[Olentangy Orange (14-0) v. St. Xavier (11-2)]

Championship week upon us. For the second year in a row, it appears the best team in the state will not be coming from D1. Olentangy Orange may have something to say about that if they can do to St. X what they did to St. Edward over the weekend, but both Avon and Bishop Watterson have been crushing the competition.

D1:
Olentangy Orange (14-0) v. St. Xavier (11-2): For the second year in a row an Olentangy school will be squaring off with a GCL-S opponent. This time it will be Orange and X. If anyone isn't taking the Columbus area schools serious anymore, they need to check themselves. The Olentangy district in particular has been flexing its muscles across the OHSAA landscape in all sports, and another high school may soon be on the horizon with the population growth in that area. I knew QB Levis Davis and RB Lucas Fickel were players to watch for Orange, but their defense was far more impressive than I anticipated. The game plan against Ed's was clear, take away Brandon White in the running game and play a two-high shell look on defense to eliminate the deep sideline routes Ed's likes to throw. They played it to perfection en route to a stunning 28-0 shutout. Rather than adjust at halftime with just a 7-0 deficit, Ed's continued to try and force their offensive philosophy against a team that had it figured out. The result was five turnovers and the first shutout St. Edward has had since 2009. Down in the southern bracket the game played  out how I thought it would. A staunch Middletown defense was able to limit X offensively, but they could not muster any offense of their own against  a stiff X defense. I think Olentangy is poised to bring the trophy back to Columbus. St. X lost one of their best skill players in Daniel Vollmer in the first quarter of the Middletown game and he did not return. Not sure of his status, but I think X will need all hands on deck.

D2:
Avon (13-1) v. Anderson (14-0): After letting the Spruce Creek (FL) game slip away from them back in week two, Avon has been on a tear. The playoff run has been the most impressive of any team with decisive wins over undefeated Wadsworth, undefeated Highland, and a Walsh team that manhandled the most talented team in the state the week before. I simply can't pick against them right now even with how talented this Anderson team is. Last year's final between these two was a tightly contested game that Avon won 20-13 in the cold and snow. Anderson has revenge on their mind and this game could be another classic.

D3:
Bishop Watterson (13-0) v. Toledo Central Catholic (11-4): This matchup seemed like a foregone conclusion after Youngstown Ursuline's season was cancelled in controversy. TCC got off to a terrible 0-3 start, but their losses were by narrow margins to Walsh, Michigan state runner-up Cass Tech, and Michigan state champ Detroit Catholic Central. They righted the ship and have found themselves back in the title game against a familiar opponent. With the exception of a narrow week two win over Middletown (DE), BW has simply destroyed everything in their path. The competition has not been good until late in the playoffs, but they have continued to dominate. The final between these two last year was close, with BW winning 19-14. TCC can match the size and talent of BW, but will have to play a very clean game against a disciplined and well-coached opponent.

D4:
Glenville (11-3) v. Shelby (14-0): The Tarblooders are right where I expected them with this talent-laden team, in the D4 final. They knocked off the defending D4 champion Indian Valley to get here with a 26-21 win. The Glenville defense is dripping with talent and has only given up more than 3 TD's once in losses to Avon and St. Edward. I honestly don't know much about Shelby other than they are undefeated and have a a high-scoring offense. They will not have seen anything like Glenville's defense all year, but we know that discipline and execution have prevailed over Glenville's talent in the past.

CVCA aiding by a roughing the passer on 4th down tried a 29 yd fg

Wide left TCC wins

Avon 14 Anderson 0 2:39 1rst

Avon 21-0 9:32 2nd qtr

Anderson scores 21-7 Avon 5:18 2nd

27-7 Avon halftime

Avon 34-13 1:38 3rd

37-20 Avon 7 left  Avon capitalizing on Anderson's gifts 3 weeks early

Avon 37-20 final

What a run for Avon through the playoffs. In contention for a #1 ranking.

Glenville 24, Shelby 7 Halftime

Glenville 24, Shelby 7 Halftime

Running clock now 38-7 mid 4th

45-7 Final. Glenville wins. Holds Shelby to 27 yards of offense.

Watterson taking TCC to the woodshed so far. Up 17-0 early in the 3rd.

Bishop Watterson 30, TCC 0 Final