OhioVarsity.com - Top seeds fall in first round action

November 6, 2009

Mike Parris
OhioVarsity.com Staff

Divisions II, III & V were in action Friday night as playoff action kicked off across the state.

Everyone expected some upsets, but not many believed three number one seeds would suffer defeat on the postseason's opening night.

Ohio Varsity recaps the upset-laden action across the state where one of the top seeds in each of the three divisions suffered stunning losses.

MARION-FRANKLIN 14 LOUISVILLE 7

It rarely happens, but football fans in Ohio didn't have to wait long this season for an eighth seed to upset a number one seed.

Marion-Franklin (9-2) advanced to the second round of the Region 7 playoffs with a stunning 14-7 win over previously unbeaten Louisville on the Leopards' home field.

Despite trailing at halftime 7-6, Marion-Franklin was able to hold Louisville scoreless in the second half to secure the win.

Marion-Franklin's outstanding quarterback Verlon Reed scored what would turn out to be the game-winning touchdown in the third quarter on one-yard touchdown run.

Louisville, who played without dynamic senior quarterback Bobby Swigert, closed their season at 11-1. Marion-Franklin will face Olentangy Orange in a Region 7 semifinal next Friday.

ST. HENRY 28 RICHWOOD NORTH UNION 3

Louisville wasn't the only top seed to go down on Friday, as North Union suffered the same fate at the hands of St. Henry.

North Union, who entered at 10-0, found out quickly that St. Henry's Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC) affiliation prepares them well for the rigors of postseason football. The Redskins, unlike the Wildcats, acted like they have been there before.

North Union hung tough in the first quarter and the game remained tied after 12 minutes. But St. Henry got things going in the second stanza, hitting on two long touchdown passes.

Quarterback Brad Stahl found 6-foot-7 receiver Victor Fortkamp twice, hitting on 20 and 25-yard touchdown passes to stake the Redskins to a 14-0 halftime lead. Fortkamp, also a standout basketball player, used his frame to outjump helpless defenders.

Neil Schweiterman returned a punt 68-yards for a score in the third quarter to push the lead to 21-0 and a third Stahl-to-Fortkamp touchdown connection in the fourth put the final touches on a dominating win.

St. Henry will face West Liberty-Salem in a Region 20 semifinal next week. West Liberty-Salem snuck past West Jefferson 3-0 in a first round thriller.

SPRINGFIELD SHAWNEE 28 GOSHEN 7

It didn't take long for Shawnee to show Goshen who was boss.

Shawnee, the eighth seed in Division III, Region 12, wasted little time in asserting their will over top-seeded Goshen. On the game's opening play from scrimmage, Shawnee forced a fumble which was scooped up by Dan Rohrer, who rumbled 49 yards the other way for a touchdown.

It was the first touchdown in a 21-point first quarter outburst that left Goshen reeling. Steven Sarven scored on a 42-yard touchdown run and added an interception the next series to snuff out a potential Goshen scoring drive.

Sarven then put the game on ice with a 58-yard TD burst on the first series of the second half.

Shawnee improved to 8-3 on the season and earned a second round game next week against Circleville Logan Elm, 28-12 winners over New Richmond. Goshen closed their season at 8-3.

Ohio NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

FEATURED PRODUCT