High School Football Playoff Lineup: 11-08
11/8/2013Saline (9-1) at Bedford (10-0)
Michigan Division 1: Today, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Saline 11th (6-10); Bedford sixth (3-5).
■ Outlook: Bedford’s 33-17 win over the Hornets decided the Southeastern Conference Red Division title. Last year Saline topped the Kicking Mules in the regular season and the playoffs. Saline has outscored its foes 365-106 and outgained them 393-226 per game. The Hornets are led by QB Trent Theisen (112 of 153 passing for 1,901 yards and 16 TDs), RB Griffin Wooley (118 rushes, 800 yards, 19 TDs), and WR Nader El-Awar (46 catches, 918 yards, 9 TDs), and defensively by DL Dominic Demelis (59 tackles, 5 sacks), LB Chris Terech (58 tackles), and DB Tyrone Miller (49 tackles). The Mules have outscored foes 419-127 and outgained them 341-216. Leading the Mules are QB Brad Boss (35 of 53, 603 yards, 4 TDs; 123 rushes, 907 yards, 15 TDs), RB Alec Hullibarger (166 rushes, 1,121 yards, 24 TDs), and defensively by DEs Austin Riedmaier (98 tackles, 10 TFL) and Jeremiah Harris (111 tackles, 14 TFL) and DB Turner Clements (27 tackles, 4 INT).
Bryan (10-0) at Genoa (10-0)
Division IV: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Bryan third (1-2); Genoa seventh (9-6).
■ Outlook: No. 2-ranked Bryan is averaging 48.5 points and giving up 12.8 points. No. 3 Genoa is averaging 63.2 points and allowing 15.1. The Golden Bears won a second straight NWOAL title. The Comets captured a second straight NBC title. The Comets have gained 5,725 total yards. Bryan has amassed 4,146 total yards. Genoa’s Casey Gose has 2,079 all-purpose yards (830 rushing, 453 receiving, 25 passing, 771 return yards). RB David Nutter has 1,514 yards and 20 TDs. QB Logan Scott has completed 51 of 90 passes for 1,204 and nine TDs. WR Quentin Spiess has 21 catches for 627 yards. Genoa has made 20 interceptions, Alex Hayes has seven. DT Blake Traver is leading tackler (75). Bryan QB Austin Schimmoeller has 26 TDs (120 of 185 passing for 1,968 yards) and has rushed for 523 yards and 12 TDs. RB Daniel Pendergrast has rushed for 708 yards and 12 TDs. Jake Jones has 57 tackles.
Defiance (6-4) at Central Catholic (10-0)
Division III: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Defiance eighth (10-6); Central Catholic 15th (14-12).
■ Outlook: Defiance has been outscored 281-247 by opponents. Leading the Bulldogs are QB Will Batt (192 of 366 passing for 2,569 yards and 20 TDs), RB Derek Relyea (60 carries, 201 yards, 2 TDs), and SE Trey Guilliam (59 catches, 907 yards, 9 TDs), and defensively Spencer Batt (69 tackles), Zack Hale (83 tackles), Cisco Chavez (77 tackles), and Zack Buhrer (50 tackles). The Irish have outscored foes 428-109 and gain 486 yards per game. They are led by QB DeShone Kizer (108 of 174 passing for 2,106 yards and 23 TDs; 40 rushes, 362 yards, 5 TDs), RB Tre’Von Wade (149 rushes, 1,237 yards, 17 TDs), and WRs Jermiah Braswell (27 catches, 607 yards, 9 TDs) and Marcus Winters (22 catches, 521 yards, 7 TDs), and defensively by Chris Green (80 tackles), Ryan O’Hearn (55), Paul Moses (40), J’Quan Fisher (30), Marwan Allen-Marsenburg (29), and Derich Weiland (12 pass breakups).
Coldwater (8-2) at Eastwood (8-2)
Division V: Saturday, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Coldwater 19th (50-15); Eastwood eighth (6-7).
■ Outlook: Eastwood is averaging 41.6 points and giving up 14.3. Coldwater, defending state champion, has scored 32.2 and is yielding 13.7. Eastwood is led by RB Devin Snowden (134 carries for 1,106 yards and 14 TDs) and QB Jake Schmeltz (39 of 70 for 623 yards and 12 TDs). RBs Brent Schlumbohm (542 rushing yards, 8 TDs), Grant Geiser (466, 10 TDs), and Brennan Seifert (305, three TDs) also contribute. The top receiver is Michael Flipse (229 yards, 6 TDs). The Eagles have forced 19 turnovers (14 fumbles). Jordon Faykosh has a four interceptions. Geiser leads the defense with 139 tackles. Snowden has 70 and Ryan Mang 69. Michael Glaze has seven sacks. Coldwater is led by QB Brody Hoying (93 of 163 for 1,214 and 11 TDs; 934 rushing yards) and Adam Klosterman (30 catches for 548 yards). Mitch Schoenherr has 84 tackles, and Andrew Schwieterman has six sacks.
Edon (8-2) at Tiffin Calvert (6-4)
Division VII: Saturday, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Edon fourth (0-3); Tiffin Calvert 12th (16-9).
■ Outlook: Edon quarterback Kaden Sapp (2,758 passing yards, 37 touchdowns) is the centerpiece in the Bombers’ high-octane offense, which averages 41 points per game. Sapp completed 134 of 228 passes and rushed for 710 rushing yards. Trevor Green (594 rushing yards) adds a strong component to the ground game. Connor Hug (59 receptions for 1,024 yards and 20 TDs) and Brock Thiel (35 receptions for 907 yards, 5 TDs) are top receivers. The Senecas, winners of five straight, are led by Tyler Long (1,147 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and Austin Ball (614 rushing yards, 9 touchdowns). Long has passed for more than 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. On defense, Dan Reineke has intercepted five passes and Drew Ritzler three.
Arlington (7-3) at Fremont St. Joseph (7-3)
Division VII: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Playoff appearances: Arlington fifth (2-4); Fremont St. Joseph 13th (6-12).
Outlook: Arlington won its first five games before closing out the regular season by losing three of its final five. St. Joseph, led by Marcus Kerr (1,379 rushing yards on 230 attempts), closed out the regular season with two wins. Mitch Gonya (362 rushing yards on 81 carries) has been a solid backup to Kerr. QBs Kyle Veleba (435 passing yards) and Jake Yeckley (233 passing yards) have fared well in sharing the role for the Crimson Steaks. However, St. Joe didn’t defeat a team with a winning record this season. Austin Rettig paces Arlington’s offense, leading the Blanchard Valley Conference with 1,604 yards on 175 carries. He had a BVC-best 37 TDs (33 rushing). Andrew Hunter has passed for 1,310 yards, completing 78 of 162 passes with 12 touchdowns. Arlington averaged better than 50 points per game with Rettig and Hunter giving opposing defenses plenty to deal with on the ground and in the air.
Lake (8-2) at Caledonia River Valley (10-0)
Division IV: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Lake third (0-3); River Valley fifth (0-4).
■ Outlook: The Flyers are averaging 41.6 points and are yielding 16.4 per game. Lake has totaled 4,285 yards (2,165 passing) and has given up 2,484 (1,371 rushing). River Valley averages 36.6 points per game and gives up 11.8. River Valley has amassed 4,002 total yards (3,118 rushing) and surrendered 2,427 (1,489 passing). Lake QB Jared Rettig has completed 122 of 186 passes for 2,141 yards and 29 TDs. WR Adam Duncan has 46 catches for 907 yards and 10 TDs, while WR Todd Walters has 33 catches for 681 yards and 12 scores. RB Brandon Short has 871 rushing yards and 11 TDs. LB Nick Walsh has 64 solo tackles (113 total). River Valley QB Matt Green (54 of 96 for 884 passing yards and 11 TDs) has rushed for a 854 yards (11 TDs). RB Gage Stuckman has 778 rushing yards and 12 TDs. WR De Clarke has 19 catches for 334 yards. Garrett Trafzer has 73 tackles, and Tyler Simmons has four INTs.
Huron (7-3) at Liberty-Benton (9-0)
Division V: Saturday, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Huron 16th (14-15), Liberty-Benton ninth (15-8).
■ Outlook: It’s a matchup of two teams quite familiar with playing late in the fall. Running back Austin Combs leads Liberty-Benton in rushing for 1,206 yards on 133 carries — 9.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Nathan Craft has completed 86 of 126 passes for 1,275 yards, including 10 TDs and only three interceptions. Chase Cook has been Craft's No. 1 target (38 catches for 520 yards). Cook is also a key defensive player in the secondary, leading the team with four interceptions. Returning starters Grant Kinsinger, Brandon May, Anthony Webb, and Allan Hartley are key members on defense for Liberty-Benton. The Eagles’ offense averaged more than 400 yards per game and 46 points per contest. Huron QB Cody Thompson has more than 2,300 all-purpose yards, including 966 rushing yards. Matt Dewey (23 catches for 248 yards) and Zach Souter (17 catches for 186 yards) are Thompson’s top targets.
Hicksville (6-4) at McComb (8-2)
Division VII: Saturday, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Hicksville fifth (6-4); McComb 17th (17-15).
■ Outlook: McComb quarterback Clay Grubb has been very efficient, completing 70 percent of his passes (124 of 177) for 1,896 yards and 22 TDs). He’s also rushed for 1,038 rushing yards on 147 carries. His primary passing target has been receiver Clay Dysert (46 receptions for 944 yards, 13 TDs). The air attack helped McComb outscore its opponents 424-167.The Panthers recorded three shutouts during the regular season. Hicksville closed out the regular season with a three-game winning streak to earn a playoff berth after opening the season by dropping its first two games. The Aces are averaging 32.5 points per game, while limiting opponents to 27.2.
Napoleon (6-4) at Sandusky Perkins (10-0)
Division III: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Napoleon 12th (6-11); Sandusky Perkins seventh (7-6).
■ Outlook: Napoleon is averaging 27.9 points while giving up 17.7. Perkins is averaging 50.3 and allowing 15.5. The Pirates captured a second straight Sandusky Bay Conference championship and finished undefeated for the first time since 1999 (Division IV state champs at 15-0). The Wildcats have rushed for 2,337 yards, led by senior RB Bryant Schlade (186 attempts, 985 yards, 11 TDs). RB Devon Armour (723 rushing yards) has seven TDs. QB Blake Dunbar (486 rushing) has completed 72 of 139 passes for 954 yards and 11 TDs. Zach Fielder has 28 catches for 443 yards and five TDs. LB Sam Walker leads the defense with 81 tackles. Schlade has 3½ sacks, while Anson Lankenau has five INTs. Perkins QB David Doster (38 of 57 for 727 yards, 11 TDs) has 321 yards rushing. RB Dale Irby has a team-high 1,118 rushing yards, 27 TDs, and 300 receiving yards. John Workman has 755 yards rushing, 13 TDs, and 78 tackles.
Northwood (8-2) at Tinora (9-1)
Division VI: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Northwood ninth (1-8); Tinora ninth (4-8).
■ Outlook: The TAAC champion Rangers have outscored foes 378-188 and outgained them 381-287 yards per game. They are paced offensively by QB Mike Vallejo (34 of 72 passing for 593 yards and 6 TDs; 86 rushes, 425 yards, 6 TDs), and RBs Dominik Bermejo (140 rushes, 1,380 yards, 20 TDs), and Jacob Davenport (52 rushes, 528 yards), and defensively by DL Kyle Corbitt (80 tackles, 11 sacks), LB Dylan Napier (92 tackles), and DB Dominik Bermejo (93 tackles, 3 INTs). The GMC-champion Rams have outscored their opponents 402-131. They are led offensively by QB Brevin Renollet (68 of 110 passing for 1,057 yards and 7 TDs), and RBs Kurt Kahle (116 rushes, 966 yards, 18 TDs) and Riley Nagel (122 rushes, 959 yards, 16 TDs), and defensively by LB Justin Flory (93 tackles), and DBs Reid Renollet (10 INTs) and Derek Drewes (70 tackles, 7 INTs).
Perrysburg (8-2) at Akron Ellet (10-0)
Division II: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Perrysburg third (0-2); Ellet third (0-2).
■ Outlook: Perrysburg is averaging 37.6 points and have given up 17.8 points per game. The Orangemen are averaging 35.9 and have allowed 9.9. The Yellow Jackets have totaled 4,157 total yards (2,447 rushing). QB Gus Dimmerling has completed 100 of 178 passes for 1,464 yards and 13 TDs. Top receivers are Scott Freeman (327 yards), Nate Patterson (324), Seth Durham (307), and Matt Kaczinski (281). Dimmerling has a team-high 1,076 rushing yards and 13 TDs, while Mark Delas has 548 and 12 scores. LB Matt Mesker is the leading tackler (94), DE Kadin Llewellyn has four sacks, and Durham has eight INTs. Ellet had its first undefeated season since 1933 and clinched a second straight Akron City Series league title. Other top players are RB Matt Greer, QB Jake Fisher, Hussain Hamdan, and Dakota King. Jacob Ivery and Cle’Von Burch also are key RBs. Ellet coach Joe Yost (211-143-2) is in his 35th year.
St. Francis (8-2) at Avon (10-0)
Division II: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: St. Francis 14th (17-11) ; Avon seventh (10-6).
■ Outlook: The Knights are back in the playoffs for the first time since reaching third round in 2009. They won state titles in 1984 and 2001. St. Francis has outscored opponents 334-275, and outgained them 374-335 yards per game. The Knights are led by QB David Nees (88 of 148 passing for 1,039 yards and 8 TDs; 160 rushes, 746 yards, 16 TDs), RB Lamar Carswell (177 rushes, 1,248 yards, 13 TDs), and WR Andrew Bonfiglio (37 catches, 489 yards, 7 TDs), and defensively by John Fudacz (73 tackles, 18½ TFL, 6 sacks), Zach Uram (66 tackles, 10 TFL), and Mike Minor (44 tackles, INT). Avon has outscored opponents 398-134. It is led by QB Tommy Glenn (148 of 231 passing for 2,259 yards and 25 TDs), RB Gerett Choat (127 rushes, 782 yards, 11 TDs), and WR Braeden Friss (57 catches, 874 yards, 12 TDs), and on defense by DL Shaun Traine (37 tackles), LB Kevin Maloney (54 tackles), and DB Zack Torbert (33 tackles).
Wauseon (9-1) at Wooster Triway (8-2)
Division IV: Today, 7:30 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Wauseon fourth (5-2); Wooster Triway sixth (2-5).
■ Outlook: Wauseon has leaned on Ty Suntken and Axel Bueter. Suntken has completed 79 of 129 passes for 1,364 yards and 19 touchdowns while only throwing one interception. He's also been a legitimate running threat and is second on the team in rushing with 921 yards on 135 carries with 13 TDs. Bueter, who sat out his junior season, has 1,164 yards on 132 carries and a team-high 19 TDs. Aaron Schuette leads Wauseon’s defense with a team-best 113 tackles. Anthony Werder (60 tackles), Nate Suntken (58), and Jacob Flory (55) are also key defensive players. Triway’s Parker Carmichael has passed for 2,744 yards and thrown for 27 touchdowns. Triway averages 274 yards passing. The two teams met in a playoff game 20 years ago with Wauseon pulling off a 31-19 victory. The Indians went on that season to capture a state championship.
Detroit Allen (7-2) at Whiteford (8-2)
Michigan Division 8: Today, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Allen first; Whiteford 14th (5-13).
■ Outlook: Whiteford has outscored its 10 foes 352-136 and outgained them 326-224 per game in yardage. Leading the Bobcats’ offense are QB John Reditt (48 of 85 passing, 900 yards, 10 TDs), RBs Colin Lake (103 rushes, 599 yards, 8 TDs), Zach Perry (83 rushes, 531 yards, 10 TDs) and Josh Beck (92 rushes, 509 yards, 2 TDs), and WR Troy Diller (24 catches, 417 yards, 4 TDs). The defense is anchored by DL Chris Sims (33 tackles, 13 TFL, 6 sacks), LB Diller (50 tackles, 4 INTs), and DBs Perry (39 tackles, 2 INTs), Lake (36 tackles, 3 INTs) and Reditt (28 tackles, 5 INTs). The Wildcats, in just their sixth season of football, have already matched their win total from the previous five seasons combined. They have outscored foes 356-290, including a 54-32 first-round playoff win against Lenawee Christian.
Whitmer (6-4) at Hudson (9-1)
Division I: Saturday, 7 p.m.
■ Playoff appearances: Whitmer 15th (16-13) ; Hudson seventh (4-6).
■ Outlook: Whitmer beat Hudson 39-28 in 2012 playoffs en route to a D-I state runner-up finish. The Panthers have outscored foes 279-210 and outgained them 351-270 yards per game. Whitmer is led by QBs Matt Winzeler (89 of 171 passing, 1,232 yards, 12 TDs) and Chase Bodeman (89 rushes, 767 yards, 6 TDs), RB Jamal Bell (109 rushes, 535 yards, 8 TDs), and WR Chris Boykin (41 catches, 644 yards, 10 TDs). The Panther defense is keyed by Jacob Lapoint (56 tackles, 6 sacks, 8 TFL) and Blake Bengala (63 tackles), Jordan Freimark (65 tackles), Marcus Elliott (93 tackles), and Tylor Schneider (93 tackles). The Explorers have outscored foes 281-144 and average 357 yards. QB Mitchell Guadagni has completed 133 of 244 passes for 1,815 yards, 20 TDs; he’s rushed 117 times for 729 yards, 5 TDs. Other leaders: RB Dean Miller (80 rushes, 353 yards, 3 TDs), WR Colton Whited (47 catches, 771 yards, 9 TDs), and WR Jared Ruffing (31-445-6).