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AREA STATE SEMIFINALS
Monroe beaten by Big Walnut
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Sunbury Big Walnut delivered hit after hit against Monroe's high-powered offensive attack in Friday night's Division III state semifinal game.
But the most painful blow of all was the figurative one that hit the Hornets right in the gut.
Extras
With Monroe driving deep in Big Walnut territory with a chance to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter, Golden Eagles defensive back Derek Jones picked off a Tyler Osterman pass and returned it 92 yards for a touchdown.
The play gave Big Walnut a 14-point lead, and the Golden Eagles held on from there to secure a 21-7 victory at Lima Senior Stadium.
The win moves the Golden Eagles (13-1) into Friday's state championship game, while the Hornets end their season 11-3.
"I saw my guy run to the sidelines, but I saw another guy wide open and I just came back and grabbed it," Jones said when asked about the pivotal play, which came with 5:48 left in the game.
"When I reached the 30, I saw a huge window and I just kept going. Everybody made blocks, and it was just awesome. The defense was making plays all night. It was just phenomenal."
Osterman, who finished 9-of-23 for 77 yards, had only thrown four interceptions in 277 attempts coming into the game, but Big Walnut picked him off three times.
Youngstown Ursuline 28, Columbus Ready 6: Darrell Mason ran for two touchdowns to lead Ursuline in a D-V state semifinal at Canton. The Fighting Irish (12-2) win play Marion Local (14-0) the championship game next Friday in Massillon.
Ursuline's Lamar McQueen also had a 23-yard touchdown pass to Ross Revella.
Cin. Anderson 35, Ashland 20: Elijah Storey ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns — his fourth 200-yard rushing game in five weeks — to lead Anderson in a D-II state semifinal at Dublin.
Quarterback Daniel Rod ran for 122 yards on 18 carries, including a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that made it 14-10 and gave Anderson (12-2) their first lead.
Louisville 41, Mayfield 13: Jon Minster returned the second half kickoff 89-yards for a TD and Neal Seaman threw for a key score later in the third quarter to lead Louisville at Bedford in a D-II semifinal. Louisville (12-2) will play Anderson for the state title on Friday.
Newark Licking Valley 27, Mentor Lake Catholic 21: Josh Bailey's 65-yard touchdown run with 21 seconds was the difference in a D-III state semi at Massillon.
Trailing 14-7, Storm Klein scored on a 33-yard run for Licking Valley (13-1) in the third quarter. The extra point was missed, but Klein scored again on a 2-yard dive and immediately followed that up by throwing for a two-point conversion for a 21-14 lead.
Division II State Tournament
Semifinal
Cin. Anderson 35, Ashland 20 Louisville 41, Mayfield 13
Division III State Tournament
Semifinal
Newark Licking Valley 27, Mentor Lake Cath. 21
Sunbury Big Walnut 21, Monroe 7 (pictured above)
Division VI State Tournament
Semifinal
Marion Local 42, Hamler Patrick Henry 20
Youngs. Ursuline 28, Cols. Ready 6
