State worth the wait for Range, Canfield

Mooney is making its 11th state appearance.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH LIMA -- The South Range High football team's first three playoff games were at home, in Salem and in Canton.
So you could argue that the Raiders are due to make a road trip.
But Fremont?
"It's over by Sandusky, right?" center Chris Johnson said. "I don't really care where we play. Our fans will go anywhere."
The Canfield and Mooney football teams which also have big games this weekend feel the same way.
Saturday at 7 p.m., P.J. Fecko's defending champion Cardinals will play 13-0 Bellaire at Steubenville in a Division IV state semifinal.
Friday at 7:30 p.m., Mike Pavlansky's undefeated Cardinals will take on unbeaten Tallmadge in a Div. II game at Twinsburg.
Play at Fremont
At the same time, Dan Yeagley will send his unbeaten Raiders on the field at Fremont to play 13-0 Patrick Henry from Hamler.
"Earlier in the year, I said, 'If you get into the playoffs, it doesn't matter where and it doesn't matter who because we're still playing.' And that's they way we feel right now," Yeagley said.
"We're going to go two-and-a-half hours away to play football -- that's what we enjoy doing," Yeagley said. "If it was five hours away, we'd travel five hours -- it doesn't matter at this point as long as we're still playing."
Yeagley said he spoke to other coaches and their advice was "enjoy it -- it's a dream."
"We get to go someplace we've never been and probably will never, ever be again. Our chances of playing in Fremont again are slim to none."
While Mooney is making its 11th state appearance and is trying to repeat for the first time, Canfield and South Range are taking their first state trips.
The significance hasn't been lost on the players. Canfield quarterback/defensive back Sean Baker felt the emotion surging out of the Mollenkopf Stadium stands last Friday in Warren as thousands of Canfield fans saluted the Cardinals after their 7-0 defeat of Louisville.
"It kind of hit looking at all the fans," said Baker of the impact of winning a regional title. "Just seeing the whole town here is awesome. You never want to let them down."
Because school is closed Friday for Thanksgiving weekend, the Raiders will board chartered buses at 11 a.m., travel halfway to Fremont then stop for a break to stretch their legs.
Once they arrive in Fremont, they'll eat a team meal, walk around the stadium and relax before putting on their pads.
"It's great, it's a fun ride -- we've got a lot to be thankful for," Yeagley said.
Yeagley isn't concerned about his players stuffing themselves on Thursday.
Pilgrim practice
"It's always been a goal to practice on Thanksgiving Day," he said. "They're kids and they are going to eat a lot on Thanksgiving Day, which is awesome. We've stressed family all year round and it's a family day.
"We're going to have a nice practice on Thanksgiving morning and send them home to eat with their family so they can relax and watch some football games.
"We're excited -- if they want to fill their bellies with turkey and pie, good. Enjoy it -- you're only a kid once. By the time we play, they'll be ready."
williams@vindy.com