PREP PREVIEW Warren Harding vs. Massillon

What: Division I state semifinal.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Rubber Bowl, Akron.
Last meeting: Harding defeated Massillon 31-27 in Week 9. Sophomore Mario Manningham scored four touchdowns for the Raiders -- two on receptions, two on special teams returns. It was the first meeting since 1989.
Playoff history: Harding is making its fourth appearance in the playoffs, where the Raiders are 11-1. Their prior trips to the state semifinals (in 1974 and 1990) led to championships. Massillon is making its 14th playoff appearance and holds a 17-13 record in those games. The Tigers have been in the state semifinals six times. They were state runners-up in 1980 and 1982 but have never won a title.
If you go: Take Route 224 west into Akron (the Berlin Reservoir Bridge was scheduled to open today). Turn right on Route 241 (George Washington Boulevard) and proceed to the Rubber Bowl. Stadium is on the left.
WARREN HARDING (13-0)
53Cleveland South8
35Cleveland JFK0
28Strongsville21
42Cardinal Mooney0
71Toledo Whitmer0
43Ursuline10
20Boardman19
38Canton McKinley7
31Massillon27
10Austintown Fitch0
Playoffs
24Cleveland St. Ignatius17
18Lakewood St. Edward16
14Mentor7
Raiders scouting report: Harding, coached by Thom McDaniels, shut out Mentor in the second half last week and advanced to the state semifinals. Junior DEs Anthony Hoke and Andre Boomer each had three sacks as Harding registered seven. The Raiders scored the go-ahead touchdown just before halftime when senior QB Mike Phillips' screen pass to junior RB Richard Davis went for 29 yards. Davis carried 27 times for 168 yards against Mentor and has just over 1,300 yards and 16 TDs for the season. Phillips has completed 52 of 89 passes for 675 yards and six TDs, with two INTs. Senior QB Mike Kokal has completed 72 of 126 passes for 960 yards and seven TDs, with two INTs. The leading WR is senior Treymayne Warfield with 42 catches for 525 yards and four TDs. SS Prescott Burgess has returned to action.
MASSILLON (11-2)
43Westerville South6
76Fremont Ross7
60Akron Garfield0
21Cleveland St. Ignatius29
24Austintown Fitch14
56Mansfield Senior0
74Woodrow Wilson0
54Cleveland Lincoln West6
27Warren Harding31
34Canton McKinley17
Playoffs
31North Canton Hoover0
23Massillon Perry21
14Pickerington0
Tigers scouting report: Massillon, coached by Cardinal Mooney High graduate Rick Shepas, has won 22 state titles in its history, but those came from poll voters and not the current playoff system. The Tigers advanced to the state semifinals by shutting out Pickerington on a muddy field in Mansfield. They scored their 14 points in the second half when QB Matt Martin hooked up with WR Devin Jordan twice. Martin has completed 135 of 228 passes for just over 1,900 yards and 24 TDs, with eight INTs. Jordan has 43 catches for 870 yards and 12 TDs. RB Ricky Johnson has 200 carries for 1,375 yards and 22 TDs. LB Shawn Crable has been a force, especially in the playoffs, for the Tigers.
-- Vindicator staff report