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Wadsworth defenders Chester Foth (29) and Mitch Gordon (9) will have their hands full against a talented Hudson team when the Grizzlies face the Explorers on Saturday.

The postseason continues Saturday for Black River, Hudson and Wadsworth as they each face worthy opponents in the second round of the state football playoffs.

Black River faces an offense in Girard almost as explosive as the Pirates’ running attack, while the weekend’s most intriguing matchup of them all might be at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium when Hudson takes on Wadsworth. The Explorers and Grizzlies each boast an explosive tailback running behind big and experienced offensive lines. That match-up promises to be a treat for fans that love to watch teams that rely on the power running game.

Who will come out on top and reach the round of eight? With two SportsInk.com schools facing each other, there will be a Week 13 for at least one team.

Here’s an early look at both games:

Division I, Region 2

No. 7 Wadsworth (10-1) vs. No. 3 Hudson (10-1), 7 p.m. Saturday, Canton Fawcett Stadium

If the Grizzlies and Explorers were to look in a mirror they might see the other team staring back at them. They are that similar in style and talent.

Wadsworth relies on big linemen on both sides of the line if scrimmage and likes to pound the ball on offense with feature back Jack Snowball (31 TDs).

The game plan should sound familiar to anyone who’s watched Hudson this year.

The Explorers’ defense has been stout this year as has junior running back Ben Gedeon, who steadied the ship when quarterback David Nelson and fullback/defensive end Steve Nagy went down with injuries. Both are back, and Hudson is rolling, winning seven in a row since a 31-28 loss to Brunswick in Week 4.

Gedeon (120 tackles), Nagy (65) and the rest of Hudson’s defense will face a very dangerous and talented runner in Snowball.

When the Grizzlies’ 210-pound senior tailback scored three touchdowns last week in a 35-28 win over Canton GlenOak, Snowball broke the Medina County record for points in a season held by Brunswick’s Les Brock (1995) and now has 188. Brock scored 186. Snowball needs 32 rushing yards to break former Wadsworth star Dru Jones’ single season mark of 2,281 (2007) – both Medina County and school records.

When Hudson has the ball, Wadsworth’s leaders on defense Bret Baughman (126 tackles) and Tyler Perry (111) will see a feature back in Gedeon (1,344 yards rushing, 17 TDs), who is a bruiser just like Snowball.

This game will likely come down to which team can control the line of scrimmage and open holes for their respective running backs. Hudson averages 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds on the offensive line, while Wadsworth comes in at 6-0 and 226 pounds. 

The Grizzlies hold a 5-6 mark in the postseason – all under coach Greg Dennison – and reached the regional finals in 2003. The Explorers are 3-4 in the playoffs.

The pick: Wadsworth

Division IV, Region 13

No. 4 Black River (9-2) vs. No. 1 Girard (10-1), 7 p.m., Saturday, Uniontown Lake Stadium

The scorekeepers may want to bring their mechanical pencils and a lot of extra lead to this one as these two offenses can really put points on the board.

The Black River Pirates step into the regional semifinal after gaining 478 yards (447 rushing) in their 49-24 win over Manchester.

Meanwhile, the All-American Conference Blue Division co-champion Girard Indians put up 405 yards in a 35-12 win over Canton Central Catholic in Week 11.

This will be the most dynamic offense that defensive end John Guilford and Black River has seen. Girard, with Dan Graziano (1,589 yards passing, 21 TDs, 1,665 yards rushing, 16 TDs), Brandon Byrd (626 yards receiving, 11 TDs) and Ahmad Eggleston (1,430 yards rushing, 27 TDs), is averaging almost 44 points this season.

Equally as impressive is Black River’s offense.

The unit will test Jake Carpenter, Nick Malvasi and AJ Devore, who spearhead a defense allowing 15 points a game.

Sophomore running back Andrew Vaughn (1,815 yards rushing, 23 TDs) and junior Austin Phillips (1,039, 15) each scored twice last week.

If those two are stopped, senior Jake Sexton (585 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and junior Dakota Kuntz (1,088, rushing yards, 13 TDs) can get it done as well.

Turnovers have plagued the Pirates in both their losses as they combined for six giveaways in Patriot Athletic Conference defeats to Wellington and Firelands.

Girard is making its sixth trip to the playoffs and reached the regional finals in 2002. The Indians hold a 6-5 career record in the postseason.

Black River is making its eighth trip to the playoffs and reached the regional finals in 2003. The Pirates are 6-7 overall.

The pick: Girard