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Big Walnut and Licking Valley will meet in the Div. III final on Friday.

Results Friday 11/23 and Saturday 11/24 -- Big Walnut and Licking Valley to meet in Div. III Final; Newark Catholic advances to Div. VI Final--  A 65 yard last minute TD run by Josh Bailey of Licking Valley set up a Div. III state final local showdown for the Panthers with Big Walnut as the Eagles bested Lemon-Monroe with a fumble recovery TD, a pick six and a 1 yard QB run. OSU 2009 recruit Storm Klein had 2 TDs for Licking Valley, but played a decoy role on Bailey's big score. Monroe QB Tyler Osterman had thrown only 4 INTs all season, but Big Walnut intercepted him 3 times, including the game clinching 92 yard return by Derek Jones with 5:38 remaining in the fourth. Central Ohio fans will be geared up for this fantastic final. Licking Valley and Big Walnut will meet at 3 pm Friday at Canton Fawcett Stadium. Unfortunately, Dublin Coffman fell to St. Xavier in a tight 10-7 contest that saw the clock tick away as Coffman receiver Trey Fairchild was tackled inbounds at the Bomber 8 yard line. Coffman had a valiant 13-1 season and had closed the scoring with a 75 yard fourth quarter TD drive that put the game within reach.  

Newark Catholic wrapped up a Div. VI final berth behind the bruising running of RB Mark Nichols. Nichols gave the Green Wave 256 ground yards, 2 TDs and an interception in their 21-14 semi-final victory over Springfield Central Catholic Saturday night. Newark Catholic stymied two fourth down attempts in the first half, which coupled with Nichols' running ensured the victory. Other local small schools did not fare well, as Pleasant and Westfall were thumped out of the Division IV playoffs, erasing the possibility for another local final matchup. Westfall coach Scott Keller called Coldwater the best team the Mustangs had faced. Pleasant was held to 109 yards of total offense and never threatened Cardinal Mooney. Bishop Ready also suffered a depressing 28-6 defeat after leading Youngstown Ursuline 6-0 near the close of the first half,  but can look back on a successful 12-2 campaign.

• St Xavier 10, Dublin Coffman 7
• Big Walnut 21, Monroe 7
• Licking Valley 27, Mentor Lake Catholic 21
• Youngstown Ursuline 28, Ready 6
• Coldwater 56, Westfall 14
• Cardinal Mooney 28, Pleasant 0
• Newark Catholic 21, Springfield Central Catholic 14

Shamrocks are looking to avoid a bombing by behemoth St. Xavier.

State Semi-Finals 11/23 and 11/24 -- It's getting down to brass tacks now as a strong contingent of Central Ohio footballers move into the state semi-finals this coming weekend. Foremost, in Division I, is Dublin Coffman, coming off an emotional and draining win 42-35 over valiant Hilliard Darby last Saturday. Unfortunately, Coffman is matched against #2 nationally ranked St. Xavier of Cincinnati, who steamrolled powerhouse and recent state champ Colerain in a game many of us were able to watch the same night on ONN. The wonders of technology never cease. However, Colerain's strength was running, so Zack Stoudt, Jake Stoneburner and the Shamrock gang may have some success. This crucial matchup is Saturday at 7PM at Dayton Welcome Stadium. On the Division III side, it's Big Walnut gearing for a big matchup with Lemon-Monroe at Lima Senior on Friday night, while Storm Klein and Licking Valley get an interesting draw in Massillon the same night with Mentor Lake Catholic, which has 4 losses to its resume. Also on Friday night at Canton Central Catholic QB Thomas Gentile and westside favorites Bishop Ready put their 12-1 record on the line against Youngstown Ursuline.

Cody Harris of Pleasant hopes to keep pounding.

Our local small schools have impressive records but tough games, all on Saturday night . In Division V Seth Hardin and undefeated Westfall (13-0) travel to Clayton Northmont to take on Coldwater (12-1) and our north fringe neighbors Cody Harris and Pleasant (12-1) have a tough task with Youngstown Mooney (13-0) at Canton Fawcett Stadium. Upper Arlington once again plays host, this time for Newark Catholic which is paired in Division VI with Springfield Central Catholic (13-0). RB Mark Nichols (2499 yards, 39 TDs, both unsurprisingly Newark Catholic season records) should have the Green Wave ready to roll. There's no weak foes around, but there should be enough local teams remaining to ensure some excitement into the state finals. Good luck, gridders!! 

Tags: high school sports