(11-17-18) This OHSAA D VI Football State Semifinal Game, Seneca East (12-1) vs. Marion Local (12-1), will be a game of one team living the dream during a first-time run in the playoffs, to a team that does this on a regular basis and knows what awaits them.
Playoff Background
Marion Local – The Flyers reached the state semifinal for the eight straight season, 17th overall and have won 75 playoff games
Seneca East – The Tigers will appeared in their first ever state semifinal game, they have won 3 playoff games in school history (all this season)
How they won their Regional Championship game –
Seneca East wide receiver DJ Ruffing caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Chase Foos with 24 seconds left to givethe Tigers a come from behind win over Fairview 26-21
Seneca East, Blaine Swartzmiller rushed for 109 yards on 24 carries, Jake Hall had two catches for 74 yards. and Foos went 19 of 28 for 238 yards passing.
Tigers Head Coach Ed Phillips after the game told the Advertiser-Tribune:
“I’ll be honest, coming into this year, I felt like this was a team that needed to get to this game. I’m not going to lie, if we didn’t get to this point, there would have been a part of me that would have been a little disappointed. But now that we are here and into the Final Four … it’s everything I dreamed of and everything I wanted for this community and this team. And it’s here.”
Marion Local revenged a regular season-ending double-overtime loss (26-20) to beat MAC rival Coldwater in the rematch 40-19. With the win the Cavs remain as the only MAC team in the playoffs.
Nick Tangeman caught nine passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, Nathan Bruns completed 15 of 22 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns and one interception.
The Flyers finished with 441 yards in total offense (154 rushing, 287 passing) and held Coldwater to just 244 yards total offense (66 rushing and 178 passing).
The chance for the winner to move on the State Final will happen Friday night at 7pm at Lima Stadium. In the other D VI State Semifinal bracket Kirtland (well known to MAC fans) will play Fort Frye.
Related Stories
- Marion Local Upends Coldwater; state semis up next
- WDTN Video Highlights – Marion Local-Coldwater
- Ruffing’s last-second heroics propel Seneca East
2018 Seneca East Results (12-1)
8/23 @ Margaretta 
41-12
8/31 Newark Catholic 20-2
9/7 Elmwood 30-6
9/14 @ Bucyrus 47-13
9/21 @ Mohawk (L) 31-24
9/28 Wynford 47-14
10/5 @ Carey 34-27
10/12 Upper Sandusky 63-6
10/19 Colonel Crawford 39-22
10/26 @ Buckeye Central 46-14
PLAYOFFS
11/2 Loudonville 33-9
11/9 Columbus Grove 27 -20
11/16 Fairview 26-21
Marion Local Playoff Results (12-1)
Spencerville 55-7- LCC 33-17
- Coldwater 40-19
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