PREP PREVIEW | Friday's football playoffs

DIVISION II
Canfield (10-0) vs. Beechcroft (8-2)
Where: Canfield Cardinal Stadium.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WSOM-AM (600), WNIO-AM (1390).
Scouting report: The Cardinals didn't get much of a reward for their second seed. Beechcroft's two losses came to undefeated Licking Valley (9-7) and defending Div. II state champion Columbus Brookhaven (30-7). Beechcroft is making its 12th playoff appearance, although the Cougars have not fared well historically, going 3-11 all-time. Head coach Tom Dunlap is 159-62 all-time. Beechcroft has good depth with just two two-way starters. Sophomore Marvin Stewart hasn't played like a young quarterback while senior Clinton Blossomgame is the leader of a good ground game. Canfield is making its fifth playoff appearance and its third under coach Mike Pavlansky. The Cardinals are 3-4 all-time, losing to Brookhaven in the regional quarterfinals last year. Canfield is led by senior running back Angelo Babbaro (187 attempts, 1,562 yards, 25 TDs). Babbaro, one of the fastest players in the area, also plays defensive back and special teams. Fullback Kyle Banna, who also plays linebacker, will get a few carries. The Cardinals rotate Frank Ross and Sean Baker at quarterback. Ross is the bigger passing threat, completing 35 of 65 passes for 604 yards, 7 TDs and an interception. Damon Buente has a team-high five interceptions for a defense that allows less than 140 yards per game. Canfield led the Metro Athletic Conference in offense and defense by large margins.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the Columbus Watterson-Columbus Marion-Franklin game.
DIVISION III
Liberty (10-0) vs. Parma Heights Holy Name (8-2)
Where: Brooklyn High School, located at 9200 Biddulph Road, Cleveland.
If you go: Turnpike West to I-480 West. Exit at Tiedeman Road, turn right, then turn right onto Biddulph Road.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WBBG-FM (106.1)
Scouting report: "Holy Name is more of a power team that runs the I offense," Liberty coach Jeff Whittaker said of the first-time opponent. "Their lines are big and their defense runs to the ball well. They're a solid team." The Leopards of 2004 and this year's playoff team are similiar in their ability to focus. But Whittaker notices one difference. "These players have done a particularly good job of putting the team ahead of their own personal interests. We have to utilize our speed. We need to get 11 players involved on defense and we need to have good blocking on offense. We need to do a better job of mixing the pass and run and getting the ball in the air a little more. Teams will be staunch on defense, so we'll have to be more consistent with our passing attack." QB David Ferrell, HB Robert Hightower, FB Chris Harden and WB Ryan Gillum are those to be reckoned with in Liberty's Wing-T offense. Players getting key hits on Girard's QB last week were Chris Harrison and John Humphrey.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the Mentor Lake Catholic-Cleveland Benedictine game.
Beaver Local (8-2) vs. Steubenville (10-0)
Where: Harding Stadium, Steubenville.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Scouting report: The Beavers have a daunting task against a program that hasn't lost a regular season game in three years and is top-ranked in the state. Jimmy Bowersock finished the season with 1,092 yards rushing for Beaver Local. He's not the Beavers' only weapon, though. Luke Neville rushed for 96 yards in a season-ending win against Edison Local and and quarterback Bobby Flint can run and throw. Defensively, Beaver Local is led by seniors Kyle Brown and Freddy Lucas.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the Canal Fulton Northwest-Cambridge game.
DIVISION V
South Range (10-0) vs. Rittman (7-3)
Where: South Range High School.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: WKBN-AM (570).
Scouting report: Dan Yeagley considers every game in the postseason a "bonus" game. South Range and Rittman are first-time opponents. "We're excited about being in and having to go against a very good team. Rittman has a couple really good players, including their quarterback who has thrown for almost 1,700 yards and rushed for 900. He started for them last year. He's a good athlete, so we'll have to contain and put pressure on him." Similiar to a Crestview or McDonald, Rittman's offense will spread out a defense and run or spread out a defense and throw. Yeagley seems excited to be in the postseason -- not only for the obvious -- but to play new teams and meet new people. "You make lot of friends when you get into the playoffs. You meet coaches you wouldn't otherwise know." South Range's backfield, which utilizes the Wing-T, will show Mike Leskosky at QB, Matt Schlatter at HB, FB Kris Davis and WBs Joe Novak and Tom DeChellis. South Range is seeded No. 1, Rittman No. 8. South Range completed a perfect regular season last Friday by rolling past Lowellville, 35-6, for a 10-0 record, including 7-0 in the Inter-County League. With that last win, the Raiders won the ICL championship for the eighth time (1975-90-92-96-97 and 2001-03-05). South Range has both a strong offense and defense. The Raiders have scored 368 points for an average of 36.8 points per game, and has limited opponents to only 58 points or 5.8 points an outing. Yeagley is in his 11th season and has a 96-26 record to date. South Range is in the playoffs for the ninth time and the third straight year (1992-96-97-99 and 2000-01-03-05). Rittman is in the playoffs for only the second time, the other year being in 1986. Coach Doug Haas is in his third year with a 17-13 record. Haas said that senior QB Jesse Richards and senior RB Adam Jones "have been our 1-2 punch offensively." Richards can both pass and run the ball. He has completed 117 of 215 passes for 1,995 yards and 10 TDs, and has reushed for 881 yards in 125 carries for an 8.1-yard average and 15 TDs. Jones has rushed for 993 yards in 145 attempts and 12 TDs, and also has caught 15 passes for 250 yards; while Andrew Smith is the top receiver with 53 catches for about 750 yards. Jones also leads the defense at linebacker with about 100 tackles, while NG Justin Marrs has 10 tackles for losses and saeven sacks.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the Crestview-Smithville game.
Crestview (9-1) vs. Smithville (9-1)
Where: Smithville High School.
If you go: I-76 West to Ohio route 21 South to Ohio route 585 West. Follow into Smithville.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Radio: None.
Scouting report: Fresh from its second straight Tri-County League crown, the Rebels will meet the same team that eliminated it in the first round of the 2004 playoffs. Crestview lost five seniors from that 2004 squad so coach Paul Cusick has quite as bit of experience back. "Hopefully, that tranlsates into those guys not being wide-eyed," Cusick said. Smithville hasn't changed its system, considering that its coach Keith Schrock, has been there 30 years. "They're solid in what they do," Cusick said. The Smithies' offense is part Wing-T, part spread. "They like to run the ball, so we've got to stop that first," Cusick said. Crestview runs a spread offense with QB Jordan Reynolds, RB Adam Thompson and H-back Zech Parker. Reynolds has passed for nearly 1,000 yards, while Thompson has 1,200 yards rushing. Parker is a blocker/receiver/runner hybrid. Three two-way players for Crestview are Justin Coie (receiver/DB), Colby Henderson (receiver/DB) and OT/DE Andy Walton. Before the season, Cusick wanted to avoid last year's tendency of being too reliant on the run. "Yeah, our pass/run ratio is a little better because we succeeded in spreading it around more this year." The frequency of throws, however, is low because starters usualy didn't play four full quarters every game. Crestview is seeded No. 5, Smithville No. 4. Crestview shattered Columbiana's undefeated streak last Friday with a 35-14 win to capture the TCL championship for the second straight year. The Rebels have a powerful offense and defense, scoring 395 points or 39.5 per game while holding opposition to 85 points or 8.5 per game. Cusick is in his seventh season with a 46-27 record to date. He has guided Crestview to four TCL titles, the other two being in 2000 and 2001; and into the playoffs three times in 2000,2001 and 2004.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the South Range-Rittman game.
JFK (9-1) vs. Ridgewood (9-1)
Where: Mollenkopf Stadium
When: 7:30 p.m.
Scouting report: The Eagles, rated third in Division V, Region 17 of the computer survey, wrapped up another impressive season beating Howland 35-21 last Friday, with senior tailback Anthony Elzy scoring twice on runs of 77 and 10 yards. Coach Tony Naplet (141-58-2) and the Eagles will be making their 15th appearance in the playoffs and have posted a 20-13 record, which includes a Div. IV state title in 1991. The Eagles were eliminated by Gilmore Academy 45-30 in a Div. V first-round game last year. The Eagles only loss this season was to Girard 33-29. John Slusser, in his first year as head coach, after 13 years as assistant at Ridgewood said, "Kennedy has played a Big 10 schedule compared to ours." The Generals' fullback Holden Border has rushed 130 times for 622 yards and five touchdowns. Quarterback Jarrod Groves has gained 457 yards on 114 tries and nine TDs and running back Josh McCormick has 547 yards on 11 tries and three TDs in the run oriented offense.
Next: The winner of this game will play the winner of the Barnesville-West Salem Northwestern game.
Vindicator staff reports