Monday, Dec. 3, 2007

Title Town

St. Xavier, Anderson wins state football championships

St. Xavier and Anderson delivered a 1-2 punch in the Ohio Division I and II state football title games over the weekend.

Anderson won their first state football title in school history with a 31-25 win over Louisville on Friday night at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  One night later at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium St. Xavier gave Cincinnati schools another state title by beating Mentor 27-0.  It was the Bombers second title in the past three years.

St. Xavier senior running back Darius Ashley set a new Division I record by rushing for 271 yards on 36 carries and also scored two touchdowns.  The top-ranked Bombers (15-0) dominated, out-gaining No. 10 Mentor 411-197 in total yards with 371 coming on the ground.  Sophomore quarterback Luke Massa was 7-for-10 passing for 40 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  Mentor quarterback Bart Tanski, Ohio Mr. Football, completed 19 of 38 passes for 179 yards.

The Bombers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead and never let Mentor in the game.

The Redskins were led by the performances of senior wide receiver Nick Truesdell, running back Elijah Storey and quarterback Daniel Rod.  Truesdell caught five passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns and Storey rushed for 154 yards on 21 carries. Rod passed for 203 yards on 12-of-19 with two touchdowns.  Anderson racked up 399 yards of total offense.

Anderson withstood a DII record performance from Louisville quarterback Neal Seaman, who passed for 283 yards and four touchdowns.  He also added 91 yards rushing on 24 carries.

Anderson held a 24-7 halftime lead.

The Redskins (13-2) were not ranked in the state top 10 at the end of the regular season.  Louisville was ranked No. 8.

Both teams were making their first-ever state football championship appearance.

- Ed Letsinger