2011 Central Ohio High School Football: Week 13

Only eight Central Ohio teams remain (out of 48 statewide). Tonight and tomorrow night, these eight, plus the forty other schools will fight to be among the 24 teams that make it to the State Semi-Finals next weekend. Only two of last year's State Champions- Bishop Hartley (in Division IV) and Delphos St. John (in Division VI) remain.

BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
(Division I, Region 3)
# 2 Pickerington Central Tigers (9-2) vs. # 1 Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (11-0)- at Ohio Wesleyan University Selby Field
and
(Division IV, Region 14)
# 3 Columbus Bishop Hartley Hawks (11-0) vs. # 1 Kenton Wildcats (12-0)- at Mansfield Senior Arlin Field

The Clash of the Titans. Tomorrow night in Delaware and in Mansfield, it won't get any better as three of Central Ohio's best teams in 2011 fight for the right to compete in the State Semi-Finals next weekend. At least one of those three (the winner of the Davidson-Pick Central game) will.

In Division IV, the Hawks have soared over the competition all season long. Last week, against Pemberville Eastwood, the Hawks ran out the final 7:27 of the game to set themselves up with a date with perhaps the best quarterback in Ohio- Maty Mauk and the Kenton Wildcats. Mauk's older brother Ben was Mr. Ohio Football in 2001 and 2002, when Kenton won State Titles in both years. The Hawks have won 18 straight games, dating back to last season's Championship run. Despite losing some key players, the Hawks did not miss a beat, capping off the school's first-ever undefeated regular season.

In Division I, this will be the fourth consecutive year that these two have met in the playoffs. Davidson bested Pick Central the last two years, to go on to State, having won the State Title again in 2009. Pickerington Central, was written off after an 0-2 start (they lost to Cincinnati catholic powerhouses Moeller and St. X, who will square off in the Region 4 final tomorrow night at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium), but has won nine straight. The two best teams in Division I in Central Ohio will meet again for a date, more than likely with the winner of the Moeller-St. X game. Pick Central is hoping to win tomorrow night for a rematch with the winner of that game.

Picks: Hilliard Davidson and Kenton

OTHER CENTRAL OHIO GAMES THIS WEEKEND:
(Division II, Region 7)
# 2 Dresden Tri-Valley Scotties (11-1) vs. # 1 Columbus Marion-Franklin Red Devils (12-0)- at Gahanna Lincoln H.S. Stadium
Pick: Tri-Valley

(Division III, Region 10)
# 5 Elida Bulldogs (9-3) vs. # 3 Columbus Eastmoor Academy Warriors (10-2)- at Wapakoneta H.S. Harmon Field
Pick: Elida

(Division III, Region 12)
# 3 Plain City Jonathan Alder Pioneers vs. # 1 Springfield Shawnee Braves (both 12-0)- at Hilliard Bradley H.S. Athletic Complex
Pick: Jonathan Alder

(Division IV, Region 15)
# 5 Coshocton Redskins (10-2) vs. # 2 Johnstown-Monroe Johnnies (12-0)- at Zanesville H.S. Sulsberger Stadium
Pick: Coshocton

(Division IV, Region 16)
# 5 Dayton Chaminade-Julienne Eagles (9-3) vs. # 3 Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (10-2)- at Mason H.S. Dwire Field at Atrium Stadium
Pick: C-J

(Division V, Region 20)
# 6 West Jefferson Roughriders (10-2) vs. # 5 Coldwater Cavaliers (9-3)- at Piqua H.S. Alexander Stadium
Pick: Coldwater

For more on the playoffs and this week's matchups, go to http://www.ohsaa.org.