The ten most intriguing games of the regional quarterfinals

Zac Jackson, OhioHSsports.com, November 06, 2009 12:21 p.m.

Ten of the most intriguing games statewide this weekend, listed in no particular order ...

Div. I, Region 2: Canton McKinley at Toledo Whitmer

This isn't just the best 1 vs. 8 matchup in the state this weekend; it might be the best game, period. Whitmer is 9-1 and loaded with athletes on both sides, while the Bulldogs snuck in at 6-4 but are also loaded with athletes and playing with momentum after topping Div. I playoff qualifiers Boardman and Massillon the last two weeks to make the postseason. The Bulldogs have been done in by turnovers on occasion, but their running game and defense are good enough not only to win this game but potentially more.

Div. II, Region 5: Aurora at Canfield

Aurora is back in the postseason in Div. II after winning the Div. III title last year. The Greenmen have both rebuilt and reloaded, and more importantly played their best football down the stretch. It's tough to tell exactly what to expect this week as Canfield faced a situation that saw it needing to beat backyard rival Poland to get in. The Cardinals did, 16-0, and look to carry that momentum into this week and beyond. Canfield also owns a win over 9-1 Dover; its only loss was to fellow Region 5 qualifier Warren Howland.

Div. I, Region 4: Lakota West at Cincinnati Anderson

Anderson played in the Div. II state title game the last two years and ran the table in the regular season. Its first postseason game with the big boys comes against a Lakota West team that's loaded with talent and riding a nine-game win streak. Both feel they have something to prove against the Region 4 big boys, but only one will get the chance to advance and play another week (or more).

Div. VI, Region 21: Warren JFK at Mogadore

Two former state champions and perennial playoff qualifiers collide in the most intriguing game of what might be the state's best small-school region. JFK is back in the postseason after going 3-7 last year and plays a brutal regular-season schedule that prepares the Eagles for deep November runs. Mogadore has its running game clicking and has the senior leadership to make a deep run, but this is a stacked region - and a downright brutal first-round pairing.

Div. V, Region 20: Anna at Columbus Bishop Ready

The Anna Rockets come out of the mighty MAC and played Coldwater (27-13) and Marion Local (28-21) tough in losses. They'd like another shot at Coldwater in Round Two, but Bishop Ready lit up the scoreboard while going 8-1 against a schedule that included opponents from four states and two Ohio playoff qualifiers. The Silver Knights have some November experience, but this is the time of the year that MAC teams shine.

Div. III, Region 9: Parma Padua at Akron Hoban

These two teams played in the same stadium just two weeks ago, with Hoban pulling out a 10-6 win. The rematch figures to be another defensively-dominated battle (Hoban didn't score an offensive touchdown in the first meeting), but Padua feels it missed some golden opportunities last time out. The Knights have been very good in the postseason this decade, while Padua is trying to get over the hump after suffering close first-round losses the last two years to teams who went on to play deep into November. Listen to the audio broadcast of this game live right here on OhioHSSports.com Friday night. Kickoff is at 7:30.

Div. IV, Region 16: Plain City Jonathan Alder at Kettering Alter

Alter is back at 10-0 and back to defend its Div. IV title; according to most, the Knights are favored to do so. But it's a new year, a new tournament and a first-round draw that's far from easy. Jonathan Alder started 0-3 but comes in riding a seven-game win streak. The Pioneers have some playoff experience and a nothing-to-lose attitude. Alter hasn't really been challenged all season and looks to keep the momentum rolling.

Div. IV, Region 13: Woodridge at Martins Ferry

Woodridge may be wondering why it has to travel 2.5 hours to the Ohio Valley to play another team in its region, but the Bulldogs are first-time playoff qualifiers and would gladly travel twice that for their first chance at the dance. Martins Ferry is a perennial playoff qualifier and will hope its power offense can help maximize its home-field advantage, while the wide-open Woodridge offense is trying to regain the form it had in an early-October waxing of Mogadore.

Div. II, Region 6: Avon Lake at Maumee

Avon Lake entered the season with high expectations, but a 1-3 start had the Shoremen looking like a major disappointment. They're grooving now, though, and they're a program with plenty of November experience. Maumee got to 9-1 against a relatively soft schedule and the Panthers will need their A-game to make home field stand up and advance to Round Two.

Div. I, Region 3: Pickerington North at Pickerington Central

Hope you already have a ticket for this one as they'll be hard to come by. So, too, will be points; Central won the regular season game, 7-6. Central has designs on playing deep into the month but will need to get its offense going early to shake a Panthers team that isn't just happy to be here and played its best football down the stretch following that 7-6 loss.