(11-15-20) You might call it another ‘2020 thing‘ two unranked teams, Lake Catholic and Van Wert, will play for the OHSAA D IV State Championship next Sunday at 12 Noon at Fortress Obetz.
The teams have a lot in common–
- Both teams mascot is the Cougars
- In 2001 Lake Catholic won a state title, the year before in 2000 Van Wert lost to Canton Central Catholic in the D III state championship game in a double-overtime 27-26.
- Both teams were not ranked in the Final AP Poll, both teams beat a ranked team to get in the final
- Neither team was a top 4 seed entering the playoffs, Van Wert was a #5 seed and Lake Catholic became the first-ever #12 seed to play in a state final game.
- Both teams beat the #1 seed in their region
- Both teams have QBs that run, pass and play quality defense.
Owen Treece (courtesy pantherzden.com) and Joe Malchesky
State Semi-State Games
Last night at the Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia, Lake Catholic held on to beat #6 state ranked Bloom-Carroll 17-10.
Lake Catholic QB Joe Malchesky (6’1 180 Sr) finished with a game-high 144 yards rushing on 24 carries to go along with 6 for 12 passing and 42 yards. He opened the Cougars scoring with a 48-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
With the Cougars leading 17-10 they would hold Bloom-Carroll on a tying touchdown with just four minutes left in the game on fourth-and-1 on the 5-yard line.
Bloom-Carroll out gained Lake Catholic on offense 262-210 yards and won the time of possession 28 minutes to 20..
After the game Head Coach Marty Gibbons told news.herald,com –
“I don’t know if it’s really settled in yet. We expect to win these games and we’ve settled into the mindset that we belong here. The kids have performed at this type of level and done what they need to do but we still have unfinished business to attend to.”
At Piqua last night Van Wert would pick up another win over a state ranked team beating #3 Wyoming 28-20.
WANE TV You Tube Video
The Cowboys’ defense entered the game holding opponents to just 7.4 points a game. For Wyoming it was the third straight year to be in the state semifinal game.
The Cougars would score 28 points…thanks again to a potent offense that continues to test the opponents defense.
QB Owen Treece was 12 of 19 passing for 137 yards with a TD pass and he added a 15 yard TD run.
Dru Johnson had three receptions for 78 yards and scored on a 46-yard TD pass from Treece. Nate Jackson added two 1 yard runs for TDs.
Van Wert Coach Keith Recker aftrer the game said –
“They deserve everything that has come to them, with all the work they’ve put in. They have all the qualities of a great team. I’m just so happy that they get this opportunity.’
A look at the teams
Lake Catholic
Aug 28 – Kirtland 31-15 (L)
Sept 5 – Villa Angela-St. Joseph 28-0
Sept 11 – Notre Dame-Cathedral Lation 42-35
Sept 17 – University School 34-7
Sept 25 – Walsh Jesuit 42-28 (L)
PLAYOFFS
Oct. 10 – Orange (Forfeit)
Oct. 17 – Canton South 41-0
Oct. 24 – Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 35-21
Oct. 31 – Northwest 7-0
Nov. 7 – Ursuline 35-7
Nov. 13 – Bloom-Carroll 17-10
Van Wert (10-1)
8-28 – Elida 55-20
9-4 – Defiance 56-20
9-11 – Wapakoneta 34-0
9-18 – St. Marys 34-28
9-25 – Ottawa-Glandorf 34-35 (L)
10-2 – Bath 29-7
Play-offs
10-17 – Port Clinton 46-20
10-24 – Keystone 38-27
10-31 – Bellevue 41-22
11-7 – Shelby 49-7
11-13 – Wyoming 28-20
Final D IV AP Rankings
Not ranked – Lake Catholic and Van Wert
Play-off Seeding
Region 13 – #12 Lake Catholic
Region 14 – #5 Van Wert
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