.; Kirby Famble, Nortflwest,; 5-10, ; Punter-John Lloyd, Cln. HiUs. Christian 220,jr.; Joe Walla, Anderson, 6-2,230, sr: !Jne- _Academy~ 6-2,230, ir. backers-~le Sanning, New Carlisle. Tecumseh, 5" Offensive players ul the year. Seth Millar, 11, 195, jr.; Gomez White, Piqua, 6-4, 190, Sf.; Mi- Waynesville; Sam Smallwood, Casstown Miami East.

Chae! Aetcher, Day. Thurgood Marshall, 5-9, 1B7, sr.: Defensive player. Of the year: Monty Cou'ntS, Preston Brown, Cin. Narlhwest, 6-2, 230, jr. Anna.

Backs-Steve White, Day. Dunbar, 5-11, 175, sr.; COa.ch of the year: Glenn Burchfield, Waynes· BJ. Lowery, Cln. Hughes, S·U, 185, jr.; Jordon vii~. ~ Se<:ond team Paschal, Trotwood-Madison, 5-11, 180, jr, Punter-Ryan Freisthler, Sidney, 6-1, 2.30, sr. ~nse:. Ends-Zack El)ersole, National Trail, Honorable mention ' 6-3,175, sr.; zach Cla~ ~na, 6-3,.11_5, sr. ., Unem~i~_ ·Wtlkerson,. Wa~nes~~lle, 6-1, "'"20 O/St; Ca~Se'ltMil'tj"efU;illliS'CfnistfaifJrt""..d· -:;;:; emy, 6-2, 210, sr.; Justin Carr, Anna, 6-6, 270, sr.; White, Alkeni ames Tumage,Aiken;John_Runk, HateSEJJith, EastCJiriton,S-10, 210,sr.; MlkeTre· Anderson; Ricky _COrcoran, Western Bro~; An· on, Versallles, 6-4, 271, sr. drew Wktebrenner, Kings; Anthony Brown', Wm· Quarterback:-EtilanJames,. Triad, 6-1,190, sr. ton WOodS; Antwaun Rllzier Aiken; Robbie Ev· Bac~Kamefl?n Knight, Anna, 6-1, 172,jr.;Tyans, Western Brown; Anthony Beny, Withrow; ler DuniOJan,· Casstown Miami EasL, 6-3, 185, ]r., Christl au Albertson, Uttle Miami; Zaclt ~rown, · \~ooQy Earls, Dixie, 5;7, 180, sr, Northwest; travis Taylor, Western Brown; Jake Return Speclali~-Jon Murphy, Versailles, Bennett, Ross; Bnrant French, Edgew~d; Jalw 5~8, 165, sr.

Schaffer, Ross; Josh Wright, lalawallda; Bran~ Kicker-Max Gabbard, Wa)tlesville, 5·9, 180, don Arehart, Wilmington; Quillten Rollins, W'd· sr. miagtoni Cole Selsor, Piqua; Jack Fay, Sidney;Tavlon Defense: Wnght. Day. Qunbar, DaTius Boykin, Day,,- Dunbar; Unemen-Chris long, Day. Christian, 6-5, RogerWiltiamson, Day, Dunbar; Oecnte O:ge;sby, Day. 211,s1.; Ryan Coibin,:TJiad, 6--0, 315, sr.: Fred Bo~ Thurgood Marsha~; Adrian QUinn, Day. Meadow dale; wei~ Reading, ~- 260, Jr.; Kenny_ Johnson, Dwa~ne Undse~. Day. Meadowdale Antwan G~belt, Shroder, 6·3, 230,-sr.

T1otwood-Madison; Joe Arata, carroll;. David Unebackers-Wllliam Moore, Casstown Miami McComas, Carroll; 1\'le Blakeman, Wilmlnglonj Eas\ 5·7, 188, sr.: AJ. Aikman, Areanum, 6-7, 150, Michael Alex Jordan, TrotWood-Madison; AUstin Ust, sr.: Collin Unk, West Uberty-Salem, 6-2;190,jr.: Doy· Greenville; Stephen Goehring; BellbrooK, o:i{yle Ger- en Harris, Cln. Hills Christian Academy, Sol, lach, Green~llle; Jordan Martin, Vandalia Butler; Cody 205,jr.

Fyife, Bellbroo~ TJ. Young, Day. Garro!~ Jordan . Backs-Derek_ Billing, Anna, 6-2; 170, jr.; Kyle BeVerly, West Carrollton; Steve Kocol, WestCarrollton. AeddeJjohn, Arcanum, 5-10,160, SQ,;lylerBessey, DMSIDNIU Reading, 6·3,180,Jr. ~ First team Punter-Chris· Kaspar, Day. Christian, 5-10, 145, sr. ·• · · Offense: HOnorable mention Ends-ledBo.lser, Indian Hill, 6-6, ~' sr.; Sta_cy J9nes,_lndian L:a:~~-5-10, 170, sr: Was Hunsucker, Anna; _Nick Worley, Dlxle; Cnrt Unemen-Z?cll vermll~on, Bellefon~lne, &-5; i Young, WayneSVille: Ryan Halley, Day. ChrisMn; Zach 250 sr.; Clint Shepherd,-Eaton, 6-4, 270, Jr.; Aaron Culley, West liberty~salem; Dustln Ho)'lel!, Triad; AaPohl, Germantown ValleY View, 6-3; 225, sr.; Ryan ron Bingham, Dixle;·Danh31 Kaffenberger, Triad, Tylor Myers, Tippecanoe, 6-2, 250,sr.; Scott Porter, Indi-- Ma~eson, Casstown Miami East;Zach Chlistman, Anan HiU, 6-3,- 200, sr. na; Cody Bensman,· Anna; Ben Lutter. Day. Chlistian; Quallerllack-Bo COrdell, Indian Hill, 6·1, Chad Zumberger, Anna: Kyle Keegan, Waynesville; 205, sr.

Obie Srock, Tipp Ci_ty Bethel; Jordan Burrowes, Tipp Backs-Quinton Jones, Franklin, 6·~, 205, sr.; , City Bethel; Mfles McCollum, Twin Valley South; John Nick Gibson, Urbana, 5-7,172, sr.; Allen ComerTippe· Belcher, Tri-County Nortli; Garrett Edwards, Readcanoe, 5-8, 162, sr. . lng; Alex Springs, . Shn>der, Wmston Wilks, . Return Specialist-Seth Kirby,' Nnnvood, Shroder; AI Upshaw.- Clark Montessori; Kyle 6-2, 180, sr.

Simpson, Reading; David Angevine, Readinm Kicker-Jonathan Simmcms, Eaton. ·6-1, 200, David Smith, Sltrodefj Maurice Smoot, Clark sr.

Montessori; .Chris Mitt:heU, Pun:eU · Marian; Defense~ Chris Pinnock, Shroder, Jared Word, 51>-oder, Unemcn-Bojan lazlc, Cin. Indian Hill, Kyle Jeffers; HUis Chiistian Academy.

6-3,1901 sr.; Chris Saporito, Franklin, 5~11, 242. sr.; DMSIONVI Jaryd Brown, Germantown Valley View, &3, 220, sr.; First team Wade Miller, Urbana, 6-0, 200, sr.

Offense: Unebackers-Sam Gauze, Frankllfl, 5-11,189, Ends-Joe Webb, Mechanicsburg, 6-1, 190,jr.; sr.; Isaiah Cordell, Chamlnade·Julien_ne, 6-2, Taylor Slis, Lockland S..O, 175, sr.

218, sr.; David Prewitt, Gosben, 6-0, 215, jr.; Unemen-Nick Pttifer, Sidney Lehman, 5-11, Marty Dugan, McNicholas, 6-1, 215; sr.

200, sr.; Kenny Gabbard, New Miami, &.0, 215, Backs-Patrick Bruggeman, Chaminade- sr.; Ryan Gould, Me<:han1csbusg, 6-2, 215, sr.: Cody i Julienne, 5-11,183, sr.1 Jake Budding,·lippecanoe, Rowiancl, Ansonia, 5-8, 205, sr.; Josh Boehringer, l 5-9, 181, jr.; Andy Jnstworlh, Cln. McNicholas, Covington, 6·2, 200, so.

6-1,190, sr.

Quarterback-Brendan Kelly, Sp~ng. Cath.

Punter-Oustln Martin, Franklin, 6-4,215, sr.

Cent, 6·0,185, sr. .

Offensive player of the year: Bo Cordell, InDocks-Max Dietz, Cln. Counby Day, 5·11, dian HilL 175, jr.i Kaleb Goins, Sidney lehman 5-10, 190, so.: Defensive player of the year: Sam Gauze, Josh Hampton, New M!ami, 5-8, 155, sr.

FranKlin Return Speciaist-Dawaun ·Smith, lock· land, 5-11, 17D, sr. ~ .. · Coaeh _of the year: Rodney Robe_rts, franklin.

Second team , , Kicker-Andy Huffman, Mechanicsburg, -6-0, 170, sr. ' Offense: Ends-Kyle Poh!, Gennantown Valley . View, 6-3, 180, so; DedrickGOddard,,Chaminade. . Defense:' Jullenne, 5-8,167, sr.

Unemen-Kris Roberts, New Miami, 5-9, ~~~-,--~~----Unemen-Wes Green, Urbana, 6-0, 252, sr.; 220, sr.; Darr Shoaf, Met:ll:lnicsbi.ag, 6-1, 215, sr.; Roland Sommer, Indian Hill, 6-3, 220, sr.; Ryan Jordan Cisco, Sidney Lehman 6-0, 200, sr.

Locker, Eator1, 6-0, 260, sr.; Jake Dall 1 New Rich· Unebackers-Devon Halloran, Spring. Catll. mond, 6-2; 270, sr.; Brad Fain, Springfield Shaw. Cent. 5·8, 175, ]r.; Ethan Price, Me-chanicsburg, 5-8, nee, 6-4, 250, jr. · 180 sr. Max Cartwrigh\ Si~neylehman, 6-0, 175, sr.; Quarterback-Johnny Day, Germantown Valley Brad Frilling, Fortloramle, 6-2, 190, jr.; /\arort SandDIVISION I View, 5·11, 168, sr. ers, Ansonia, 5·10, 170, sr.

First team Backs-Jeremy ~tt, Nonvoad,S-W, 1851 Backs-Brandon Uette, Ansonia, 5-11, 170, Offense: jr.; Daiton Caudill, Eaton, 5·11, 175, jr.: Phli Ulery, soph.;DaveSpearman, Sidney Lehman, 6-0, 175,]r.; Ellds-Josb Jones, Elder, S.foot-2 210 Springfield Shawnee, 6-3, 200, sr.

Logan Woloch, Covington, 5-10, 160, sr. · =~·unds, senior; Tonx Harris, MoeDeri 5--10,~60, RetumSpeciaU_st-Logan White, St. Paris GraPunter-Cameron ThWaits, Mississinawa Valley, 5-10, 175, sr.

Unemen-Austen Bu)noch, Elder, 6-4 275, ham, 6~0,207,jr.

Kicker-Mlcllae! Boyd, Germantown ValleY Offensive. player of the year: Brendan Kelly, sr.; Matt James, SL Xavier, 6·7, 285, jr.; Andy Spring. Cath. Cent Weber, Sycamore, 6-3, 250, sr.; Br.indon View, 6-0, 170, sr.

Defense: 1 Defensive player ofthu year: Ethan Price, MeWhite, Colerain, 6-5, 315, sr.; JaRE:i Feldmeyer, Unemen-Andy WDmes, NaiwOod, 6-3, chanicsburg.

CentelVille, 6-4, 270, sr.

270,jr.; Ethan Smith, Bellefontaine, 6-2, 210, jr.; TyCOath ot.the year. Jeremy Rogers, New MiQuarterback-Mark MiUer, Etder,G.O, 170, . ler.Seidel, Tippecanoe, 5-9, 177, sr.: Stuart He hi, ami• jr. · Monroe, 6-2.

215 sr. _ ' SeCond team 1 Backs-Bud Golden, Sycamore, 6-1,195, ·Unebackers-Aaron Witt, Indian Lake, 5-9, Offense: sr.j Tyler WiUiams, Colerain, 5·7, 145, soph.; 170, jr.; John va~ntine, Franklin, 6-0, 179, sr.: AJ. Eilils-Keith HurSt. Mechanicsburg, 6-3, ·190, Matt Allen, Tro~. 6-0, 190, sr..

Retom speclailsl-Jeny Gat.s, Middle- Warfield, Chaminade-Julienne, G·lt230,sr.j Ca· sr.; Josiah Schillenger, Middletown Christian, 6-2, 190, sr. · · sey Crable, St. Paris Graham, 6·1, 207, jr. town, 5·10,185; jr, Backs-\VaU Moms, Indian· Hill, 6-1,190, Linemen-Nathan Brandew!e, Fan loramie, Kicker-Tony Mlliano, Elder, 6-1, 170, jr, sr.; Sean Figley, Germontown Valley View, 6-0, 185, 6·6, 250, sr.; Treg Sherman; Sidney Lehman, 6-2, Defense: 200, sr.; Aaron Tripp, lockland, S.10, 19D, sr.j Unemen-Pat Muldoon, St. Xavier &4; sr.; Josh Calhoon, Urban~. 5-7,150, (r.

Punter--Lance Steiner, Greenon, 5-9 175, sr.

Dan Stater, Cin. Country Day, 6-0, · 255, sr.; Orlando Scales, Elder, ~~ 2:W, sr; Honorable mention Sean McCiellan1MoellerL6-3, 245, sr.; Adam ReWes Marsh TippecanOe; Calaeb Draper, Indian plogle, CenteNUie, 6-3, 2/o, sr.

Unebackers-Denicos Allen; Hamilton, lake; Kurt Hess, Chiimhtade-JuDennej TraviS Dal- Coun Day, 5-9, 170, sr.

Backs-ShamarHester,Cin.StlmmitCOun~ 6-0, 206, sr.; Jardan Hicks, Lakota West, 6-2, ton, GerrMntown Valley View; Ke~inJohnson, Kenton Ridge;· Josh Koronlch, Greenon; JaSon· Ostennan, b)'. Day, S.U, 2D5, sr.j· Garrett Clark, Covington, 5210, ir.; Austin Mooce, Springfield, 6-1,· 216, sr.; onroe; Andy Gens linger, Germantown Valley View; 10, 168, jr.; James Pugh, Lockland, 6-1, ISO, Jr. Gal•% Moeller, 6·1, 215 !<' . ~ AleK Kautb, Chamlnad~Julienne; T~!er Acree, Kicker-Wade Schroeder, Sidney Lehman·, 5·10, uaCR?N1cK Pnessman, Colerain, 5-11, franklin; Robbie Ford, Greenort; Michael Dunfee, Ur· 140,jr.

170, sr.; CJ.-samett, Clayton Northmont, 6·1,1B7, Defense: · ban a; Stephen Pusey,lrJdian Lake; IV~n Vest, St.Parts . sr.: Luke Kuech!y, St•. Xavier, 6-3, .:P,O, sr.

'Graham; Jared Easteu:lay,_ Springfield Shawnee; SJ. Monnin, SPring, Cath. sr. Punter-Steve HuU, Sycama-;e, 6-2, 180, · Estridge, Springfield' Shif!wnee; Wll! Barr, Ulbana; Cent,.Unemeft-SebaSUan 6-2,_1-70, so; Colton Hemm. Sidney lehman, 8raydon Gomes.

Urbana; Josh Pllch~t. Greenon: Pres6-0.175, sr.; Ben Ch~stian, Covington, 6·2, 203,fr.

Offcnsive.-Piayer _of the year:-~Mark MI!Jer, ton Vest. st PaJis Graham; Danlei:Esposito, SpringUnebackfrs-Pat Sheehan, ·sprlng. Cath.

Moeller. . ., Defensive players of the ye3r-Pat Mul- field Shawnee; Nick May, Beilefontalne; EthEn ~har· Cent., 6-1, 190, jr.; David Bethel Mechanicsburg, 6-2, Pin, Kenton Ridge; Austin W~en, :Greenan; Vinnie 185,sr.; Kyle Sp~acWen, CedaNIIIe, 6-L 190, sr.; Elh· doon, St. Xavier; Den1cos Allen, Hamltbm.

Coaches at the year: Doug ~msey, Etdelj ~stura, Mc:Nichoias; Sam Hendricks, Indian an Swank, Cln. Christian, 6-1, 215, jr.

HiU; Branmn Branson, New Rjchmortd; _Ja~ Ba~Raphael Alien, Yellow Springs, 6-0, lance Schne.ider, Clay\)n Northmonll Hom, McNicholas.. '. i · 175, sr.; Mason Poland, Mechanicsburg, 6-D, 170, Second team · DIVISION IV i so.; lawrence Ervin, Cin. COuntry Day, 5-7, 145, Offense: Ends-Jeff Jtuckwofth, Princeton, Firstteant: Jr.; Zat Schfnitz, Sidney Lehman, 5-10,.165, sr.

6-1; 198, sr; Brendan Gunnlngham, Fairmont, 6·1, . Offense~ Ends-DanieUewett, Da~. Northridge, Pullter-Kam Barton, Sidney Lehman, 5-10, · 195, jr., ~ ~ · Unemen-Jo·e Brading, Troy, 5~10, 250, sr.; 6-2,185, sr.; Scott Staannann, Badin, 6-0,_170, 115,sr. ,: Ethan Harrlg, Middletown,· 6-2, 250, sr.; Sean sr.-.

Unemen-:-Eval1 Neff, Alter; 6-4; 235/sr., Honorable mention Brooks, Ct'l.yum Northmont, 6-2, 224~·sr.; John AnevReed Aorence, S. Charteston Southeastern; Drew ski, Cin. Elder, 6-3,265~ sr.; Ale~.Rehmelt, Huber ·Max Plunkett, Alter, 6-8,305, sr.; Greg Ambrose, Day. OaKwood, 6-3, 250, jr.; Andrew McCullougA Clemons, S. 'Charleston Southeastern; Ty Ashbaugh, Hts. Wayne, 6-3, 280, sr.

Roger Bacon, 6-2, 270, sr.; Andrew Fisher, C!i~ton· CedaNille: Mitch Raterman, Fo1t Loramie; Gunner Quarterbac~SpencerWare, Princetan,S-Massie, 6-2, 250, sr. .

Whltaker,-R~verslde;Joe Coulson, Riverslde; Ryan Fos11, 215, jr.j . , Quarterbacl<s-Zach Toci'rier, Badin,: _64 naugh, Ansonia; Tray Sanderson, Bratiford;TyierWas1 Backs-Erik Finkl~ Wood'tYardj 6--2, 200, serman, Mechanicsburg; Ryan Jacob, Sidney Leh· sr.; Erique Geiger, HuberHts. Wayn_e, 5·11, 200, sr.; 210, sr.; Austin Boucher, Alter, 6--1,185, si'.

Backs-Chris Bodand, Atter, 6-0, 20S,sr,j man; Tyler Cooper, S. ChaflesiOn Soutreastem; Jake Antonio Banks, Middletown, 5·10, 2001 jr, Return Specialist-Randy Doss, Harrison, Everett Home, N. Cellege_ Hill; 5·11, 175, sr,j Bitner, Covington; Jarrad Faulkner, New Miami; Jo.sli Boggan, Wy001irfg, 5-9, 170, sr. : Richie Hacker, New Miami; David Wheeler, Middle6-0, 185, sr. . . ·': · . · Return Specialist-Josh J?oles, Broo!MIIe, 5- town Christian. · Kicll:er-N1cK Gundel, Beavercreek, 5·9, 160,jr.

na,td

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_i

Southwest All-District football teams

1

ll STANDINGS

·Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference

Dveian

League

Team .

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·Other area schools INDEPENDENT

League .- Overall Team .

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.

.SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO LEAGUE League Overall · W L ·w .l PF PA

Team

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Playoff updates ·Go to Cincinnati. Com duringthe high school footoall playoffs for all the latest news; Search: high . ·. school sports

fl .RUSHING. Name, School.

AlT 166 147 177 .

200

Davis, Western Biuwn Home, North Coll,ege Hill Hampton, New Miami Golden, Sycamore · Rnklea, Woodward Scott, Norwood Bau·er, Kings

Brown, Winton Woods Slater, Anderson Collins, Summi! Counti}r Day "'-Willlams. Colerain-~ ·

"vos

AVG 12.2 11.9 8.9 7.6 · 8.9.

6.1 6.1 S.O 8.9 8.3

2024 1749 1584 1513

159

1415.

229 221 165

1393 1354 1312

146

1306

Name, School Fugate, Edgewood · CoChran, Lebanon Fanthorp, Uttle Miami Dugan, Harrison Hopgood, Princeton DuckWorth, Princeton Williams, Wilmington Hi.lll, Sycamore Perkins, CHCA Riston, Withrow

155 1290 46 785 17.1 123-..·1269- ·_ -lO,a-.:·.·BOiser;=!lidlanJUII--···--~.fL,-;J.55~.•.-13~7 ___ . , McFadden, East ~linton 210 1244 i 5.9 Harris, Moeller 70:!. 748 10.1 Dunham,- Turpin 193 122f 6.3 ·Roberts, Middletown· 39;: 704 18.1 Hester. SummitCou_~tryDay, _. _ 201 :1164 _M_~J!<JQr._,~ -. __4L,•.6.9l. . 16.9..

Dietz; ClnCmnat!CounUy Day -:- · · f53 · ·ns~ 7.6 Rieman, Badin 48·: 690 14.4 Boggan, Wyoming 179 1156 : .6.5 ·McKnight, Middletown 34 • 681 . ·2M Elder, Edgewood 146 1137 7.8 Blakeman, Wilmington 53 681 12.8 Goins, Winton Woods 186 1133 6.1 Die'tz, Cincinnati Country Day 30 · 627 20.9 Arata, Carroll 189 1081 5. 7 Staannann, Badin 32 621 19.4 Woods, lebanon 152 1078 7.1 Hendricks, Indian Hill 33"" 606 18.4 Durham, Colerain 176 1032 5.9 Goddarll, Chamlnade-Juiienne 56 6D4 10.8 Alexander, Western Hills 156 975 6.2 Foley, Harrison . 32 602' 18.8 Banks, MiddletoWn 156 944 6.1 Wright, Talawanda 40 594 14.9 Pugh; Lockland · · 126 923 7.3 White, Aiken 35 578 16.5 Newman, Landm'ark Christian 132 917 ' 6.9 Kirby, Norwood 28 572 20.4.

Wilks·, Shrader Pilideia 98 907 9.3 Evans, Summit Country Day 25' 563. 22.5 Scott, Lockland 139 -· 898.

6.5 o·conner, Elder .41' 545 13.3 Taylor, western Brown 89 897 10.1 Newman, Talawanda 35 545 15.6 ·Houston, lakota West 182 887 4.9 Wurzelbacher, Badin 36 518 14.4 Brown, Elder ' 6.5 Del Prtnce, Elder 38.· 508 13.4 128 836 Riston, Wrthmw 112 816 7.3.

Tabar, Colerain Powell, Lakota East Rice, New Miami 123 776 6.3.

1D ro· XPTOTAL Westbrook, UttiS Miami 85 768 9.0 Name, School Davis, Western Brown 30 10 190 0 Rollins, Wilmin~n 120 755 6.3 Home, North College Hill 30 0 0 180 Lehr, Gien Este 144 754 5.2 Dietz,.

CCD '1 22 23 158 Park, Talawanda 162 753 4.6 ·o 0 156 26 Goins, Winton Woods Faulkner, NeW Miami 105 751 . 7.2 '0 0 138 Slater, Mderson 23 Ware, Plinceton . 154 741 4.8 0 138 0 23 Dardy, Northwest 156 740 4.7 Scott, Norwood .

23 D 0 138 ' 115 730 : 6.3 . Boggan, Wyoinlng Williams, New Richmond . 21 Elder, Edgewood 0 0 126 Heard, St. Xavier 194 722 3.7 12 126 17 0 Duncanson. G!eil Este 111 721 6.5 Rnklea, Woodward ~:o .o.

120 20 Toemer, Badin Douglas, Marienlont 156 709' 4.5 0 114 Golden, Sycamore 19 :0 French, EdgewoOd 100 707: 7.1 Collins, Summit 17 .o ·1 104 Gantzer, New Richmond 109 706 6.5 .0 16 3 100 Robertson, Fenwick · 129 693 6.4 Tabar, Colerain 14 Faulkner, New Miami 0 8 100 Daley, Fenwick 129 691 5.4 o· Wiillam·s, Colerain 16 1 98 Nea!an, New·Rlchmond 685· 7.7 •89 16.

0 96 0 ·Anderson, Purcell Martan ios stY< 6.3 Dunham, T~rpln 15 '0 0 90 Zeller, Cincinnati Christian 680' 4.4 Perkins, CHCA 156 McFadden, East Clinton 0 90 15 0 Edwards, Reading 673 5.7 118 FanthOip, ·uttle Miami 0 90 15 0 McClanahan, Madeira 120 672 5.6 .0 14 3 90 Jarrett, Hamilton 174 669.

3.8 . Hampton, New Miaml 15 • 0 90 '.0 · Hayes, Harrison .133 659 5.0 Ware, Princeton Cooley, Amelia 115 645 5.6 Youngblood, Taylor Adams, Bethel-Tate . ,, Salley, Mount Healthy SACKS TCIIL FUM ~~~ ~~' ~:~ Narpe, School . Toemer; Badin ..

REC Sprin'gs, Shrode~ Paideia 50 613' 12.3 Brausch, CNE . 7.5. 14i.O • 1 Edmond, LaSalle 115 6W 5.3 6.0 136.0 1 McBride, Taft McComas, Carrol! ·134 595• 4.4 Woods, Princeton 0.5 129.0· 0 Ballweg, Madeira 586i 8.4 ' 70 Dtett,CCD o.o 12f'.o 5 Berry;" Western ~rown 584i 7.9 : 74 3.0 119.0 2 Kidd, North College Hill Morra, Loveland 115 583.

5.1 McGowan, CNE 5.0 111.0 0 Pasture, MCNicholas 116 579 5.0 Brauri, Madeira 70. 111.0 0 Tarrant, Hamilton 95 576!

6.1 o.o ·1o9.5 1 Rozier, Aiken Mack, C~amina~e-Julienne 117 572 4.9 Hopklns, Western Brown 3.5 102.5 0 Dalker, Milford 559• 4.6 Tiffany, ceo 122 1.0 99.5 3 Mather, loveland 110 ' 547 5.0 McFadden, East Clinton 2.0 97.0 0 Hudson, Roger Bacon '100 539· 5.4 Cobb, Taft 5 2.0 97.0 Sauer, Bethel-Tate 64 516 8.1 Evans, western Brown 3.5 . 93.0 3 Dartls, North College Hill 59 . 514 8.7 Johnson, Batavia 1.0. 92.0 0 Albertson, Uttle Miami 61 513 8.4 3.0 87.5 .1 Morgan, NOrwood Engel, loveland 102 506 5.0 Allen, Hamilton 8.5 86.0 2 :Finley; .lakota.West, 500 5.1 . 98 Berry, Withrow 1.0 86.0 0 Walker, Moeller. _ 1.0 84.5 •2 . 0.0 ·8~.0 0 Smoot, Clark Montessori 19.0 82.0 Carr3dine, Taft 7 1 4.5 80.0 0 Andrews, y.'e.stem Bra\yn Name,SchDOI .ATT COMP YDS 70

'--"

-~:

:

ii~ ~~ ~:~ SCORING ·

m ~~~

~:~

• :2 B2 . 19 4, '.

135 2 19

2s 53 2 30 3

DEFENSE

PASSING

CorlleB, Indian Hill Cook, Mlainl Toemer, Badin : Watkins, Middle"tOwn Swartz, CHCA • Miller, 8der · Park, Talawandli Ware, Princeton Arehart, Wilmington Doss, Harrison ..

Banks, Withrow' Heiser, WalnUt Hftls Hess, Chamlna.de-Juilenne Isaacs, Lebanon Hendrix, Moeller Seyfrted, Wyoming Marcum, Edgewood Taper, Aiken Martin, Tur!iln ·Springs, ShroderPaldela :Geiser,Ross .

Dietz, Cincinnau·count!Y Day Woisard, Madeira Spikes, Woodwarll Tow·nsend, Hamilton Edwards, Reading McCray, Fairfield Sammons, Rnn"eYtownTen 8ri11k; Norviood Oartls, North Criltege Hill Rod,·Anderson' Ungerbuehler, RagerB~con SchUe; Sycamc:re Daiker, Milforll Brand~. Cincinnati Chnsllan Mitchell, Taft Staubilch, McNicholas Collins, Summl~ Country Day Knauer, PurceWMarian Peters, lakota West ·Massa. St xav~r Weiderilold, Batavia Engel, loveland MacCiean, Sycamore Castleberry,_ Claik Montessori Barnes, Mason ··

Uttle

265 248 212 196 2B3 236 268 201 234 '281 240 200 264 169 157 195 159 134 171 161 187 ·115 '151 146 232 92 129 '102 • 97 ; 167 67 .,119 183 ,155 127

:uo

)4d, · 148 .124 ' 117 ·121

·.119 .· 143

ma

150 140 120 137 ·142 13¢.

119.

98 11:i 158 137' 113 14S .1DI' 91: 103 91 70 90 69.

67: 60

.OFFENSE

2282 . 2089 School 2049 Western Brown 1968· Edge·wood 1g:45 · Indian Hill 1938 North College Hill 1938 UttleMiaml 1909 Anderson 1960 Winton Vfoocls 1828 1711 Colerain Elder 1673 MiddietOwn 1609 Wltllrow 1608 Woodward 1595 Hamson 1450 CHCA 1267 Badin 1249 Sycamore 1238 Lockland 1195 Summit Country Day 1145 New Miami 1134 CinCinnati Country· Day 6,~ 1110 .Wyoming S:l' 1066 ·t.eoa"non 1l4 948 ·Princeton 54 908 Madeira.

58 895 New Richmond 50 874 Turpin ~4 862 ·Moeller 79 859 Shroder Pa!deia ·49 8.46 EaSt Clinton 66 845 Talawanda 11 833 Wilmington 66 828 64 814 "ngs Mount Healthy 39 792 Glen Este 68 783 NaJWOOd 62 765 Aiken 66 752 Milford SO 723 Ross 52 719 Cincinnati Christian· 60. 710 Hamilton 54 689 ReaQing 63 684 L.ovelancl

RUSH PASS TOT 4096 544 4640 2730 1692 4422 1418 2970 4388 3213 1043 4256 1810 2303 4113 295f 1107 4058 3570 312 3882 550 3881 333!

1621 2255 3876 1693 2115 3808 1548 2201 3749 2595 1146 3741 1745 1909 . 3654 1497 2095 3592 1211 2379 3590 1894 1603 3497 525 3477 2952 8.00 3460 2660 3257 158 3415 2156 1253 3409 1633 •1747 3380 1707 1673 3380 .1244 2046 3290 2094 1183 3277 426 3240 .2814 1909. 1267 '3176 1246 1929 3175 1900 1249 3149.

2303 826 3129 . 1061. 2002 3063 1046 . 1936 2984 1772 1211 2983 1958 999 2957 2180 663 2843 1945 895 2840 1225 1542 2767 1627 .1118 2745 974 1743 2717 1676 l040 2716 1427 1240 2667 1492 1127 2619 : 183,( :no 2607

-··~···--~·-----"---'-'---'--=~_:_:_~~:::Ji_~:.._:::~

.,h, 6c0, 210, sr.; Cody Fast, Ashland;,6·0, 245, sr.; Sean McCann, Avon lake, 6-3,245, sr~; B:yan Kuhn, LouiSville, 6-1, 210, sr. · .· , ,

Unebackers-Maallk

State championship pairings

DIVISIOft I

.

Gle. St lgilati~s (13·1) vs. Elder (13-1), Canton FawcettStadlum, Saturday, 7 p.m. ·

DMSION!I

Sylvania· Southv~w. (14.0)

1'

.

vs.. Andem~n

l12·2J, Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadtum, Friday, 7 p.m.

DIVISION IV , ,

~K::

.

rin,· Lewis ·Ctr. rome; Wallace Hale, CO!s. Beechcro~: Davcn Custis, Cols. Desales;1~erHarrell, DublinSclotll; Chris Roc~ .Cots. OeSa!es; Lamar Ross, Cots: Walnut Ridge; Ste\'e Mehrer, Dublin Jerome; Kevin Obyc, Cots. Watterson; Rico Jackson, Cols. Franklin HeightS; Col.e Hudson, Zanesvute; Anthony Scott, Zanesvllle; OJ. Ecleberry, Dresden Tri·Valley: Kyle Smith. DresdenTri-VBHey;J.T. Bunting, Zanesville; Ross Allison, Dresden Trt-Valley; Eric Reed, Dresden Tri-Vatley; Kyle Binkley, Dresden Tri-Val!er, Wes Tan~, ·Zanesville:.· Seth Callison, Zanesville;'Jake Strock, Dresden Trl-Valley; Corey Harris, Zanesville; Noah Baldwin, Zane~il!e; .Nyles Williams, Witn\ngton; Jeremy ~e ll)',i'f:w Carlisle Tecumnick Harris, Fehrenbach,

Youngs; UoWine (1'\')) vs. RndlayUberty-Benton (14-0), Massl-en Paul Brown 1ige} ptadium, Saturday, 3 p.m.

VI .

DMsiDN

·,Delphos st John's (12~2) vs. Bascom Hopewen~udon (14-0), ~sslllon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Fnday, 11 a.m.

AI~ Ohio liSt

The 2008 ~ssoclated Press DiViSion_ I All-Ohio high school_footba!! team, based on the recommendatlonsofasta.~ m.. edJii.j>a~ • .' , 1 ·

I g~ 11"1\ll~~D~.

..

Winton

Special Mention' Jamar _Johnson,- Co is. west lac~ Race, Ashville Teays Valley: Chaz Nelson, Cots. Beechcroft; .Jeremy

· DMSIONIII . •

Aurora _(J2·2) vs. Cols. Eastmo.or Academy (13·1), Canton Fawcett Staalum. Saturday, 11 a.m.

Steubenville (14-D) vs. Kettenng!Aiter (12·2), canton· Fawcett Stadlu~~~~ ~p.mf·

Bomar,

Woods, &-2, 210, sr.j Brian Gerluis~h, Mayfie'!d; 510, 175, jr.; Tyler Scott, Warren Howland, 64,,230, sr.; Ky!eJuszczyk, LodlCiovefleaf, 6·3, 240, sr.~DeliOfl Freeman. Alliance, 5-9, 210, sr. : llacl<s-Grnnt /Yi~er. Ashville Teays Val., 6-l.

160, sr.; larez.Harper, Cols. Beechcmft; 5-10, 2QO,jr.~ PatSedlaT, Day. Carroll, 6·0, 180, sr{Bobby SWigert, lo•sville, 6-0, 175, jr. .. ; , ;, · -·Punter-John Howard, Anderson, 6-0; 180,sr. ' ·

Brown; Noah

Kra , alawanda; Terrence Gle"iin, Day~ :ounbar; John Atkinson, Olmsted Falls; Dev_on~ Payne, Cle. South;ltlrenzoTeylor, E. Cle.Shaw;.COI)'DeP!ero, Parma Padua Franciscan; Robby Van Zandt, :Olmsted Falls; Nick lowe, Westlake: David H~ghey, P~mta Nor~ mandr, John Howells, N. Ridgeville'; Mike Pinto, May· f~eld; Anthony Colucci, Ash. Lakesl~e; Antoriio Longino, E. Cle. Shaw; Zach laird, Qlmsted Falls; Isaac Moore, Ash. !.$aside; John Steele; Cle. South; Josh Gordon, Mayfi~ld; larry Tischler, _Berea; Cody Bennington, Avon Lake; Jordan Olckm.an, Madison; Ron McCloud, E. Cle. Shaw; Dartus ruford, Cle. South; TYler Erti, Geneva; Tyler Begun, _Mayfield; Perry :Wheeler, Marietta; Cody Huff, Jackson; Cal)' Maclaughlin, logan; Ryan Hughes, Jackson; Clay Morga_n, logan: Ryan Mullins, Jackson; Jon Neff, Logan; Seth Sigler, Logan; Zach Adams. Logan; Tyler Dlcl<son, Lllldngton; Damon contat, Maumee; TJ. Gibbs, Sy1. Southview; Kyle Cameron, Tel. Central Cath.; Dalante ~eard, Tot Rogers; Antonio Pickens. lexington; Michael Marrow, Tel. CenL Cath.; Michael Gallik, lexington; Brian Selfinger; Lexington; JamaaiTarren~ Tel. Cent'Cath.; Eric Brown, SyL Southview; KeiJ\n Smith, Lexln'gton; Dave Pickerel, To!. Cent Cath.; TuckerNuetzel, Lexjngton; Jimmy Hall, Syl. southview; Er!~ Bates,· To!. Cent Catll.; Patrick Oyer, Mlkey BicWeY, Akron East Neale Whitehead, Kent Roosevett; Ed lUther,. Richfield ReVere; Nick Knerem, Medina Highland; Shawn Riley, Wooster; Justin Gordon, Akron ~oban; Andrew Roy, Tallmadge; Gabe Hart. Kent Roosevelt; Nathan Muter, 'llllaster. KY~ Sl~ lodl Clove ;eat, Hunter Potts, Lou· is'i'ille; Marc~s Ragers, Kent Roosevelt;. Dom Rich, canfield; Dominic Williams, Akron Hoban; Ro~Cartos HHton, Youngs. East; Cody Rob~, l.Odi Gloverteaf.

First Team OFFENSE:

Ends-Josh. Jo~,- Bder, ,fi.foot·2, 210 pounds,. senlor;Tenence Davis, Fremont Ross, 6-4, · 200, sr.; Michael Edwards, Co. Gle>VIIIe, 6-1, 180, jr; Unemen-Josh Sucheki, Hilliard Davidson, 6-2, 265, sr.; Allsten Bujnoch, Bder, 64, 2751 sr.; Jack Mewhort, To!.- St John's,: 1&-6, 295, sr.; Marcus Hall, Cle. Glenvlfte. 6-6, 305:sr.; Dom Boyle, tV Canton Hoover, 6-0,·210, sr.

Quarterback$-Mark- MU!ef, Elder,. _6-0, 170,Jr.; Ai1drew Holland, Cle. St. Ignatius, 6-2, 200, .sr. '

DMSIOftlll Flrst.Team

OFFENSE:

Ends-l:ol'/ MatlicK,· Dover, 6-foot-4, 185

pound~. ~ior; Ted Bolser, tmDan HIUi 6-6, 220,

sr.; Trevor Smith, Be!levue,S-0,100, sr.j ~dam Black, Circleville Logan Elm, 6-1, 14(; jr,; Ju~n Chappel, Hunting Vat Univ._ School, 5-11(190, sr.::Jerald Roblnson, Cantons., 6-2, 175, jr, :j _~ Unemeii-Adam 8e!lam'y,'·Aurora; 6:-4, 285, · sr.;Jake Brandt. Co\s. BaKley, 6;6, 240, ~r.;_ZachVer: million, Bellefontaine, 6·4, 25;?, sr.~ Jared Br.lnskl, C~de, 6-2, 215, sr.; Danny I<J;;sell, Ctiilicothe, 6-D, 243, sr.; Zehr Kau!l, Rocky Rwer, 6-0, 2~0, sr.; Nate Klatt, Canal Fulton NW, 6·4, 290, sr. . .· Quarterbacks-So Conlell,lndlan HUI, 6-1, Core~ Usowskl, Dover, 6-3, 180, sr.; Ryan , Avon, 6·2; 205, sr.; A~x Gillett Clyde, 6·1, 190, sr. ·. . - · i _. !• Bac~tonn Kiein, Newarl< Uckjng Vai., 6--2, Enlls-'Mandela Sheaffer,F)nrilay, l;.;>,2(l0,r;r.; 230, sr.; Srtan Crader, Tnomvil!e She_rldan, 5-10, 170, sr.; Atzgerald Toussaint, Youngs. Ubertf, 5-10, ·195,

I

i<lc_ke~JonathaitSiill~Oils, Eatbn, 6-1, 200, sr.; Nick Us_te, Nl~es.McKln!eyi:5-~ ~p, sr.

sr..

•'··

,

DE!'ENSE:

. . Ullemtin-'Roosevelt N!x_; Reynoldsburg, 5-U,

240,jr.; Seth Nelsol'l,.Grbvepprt~Madison, 6-4,245, .sr.; Theo Traczyk, Strongsville,.:·B-3; 270, sr.; Steve Miller, Canton McKinley, 6-4P01,soph ..

·

Unebackers-&ian Soland, Lakewood St Ed-

ward, 6-1; 215, sr.; Andfew. Gar'mart, Canton GlenOak,

6-0, 20D,Jr.; Luke Batton. Macfdonia Nordonia; &.-11, 200, sr.;Tim Hartzel~ N. Caf1to'n Hoover, 6-2, 175, sr. · Backs-Ke,ltll Moore, GIDve City, 6-0, 195, sr.;

Justin Bell, Grov~port-Madlsori, 6-0, 180, sr.; PatricK Hinkel, Cle. St ;g~~atlus, 6-2i 205, sr.; Dan F0>, Cle, St Ignatius, fi..ll. 220, sr.:.:Cooper Ivan, Massillon Washlngton,.5·B,t62, sr. · Punt..-.Nane listed,

~1\IJSIONII Fii'st:Tea:m

OFFENSE:

End~xaviei Fugilie. Edgewood, 6-foot-4, 200 pOUnds, senio~_ Sllau~ Joplin, S~. Southview, 6-2,

180, sr.;- oarw;n· Cook,' E. Cle. Shaw, 6-1, 180, sr.;· Brandon-Mathie, LDulsvi\le, 6-2, 185, sr.

Unemen-Jake .Smith, Co!s. ·oeSales, 6·1, 260, sr.; Ryan Spiker, Qresden Tri-Valley, 6-4, 290, sr.; Andrew Norweii,AJ:Iderson,&-7, 275, jr.; ~lex ·Jones, Sandusky, 6-6,601, sr.; Adam Schneid, Avon lake. 6-5; 265, s-.; Cjay Cooper, Warren Howland, 6-4,275, ·sr. : Quarterbacks-Clay cameron, Dresden TriV~iey, 5·11, 206, jr.; PatlicKArl~e.Logan, 6-1,195, jr.; Eric Page, Holland Neal

Seamri·a~~~~;~~·d~ B< 'W~lr1Ut~ldge,5·9, 182, sr.;ZllcharyMelllng,Greenvi!le, 5-9, 170,sr.;fim Wetzel, Maytiel~ 5·lO,f18D,jr.; JacK SQuirek, Panila Nonnandy; 6·0, 215, Jr.: Chris Snook, Medina Highland, 6-3, 228, -sr.: K)1e Slater, Anderson, 6--0, 195,)r.;J)'Ierfort.ne~ Tallmadge, 5-11,197, sr.; De--, vln Clodfelter, Cols.lnt!ependence, 5-10, 190,jr.

Kic:kers-Ryan DiSabato, Lewis CU. O!entangy, 6-9, 175, sr.; Carey Spear, Mayfield, 5·10, 165, jr.; · Eric Dual_e, Medina Highland, 5-6, 145, sr.

; :OE!'ENSE: · Unemen:-com~uus Camldlne, Taft, 6-S, 230, sr.; · · Mi· . Chael Hilty, ·Corey . l..ilebackefs--:J.osh Kusan, Is. De5a2s, 6-0, 215, sr.;- Dan Molls,: ~am1a PadUa Franciscan, 6--1, 215, sr.;- Mitch Kro~,:Madison, 5-11, 190, .sr.; Greg Isley, Medina

5-

Sf,

cM--Michaat lawler, Dresden TrWaUey, 6-,3, 153, sr.; Tyrell Massey, Cols, Marlon~Frenklln, 5li, 185; sr.; Chris Williams, Winton. WOods, 5--10, 190f sr.; Courtney:~vel)', lexlnGffin, 5-11~ 170, jr.; Oerflck Paster, Sere~, _6·1; 170, sr.; Oeneno Bryant, Kent Roosevelt, 5-9, ~65, jr. ·Puntei'-SethWIIIoughby, Col< Watteffion, 6·1, 178, sr. · Offensive pla~ers of the year. Eric Page, Holland Sprln~eld; Neal Seaman, ln~\sville.

Defensive player of the year: JOSh Kuspn, Cols. OeSales.

CoaChes of tht! year.: Rya1 Wiggins, Cols. DeSales;·· Larry Pinto, Mayfield; Jtm Mayzes, Syl. South-view; Pat.! I Farrah,l~uisvllle. ; Setond Team ; i OffENSE: · Ends-MaSoh\Mays,logan, 5-11, 175,jr.~ Dan Schneider, Avon la~e, 6-4,230, jr.; Brian SIEICk, Ak· 1 ron Hoban, 6·5, 235, sr.

Unemen-co'ry Sorice, Day.- Carroll,-6-4, 315, sr.; Kevin Thomas; Winton WoOds, 6-3,265, sr.; Jim McMahon, Syl.i Southview,· 5--2, 255, sr.: Dillon Miller, Uniontown!lake, 6--3,275, sr.; Qav[d·sutter, Akron Hoban, 5-11,1240, sr.; Corey _Street, loUisville, 6-1, 2!5, "· :;

Quarturback$-Domlnlq" Brown, WlntaP

Woods, 6-3, 265; jr,; Aox PidcocK, Syl. Southview, 2 6- , i;~I!-Jeretniah Goins, Winton Wood~ 5-10, 222, jr.; Eri_c!Jordan, sandusky~ 6-0,-190, sr.; Jordan Sandidge; Madison, 6-0, 195, sr.; Ml~ Ma~­ snerus, Avon lake', 5·11, 175, Ir.; LaymOn Carter Ill, Akron Hoban, 5·7 i 180, sr.

IOcke~c Murphy, Hlngs,G--3, 175f sr.; ·Jaml~~~rower, Mfree, 5:11, 170, sr.

I DEFENSE: :unemen-"Jordan Jones, New Carlisle TecUm-

!'

omNSE:

Unem~athanSch*U; Raylari~ Buckeye Lo-cal, 5-11,165,Sr.; Darryl Wood, Co!s. Ea:stmo.or Acad., 5-U, 250, sr.; Drew·catpen~, Thornville. Shen'dan, 6--1,220,Jr.-·~-!I . :i Unebacl<er&-Sam Ga~ze. ffan~ln, 5·11, 189, sr.; Anarew Klindera, Chagrinfalli'5·11.. 215, sr.; Cody Cordle; Circleville logan Elm, 5·11~:_204, sr.; Mike McKinney CantonS.,' 6:-0, 210, sr.; Victor ROdllguez, Co\s:' Easimcor Acad., 6--2,- 230, sr.; Nick Truesdale, Uma Shawnee, 6-1, 215, jr:;: Alex}abar, Avon, 5-7; 168, sr.; Will Shrdleln,Sunbul'f Big Walnut, 6·3, 223,

sr.

·

i

·

Ba~eth White; Gals•. Be~ey, 5-lo, 183, Bobby Spence, Rayland Buckey~ local, 5-10, 155, Jr.; Ethan Kag{, Tiffin Columbia~ 6'0, 185, Sl.; Isaiah Bell, Youngs. Uberty, .6--2, 215;'sr.;T.C. Tumer, ·cots. East, 5-9, 225, sr.; Patrick B~ggeman, Day. Chaminacle-Jullenne,, 5-11, ~3, sr.; .~arrett Gronowski, Avon, 6-3, 200, sr.; Ro_me! DiSiJWke_~ Cle. Benedictine, 5·9, 184, sr. ::. . . E Punter-Allen StroubJe, Alliance Ma!llngton, 5· 10,155, ..sr. -__ -'! ·!; ___ .

Olfenslol• playeiO of;the year. Stllnn Kl~n.

Newa!k Ucking Val.; Fitzgera)dTouss~_lnt, Youngs. Uberty. . :. :• Defen_sive players of the y~ill':- Seth wt1ite, Co!s. Bexley; Bobby Spenc~,- Rayland B,uckeye local; .. Etha_n_Kagy.aiffill-COiulflblan. _· . _- ..

COach of the year: Scott Bartholomew, Circle· ! ville logan Elm. sr~;

IGHT: ELDER .VS•.MOELLER

Crusaders show confidence and respect for rival

By Tom Ramstetter tramstetter@enquirer.com

By halftime last Friday, the Elder Panthers. had :firmly established themselves as the favorites to win the Greater Catholic league South title for the first time since 2003.

The Panthers (5-l, 2-0 GCL South) held a 26-0 lead over defending state 'and GCL South champion St Xavier in a game they would go on to win 33-15. ' One more GCL win and the title is back in Price Hill.

Tonight's opponent, however, is in no mood to attend a coronation. Moeller is 1-0 in the· GCL South (4-2 overall) and can take over the top·· spot in the league \vith a win at 7:30p.m. today at Nippert Stadium.

"Actually, we were expecting X to be coming into the last game (on top of the · "senior re:ceiver Tony 'Harris· ~"irl"i''R•tHt''c• the second .part of our season right now and we're going to have to step it up."

The Crusaders' defensive capThe Enqulrer;Erriest:Coleman tain agreed. ''We've just got to do what we Moeller players (clockwise from top left) quarterback Andrew got to do," Moeller senior defen- Hendrix, receiver Tony Harris and linebackers Nick Galvin and sive lineman Sean MCClellan said. Marcus Rush aren't conceding anything to Elder tonight. · "We have to put a lot of pressure on the quarterback; that's our No. · Elder has failed to reach 30 much we can pass. If we establish 1job to do." · points in only one game this sea- the run, the passing game will just That quarterback is junior son and is beating foes by an aver- come to us."

Mark Miller and he has 1,393 age score of 35-18. · Moeller has turned to three yards already this season with 14 "Our defensive coaches are players with more than 50 carries touchdowns and has senior re- preparing our defense for what so far this season. Sophomore Riceiver Josh Jones and junior wide- they have," Moeller senior receiv- cbie Dyer has 65 carries and 340 out Tim O'Conner to throw to. er Tony Harris said. ''We're not yards with three touchdowns and Joneshas32receptionsandseven going to change too much up. junior Jeff Aubin hascarried 57 touchdowns this season and We're just going to try to .contain times for 290 yards and five touch. O'Conner has 31 catches and five them and hopefully our offense downs.

"I'm expecting it to be ·a real touchdowns. puts up points, too. Our offense is McClellan, howe\rer, sees the going to have to put up more tough game," Harris . said.

Panthers' strength up front. points than they do." ''They're really good; ,their confi· TI1e Crusaders have their own dence really went up. against X; ''Their whole offensive line is really, really good," McClellan standoutjunior.quarterback.that they're really hyped up.. We're said. "Austen Bujnoch and John ·the Panthers will have to slow really h}']Jed up too. We won our Anevski are two of probably the down. Andrew Hendrix has first GCL game. It's gojng to be a better linemen we're going to face thrown for 1,025 yards and nine · pretty good gamei' tills year." touchdowns. Harris has 39 catchShootout or not, McClellan ex: McClellan, who has two sacks es and three.touchdowns. pects the' same. this season, will get help pressur"We're going to stick td our "It's going to be aclosegafueeiing Miller from two junior line- game plan and try to dictate the therway," the seniorcaptainsaid. backers. Marcus Rush has se\;en · pace of the game," Harris said. "I ''There's going to be a lot of,emO. sacks and Nick Galvin has five. As think our run game is going to be tion playing this game. TI1eni's goa team, the' Crusaders have 17 really big. The run game does die- ing to be two great teams. Every sacks. tate how much we pass and 'how GCL game is pretty hard fought."

OUR EEK 1 CKS . Elder vs. Moeller Colerain at Middletown

ONLINE

CHA R Elder· Colerain

Lakota East at Sycamore

Sycamore

Oak Hills at Lakota West

Lakota West

Princeton at Hamilton Woodward at Taft

Hamilton Taft

ceo at North College Hill

My recommended list for Region Four, Division I playoff venues would be: 1) Nippert, 2) Miami, 3) Paul Brown Stadium and 4) Welcome Stadium. f'or

D-11, I would reco~mend: 1) Princeton, 2) St. Xavier, 3) Colerain and 4}:Eider..

Harrison at Winton Woods Loveland at Anderson

.Elder

What fan~ are saying bn Cincinnati.Com: More. on wherefbotba/1 playoff games ' should be held;

Anderson

Hsfbnut

They finally put Field- .• Turfiin UnWelcome Stadi; urn, so, I'm sure that theY'll get every single playoff game that they , can so the OHSAA can continue to line each oth' er's pockets." ·

..

C4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2()08

THE ENQUIRE

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IG : COLERAIN VS. MOElLER-

STAT OF TilE DAY 42·10: The score of Kings' victory over host Turpin. on Oct. 3, which was the Spartans' only loss. The two teams will square off tonight at Turpin.

PLAYOFF PREVIEW TOP MES AG NCE

By Mike Dyer/mdyer@enqttirer.com

Division 1: (8) Moeller (6-4) at (1) Colerain (9-1) WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Colerain H.S., 8801 Cheviot Road WHAT TO WATCH: Colerain has defeated Moeller the past two seasons in tile playoffs, including a 27-7 win at Paul Brown Stadium Nov.10, 2007.

The Cardinals, who won the Greater Miami Conference, defeated Oak Hills 42-0 last week. Sophomore RB Tyler Williams leads the Cardinals with 1,269 rushing yards to go along with 16 touchdowns: Senior DB Nicholas Priessman has a team-leading five interceptions. The Crusaders, who defeated host St Xavier 17-14 last week, had two close games heading into the postseason. Junior LB Nick Galvin leads the team with 9.5 sacks.

Junior QB Andrew Hendrix was 21-of-31 passing for two touchdowns against St X. BOTTOM LiNE: Colerain should have too much in this game.

D-1: (6) Centerville (7-3) at (3) Elder (9-1)

Enquirer file photos

Moeller quarterback Andrew Hendrix (left) has thrown for 1,609 yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while Colerain quarterback Greg Tabar has rushed for 805 yards;

Online

Go to Cincinnati. Com to watch preview initely have our illmds full." videos for our Playoff Game of the Week: 1be Crusaders also will have their .. .folera[QJlS_,_fYtQ!!)!er, C[leckJn fromJhe _ _ .. hands full with a team..Bolden says has. teams' practices this week. Search: high been playing with a chip on its shoulder school sports since the loss at JYiiddletown.

"I think we've gotten better," Bolden

By Tom Ramstetter said. "We-have progressed since Day 1.. tramstetter@enquirer. com track you down. And we have to be able to We kind of had that hiccup against MidMoeller has ridden a wave of momen- pass the ball effectively.' dletown, but since thatMiddletowngan1e turn into Saturday's 7 p.m. Division I first''I like our passing game. With Gmlior · we have steadily inlproved offensively round playoff matchup at Colerain, com~ quarterback Andrew) Hendrix rurming and defensively. I think our best football ing off two straight come-from-behind as .much as he's been rurming lately, I is yet to come. That one game kind of wins in do-or-die situations to mal<e the think that puts some pressure on their sticks in our craw a little bit" postseason. linebackers. They're going to have to stay Rodenberg is fumiliar with what his TI1e eighth-seeded Crusaders needed ln. and cover him on therm1, and ifthey do team is up against. a last-second kickoff return for a touch- that, it certainly opens up a couple lanes 'They have alot of speed and certainly down to beat Lakewood St Edward in passing. We've got options. They're go- theyuse an offense you don't see a lot of, Week 9 and a fourth..q~arter field goal to ing to have to mal<e the decision to cover although we did scrinlmage them, which beat St Xavier last weekend to qualify Hendrix or to let him go ahead and rm1." will help;" Rodenberg said. ''I like their and earn a meeting with No.1 Colerain. · If the linebackers stay in, Hendrix can defensive secondary, I think their lineMoeller was 44 entering the game gettheballtoseniorreceiverTonyHanis backers are good hitters and certainly against St Edward and the postseason · (70 catches) and junior receiver Trent their offense is clicking on the right gears was no guarantee.

Williford. Hendrix has completed 145 of with their dive and their quarterback GuBut coach John Rodenbl'lrg has his 264 passes for 1,609 yards and 11 touch- nior Greg) Tabar. He's a good quarterteam playing its best footbalL downs and has carried 64 tinles for 166 back. When they're able to pitch the ball, they seem to be able to pickup good yard''No doubt," Rodenberg said. "Our de- yards and four 'IDs. fense since the (Week 5) Mentor game . 'Their quarterback just mal<es plays," · age, and you can't ignore the pass." has been lights out, and offen::;ively as we Colerain coach Tom Bolden said of Hen. After rallying .in each of the last two get guys healthy we've been able to find drix. 'They're big and physical up front weeks to get here, the Crusaders are always to score points." and the wide receivers. (fony Hanis) is a ready a couple games into the must-win The Cardinals, meanwhile, fought threat every tinle he touches the ball. part of the year. back from aWeek 7 42-39loss to Middle- They're as good as anybody out there." ''It mal{es you prepared and certainly town, their first Greater Mimni ConferBolden would know, because the two gets you battle-tested," Rodenberg said. ence loss since 1999, to earn the top seed. teams met in the preseason.

"We carne from behind against both of Since that loss, Colerain has pUll1meled "We actually scrimmaged this year so those teams. The pressure has been on foes by scores of 52-14, 35-13 and 42..0. we've faced them already in the scrim- and our kids have certainly responded So how can the Crusaders go on the mage format," Bolden said. 'They pres- and I think the question is, can you do it road and win a playoff game? ent problems offensively and defensively. again. Doing it for athird tinle would be a "I think the big thing of it is we need to They are real good on the defensive line. great victory for our team. I think we can be able to rm1 the ball up the middle," Ro- They get to .thefootball and are real hirrd- do it, and I believe we can do it But we're denberg said. "Certainly if you get out- nosed players. They were a good teani going to have to go out there and prove . side, their speed is going to be able to thenandthey'reevenbetternow.Wedef- it"

TOP 10 OUTLOOK DIVISION I 1. Elder (9·11 vs. Centerville, Saturday 2. Colerain (9·11 vs. Moeller, Saturday 3. Moeller 16-41 at Colerain, Saturday 4. Sycamore (8·21 def. Mason 34-10, Oct 24 5. Hamilton (7-31 def..Fairfield 35-7, Qct. 24 .

T-6. Lakota West 16-41 def. Lakota East 20-19, Oct. 24 T-6. Woodward 110·01 at Wayne, Saturday 8. Middletown 16·41 def. Princeton 29-28, Oct. 24 9. St. Xavier 14-GIIost to Moeller 14-17, Oct. 25 10. Princeton 15·51 lost to Middletown 28-29, Oct. 24

DIVISIONS II-VI 1. Anderson (8·21 vs. Edgewood, 7:30p.m.

2.Winton Woods 19·11 vs. Dunbar, 7:30 p.m.

3. Kings 17-3) atTurpin, 7:30p.m.

4. Turpin 19·11 vs. Kings, 7:30 p.m.

5. Edgewood [8·21 at Anderson, 7:30 p.m.

G. Western Brown (10·0) at Tecumseh, 7:30p.m.

7~Indian Hilll8·21 def. Wyoming 27,24, Oct. 24 8. CHCA 110·01 vs. East Clinton, Saturday ,9. Little Miami (7-31 def. Amelia 53-27, , Oct. 24 10. Badin 17-31 at Clinton-Massie, 7:30 p.m.

OUR PLAYOFF PICKS

Tom Groeschen

Mike Dyer

The fans

Moeller at Colerain Centerville at Elder

Elder

Woodward at Wayne

Wayne

Dayton Dunbar at'Winton Woods. Winton Western Brown at Tecumseh

Brown

Edgewood at Anderson Kings at Turpin

Turpin

Badin at Clinton-Massie

Badin

N'orth College Hill at Coldwater

Coldwater

NCH

East Clinton at CHCA ·

CHCA

CHCA

Last week Overall

7-3 74-26

7-3 70-30

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today atTurpin H.S., 2650 Bartels Road WHAT TO WATCH: Possibly tile most intriguing match up of the first-round games, these two teams meet again after the Knights defeated host Turpin 41-10 Oct 3. Kings went on to capture the FAVC Cardinal title. The Knights are led by senior RB Nick Bauer, who has rushed for 1,354 yards and 12 touchdowns. But Bauer got hurt at the beginning of last week's game against Walnut Hills and is probably out tonight Senior DT Mike Kidder has a league-leading 11 sacks. Turpin junior RB Wayne Dunham has rushed for 1,221 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sophomore QB Eric Martin has thrown for 1,267 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior ·• DE Logan Fehrenbach has a team-leading 10 sacks.

BOTTOM LINE: Despite the regular-season result, Turpin is a slight favorite in this game.

Division IV: (8) ·North College Hill (7-3) at (1) Coldwater (10-0)

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Elder H.S., WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Goldwater 3900 Vincent Ave. WHAT TO WATCH: Elder, which was the Enquirer H.S., 310 N. Second St., Coldwater · WHAT TO WATCH: Coldwater, the reigning DiviDivision I poll champion, has won eight consecutive games since late August The Panthers are led sion IV state champion, is maldng its 12th consecutive postseason appearance and 14th overall. by junior QB Mark Miller, who has thrown for The Cavaliers' offense averages 41.3 points and 1,968 yards and 21 touchdowns. Junior RB Adam the defense has four shutouts. Senior WR/CB Brown has rushed for 836 yards and 12 touchdowns. Senior WR Josh Jones, a Cincinnati recruit, Tony Harlamert has 386 yards rushing and 443 yards receiving. He also has 25 tackles and eight has 41 receptions for 691 yards and eight touchinterceptions. NCH, which defeated Lockland 33-7 downs. The Elks have won two consecutive and received some help to earn the eighth seed, . games, including a 41-13 win at Fairmont last will be the heavy underdog in this game. Senior week. Centerville is mainly a run-oriented team, Everett Home, a Cincinnati recruit, had 254 yards led by senior QB Logan Hanes, who has rushed rushing and three touchdowns against Lockland for 928 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior DL last week.

Sean Fickert has 5.5 sacks and tilree forced fumBOTTOM LINE: Coldwater has plenty of postseables to lead the defense. son experience and is a strong favorite.

BOTTOM LINE: Elder's high-powered offense should be t(le key difference in this game.

D-1: (5) Woodward (10-0) at (4) Huber Heights Wayne (7-3)

Team hopes recent success helps spur upset-ofCafdinals- -·-

D-11: (5) Kings (7·3) at (4) Turpin (9-1)

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at Wayne H.S., 5400 Chambersburg Road, Huber Heights .WHAT TO WATCH: Woodward is making its first playoff appearance after a perfect regular season.

The Bulldogs are led by senior QB Orlando Spikes and senior RB Erik Finklea. Wayne, which was tied for third in the Greater Western Ohio Conference ... . . . .

-~-Q~!lt@l_gJViSJ90: IS ledj)Y.§.e.ruos.R!LI;.n_gue lleJgeL with 1,201 rushmg yards and 14 touchdowns. He also has 17 receptions for 153 yards. Sophomore standout QB Braxton Miller, who has offers from .uc and Ohio State, is still recovering from a leg injury he suffered in Week 6. He won't play against woodward, Wayne·coach Jay Minton said.

~~~~~rdl~~E~~;~~~I :~ ~ :!n~::e~~~e~~:~

well, the Bulldogs have a good opportumty.

Division II: (8) Dayton Dunbar (8-2) at (1) Winton Woods (9-1)

D-IV: (7) Badin (7-3) at (2) Clinton-Massie (10-0)

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today at Clinton-Massie H.S., 2556 Lebanon Road, Clarksville WHAT TO WATCH: Badin, which has won five consecutive games, is led by senior QB Zach leerner, who has thrown for a league-leading 2,282 yards for the Rams. He had 14 canies for 80 yards and a touchdown in a 42-0 win over host • Fenwick last week._ Sophomore Nate Snellgrove had 56 yards rushmg and two touchdowns last -week:CiintoncMassie,wtllciTwon the5blit11Cen-='tr 1Oh'o Leag e has been cons·stent during the u• a 1 . 1 · regular s~ason. The Falcons have made seven consecutive playoff appearances. Sophomore RB Jordan Sc~nlon has rushed for ~or~ than 1,000 yards. Semor QB Logan McCormick 1s also. a play-

~O~~~c~iNE: Ciinton-Massie is the favorite at orne.

Division V: (8) East Clinton (7-3) at (1) CHCA (10-0)

WHEN/WHERE: 7 p.m. Saturday at CHCA, WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Winton 11525 Snider Road .

Woods H.S., 1231 W. Kemper Road WHAT TO WATCH: CHCA, which is making its WHAT TO WATCH: Winton Woods, which has won six consecutive games, won the FAVC Buckeye dl~ second consecutive playoff appearance, won the Miami Valley Conference as it closed the regular vision title outright last week. Junior QB Domiseason witil a 24-13 win over host Cincinnati nique Brown has rushed for 1,305 yards and nine touchdowns. Junior RB Jeremiah Goins has rush~>d Counby Day. CHCA junior RB Stephen Koch had 10 rushes for 113 yards and a touchdown. "We for 1,135 yards and 26 touchdowns. Senior OLB are going to have our hands full with East ClinTristan Marvin has a team-leading'four sacks for ton," CHCA coach Eric Taylor.said. ''They are big tile Warriors. The Wolverines defeated Meadowdale 21-14 to close the regular season to clinch <J and physical." East Clinton, which won the SBC National division, defeated Cla[k Montessori 47-7 Dayton City League title. Look for QB Steven White last week. Steve McFadden had 239 yards rushand RB Tavion Wright to be key players. ing on 27 carries and a touchdown. He has 1,244 BOTTOM LINE: If Winton Woods can contain the yards for the season. Mike Seitz had 102 yards defensive pressure, it should win this game. rushing and two touchdowns.

BOTTOM LINE: As long as favorite CHCA can conD-11: (7) Western Brown (10-0) trol the line of scrimmage and be effective in spe- • at (2) New Carlisle Tecumseh (1~-0) cial teams, the Eagles should win.

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today atTecumseh Division New Miami H.S., 9830 W. National Road, New Carlisle WHAT TO WATCH: Western Brown is making its at (1) Mechanicsburg (10-0) first playoff appearance after the Broncos were" WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Mechanics10-0 for the first time since 1986. Senior QB Traburg H.S., 60 High Street, Mechanicsburg vis Taylor had 245 total yards and four touchWHAT TO WATCH: New Miami is making the downs to help the· Broncos get past Portsmouth ·~chool's first playoff appearance. The Vikings de41-12 last week. Senior RB Shawn Davis has feated Dayton Christian 32-15 last week to close been very effective, rushing for 2,017 yards. He the regular season. The offensive line has played had 15 carries for 187 yards last week. Tecumseh, well for the Vikings and helped the backfield. Sewhich operates a double-wing offense, completed nior RB Josh Hampton has rushed for 1,584 yards its third undefeated regular season last week with and 14 touchdowns; Junior RB-LB Jarrad Faulkner a win over host Kenton Ridge. It was the first time has more than 750 yards rushing and 85 tackles Tecumseh went 10-0 since 1998. Junior running and 3.5 sacks on defense. Mechanicsburg is a backs Kyle Sanning (821 yards) and Dustin run-oriented team, led by running back Mason PoHolmes (869 yards) are key for the Arrows. Senior . land, who has 695 yards rushing. ()E Jordan Jones has a team-leading 11 sacks.

BOTTOM LINE: Mechanicsburg has plenty of BOTTOM LINE: Tecumseh, which is making its second playoff appearance in three seasons, has postseason experieni;e and isfavored in tills game. .the advantage at home.

VI: (8)

D-11: (6) Edgewood (8-2) at (3) Anderson (8-2)

(7-3)

D-VI: (5) Lockland (7-3) at (4) Covington (8-2)

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. today at Smith Field, WHEN/WHERE: 7:30p.m. today at Anderson Covington, Ohio H.S., 7560 Forest Road · WHAT TO WATCH: Lockland lost to.North College WHATTO WATCH: Anderson, the Enquirer DiviHill 33-7 to end the regular season. It wasn't the sions II-VI poll champion, has won •four consecuway Lockland coach Ben Hubbard wanted to enter tive games since a 23-13 loss at Winton Woods the postseason, but the Panthers have an opporSept 26. The Redskins, the reigning Division II tunity to erase tilat tonight Senior Na'eem Maxstate champions, defeated Harrison 56-34 to berry, junior James Pugh and sophomore Devonclose tile regular season. Senior RB Luis Perez tay Scott could have an impact running the ball. had 12 carries for 225 yards and three touchCovington, which has been to the playoffs nine of downs to lead Anderson. Junior RB Kyle Slater the past 10 seasons, has won six consecutive also rushed for three touchdowns and went over games since a 28-7 loss to Miami East Sept. 12. the 1,300-yard mark. Edgewood senior Xavier FuBoth teams will run the ball primarily. Covington gate continues to impress - he had seven recepoperates a triple option and a 50 defense. Junior tions for 201 yards and three touchdowns last . Garrett Clark leads Covington with 1;020 rushing, week, Junior RB Justin Elder has rushed for 1,137 yards and 14 touchdowns. yards and 19 touchdowns.

BOTTOM LINE: This game could go either way, , BOTTOM LINE: This game could be close, but but give Covington a slight edge. · give Anderson the edge.

Each week The Enquirer's prep football experts will pick games from throughout the area. Fans can make their picks by voting online at Cincinnati.C9m. Search: fan picks

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 C3

IE ENQUIHER

erty: Brown's foc·us is on tea,m

NFL notebook

lenga!s notebook

Jackson is latest out for season

From Page Cl

By Mark Curnutte mcurnutte'®enqui•·er.com

Dexter Jackson was voted a permanent captain for the Bengals this season, but a thumb injury limited him to just · three games.

Jackson's season ended Wednesday when he injured a hamstring in practice.

On Timrsday, the Bengals announced they had placed Jackson on the injured r~serve list and signed fonner Dolphins safety Chds Crocker to the active roster.

Crocker, a sixth-year NFL player from Marshall, opened this season ·with Miami and played in the firstsix games, with lwo starts, posting nine tackles and one pass broken up. He was released by Miami on Oct. 21. He had signed with Miami on April2 as an unrestricted free agent, after Associated Press file playing in 2006 and '07 with Atlanta. He · entered the NFL as a third-round draft Jacksonville's Fred Taylor has four 100-yard performances in seven games against the Benchoice of Cleveland in 200:3 and played gals in his career. Taylor has a career-low 3.3 yards per carry average this year. for the Browns through 2005.

He has 80 games o(NFL.expedence, . with 54 starts, and has been credited with 295 tackles, seven interceptions, 29 total passes broken up, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Jackson, a lOth-year NFL player in his third Bengals season, started all three games he appeared in and h11d 21 tackles. . He missed Games 2-6 dueto a thumb injury.

WHERE'S ·CHRIS? Bemrals tailback Chris Peny has not had ~~ rushing attempt in the past two games, since he lost The Associated Press Their backups didn't· open nearly the same his starting job to newcomer Ceddc Benkind of holes that helped theJaguars rank secson.

JACKSONVIlLE, Fla. -Jaguars running ond and third in the NFL, respectively, the last "No, he's not hurt," Bengals head back Fred Taylor would like to finish his career two seasons. coach Marvin lewis said. "Obviously we with at least 12,000 yards rushing and in tl1e top Meester returned last week against Clevemoved Cedric ahead of him. We continue 10 on the NFL's all-time list. land, but his long layoff was evident as defensive to have things in the offensl! for Chds to If he maintains this season's pace, he won't tackle Shaun Rogers disrupted e~erything Jackcarry tl1e football and do things. Aftei· beget there until November 2010. · · sonville tried to do in a 23-17loss. ing down 21-6last week, we ldnd of got off Taylor is off to the slowest start in his 11-year Guard Chds Naeole could have helped. 1be kilter a little bit, so we don't get as many career, one of] acksonville's biggest problems in ternn's longtime right guard who !hissed the last of those things off. . a season filled with them. year because of a quaddceps injury, was expect"Bul there were some. special things Hehas266yardsrushing,averaging38yards ed to return alongside Meester. But Naeole when Chris was in there in the first half, a game, and 3.3 yards a carry- both career lows broke his right hand in pregame warmups and and he will continue to be in there on all for the 32-year-old back. was lost for the season. · downs. We just had the same conversa· "I'm a little puzzled about what's going on," Taylor, meanwhile; couldn't find funning tion about Kenny (Watson): Again, Taylor said. "Slightly, only because of what lanes- again. He finished with 24 yards on eight you've got to· earn your opportunities. we're used to. Teams are coming in and doing a carries against the Browns.

Chris just has to keep playing and do betpretty good job defending it. ... But we're not giv"I'm not going to comment on the troops up ter at everything he's doing." ing up on it. We've still got a lot of time to fix it" front," Taylor said. 'We've got to go to battle evPerry has rushed 96 times .for 253 TheJagums (3-4) might find a cure in Cincin- ery week and sometimes I make a bad cut and yards (2.6-yard average) and two touchnation Sunday. The Bengals (0-8) rank 28th in I'm pretty sure they canget upset .and say, · downs. the league against the run, and Taylor has four 'Damn, Freddy T, what's taking you so long to RNJURIIES: Linebacker Rashad Jeaniy 100-yard perfol)llances in seven games against hit the hole? Or why didn't you make this cut?'" (foot) did not practice Thursday. them. .

PRIESIDENTIAL RACE: ESPN says presidential · -¥/!de-receiver-Glenn Holt (chesl7 ·was-----· - -But given-the,way this season:has gone,;the·-eandidates:Barad~:Dbama.andJol1J1Mc.Cain are, · limited in practice. ' Jaguars don't ]mow what to expect from Taylor p!:inni.ng to participate iiJ. one-on-one interviews Participating fully in practice 1bursand their inconsistent ground game. . ·· vi1rsatellite that would air at halftime of"Monday day were defensive lineman Jonathan Fa· 'We know our backs are really central to what Night Football," the day before the election. nene (hamstiing), cornerback Jamar we do and we need to get tl1em going," coach ESPN's Chris Bennan will do the segments Jack Del Rio said. · earlier Monday, if the candidates' schedules perFletcher (hamstring), tight end Reggie Kelly (neck), linebacker Corey Mays (anTaylor and his teammates refused to point fin- mit, and they'll air at about 10:15 p.m. EST. kle), safety Chinedum Ndukwe (libs), gers, butDe!Riomadeitclearthisweekthatthe MANS: Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vandefensive taclde Domata Peko (anlde) rushingwoesrestwiththeteam'sstrugglingof- den Bosch practiced Thursdayfor a second and tight end Ben Utecht (chest). fensive line. · straight day after sitting out Monday night's 31TICKETS: The ticket broker 333-SEAT, Guards Vince Manuwai and :Maurice Wil- 21 win over Indianapolis. in a news release Timrsday, said it is sellIiams were placed on injured reserve following Vanden Bosch ran after practice as he recoving Bengals tickets for the Jacksonville the season opener, and center Brad Meester ersfromagroininjuryandhopestoplaySunday game Sunday for as low as !)19. · missed the first six games with a biceps injury. against Green Bay.

lnconsiste t running game puzzles Taylor Jaguars RB battling career lows in his 11th season

atson: VVilling to .do what team needs.

From PageC1

Seasons change

Kenny Watson was theBengals' leading rusher in 2007. He had a career· third down and special teams," Watson said. "Whatever I can do to high 178 rushes for 763 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had a careerhelp the team win, or lly to get high 52 receptions for 374 yards. A look at Watson's rushing and receiving some wins, that's what I'm hying to numbers by game this season: · .do." watson has played in six of the Bengals' eight losses. He has rushed 12 times for 54 yards and caught three passes for 4 yards.

The numbers don't compare to his production lastseason. In addition to his 2007 rushing figures, he had 52 receptions for 374 yards.

Nobody pulled him aside to say Chris Perry would be the featured back at·t11e season's start, and nobody told him the Bengals planned to sign Ceddc Benson after Perry · struggled.·That's where Watson's *Inactive list . **Not with team league expelience kicked in. He watched, listened and understood.

And. though he would rather be ing his breakout season.

You get opportunities as you go, playing, he expressed no animosity "I think we've gotten Kenny and I think Kenny understands about club decisions. worked back into the offense," Lew- that."

"Cediic's a greatplayer. He had is said. "You ]mow, he came out of The Bengals' running game was: a good college career and he had a training camp \lnd I think was a lit· 24th last season and averaged 97.2 slow start to his career in the pros, tie bit slow after camp, and then he yards. After eight games this seabut he has come in arid worked got injured. Then, since we've had son, ifs 30th and averaging 77.8 hard. I think he's doing a good job. him back and going, we've been yards.

Me, for myself, I just worlt hard . able to work him back in. · Lack of production propelled the each day just trying to be the best ''His role, whether it be special Bengals to replace Perry, who has player I can. be. There are things I teams or third down- we struggled averaged 2.6 yards a carry and.lost a little bit in protection two weeks three·of five fumbles. Benson, Chican't control," Watson said.

Coach Marvin Lewis was asked ago against the Steelers, so we'll cago's first-round selection in the about Watson's limited play follow- just lean on hiq1 to pick it hack up. 2005 draft, was signed Sept. 30.

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Watson's contract was terminated before Game 5 in Dallas, Ben· son's first as a Bengal. Watson watched the game on TV at home.', "Like I said, I don't let anything surprise me. I've been around long enough to know that things can happen. I was released for ):he . weekend and they had a spot for me the following week," Watson said.

Watson plans to work as hard as he has been and seize opportunities when they arise. All he can do, he said, is play his best and not worry about which role he'll have.

Watson, a player who maintains an upbeat attitude, didn't care to conjecture about his diminished role. · "I don't have any theolies or answers,"Watsonsaid. "Ijustdowhat they ask me to do each week and ·leave it at that."

wonderful he is until relatively recently. Humble? The guy won't even talk up his dunks.

"I'm not creative like that," says Brown. Apparently, the :'SportsCenter" highlights just come to him, mid-flight. "I'm just trying to get two points fqr my team. I'm not trying to be politically corre9t saying that, either," he says.

He will be asked to be a leader this season, an unfanllliar · role. But given the examples set . before him by the likes of Josh Duncan, and the indoctrination . in Miller's 'We" ways, the ad· justrnent shouldn't be difficult.

"No one player can take a team to the promised land. just going to make (leadership) visible, day in and day out. Be- , ing oii time, being in the weight room, staying after and shooting jump shots, bringing chemistry, on and off the court," Brown says. "I'm not a selfish guy. I want to win here."

In March, he all but won Xavier's Sweet 16 game against Purdue, shutting down the 3point thoughts of the Boilennakers' Robbie Hummel. This season, Brown won't. be that sort of complementary guy. He'll be do- · ing some of it all .

It'll help him make a lot of money. Not that he's thinking about that.

. basketball-speak, and we don't say that critically.. ''We here at Xavier ..." is how Brown starts lots of sentences.

It's a "We" world Sean Miller has created, and if you believe that's anything but laudable, you didn't watch the Musketeers in March. Individually, they didn't send a player to TI1e league.

Collectively, they reached the Elite Eight. Derrick Brown embodies the "We." He's good at everything - scming. passing, defense - and very good at only one thing, dunking.

In fact Miller, his coach, says the challenge with his best play· er is to "get him to do more. His mind-set has to be to dominate."

In other words, spread those . prehistodc wings.

"Derrick was verv much a· late bloomer," says iMiller, ex· plaining why Brown doesn't appear to possess the sense of entitlement that infects so many NBA-bound players. "He wasn't given full credit as a rising star, · middle-school player." Meaning, no recruiting service or maga.zine dubbed him the country's "fourth-best 13-year-old."

Bro\'Vll was seen as a project as late as his junior year in high school. He redshirted his freshman season at XU, where he started as a 17-year-old. People . haven't been telling him how E-mail pdaughe11y@enquirer.com

I'm

Miami: Coles is ready to go From Page Cl Other starters ·back include Kenny Hayes, a junior guard who averagec\ 12.1 points; senior forward/center Tyler Dierkers, The team's No.2 rebounder (206); and senior guard Eiic Pollitz, who aveniged 5.5 points.

"I like our team," said Coles. "I like the fact that Wf~ got some good offensive players and some kids that are good defensive players. We've got a team that likes each other."

Miami hosts Saginaw Valley State in a Nov. 8 exhibition and opens the regular season against Weber State in Los Angeles.

They'll meet either Prairie View A&M or UCLA in the second game of the Coaches vs. Cancer tournament at Paule',' Pavilion. !viiAii~l W;:Jr,~:EN: Senior point

guard Jenna Schone landed on the preseason all-MAC East first · team as her team was tabbed fdr a second-place finish behind Bowling Green.

Schone is the top returning scorer (13.7points per game) and 3-point shooter (84) for a RedHawks team that notched the most successful season in school history. Miami finished 23-11, won the MAC Tournament and reached the NCAA 'tournament for the first time before falling to Louisville.

She's among four returning starters, including sophomore guard Bliana Dunlap, senior guard Ashley Hawkins and junior . guard Courtney'Reed. .Miami hosts the Hoosier Lady·.

Stars in a Nov. 9 exhibition, then. travels to Eastern Illinois for a season opener Nov. 14.