Lake Catholic vs. Licking Valley

What, when, where: Division III state semifinal, 7:30 p.m., Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Washington High School, One Paul Brown Drive, Massillon. Call 330-830-3901.

Records: Lake Catholic, 9-4; Licking Valley, 12-1.

What to watch: Licking Valley junior RB Storm Klein (6-3, 220), who has made an oral commitment to Ohio State, was held to 79 yards on 21 carries in a 21-17 regional final upset of No. 1-ranked Canal Fulton Northwest. Klein, who might be bothered by a knee injury, has 1,266 yards, a 7.4-yard average and 26 TDs. The second and third options, Josh Bailey and Nick Phillips, have combined to rush for 1,251 yards and 19 TDs. Phillips, the quarterback, is an efficient 74-of-133 for 1,135 yards and 11 TDs. As it did in a terrific second half of defense against Lakeview last week (14 yards allowed on 18 plays), the Cougars’ 3-3 stack defense will have to put aside its blitzing tendencies and play its base, relying on the power of 290-pound tackle Chad Hounshell and 220-pound linebacker Dave Plungas, among others. Licking Valley’s stingy four-man defensive front will be tested by Lake Catholic fast junior tailback Randy Greenwood, whose cramping issues reappeared last week. The Cougars have two powerful alternatives in fullback Mike Sweigert and Darien Nulick, and Matt Bryan gives them a fourth back with at least 500 yards. Quarterback Matt Lender doesn’t pass much, but he has good targets in wideout James Sheahan, Greenwood and Sweigert.

PD pick: Battle-tested Lake Catholic will squeak out another one.