High Schools

Last year's state championship weekend at Canton and Massillon was hit with another double-MAC attack.

Some things never change.

Coldwater couldn't even win the Midwest Athletic Conference. But the Cavaliers can hoist the Division V state championship trophy.

And MAC rival Marion Local went 15-0 to claim the D-V state crown.

The Mercer County titans were the only area schools to win '07 state championships.

Division I

Only twice have area teams overcome Queen City powers, and it wasn't in '07.

Centerville had a strong opening-round effort, unloading on Princeton, 41-21. The Elks' reward was a matchup with St. Xavier: Whoops. The X-men connected with a 31-6 knockout on the way to their second state title in three years.

Northmont had little luck in its opener, a 35-0 setback to Colerain.

Division II

The third time was a charm for Trotwood-Madison. The Rams, twice previously KO'ed by Edgewood in the first round, had a series of incredible late plays to stun the Cougars 33-27 in OT. Their new nemesis is Turpin, which ended T-M's run in the next round, 21-13.

Like its '06 title season, Piqua pounded Toledo Central Catholic 21-9 in its opener. But the offense sputtered in a 21-14 loss to Sylvania Southview.

Division III

As anticipated, this division produced the most area playoff teams, six. The only problem was Bellefontaine, Urbana, Tippecanoe, Eaton and Valley View all were one-and-done.

Only Monroe of the SWBL advanced, eliminating Goshen, Canal Winchester and Indian Hill before falling 21-7 to Sunbury Big Walnut in the state semifinals.

Division IV

Oakwood's first game in program history vs. Alter had lots of neighboring interest. But the real deal came the next week when Coldwater and Alter hooked up in a classic 3-OT shootout at Piqua.

The Cavs won 59-52 in the first meeting of these programs. That derailed the Knights' bid to land another shot at two-time defending state champ Steubenville. No matter, the Big Red couldn't get past Youngstown Mooney the following week.

Meanwhile, Coldwater blasted Clinton-Massie and Williamsport Westerfall to earn a finals matchup with mighty Mooney. The inspired Cavs overcame a late two-TD deficit, scored 21 fourth-quarter points and dodged OT when Mooney botched an extra-point kick as time expired to win 28-27.

Division V

The MAC has produced many outstanding state champs, and none were better than Marion Local. The Flyers were big, swift and overpowering during a 15-0 run in their first go at D-V, concluding with a 20-14 defeat of Youngstown Ursuline for the title.

Division VI

It's been a great ride for longtime Springfield Catholic Central coach Steve DeWitt, and none better than '07. The Irish stopped Waynesfield-Goshen, Mechanicsburg and Lehman Catholic before falling to eventual state champ Newark Catholic in the state semis.