Alter (13-0) and Hartley (11-2) will renew a playoff rivalry in the D-IV high school football state semifinals at London on Friday. Joining Alter in reaching Week 14 games are Trotwood-Madison (D-III) and Midwest Athletic Conference reps Coldwater (D-V), Marion Local (D-VI) and Minster (D-VII).
The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced neutral-site game locations on Sunday. All of the state semifinal winners advance to next week’s season-ending state championships at Columbus.
Alter posted its second straight defensive gem by throttling high-scoring Cincinnati Wyoming 35-7 in a regional final last week. Hartley, the defending D-IV state champ, dodged Western Buckeye League rep Ottawa-Glandorf, 38-35.
The mid-sized football powers have had remarkable success at the highest level. Hartley also won a state title in that 2010 season and was a state runner-up in ’13. This will be the Hawks’ fifth straight state semi appearance and sixth in the last seven seasons. Alter has won two state titles and was the 2014 runner-up.
Hartley lost two close contests to Toledo Central Catholic (D-III) and Columbus St. Francis DeSales (D-III), both of which are 13-0 and also playing in state semis.
“It’s going to be a major challenge,” Domsitz said. “I told the kids you better not pay attention to those two losses. This is a top-level, state championship caliber team.”
• Trotwood eliminated another WBL rep in St. Marys Memorial on Saturday night at Piqua, 34-27. The Rams (11-2) also will renew a playoff rivalry against defending D-III state runner-up Toledo Central Catholic (13-0) at Lima Spartan Stadium on Saturday. TCC has ended Trotwood’s season three times with a loss in the last five years, including the 2012 D-II state title game.
Rams running back Raveion Hargrove matched his season high with 212 yards rushing and two touchdowns against St. Marys. That super-charged the Rams into a seventh straight state semi.
“This means a lot,” said Hargrove, who’s rushed for 531 yards and scored seven touchdowns in Trotwood’s three playoff wins. “It lets you know all the hard work and sacrificing we did all summer has paid off.”
• The MAC remains in contention for three teams to play in championship weekend, like it has done each of the last two seasons. Marion Local (12-1) will play Hamler Patrick Henry (13-0) also at Lima on Friday. On Saturday, four-time defending D-V state champ Coldwater (12-1) will play Coshocton (12-1) at Lewis Center Olentangy and Minster (9-4) is paired against McComb (12-1) at Wapakoneta.
Coldwater has won 23 straight playoff games since 2012. If the Cavs win this week, they’ll tie Marion Local for the longest postseason winning streak in playoffs history.
• Four defending state champs remain in contention to defend their titles: Cincinnati La Salle (D-II), Akron Hoban (D-III), Hartley (D-IV) and Coldwater (D-V). Defending state champs who were knocked out last week were Lakewood St. Edward (D-I), Kirtland (D-VI) and Fort Recovery (D-VII).
• Wayne and Colerain appeared headed for a D-I state semifinal showdown like last year. Instead, it’s Cincinnati St. Xavier (8-5) vs. Pickerington Central (12-1). St. X advanced with its second straight OT win and Central stunned Wayne 17-14 on a last-play field goal. Wayne (11-1-1) had fallen in the last two D-I state title games and three since 2010.
• Tickets are available at participating schools. A portion of presale proceeds are returned to schools.
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