PREP PREVIEW \ Football playoffs

DIVISION IV
Regional Final
Mooney vs. Liberty
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Falcon Stadium, Austintown
TV/radio: WKBN-AM (570), WBBW-AM (1240), Fox 17/62 (taped)
MOONEY (9-2)
26East Liverpool0
24St. Thomas3
35E. Cleveland Shaw0
20Warren Harding22
36Painesville Riverside7
25Cle. Benedictine49
19Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary13
55Ursuline27
14Columbus Watterson10
Playoffs
42Garrettsville Garfield21
42Chagrin Falls13
Cardinals notebook: Mooney, which has an area-best 18th playoff appearances and four state titles, improved to 27-13 in the postseason with last Friday's win. And, like most of Mooney's playoff wins, this one featured good defense and a good running game. Nate Burney rushed for over 200 yards and scored three TDs, and Kyle McCarthy ran back a punt for a score.
LIBERTY (11-1)
19Struthers13
42Wilson14
7Chagrin Falls3
24Champion0
0Hubbard21
38LaBrae0
24Lakeview7
15Newton Falls14
28Brookfield7
38Girard23
Playoffs
36Orrville19
6Ursuline0
Leopards notebook: Last week, Liberty had to key on one primary running back in Ursuline's Alex Allen. Mooney's offense, however, employs numerous running backs. To slow that attack, the Leopards will need another consistent game from their defense. But they will also need to keep the ball out of Mooney's hands by driving against the Cardinals' stubborn defense. Liberty also showed the ability to adjust on the fly last week, when junior fullback Chris Harden went down with a knee injury in the first half. In came junior Dania Gillam, who had also been recovering from a knee injury, to rush for 107 yards on 24 carries. Gillam will return to the field against Mooney, and the Leopards hope Harden can too. He was being examined by a doctor Monday.
Up next: According to the OHSAA, the winner of this game will play the winner of the Region 15 final between New Albany and Martins Ferry at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium on Nov. 26.
DIVISION V
SOUTH RANGE vs. SMITHVILLE
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Canton Central Catholic Lowell Klinefelter Field
TV/radio: WKBN-AM (570), WBBW-AM (1240), Fox 17/62 (taped)
SOUTH RANGE (11-1)
42East Palestine15
28Crestview21
48Champion0
48Lowellville7
55Conneaut0
31McDonald7
26Jackson-Milton16
7Mineral Ridge20
45Western Reserve7
34Springfield10
Playoffs
27Rootstown21
24Dalton9
Raiders notebook: The Raiders continue their run through the Wayne County Athletic League after defeating Dalton last week. Ben Johnston, Tony Darkadakis and Matt Schlatter will handle the bulk of South Range's vaunted rushing attack. Tony Darkadakis, with two interceptions, and Joe Marino, who had a key sack in the second half, led the Raiders on defense in their convincing victory over Dalton. Coach Dan Yeagley is 7-6 all-time in seven playoff appearances, advancing to the regional final for the third time. The Raiders lost in 1996 and 2001. Yeagley has been coach for 10 seasons and has an overall record of 86-25.
SMITHVILLE (10-2)
53Lucas0
42Loudonville0
28Akron Manchester42
26Rittman0
44Creston Norwayne7
56Doylestown Chippewa6
13Dalton12
36Apple Creek Waynedale6
49Jeromesville Hillsdale0
48West Salem Northwestern14
Playoffs
28Ashland Crestview21
32Gilmour Academy3
Smithies notebook: The Smithies, ranked 17th in the last Division V state poll, will try to pound the ball with running back Aaron Long, who has 2,250 yards and 30 TDs. Smithville has rushed for more than 3,000 yards as a team this year, averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. QB Jace Hartzler has thrown for 1,149 yards and 17 scores and has been sacked only eight times. Ryan Ferguson has topped more than 500 yards receiving. Kyle Keener and Andrew Saris lead the defense. Coach Keith Schrock is 208-89-3 in his 28th season at Smithville. The Smithies are 13-8 all-time in the playoffs.
Up next: According to the OHSAA, the winner of this game will play the winner of the Region 19 final between Amanda-Clearcreek and Wheelersburg, Nov. 27, at Dublin Coffman High in suburban Columbus.
Vindicator staff report