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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Playoff memories: These games were loaded with offensive fireworks
Comment: Tell us about your memorable playoff games
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Lebanon High School's Kelton Lindsay runs in the winning touchdown with 56 seconds left in the Division II state championship on Dec. 5, 1998, against the Chardon Hilltoppers at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon. The Warriors won the game 27-21.There are five more weeks of high school football left for 12 teams, six of which will hoist championship trophies in Stark County at the end of November.
But thousands of memories are made along the way for the 192 squads still playing, both from wins and losses. Those get retold for years.
The following are some of the wild and/or memorable postseason games our staffers have covered:
Lebanon 27, Chardon 21
When: 1998 D-II state title game
Where: Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Reporter: Ron Jackson
Notable: With the score knotted at 21 and 56 seconds left, Lebanon QB Brady Merchant hit flanker Dave Linville, who ran a hook pattern and pitched it back to Kelton Lindsay who had circled out of the backfield. Lindsay bolted down the open sideline for the winning TD over heavily-favored and top-ranked Chardon.
Side note: The fleet-footed Lindsay was an OSU recruit. He transferred to Cincinnati, but his career was derailed by injuries. The savvy Merchant became a basketball standout at Harvard.
Final thought: "The Massillon Miracle" at the football mecca. The hook-and-lateral was a storybook play for the 13-1 Warriors, a team for the ages. The group celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this season.
Coldwater 59, Alter 52 (3 OT)
When: 2007 Division IV, Region 16 semifinal
Where: Alexander Stadium, Piqua
Reporter: Greg Billing
Notable: Greatest game I've ever seen. The teams combined for 981 yards in total offense and 15 TDs. Alter led 28-7 early in the second quarter, 42-21 midway through the third and 49-35 late in the third. But Coldwater's big-play ability pulled the Cavaliers even on Cory Klenke's sixth TD pass with 5:05 left. His seventh TD pass gave Coldwater its only lead at 59-52 in the third OT. Alter, facing fourth-and-8 on Coldwater's 18, came up one yard short of a first down on a pass in the flat. After seven TDs of 30 yards or more, 154 offensive plays and 35 first downs, one yard made such a huge difference.
Side notes: Coldwater won the D-IV state title three weeks later, upsetting Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, which was ranked No. 8 in the nation by USA Today. The Cavs trailed 21-7 in the fourth quarter before rallying and blocked an extra-point attempt with 21 seconds left to win. Alter was left thinking what could have been.
Final thought: You never know what kind of reaction you're going to get after a game, especially that game. I didn't figure getting a quote from Coldwater's side would be tough, and the Cavaliers were respectful in victory. Alter's players stayed around and were gracious in defeat. I like to think those are snapshots of two quality programs.
Licking Valley 63, Valley View 60 (4 OT)
When: 2003 D-III, Region 12 title game
Where: Grove City
Reporter: Mark Gokavi
Notable: 123 points is remarkable. Valley View trailed 17-0 and led 27-17. The Spartans then built a 39-31 lead but missed a couple extra points. Late in the fourth, Licking Valley drove, scored and converted a two-point conversion. Both teams scored TDs in the first three OTs. Valley View's Brock Bolen (four TD runs) threw a halfback pass that fell incomplete on fourth down in the fourth OT. Licking Valley hit a 29-yard FG to win it.
Side notes: Licking Valley swept C-J (49-46), Alter (21-19) and Valley View before losing a state semi 42-21 to Kenton.
Final thought: The highest-scoring game I've covered, which ended after my original deadline. Somehow, we got it in the newspaper.
Wayne 29, Centerville 28
When: 2005 D-I, Region 4 semifinals
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Reporter: Mark Gokavi
Notable: The game was remarkable for several reasons. The first — and what shouldn't be forgotten — is the Centerville coaching staff's job in turning a 38-0 defeat to Wayne in Week 8 into a situation where the Elks could win the rematch. The second, of course, is that Wayne trailed 28-10 with 7:12 left. QB Alex Earley threw three TDs in a 4:19 span, the last from 15 yards out to Joe Gilford with 1:18 left.
Side notes: A heartbreaking loss for Centerville and jubilant win for Wayne. The Warriors, though, were pounded 42-7 in the regional final against Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Final thought: Great coaching on both sides and a dramatic finish made for a classic. Centerville has won three straight in the rivalry since this loss.
Akron Mogadore 61, St. Henry 58 (3 OTs)
When: 1996 D-VI state title game
Where: Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Reporter: Ron Jackson
Notable: Mogadore rallied from a 32-point deficit (35-3 in the second quarter), the greatest comeback in finals history. The game produced 1,217 yards in offense, 19 D-VI finals records. St. Henry came in with a 34-game winning streak and two straight small-school state titles (five of the last seven).
Side notes: St. Henry outweighed the Mogadore lineman an average of 40 pounds. St. Henry had 70 players; Mogadore 38.
Final thought: Three hours of indescribable, simply amazing football.
Chaminade-Julienne 41, Macedonia Nordonia 26
When: 2002 D-II state title game
Where: Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon
Reporter: Mark Gokavi
Notable: The game that brought Javon Ringer to the masses. Then a sophomore, Ringer ran for 251 yards and four TDs. He finished the year with 2,028 yards and 28 TDs despite not having the full-time rushing load until late in the regular season. Nordonia was a good team with a good offense, but C-J was just better despite injuries, suspensions and ineligibility.
Side notes: C-J defeated Vandalia Butler 26-25 at Welcome Stadium earlier in those playoffs. D-II had several good area teams that season.
Final thought: You got the sense watching Ringer that he wouldn't just play on Saturdays, but that he might just play on Sundays, too.
Versailles 35, Valley View 8
When: 1995 D-IV regional final
Where: Welcome Stadium
Reporter: Dave Long
Notable: This is the only time in state playoff history when two undefeated defending state champions have met. Both were 11-0. Valley View had a 25-game winning streak after winning the D-IV state title in 1994. Versailles was on a 38-game winning streak. It had won D-V in 1994 and moved up a division in '95. Valley View averaged 59.8 points and 435 yards total offense but was shut down, rushing for just 36 yards and passing for 13 in the second half and never got inside the Tigers' 30.
Side notes: Fans camped out by Welcome Stadium the night before. Lines were around the stadium by mid-afternoon.
Final thought: Versailles won the state title as part of a then-record 54-game winning streak. Retired coach Al Hetrick and current Valley View coach Jay Niswonger regard this as one of the great matchups in their careers.
Cincinnati Elder 49, Centerville 42
When: 1999 D-I regional semifinals
Where: Barnitz Stadium, Middletown
Reporter: Dave Long
What stood out: Centerville trailed 28-14 at halftime but led 42-28 with 3:44 to play. Elder tied it at 42-all with 44 seconds left. Centerville took the kickoff and had two choices — run out the clock and go to OT or get in position for a winning field goal. As was his style, Centerville coach Bob Gregg went for the win. A Ryan Hawk pass was intercepted by Elder's Ryan Vanderpol, who returned it 40 yards for the winning TD with 8 seconds left.
Side notes: Centerville was 11-0 and ranked No. 4 in the state; Elder No. 7. A Centerville win would have set up a much-anticipated rematch with Wayne, which lost in the D-I state final.
Final thought: This was the final game in Gregg's storied career. Afterward he sat silently outside the locker room.
Comments
By Last of the Pioneers
October 31, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
1985 Div. II 1st round game between top ranked Franklin and Greenhills from Cincinnati (now Winton Woods) was amazing. Greenhills held a 21-20 lead in the closing seconds. This is after GHS scored 3 special teams td’s (2 k.o. returns & blocked punt). A Franklin td on hail mary pass on the last play was caught for a td but nullified on a penalty. in the ensuing choas of fans running on the field the ref’s just ended the game. FHS should have gotten one more play and protested but lost. wild.
By Nathan
October 30, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
The 2001 Tecumseh Arrows played Columbus beechcroft in the D-2 Regional Semi Finals and it was a wet game and the power went off for about 30 mins. It came down to the 4th quater with .03 seconds to go in the game and Tecumseh kicked Seth Clark nailed a game winning field goal to prepail Tecumseh to a 16-13 victory and a spot in the Regional finals.
By FBFan
October 30, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
I have to say the greatest game was Talawanda - Princeton…down 5 with less than two minutes to go…fourth and 24 on their own 14…an “immaculate reception” by Josh Durbin…Talwanada, the smallest Div I school in the state upsets the number 4 ranked team in the COUNTRY!!!
By Moeller Alum
October 30, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Hey Lee,
Moeller was not #1 in the country at the time, let alone the state in 1984. Did Gerry Faust sneak out of Notre Dame to coach his old team, he left in 1981? Centerville had a great team that year, but I think the GCL was average at best that year.
By WAYNEALUM
October 30, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
I might be bias because I was apart of this game but does anyone rember the WAYNE MOELLER game in the 2002 playoffs we one in OT 35-34 that was the most physical game i been apart of at the high school level.
By Lee
October 30, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Centerville vs Moeller 1984
Galbraith Field, torrential rains, mud soaked field. Moeller ranked #1 in country by USA today. Gerry Faust coaching Moeller. Centerville holds on for the win. High School football at its best. Don’t have to score 40 points for a great great game.
By City boy
October 29, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
What about 1986 when Dunbar beat Centerville. Dunbar was 9-1 and Centerville was 10-0 and #1 in the state ap poll with kirk Herbstreit at QB. A late touchdown in the 4th quater gave dunbar a 19 to 14 upset win.
By don
October 29, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
corection in Mogadore-St. Henry score…Mogadore 61, St. Henry 58…
By Don
October 29, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Three games come to mind… Versailles 50, Bellaire 44, 2 OT, championship 1994, at Massillon. Mogadore 61, St. Henry, 3 OT, championship 1996, at Massillon Valley View 31, Akron Manchester 24, 5 OT, 1997, championship at Massillon.
By Bill
October 29, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
West Carrollton at Mt Healthy, first round 2005.
WC stopped Mt Healthy on 4th and 1 inside the 5 yard line to win, 14-10. WC players and fans just exploded. Wonderful moment seeing WC fans outnumber Mt Healthy fans in their own stadium, an hour drive from town.
By justin
October 29, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
The 1997 Valley View vs. Akron Manchester Game was the greatest playoff game of all time. I can’t believe it was not mentioned.
By alk4474
October 29, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
i think its funny that only time they talk about valley view is when they lost. they won the 5 overtime game and they was the 1st public school to win a state championship in montgromry county and they didnt say anything about that.
By Mike
October 29, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Dan. You only have to click post once. Cox uses very slow web serves and their coding is primitive. Click post, then open-up another browser window to continue reading while the other window is waiting on the server.
By Matt
October 29, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I agree with Dan. The Centerville-Talawanda was as good of a high school football game as I’ve seen. I was on the sidelines at that one and both teams played their hearts out. Even as a CHS alum I felt bad for Talawanda because of how well they played. It may have been more than 15 years ago but that’s the one I remember
By Dan
October 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
How can you forget Centerville v. Oxford-Talawanda in 1991??? Neither team should have been there—Princeton and Elder were #1 and #2 in the state, and Cincinnati papers were already talking about the “game of the century” before CHS derailed Elder and O-T beat Princeton on a miracle 4th down conversion for a touchdown late in the game. What ensued was one of the most back-and-forth, pressure-packed high school sporting events many fans had ever seen… The result, Centerville in an epic.
By Dan
October 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
How can you forget Centerville v. Oxford-Talawanda in 1991??? Neither team should have been there—Princeton and Elder were #1 and #2 in the state, and Cincinnati papers were already talking about the “game of the century” before CHS derailed Elder and O-T beat Princeton on a miracle 4th down conversion for a touchdown late in the game. What ensued was one of the most back-and-forth, pressure-packed high school sporting events many fans had ever seen… The result, Centerville in an epic.
By Dan
October 29, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
How can you forget Centerville v. Oxford-Talawanda in 1991??? Neither team should have been there—Princeton and Elder were #1 and #2 in the state, and Cincinnati papers were already talking about the “game of the century” before CHS derailed Elder and O-T beat Princeton on a miracle 4th down conversion for a touchdown late in the game. What ensued was one of the most back-and-forth, pressure-packed high school sporting events many fans had ever seen… The result, Centerville in an epic.
By Dan
October 29, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
How can you forget Centerville v. Oxford-Talawanda in 1991??? Neither team should have been there—Princeton and Elder were #1 and #2 in the state, and Cincinnati papers were already talking about the “game of the century” before CHS derailed Elder and O-T beat Princeton on a miracle 4th down conversion for a touchdown late in the game. What ensued was one of the most back-and-forth, pressure-packed high school sporting events many fans had ever seen… The result, Centerville in an epic.
By Dan
October 29, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
How can you forget Centerville v. Oxford-Talawanda in 1991??? Neither team should have been there—Princeton and Elder were #1 and #2 in the state, and Cincinnati papers were already talking about the “game of the century” before CHS derailed Elder and O-T beat Princeton on a miracle 4th down conversion for a touchdown late in the game. What ensued was one of the most back-and-forth, pressure-packed high school sporting events many fans had ever seen… The result, Centerville in an epic.
By Kevin
October 29, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Not having Valley View’s 5 OT State Championship game (which is the greatest Ohio playoff game of all time) makes the article a joke.
By alk4474
October 29, 2008 4:14 AM | Link to this
how about the valley view 5 overtime win over manchester in the state championship game in 97 maybe the best game i have ever seen
By Blah
October 29, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
Great piece! Really fun reading through those great games.