Division VI Elite Eight preview

Zac Jackson, OhioHSsports.com, November 19, 2009 9:18 p.m.

THE MATCHUPS:Bucyrus Wynford (12-0) vs. Norwalk St. Paul (12-0), Ashland Community Stadium; Delphos St. John's (12-0) vs. Ada (12-0), Findlay Donnell Stadium; Malvern (11-1) vs. Grove City Christian (11-1), Zanesville Sulsberger Memorial Stadium; Maria Stein Marion Local (7-5) vs. Fort Loramie (10-2), Wapakoneta Harmon Field. 

THE FAVORITE: Delphos St. John's. The Blue Jays got in a November groove last year and cruised to the Div. VI title. That team was junior-heavy, and this year's group now has that experience to match with talent that can be overwhelming at this level. The Blue Jays spread the wealth, have beaten quality competition (including five playoff teams in the regular season) and are focused on winning the school's sixth title. DSJ is averaging 42 points and almost 400 yards of offense per game.

THE CONTENDERS: Norwalk St. Paul is clicking on all cylinders. QB Eric Schweiterman is back from an early season injury, the running game has been nearly unstoppable and the defense has been ferocious. It's not an easy path, though, and the NSP pass defense will be tested this week. Never count Marion Local, either - even this year, after a 5-5 regular season - because these Flyers thrive in the big-game spotlight and are battle tested.

THREE HORSES: Three players whose performances will go a long way towards determining which team ultimately raises the trophy on the first weekend of December...

Wes Ulm, Delphos St. John's: It's tough to pick just one guy from the DSJ team, but we'll pick the quarterback here. Ulm is a good one - steady, smart and able to make plays with his feet. He's over 1,200 yards passing, has accounted for more than 20 total touchdowns and has fooled more than a few linebackers with his play fakes and option keepers.

Heath Jackson, Ada: Whatever upset hopes the Bulldogs bring to Findlay this weekend begin with Jackson, a multitalented athlete who's quarterbacked Ada to 12 wins but shines all over the field, including in the return game.

Tyler Brause, Bucyrus Wynford: Grip it and rip it. This 6-foot-4 Kentucky recruit can throw it a mile, and he'll need to be on his best as his team takes on a St. Paul squad that's on an absolute tear. Brause has accounted for more than 40 touchdowns while approaching 3,000 yards passing, and the Wynford faithful believe he can be enough to pull the upset Saturday night.

BEST REGIONAL FINAL GAME: DSJ ousted Ada in the same game last year, 38-28, and the rematch should be a fun one. The other games aren't close behind, though, as the battle of the unlikely regional finalists in supposedly-rebuilding Malvern against Grove City Christian holds plenty of intrigue. It might be a wild one in Wapakoneta as well. Fort Loramie is clicking, but is a first-timer here in a tough spot against Marion Local.

THE SHAKEDOWN: This is the only division featuring two regional-title matchups between undefeated teams. Though St. Paul and DSJ are considered the favorites not only to win this week but to get to the state title game, all deserve kudos on fine seasons...The Mighty MAC is still well represented. Marion Local got in as an 8 seed and is still playing; in Div. V Coldwater and St. Henry join Marion Local and DSJ to make it four MAC teams still playing...Four seasons ago, football was a new sport at Grove City Christian. Now, the Eagles are on the verge of the Final Four in their first playoff appearance...New schedule, no problem. Norwalk St. Paul's game last week was moved up a day to allow head coach John Livengood to watch his daughters play in the state volleyball tournament. Now, the Flyers have had an extra day of rest and preparation for this week...Mogadore coach Matt Adorni after his team was overwhelmed by St. Paul last week: "I don't see a weakness on that team. I really don't."