MASSILLON — Last year the high school football state championships rekindled a long-simmering debate when five of the six titles were won by Catholic teams: Lakewood St. Edward (D-I), Columbus Watterson (D-III), Columbus Hartley (D-IV), Youngstown Ursuline (D-V) and Delphos St. John’s (D-VI).

The only title that wasn’t claimed by a private program last season was Maple Heights (D-II), which defeated Trotwood-Madison.

That near sweep of Catholic crowns didn’t start but sure stoked the perception that private schools have an unfair advantage over public schools. The Ohio High School Athletic Association responded by producing a Competitive Balance Proposal that the board of directors approved last January. The proposal was narrowly defeated in a vote of the association members’ principals last spring.

What a difference a year can make.

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney defeated Springfield Shawnee for the D-III title Friday at Canton. The only other possible title that could be won by a Catholic power is today in D-I when multi-champion Cleveland St. Ignatius plays Pickerington Central at Canton.

“People look at stuff and make stuff out of statistics many times,” OHSAA associate commissioner Jerry Snodgrass said.

“They see numbers. In one year’s time all of that can change drastically. You play the best to be the best. When you look over time, so much change can happen.”

Big rushers: The 326 yards rushing from Trotwood junior running back Isreal Green pushed his season total to 2,083. That’s the third of three straight Rams playoff seasons that a running back has finished with big yards.

Antwan Gilbert rushed for 2,576 yards as a junior and 2,294 yards as a senior last season.

Protest: Northmont coach Lance Schneider and his father Mike have seen every state final since 1992. They’re part of a Thunderbolts coaching contingent that rotates between Massillon and Canton for the games.

If it were up to Schneider, championship weekend wouldn’t be moving to Columbus in 2014.

“We’re gonna protest by coming (to Massillon) and insist that they show the games on the big-screen scoreboard,” Lance Schneider said.

Viewers: The games drew an estimated 19,000-plus spectators. The D-II game had 6,699 and D-V 6,654. The D-III total was not announced.