OdbCle Posted November 20, 2023 Report Share Posted November 20, 2023 Seven of my pre-season top ten have found their way to the state semi-finals. The overall health of the rosters at this point in the season could be a deciding factor in who punches their ticket to the finals. Here are the top games this weekend: D1 Semi #1: St. Edward (13-1) vs. Hilliard Bradley (13-1) - As expected, St. Edward has been nothing short of dominant in their playoff run to date. R1 was definitely down this year in terms of legitimate state title contenders, but this Ed's team is also just very good. Casey Bullock returned from injury for the second time this year and threw a couple TD passes in a route of Medina. Ed's defense held an explosive Medina offense to 7 points. Hilliard Bradley, an unknown heading into the year, emerged from a very deep R3 and took out Upper Arlington in a double OT affair. Their All-District POY, QB Bradyn Fleharty, accounted for all 5 scores for the Jaguars. He was reportedly injured, but expects to play this week. If he can't go that would be a crushing blow in a game where they are a clear underdog to begin with. He's a dual-threat guy, which has been the Achilles heel of the St. Edward defense. The Eagles also sustained some injuries to key players and we'll see if they are a go this weekend. D1 Semi #2: Moeller (10-4) vs. Springfield (9-5) - This is a rematch of last years semi-final that saw Springfield emerge victorious. Both of these teams were among the pre-season favorites but had rough starts to the season that saw them drop in the polls. Moeller had a scare when Jordan Marshall re-aggravated an ankle injury in the Ed's game and was thought to possibly be lost for the season, but he's gutted it out and will look to avenge the loss to Springfield last year. The Crusaders have star power on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats have really been clicking since getting their injured QB back and have no shortage of talent of their own, but I just don't think they are as explosive offensively as they were last year. I look for Moeller to prevail and set up a rematch against Ed's in the finals. D2 Semi #1: Hoban (12-1) vs. Avon (14-0) - We may get robbed of a classic in this one as Avon's QB is injured and done for the year. The loss of his dual-threat capabilities was evident in a 28-14 win against Highland last round, a game they probably win by 4 TD's if he plays. Hoban is stacked on the defensive side of ball and Avon would need all hands on deck to attack them effectively (like Ed's has been able to with Bullock the past two years). Jakorian Caffey is a very talented RB for Avon and their o-line is formidable, but I don't know that he will be enough. D2 Semi #2: Massillon (14-0) vs. Anderson (13-1) - The stout Massillon defense versus an explosive Anderson offense is the battle here. The Tigers haven't given up more than a touchdown in 5 weeks while Anderson has scored 40+ in every playoff game. A very good Winton Woods defense held them to just 20 back in week 6, and this Massillon defense is even better. I'll take the Tigers to prevail and look for a great finals matchup with Hoban. D3 Semi #1: TCC (14-0) vs. Chardon (11-3) - TCC is here as expected, steamrolling their way through a bunch of overmatched R10 opponents. Chardon pulled off the upset against undefeated Ursuline to claim the R9 title, and did so in convincing fashion. The Hilltoppers will be massive underdogs against a loaded TCC team, but they are not unfamiliar with this stage, having won back-to-back D3 championships in 2020 and 2021. 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 The consensus I’m seeing seems to be that Hilliard is a one-man team (their QB), but that he may be hurt or limited for this game. Still, assuming he is healthy. any time you have a legit dual-threat QB in high school, it’s always dangerous, so Ed’s needs to stay disciplined and bring the lumber on D. Hoping Springfield can spring a surprise on Moe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, reggid said: The consensus I’m seeing seems to be that Hilliard is a one-man team (their QB), but that he may be hurt or limited for this game. Still, assuming he is healthy. any time you have a legit dual-threat QB in high school, it’s always dangerous, so Ed’s needs to stay disciplined and bring the lumber on D. Hoping Springfield can spring a surprise on Moe. Hoping Bullock stays healthy and is able to run at least in the finals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zulu1128 Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 Rooting for Moeller just to piss riverboi off. His tantrums are too good to pass up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 23, 2023 Report Share Posted November 23, 2023 37 minutes ago, zulu1128 said: Rooting for Moeller just to piss riverboi off. His tantrums are too good to pass up. Yeah he’ s a trip that will be the game in Ohio this Friday IMO surprised not the pick ‘em game hopefully I can navigate & pick it up on the Spectrum app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OdbCle Posted November 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2023 I think Moeller gets them this time. All-Catholic final. 10 separate public/private threads on yappi. 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 And away we go . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OdbCle Posted November 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 No Fleharty for Bradley tonight. On the Eagles side, no Kayan Mason or Loghan Thomas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Springfield takes the opening drive to the Moe 1, but goes for it and doesn’t get in on 4th down. More takes over at its own 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OdbCle Posted November 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 St. Edward 7, Bradley 0 in the 1st Brandon White TD, making up for losing a fumble on the opening drive. Ed’s picking up yards in chunks on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Avon draws first blood holding Hoban to a short missed FG then scoring Avon 7-0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Moe 3-0 over Springfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Mass 21 Anderson 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Another FG for Moe. 6-0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Bradley kicks 36 yard FG Eds 7-3 time to wake up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OdbCle Posted November 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 2 minutes ago, hardhit1 said: Bradley kicks 36 yard FG Eds 7-3 time to wake up Sullivan dropped what looked like it could have been a TD. Not much of a pass rush with Thomas out. Have to find other ways to get to their freshman qb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 4 minutes ago, OdbCle said: Sullivan dropped what looked like it could have been a TD. Not much of a pass rush with Thomas out. Have to find other ways to get to their freshman qb. Yep, Mason out also does not help with the WR drops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Mass up 35-7 first half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 TD Eds. 14-3. 1-yard TD run by White. Second TD of the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Moe with a short rushing TD, but 2PT try fails. 12-0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Hoban kicks a 24 yd FG to end the half 7-3 Avon halftime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Mass 35-7 halftime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 TD Springfield. 12-7 Moe just before halftime. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardhit1 Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Ed's 14 HB 3 halftime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reggid Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Eds D comes up with an INT to end the half. 14-3 Halftime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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