Bedford High School players, including Cole Hoffman (55) and Alec Hullibarger (11) celebrate their win with their fans Friday night in Temperance, Mich.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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The first round of high school football playoffs started with a bang Friday night with a rout at Central Catholic, history for Perrysburg and a thriller for the ages between a pair of undefeated teams at Genoa.
Irish strike for 7 first-half TDs
Second-ranked Central Catholic treated its offensive possessions Friday night as if they were handling hot potatoes in their Division III football playoff opener against visiting Defiance.
The Fighting Irish (11-0) had the ball 11 times in the first half — never longer than 88 seconds — and scored seven touchdowns to take a 49-7 halftime lead en route to a 69-14 regional quarterfinal victory at Gallagher Stadium.
The return to the football playoffs for St. Francis de Sales was short lived. The Knights fell 38-14 on Friday night to Avon in a Division II first-round game. The Eagles advance to play Perrysburg.
Bryan wins a thriller at Genoa
In a wild game that more than lived up to its billing, No. 2-ranked Bryan held off No. 3-ranked Genoa 43-36 before a jam-packed Comets Stadium with an estimated crowd of 4,000.
Kicking Mules storm back to stun Saline
Nevermind the temperature flirting with freezing. For Jeff Wood, an ice shower had never felt so good. The sixth-year Bedford coach — drenched with the remains of a near-full water cooler — fought back tears late Friday night and told his team that the Kicking Mules' 36-29 comeback win over visiting Saline was the biggest of his career.
Jackets rally, win first playoff game
Three second-half interceptions helped Perrysburg make history Friday night. The Yellow Jackets won their first playoff game, beating Akron Ellet 28-21 in a Division II first round contest.
Whiteford clinches district title
There was some question whether the Bobcats could stop, or at least slow down, the high-powered offense of Detroit Allen Academy. The question was answered emphatically as Whiteford held the Wildcats in check until the final seconds of the first half. That allowed the Bobcats to build a 45-point cushion and cruise to a 61-20 home victory.
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Detroit Allen Academy at Whiteford
ROUNDUP, FINAL SCORES