Bluffton’s Quinn Eachus tries to avoid the grasp of Wynford’s Kalen Skidmore during Friday night’s Division VI playoff game in Bluffton.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
Area football teams take part in regional semifinals Friday night.
Division III
Hamilton Badin (12-0) vs. Wapakoneta (10-2)
Hamilton Badin ended Wapakoneta’s playoff run last year and the fifth-seeded Redskins will be looking to get a little revenge and move one step closer to a state title when they face the top-seeded Rams in the regional semifinals at Greenville.
Unbeaten Badin comes into the game with decisive wins in the first two rounds of the playoffs after downing Goshen 41-0 and following it up with a 24-6 victory against Bellbrook.
Against Bellbrook, the Rams built up a 21-0 lead to cruise to the win. Sophomore tailback Lem Grayson scored twice on runs of 6 and 7 yards and quarterback Alex Ritzie threw a 76-yard touchdown pass.
For the season, Ritzie has passed for 15 touchdowns.
The Rams come into the game averaging 31.3 points a contest and are giving up an average of 10.75.
Badin features a number of receivers.
Wapakoneta, winner of 10 straight and Western Buckeye League co-champ, opened the postseason in dominating fashion after downing New Richmond, 69-21, and then dumped Butler 42-7 last week.
Tipp City Tippecanoe (10-2) vs. Celina (10-2)
Second-seeded Tippecanoe is riding a six-game win streak coming into its postseason clash with sixth-seeded Celina, which earned a share of the WBL championship this season, at Sidney High School Memorial Stadium with a 49-20 decision against Western Brown followed by a 30-21 win against Chaminade Julienne in the first two weeks of the playoffs.
Overall, the Red Devils come into the game averaging 33,1 points a contest and giving up an average of 13 points a contest.
Tippecanoe quarterback Peyton Schultz is 139 of 217 for 1,668 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season.
Red Devil running back Cael Liette is the team leader in rushing with 1,258 yards and 23 touchdowns on 172 attempts, averaging 7.3 yards a carry. Evan Liette is the leader in receptions with 62 catches for 790 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Celina is coming off a 41-35 shootout win against Trotwood Madison that saw Braylon Gabes rush for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
Division VI
Columbus Grove (10-2) vs. Carey (10-2)
After losing its first two games of the season fourth-seeded Carey has reeled off 11 straight wins entering this week’s game at Fostoria High School’s Memorial Stadium, including the last two in the postseason in dominating fashion as the Blue Devils downed Ashland Crestview 29-6 in round one followed by a 48-0 blanking of Columbia.
As a team, Carey comes into the contest averaging 40.4 points a contest and giving up 10.25 points a game.
In the win over Columbia, Carey’s rushing attack manufactured 390 yards on the ground with Eli Steen leading the way with 154 of those yards.
Top-seeded Columbus Grove is also coming off a shutout win in its second-round game after besting Black River 34-0 last Friday night.
Led by the legs of Northwest Conference player of the year Trenton Bazzara, who tallied 135 yards and two touchdowns, was complemented by quarterback Landon Best, who finished with 110 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.
The Bulldog defense limited Black River to 194 total yards and 72 in the second half.
Bluffton (11-1) vs. Toledo Ottawa Hills (11-1)
Sixth-seeded Ottawa Hills comes into the game at Napoleon High School’s Buckenmeyer Stadium with a high flying offense that is putting up 44 points a contest against a second-seeded Bluffton defense that is giving up an average of 4 points a contest.
In eight of their contest this year, the Green Bears have scored 40 or more points, including a 42-7 win against Margaretta in the first round of the playoffs. However, in the second round, Ottawa Hills had its hands full with Colonel Crawford, escaping with a 28-21 victory.
Running back Rocco Pillarelli is the team’s leading ground gainer with more than 1,100 yards this year and 18 touchdowns during the regular season.
Green Bear signal caller Chase Miller passed for 1,660 yards with 26 touchdowns and one interception during the regular season.
NWC member Bluffton posted its eighth shutout of the season after defeating Wynford 38-0. In its two playoff games, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 101-6. The Pirates limited Wynford to 193 total yards.
Division VII
Lima Central Catholic (8-3) vs. McComb (10-2)
Last season LCC ended McComb’s season with a 30-26 victory and the seventh-seed Thunderbirds are looking for a repeat performance against the Panthers this year at Allen East’s Goodwin Field.
Sixth-seeded McComb enters this year’s contest averaging 49 points a contest while giving up 17.3 points a game.
The Panthers opened the postseason with a 53-22 victory against Upper Scioto Valley and followed it up with a 57-0 win against Edon last week. In every win this season, McComb has scored 40 or more points.
During the regular season, the Panthers averaged 412.9 yards on offense and gave up an average of 262.3 yards a contest.
During the regular season, Panther running back Braxton Althauser led the Blanchard Valley Conference in rushing with 1,702 yards and 22 touchdowns. He averaged 10.3 yards a carry.
LCC is coming off a 44-28 win against Crestview that saw the T-Birds soar in the second half.
T-Bird running back Matthew Quatman led the ground game with 107 yards on 14 carries as the offense rolled up 377 total yards.
Quarterback Carson Parker ran for 92 yards and 3 touchdowns on 18 carries and passed for 178 yards.
Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
