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DeSales marches on to face nemesis Louisville.

It's Raining Footballs, part deux -- DeSales 31, Marion-Franklin 23 -- Friday night was a cool, wet one for Division II playoff football after a week of 70 degree practice weather. The raindrops did not dampen the play of two accomplished local squads in DeSales (12-0) and Marion-Franklin (10-2) whose fans travelled from the north and south ends to Dublin Scioto for this much anticipated matchup. DeSales' QB Thomas Gentile passed well against a Marion-Franklin defense boasting size and strength, and the Stallions built a 28-9 halftime lead on his two TD passes and RB Josh Kusan's two TD runs, one for 64 yards. Kusan ended with 125 yards on the ground. The Red Devils fought hard in the second half, though, putting up two TDs including a hook and ladder pass play for a score, while the defense buckled up the straps and kept DeSales to just another FG. However, DeSales hung on and will now play Louisville (12-0) in the D II Region 7 final next weekend. It's a playoff rematch DeSales must be dying for after losing to Louisville last year. Coach Ryan Wiggins can't be blamed for thinking that DeSales almost gave this one away, though. Marion-Franklin started the comeback late in the third on a 1 yard scoring run by Curt Peele, and then when possession came back after a missed Stallions' FG the hook and ladder hit with Tyrell Massey taking a lateral after a Verlon Reed completion for 80 yards. DeSales then fumbled late, but a Marion-Franklin interception throw ended it. . . Louisville 7, Logan 0 -- I mention this one because there may be some readers who had been following Logan's magical 11-0 season going into this tough game, played in Zanesville, and also because DeSales is now matched with Louisville as the teams both advanced. Louisville almost botched this one despite dominating most of the game except on the scoreboard. Logan turned the ball over 7 times, including 4 INTs. One of the interceptions was thrown late after Logan had driven and then attempted a throw into the endzone that would have tied the game with an extra point. To no avail though, and the same with a late Logan possession after forcing Louisville to punt with a minute left. Logan passed well on short range dink and dunks, but got themselves in trouble with the picks when trying to force the ball downfield. Louisville's only score was on a long pass play. Medina Highland 35, Olentangy Liberty 0 -- Mr. Football Ohio candidate Chris Snook of Highland ran roughshod over the boys from Powell last night in a defeat that eliminated Liberty (8-4). Highland (11-1) led only 14-0 going into the fourth, but it was a game of domination.Snook had 175 yards, two touchdowns and another interception return touchdown. Ottawa-Glandorf 28, Pleasant 21 (OT- Div. IV) -- Cody Harris and Pleasant fought back from a 14-0 halftime deficit but couldn't avoid an overtime defeat to a four loss Ottawa-Glandorf squad. Harris had 222 yards passing and was 19 of 31. 

Lehman Catholic will take on Mechanicsburg now.

Mechanicsburg 40, Covington 14 (D VI) -- Mechanicsburg (12-0) rushed for over 300 yards in this small school playoff game in Troy and moves on to face Sidney Lehman Catholic (10-1) in the Region 24 final. Lehman defeated Springfield Catholic Central 42-6 in the teams' 25th battle. David Bethel had 119 of the Mechanicsburg yards and chased down a Covington kick returner that was in the process of taking it to the house. On the next play the defense forced a fumble that was returned 90 yards by two way player Ethan Price for a Mechanicsburg score. Price had 96 yards on the ground as well. The Indians kept up their season average of scoring 40+ points per game.

Tags: football, high school football, high school sports