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By Mike Hodge  (Hilliard Darby student)

Long considered the lesser of Hilliard’s two high schools (especially with the advent of Davidson’s state championship in 2006), Hilliard Darby has never been thought of as a playoff contender, let alone one of the state’s elite teams.  In the midst of only their second winning season in the history of the school, and their first playoff birth, the Panthers are a top-seeded team with a strong chance of making it to the state Final Four.

Led by their playmaking quarterback Jeremy Ebert and anchored by a strong defensive unit (including Georgia-Tech-recruit linebacker B.J. Machen) that’s held opponents to 10 points or fewer in 7 games this season, the Panthers—champions of the OCC Ohio district—have been having a magical season.

The emotions will be running high tonight as the Panthers travel to Upper Arlington to take on the red-hot Groveport Madison Cruisers.  Darby will be trying to avenge a 34-17 loss to Groveport that provided the only blemish to their otherwise perfect season.  In their previous meeting, the Cruisers gauged Darby for 8 turnovers en route to a 34-17 victory.

Victors of their last four games, the Groveport Madison Cruisers look to be at the top of their game.  In their first playoff berth since 1988, the Cruisers are coming into tonight’s game hot off a 41-27 victory over fourth-seeded Brookhaven (previously 9-1).  Led by Central District Coach of the Year Tim Brown, The Cruisers are on a mission to prove that their previous upset of Darby was not a fluke.

After the shocking upset threatened to derail them, the Panthers rebounded last week against the Golden Bears of Upper Arlington.  Down 10-7 in the fourth quarter, quarterback Jeremy Ebert ripped off a 73-yard touchdown run that would put the Panthers up for good.   But Darby wasn’t done there, as a string of turnovers and big plays gave the Panthers a 35-10 victory.

Darby’s keys to the rematch will center on playing mistake-free football.  Groveport’s win centered on the 8 turnovers that the Darby offense supplied.  The Panthers will also need to make sure that they get this game going in the trenches, ensuring a big game for the rushing tandem of tailback Jordan Richeson and quarterback Jeremy Ebert.

On the other side of the ball, Groveport will have to keep constant pressure on Ebert and try to make him force the ball; this will play well into the hands of the opportunistic Groveport defense.  The Cruisers will also want to pound the ball up the gut and chip away at Darby’s tough line, which led to big points in the teams’ last meeting.

The stage is set tonight for a real showdown in Upper Arlington.  Both these teams are hungry for a win tonight and the emotions will be running high.  Kickoff for this titanic struggle will be at 7:00 sharp at Moorehead Memorial Stadium in Upper Arlington, this game is one that should not be missed!

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