Mentor (13-1) vs. Hilliard Davidson (14-0)
If you polled media and coaches from around the state about four months ago, 99.99% of them wouldn't have predicted the Cardinals and Wildcats squaring off in the Division I state finals. With nationally-ranked teams such as St. Edward, Colerain, and St. Xavier headlining Division I, chances seemed slim that all would be sitting at home come December.
However, Mentor and Hilliard Davidson have proven they indeed are the cream of the crop this season and each has been thoroughly impressive in the postseason. Each now has the shot to earn its first ever state championship on the gridiron.
Mentor has been terrific all season, with only a midseason stumble vs. St. Ignatius keeping them from a perfect record. The Cardinals have taken down some playoff goliaths in recent weeks. Four well-known programs, Solon, Glenville, Warren Harding, and Canton McKinley, were unable to get past Mentor. Mentor's 18-13 victory over McKinley in the state semifinals was a testament to their will. The Cardinals rallied back for the winning score with under a minute left to play in the game.
Hilliard Davidson pulled arguably the biggest shocker of the playoffs in their state semifinal matchup. The Wildcats knocked off nationally-ranked Colerain, 10-6, sending the 2004 state champions back to Cincinnati scratching their heads and wondering what just happened. It wasn't the first big victory for the Wildcats this season. Early in the season, Davidson knocked off national power St. Joseph Prep (Pa.) in the Herbstreit Challenge.
With two teams riding emotional highs, this state championship should be a battle of wills.
When Mentor has the ball: quarterback Bart Tanski will direct an offense that isn't explosive, but can hurt you in a number of ways. Tanski, a junior, has emerged as one of the best leaders in the state, masterfully coordinating the Cardinals' shotgun read offense. He has thrown for over 2,300 yards this season with 20 touchdowns. In addition, Tanski has recorded over 800 rushing yards. Running back Bill Deitmen has been a reliable and steady contributor all season long, rushing for over 1,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. Brandon James and Tyler Schutz are Tanski's two favorite targets, as each has reeled in over 40 passes apiece and have combined for 17 touchdown receptions.
The Cardinals will have their hands full against a talented Davidson defense. The Wildcats have been outstanding all season long. In nine of their 13 games, Davidson has limited opponents to ten points or less, including four shutouts. The boast a talented front seven, led by linebackers J.B. Strahler, Brad McKinley and Drew Dolder.
When Hillard Davidson has the ball: watch junior quarterback Connor Dietz coordinate the Wildcats' option offense. Dietz has over 700 rushing yards this season and has scored 10 rushing touchdowns. He will not throw the ball often, but has been accurate and efficient when he has, completing nearly 66% of his passes.
Senior fullback Bo Delande is a workhorse and the featured ball carrier in the run-oriented offense. In a regular season game against Upper Arlington, Delande rushed 40 times for 279 yards. In total, he rushed for over 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns and averaged over six yards per carry in regular season play. The senior scored the only touchdown against Colerain, plunging in from four yards out.
Junior wide receiver Joey Ciamacco is the biggest downfield threat for Davidson and Dietz' top target. He also serves as the team's kickoff and punt returner. In the semifinal against Colerain, Ciamacco reeled in a two-point conversion pass.
The Wildcats' offense must cope with a big defensive line featuring several Divison I college prospects. Two defensive ends, 230-pound Fred Hale and 250-pound Steve Matas, team with 250-pound nose tackle Brady DeMell to form a formidable line. They are flanked by outside backers Adam Mayse and Shane Molder. In the secondary, three-year starter Ryan Dugan has collected five interceptions this season.
Outlook: These two teams are somewhat mirror images of one another. Each is a blue-collar, hard-nosed team that prides itself on an efficient offense and strong defense. Expect a closely contested, narrow game throughout. Special teams could play a major role and each squad boasts a strong kicking game. Cardinals' kicker Kevin Harper has booted seven of 13 field goals this season, including a game-winner earlier this season against Glenville. Wildcats' kicker/puner Colby Catlett is one of the best in the state. The junior booted an amazing 82-yard punt against Colerain.
-Mike Parris
However, Mentor and Hilliard Davidson have proven they indeed are the cream of the crop this season and each has been thoroughly impressive in the postseason. Each now has the shot to earn its first ever state championship on the gridiron.
Mentor has been terrific all season, with only a midseason stumble vs. St. Ignatius keeping them from a perfect record. The Cardinals have taken down some playoff goliaths in recent weeks. Four well-known programs, Solon, Glenville, Warren Harding, and Canton McKinley, were unable to get past Mentor. Mentor's 18-13 victory over McKinley in the state semifinals was a testament to their will. The Cardinals rallied back for the winning score with under a minute left to play in the game.
Hilliard Davidson pulled arguably the biggest shocker of the playoffs in their state semifinal matchup. The Wildcats knocked off nationally-ranked Colerain, 10-6, sending the 2004 state champions back to Cincinnati scratching their heads and wondering what just happened. It wasn't the first big victory for the Wildcats this season. Early in the season, Davidson knocked off national power St. Joseph Prep (Pa.) in the Herbstreit Challenge.
With two teams riding emotional highs, this state championship should be a battle of wills.
When Mentor has the ball: quarterback Bart Tanski will direct an offense that isn't explosive, but can hurt you in a number of ways. Tanski, a junior, has emerged as one of the best leaders in the state, masterfully coordinating the Cardinals' shotgun read offense. He has thrown for over 2,300 yards this season with 20 touchdowns. In addition, Tanski has recorded over 800 rushing yards. Running back Bill Deitmen has been a reliable and steady contributor all season long, rushing for over 1,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. Brandon James and Tyler Schutz are Tanski's two favorite targets, as each has reeled in over 40 passes apiece and have combined for 17 touchdown receptions.
The Cardinals will have their hands full against a talented Davidson defense. The Wildcats have been outstanding all season long. In nine of their 13 games, Davidson has limited opponents to ten points or less, including four shutouts. The boast a talented front seven, led by linebackers J.B. Strahler, Brad McKinley and Drew Dolder.
When Hillard Davidson has the ball: watch junior quarterback Connor Dietz coordinate the Wildcats' option offense. Dietz has over 700 rushing yards this season and has scored 10 rushing touchdowns. He will not throw the ball often, but has been accurate and efficient when he has, completing nearly 66% of his passes.
Senior fullback Bo Delande is a workhorse and the featured ball carrier in the run-oriented offense. In a regular season game against Upper Arlington, Delande rushed 40 times for 279 yards. In total, he rushed for over 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns and averaged over six yards per carry in regular season play. The senior scored the only touchdown against Colerain, plunging in from four yards out.
Junior wide receiver Joey Ciamacco is the biggest downfield threat for Davidson and Dietz' top target. He also serves as the team's kickoff and punt returner. In the semifinal against Colerain, Ciamacco reeled in a two-point conversion pass.
The Wildcats' offense must cope with a big defensive line featuring several Divison I college prospects. Two defensive ends, 230-pound Fred Hale and 250-pound Steve Matas, team with 250-pound nose tackle Brady DeMell to form a formidable line. They are flanked by outside backers Adam Mayse and Shane Molder. In the secondary, three-year starter Ryan Dugan has collected five interceptions this season.
Outlook: These two teams are somewhat mirror images of one another. Each is a blue-collar, hard-nosed team that prides itself on an efficient offense and strong defense. Expect a closely contested, narrow game throughout. Special teams could play a major role and each squad boasts a strong kicking game. Cardinals' kicker Kevin Harper has booted seven of 13 field goals this season, including a game-winner earlier this season against Glenville. Wildcats' kicker/puner Colby Catlett is one of the best in the state. The junior booted an amazing 82-yard punt against Colerain.
-Mike Parris