Wrap Up: Ohio state finals
Canton, Ohio- It took guts in more ways than one for Davidson to knock off Glenville 16-15 in the Ohio Division 1 championship game.
The Wildcats (13-1) fought through grief, stuck to their run-heavy game plan, and beat a bigger and faster Glenville squad without completing a single pass.
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Quarterback Jake Trubiano sliced through Glenville's talented defense for the go-ahead two-point conversion with 1:04 remaining.
The Wildcats won in honor of teammate Art Lane, a sophomore struck and killed by a train just one day before the game.
"It was a very difficult evening last night," Davidson Head Coach Brian White said. "I think the kids came out tonight knowing they would have an opportunity to mourn Art in the next couple of days. They put that behind them tonight and they were able to come out and lay it all on the line. You can not be more proud of this group then I am."
The Wildcats attempted just two passes, but gained 250 yards on the ground, and averaged 5.4 yards per rush against a stout Glenville defense. Trubiano finished with 196 yards. He set up his own go-ahead score with a 74 yard run to the Glenville three yard line.
"I never lost faith," Trubiano said. "In the second half, I was telling everyone 'We have to come back, it is time to go.' We got the team fired up and we made plays."
"People don't neccesarilly like our game, we we didn't change our game plan," White said. "Jake being the warrior that he is reels off a big long run. We had to decide whether to go for two. We play to win, so we decided to go for it."
Glenville (13-2) overcame some odds as well. The Tarblooders fell just short of being the first Cleveland public school to win a state championship at any level.
"My kids have so many hurdles in front of them," Glenville Head Coach Ted Ginn said. "To be able to stand up out here and represent our city the way they did and represent themselves, they are professional high school kids and they showed it tonight."
Glenville led 15-8 for much of the fourth quarter. However, Tarblooder receivers dropped a pair of passes on 4th down in Davidson territory that could have led to a two-score advantage.
"We showed that we can compete on this level," Ginn said. "I think we did a great job. We had a few drops here and there, a couple of mistakes, but we played sound football. Hey, it was not God's willing."
Davidson junior linebacker Keith Heitzman recorded two sacks. Junior running back Rico Butler opened the scoring with a 29 yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Glenville junior quarterback Cardale Jones completed 16 of 31 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown. He added a 10 yard touchdown run. Three-star prospect Jayrone Elliott made 8.5 tackles, including two for a loss and forced a fumble.
Mooney wins 7th state championship, Vinopal commits
Massillon, Ohio-Cardinal Mooney won its seventh state championship with a 35-7 victory over Columbus De Sales in the OHSAA division 3 title game. It was the Cardinals second win over the Stallions this year. Cardinal Mooney (15-0) beat De Sales 21-14 in week two.
"We obviously realized the last game that they are an outstanding team," Cardinal Mooney Head Coach P.J. Fecko said. "We just took advantage of some momentum swings today, and we kept momentum on our side."
The biggest momentum swing came in the second quarter, when Cardinals punter A.J. Fox recovered from a snap that sailed over his head to boot the ball 41 yards to the Stallions' four yard line. De Sales (11-4) fumbled on the next play, quarterback Alex Zordich punched it in from the one yard line, and Mooney had a 14-0 lead.
"We got pushed back on the last punt with a high snap, and we tried to fix it," Fox said. We overdid it, the ball went over my head. I saw a good block and just kicked it."
"A.J. has been swinging field position for us all year," Fecko said. "In the high school game, field position is crucial. He took a situation that could have been a disaster and made it into a positive for us."
Rivals100 prospect Braylon Heard led the way with 178 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Heard also threw an eight yard touchdown pass.
Heard averaged 226 yards a game over the last three playoff games, including 303 yards in the semifinals against Stuebenville.
Fellow running back Ray Vinopal added 70 yards in Friday's win, including a 56 yard touchdown for the game's first score.
"My linemen got out there, my fullback made a nice block, and there was one guy left that I was able to get around," Vinopal said. "Then it was all green to the end zone."
News of Vinopal's commitment to Michigan broke shortly after the game. He is the Wolverines' 22nd commitment in the class of 2010.
Back to Back for Ursuline
Canton, Ohio-Youngstown Ursuline rushed for 393 yards and won its second straight Ohio division 5 state championship with a 55-25 win over Coldwater. Senior Allen Jones ran for 155 yards and one touchdown, and junior Akise Teague added 112 yards and three scores (26, 3, 80-watch here).
"It means so much (to win back to back state titles), we are the first team in the valley to do that," Teague said. "I am so proud of my team, the coaches, and everyone that supported us. We all had a conversation in the locker room, about our seniors, and the last time playing with them. We are all family, and I told them I would do my best."
Several Ursuline (11-3) players had great performances. Senior Chris Collins had four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. In a one minute and 38 second span in the second quarter, Collins caught a 59 yard touchdown pass, and returned an interception 41 yards for a score.
Senior Aaron Edwards added an 85 yard touchdown run, 4.5 tackles, and an interception and return for 50 yards.
"I think the run was a game changer," Edwards said. "I am just so happy right now. It is crazy. It is a dream come true. Since the 5th grade when I watched my brother in the playoffs, I have been dreaming of this. I made it here and we got it done."
Coldwater (13-2) quarterback and Ball State commit Keith Wenning was one of the day's top performers. The 6-4, 222 pound prospect completed 40 of 54 passes for 414 yards, three touchdown passes, and a two-yard touchdown run. He proved on Friday that he can throw the ball with as much strength as any Quarterback in Ohio.
First ever for Winton Woods
Massillon, Ohio-Winton Woods won its first state title, in any sport, with a 42-12 blowout of Maple Heights in the Ohio division 2 state championship. Cincinnati commit Dominique Brown rushed for 172 yards and four touchdowns.
"It was a great performance," Brown said. "I love my offensive line. They work hard for me. I get all the pub, but they work so hard. I love them to death."
"I can't wait to celebrate this with the Winton Woods (13-2) community. They have been with us since day one."
Jeremiah Goins added 155 yards on the ground.
"We have been playing physical football all season long," Goins said. "It feels amazing to win state title. It is a good feeling. I have never felt this feeling in my life."
"We have had a lot of firsts in our program lately," Winton Woods Head Coach Troy Everhart said. "This has been great, because we have made some history. It sets an example for the other teams at our school. It can show our kids what can be accomplished."
Maple Heights (12-3) 2011 standout Shaquille Washington gained 86 yards rushing and passed for 214 yards. Senior running back Devonte Ransom contributed 127 yards rushing.
Alter leaves no doubt
Canton, Ohio-Despite five turnovers, Archbishop Alter won the Ohio division 4 state championship in convincing fashion on Saturday with a 37-7 win over Chagrin Falls.
Alter's defense held Chagrin Falls (14-1) to 144 yards of total offense, and just seven first downs. Wisconsin commit Cody Byers grabbed one of Alter's three interceptions on the day (watch here).
"It was a great defensive effort," Byers said. "We came together. The offense struggled a bit early on. But we came through and got the job done."
Running back Cody Taulbee pounded out 126 yards rushing.
"The key is the coaches," Taulbee said. "We have one of the best staffs in the state. They get us prepared for every game. No matter what, they have out back. Whether we fall in a game, or win the state championship, they are behind us."
Alter (15-0) senior defensive back Nolan Pete had a fantastic day, leading Alter's tough defense with nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.
"We are all quick," Pete said. "We run to the ball, we are athletic. We just try to follow the football and be aggressive. That is what we have tried to do all year, and it worked for us today."