Groups vie for football finals

COLUMBUS (AP) -- Groups representing Columbus and Canton/Stark County made one-hour presentations to the state's ruling body on high school athletics in hopes of holding the state football finals starting in 2004.
The presentations were made to staff members of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, its board of control and two officers of the state football coaches association. The presentations were made by the Columbus Sports Commission and the Canton/Stark County Football Tournament Committee. The Columbus proposal has games split between soccer's Crew Stadium and suburban Dublin Coffman High School.
The Canton/Stark County officials proposed splitting games between Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and Canton Fawcett Stadium -- as has been the case since 1991. The six state finals this season will be played Nov. 28-29 in Massillon and Canton.
The next contract will be to host the finals in 2004 and 2005 with an option for 2006.The OHSAA staff and representatives of the coaches association will provide feedback to the board, which will announce its decision at its Dec. 4 meeting.
Season finishes early
FOSTORIA -- For the first time in the 80-year history of the Fostoria St. Wendelin football program, the Mohawks won't finish the season.
Administrators decided not to play the final two games because of a rash of injuries that has reduced the team to just 14 available players.