PHOTO BY RICK CHARLES
The Twinsburg Tigers (9-1, 5-0) will host Brunswick in a Div. I regional quarterfinal game on Saturday at 7 p.m.
SHARON CENTER -- Eleven football teams from Summit/Medina County qualified for the OHSAA state playoffs when the 2009 postseason field was announced on Sunday afternoon.
Twinsburg, Wadsworth, Brunswick, Highland, Archbishop Hoban, Buckeye, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Manchester, CVCA, Woodridge and Mogadore all will play games in Week 11, which begins Friday night with action in Division II, III and V. The Division I, IV and VI contests each take place Saturday evening.
Hudson, however, was bumped from the eighth and final spot in D-I, Region 2 via a third-level tiebreaker with Canton McKinley. McKinley needed to upset Massillon Washington on Saturday to reach the postseason -- and knock the Explorers out -- and did.
That outcome also dropped Massillon to the third seed and elevated Twinsburg to the No. 2 spot, which gives Brunswick a second crack at its Northeast Ohio Conference rivals.
The most interesting second-round matchup is in Division III, Region 9, where Hoban and St. Vincent-St. Mary could face off. First, though, the Knights must defeat sixth-seeded Parma Padua, and the Irish have to upset second-seeded Poland.
Division I - Saturday at 7 p.m.
Brunswick (7-3) at Twinsburg (9-1) ... matchup of 7-2 seeds
Wadsworth (9-1) at Canton Glen Oak (8-2) ... matchup of 5-4 seeds
Division II - Friday at 7 p.m.
Highland (6-4) at Warren Howland (9-1) ... matchup of 7-2 seeds
Division III - Friday at 7 p.m.
St. Vincent-St. Mary (6-4) at Poland Seminary (8-2) ... matchup of 7-2 seeds
Parma Padua (7-3) at Archbishop Hoban (7-3) ... matchup of 6-3 seeds
Buckeye (8-2) at Hubbard (9-1) ... matchup of 5-4 seeds
Division IV - Saturday at 7 p.m.
Cortland Lakeview (7-3) at Manchester (9-1) ... matchup of 5-4 seeds
CVCA (7-3) at Girard (10-0) ... matchup of 7-2 seeds
Woodridge (8-2) at Martins Ferry (7-2) ... matchup of 6-3 seeds
Division V - Friday at 7 p.m.
no local playoff qualifiers
Division VI - Saturday at 7 p.m.
Warren John F. Kennedy (7-3) at Mogadore (9-1) ... matchup of 6-3 seeds
Week 10 Review
We are the champions! That familiar theme song by Queen was no doubt echoing through several locker rooms after area football teams wrapped up conference championships in the 10th and final week of the regular football season.
Grizzlies Claim Suburban League Crown
In the Suburban League Wadsworth not only celebrated the conference title, but also will extend their season in the state playoffs at Glen Oak Friday. The Grizzlies (9-1, 6-1) clinched the Suburban with a 38-7 whipping of Barberton. Quarterback Craig Busson displayed his option skills with three touchdown runs, the longest for 53 yards.
Another Suburban League club, Highland lost to Cloverleaf Friday night but the Hornets (6-4,) still backed into the state playoff field, earning a first round trip to Warren Howland.
Tigers clinch NOC River Crown
Twinsburg won its second consecutive Northeast Ohio Conference River Division crown, by thumping Elyria 35-7. The Tigers (9-1, 5-0) get to host a first round state playoff game against NOC rival Brunswick.
Akron Parochial Rivals Extend Season
Hoban was a winner, St. Vincent St. Mary a loser, on the final weekend of the regular season but they’ll both see post-season action.
Hoban senior running back Lawrence Wynn passed 39 yards for a touchdown and sprinted 80 yards for another score as the Knights (7-3) cruised by Notre Dame Cathedral Latin 24-8. The victory gave Hoban the right to host a first round Division III game against Parma Padua.
St. Vincent St. Mary backed into the post-season despite a 38-24 loss to Youngstown Ursuline. The Irish (6-4) are on the road at Poland in Division III, Region 9.
Walsh (5-4) saw its playoff hopes die with a 42-28 loss to Cincinnati LaSalle.
Griffins Finish On Top
Buchtel is back. The Griffins won a defensive battle with Garfield 14-8 at Infocision Stadium Friday night to finish off a perfect 6-0 City Series season and avenge last year’s title loss to the Golden Rams. Buchtel’s defense did bend, but never broke against Garfield, forcing four Ram fumbles and recovering three. The Griffins (7-3, 6-0) won despite being out gained 229 to 156 yards in total offense. An 83 yard touchdown run by Buchtel senior running back John Coleman out of the wildcat formation in the third quarter was the difference. Coleman finished with 113 yards and the deciding TD.
Tyson Gulley, who had to play without brother Toneo in the second half due to an injury, had a solid night for the Rams gaining 115 yards on the ground.
Buchtel’s effort fell just short of qualifying the Griffins for the postseason, as they finished ninth in their region in Division III.
Panthers Claim PAC-7
Manchester overpowered PAC-7 rival CVCA 35-14 to win the conference title with a perfect 7-0 record, but both teams qualified for the playoffs.
The Panthers (9-1 ) host a first round Division IV game against Cortland Lakeview (7-3)
CVCA (7-3) will travel to undefeated Girard in another Division IV match-up.
PTC Conference Championship Shared
Mogadore and Woodridge are co-champions of the Portage Trail Conference County Division, as both wrapped up their regular seasons with victories.
Mogadore whipped East Canton 46-13, while Woodridge routed Waterloo 42-7. The Wildcats and Bulldogs are rewarded with state playoff berths.
Mogadore (9-1, 6-1) will host Warren John F. Kennedy (7-3) Saturday night.
Woodridge (8-2, 6-1) travels to Martins Ferry (7-2) in Week 11.
Ravenna wraps up the PTC Metro Division crown with a 47-0 crushing of Springfield. Despite the loss the Spartans (6-4, 4-3) wrap up their first winning season in 11 years.
Bucks Are Best in Patriot Athletic Conference
Buckeye wraps up the PAC Stars Division title with a 57-13 victory over Keystone and clinches a playoff spot. Freshman Ricky Monroe scored his first two touchdowns for the Bucks. Buckeye (8-2) hits the road to take on Hubbard (9-1) in a Division III playoff game.
Our congratulations to the champs, and all the area teams for another great season.