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It has been 10 years since United and South Range signed off their 11-year run as members of the Inter-Tri County League. In that time, the South Range football team has played in 33 playoff games and won a Div. V state championship in 2022. It’s safe to say the Raiders have flourished after moving to the Northeast 8 where they have won five of the last eight titles.
The two old league foes will hook up for the first time since 2016 on Friday in a Div. VI, Region 21 semifinal at Rominger Stadium.
In its 49-28 quarterfinal win over Smithville last Friday, South Range outgained the Smithies 425-111. Quarterback Nick Toy had seven rushes for 183 yards and four touchdowns. Jason Vorshak had 16 rushes for 157 yards and a touchdown.
This year’s Raiders (10-1) have scored at least 41 points in all games expect one against Canfield. The Raider defense is holding opponent to an average of 16 points per game.
The Raiders’ only loss came to Div. IV Girard who is 11-0 and still playing. The Raiders did not play an Ohio Div. VI or lower opponent until last week’s 49-28 win over Smithville. The second week win over Pennsylvania’s Jeannette was the equivalent of a Div. VII school in Ohio.
United, on the other hand, only played higher division games against Minerva (Div. IV) and Crestview (Div. V). The Golden Eagles’ lone regular season opponent who won a game in the playoffs was Mineral Ridge who was eliminated last Friday in Div. VI. United’s starters played only their fifth full four-quarter game without a running clock in last week’s win over Columbia. Before the playoffs started United’s starters played all four quarters was against Crestview in the third week.
Against Columbia, quarterback Tom Brown rushed in from 1 out with 57 seconds left in the game to give United its first second round win in school history. M’Kyan Haynes had 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the triumph.
The Golden Eagles (10-1) ended the regular season with their fourth straight Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference title. In the 10 seasons of the EOAC, United has won six titles. United is scoring 40 points per game, while giving up 10.
When the two played in the ITCL Upper Tier, South Range won nine of 11 meetings. In 21 meetings since 1991, South Range holds a 17-4 advantage. The Raiders hold a 39-23 record all-time in the playoffs, while United is 4-8.
The weather forecast for Friday at South Range High School calls for temperatures dipping into the 30s and a slight chance of precipitation after kick-off.
The winner of this game will meet the winner of Kirtland (10-1) and Hillsdale (10-1) in the Div. VI, Region 21 final next Friday at a neutral site.
WEST BRANCH AT ROCKY RIVER
West Branch quarterback Grady Hirst has the Warriors cooking.
After rushing for 203 yards and three touchdowns along with throwing for 151 yards and a touchdown, West Branch came back from 15 down to beat Poland 28-21 last Friday.
The Warriors (10-1) will travel to 11-0 Rocky River this Friday in a Div. IV, Region 13 semifinal.
The Pirates, who made it to the Div. III, Region 9 final in 2025, have outscored opponents 499-109 this season. Junior quarterback Carter Atwater has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,473 yards and 37 touchdowns. Running backs Rocco Baon (697 yards) and Tristin Hughes (632 yards) handle the ground game.
The forecast for Rocky River on Friday evening calls for showers throughout the game and a temperature around 40 degrees, so throwing the ball might be difficult at times.
West Branch is 19-14 all-time in the playoffs, while Rocky River is 11-12 having made the playoffs the last seven seasons under coach Josh Wells. The Warriors will be the Pirates’ first opponent from Mahoning County.
The Pirates’ perfect regular season was its first since 2007 and fourth overall.
Hirst, a Youngstown State recruit, has completed 143 of 210 passes for 2,014 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also leads the team with 1,132 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns. His top receiving targets are Drake Stryffler with 38 catches for 567 yards and Gavin Marshall with 31 catches for 498 yards.
Stryffeler is also the team’s leading tackler with 75. Landon Coffee had 50 tackles with 10.5 for a loss including 6.5 sacks. Senior Tyler Sprowl has 10 tackles for a loss with six sacks. In the secondary Jeremy Ramsey had four interceptions.
The winner of this contest will move on to meet the winner of Streetsboro (9-2) and West Geauga (10-2) next Friday in the regional final at a neutral site.