Hopewell-Loudon vs. Newark Catholic
What, when, where: Division VI state final, 11 a.m., Fawcett Stadium, 1835 Harrison Ave. N.W., Canton. Call 330-458-2084.
Records: Hopewell-Loudon, 14-0; Newark Catholic, 12-2.
What to watch: Despite being the topranked team in the final state poll and qualifying for the playoffs seven times, Hopewell-Loudon has never played in a statechampionship game. Its counterpart, eighth-ranked Newark Catholic, is a 30-time postseason qualifier, five-time state runner-up and seven-time state champion. Hopewell-Loudon will try to continue a balanced offense that?s scored 40.6 points a game, accounted for close to 3,200 yards rushing and almost 2,500 yards passing, and features RB Adam Brickner and 6-5, 184-pound junior QB Tyler Brown. Nate Siebenaller and Lukas Schalk head a receiving corps where four players have 30 or more receptions, while the offensive line, which averages 210 pounds, is anchored by 5-11, 235- pound Anthony Reinhart and 6-0, 218- pound Robbie Oldaker. Its 4-4 defense, which is surrendering 12.8 points a game, didn?t allow a first-half touchdown during the regular season, is stingy against the run and has a plus-25 turnover margin. It is headed by three-year starters Schalk (DB), Oldaker (LB) and Siebenaller (DB), who has a team-high eight interceptions. Newark Catholic has scored 35.7 points a game by thriving on blue-collar, physical, grind-it-out football, and why shouldn?t it? RB Mark Nichols has gained more than 2,750 yards and has found the end zone 41 times, including a 256-yard, two-touchdown outing in a state semifinal win over previously unbeaten and second-ranked Springfield Catholic Central. QB Mark Elwell has passed for close to 1,000 yards behind a line that features 6-2, 255-pound Casey Cunningham and 6-2, 230-pound Clay Harris. Elwell?s primary targets are Tony Weisent, Marcus Baker and Matt Grieb, each of whom have caught at least 20 passes. Its 4-4 defense, headed by two-year starting ends Ryan Lewis and Nick Rhodes, and LBs Nick Brown, Bo Kreager, Grieb and Matt Lott, is giving up 18.5 points a game. The secondary is by committee, where Baker, Nichols, Elwell, Adam Annarino, Jarred Huey or Matt Lewis are all capable of coming up with an interception.
PD pick: Newark Catholic?s size advantage, playoff experience will be deciding factor.
