PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS | Friday's playoff games

WARREN JFK vs. SOUTH RANGE
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Mount Union Stadium, AllianceRadio: WKBN-AM 570Last meeting: JFK won 34-14 in a Division IV regional semifinal in 2003. The Eagles hold a 2-1 advantage in the series (all playoff games), winning in 1992 and losing in 2001.
Warren JFK (12-0)Regular season
42Newton Falls028Struthers716Girard751Cleveland Central Catholic050Cleveland John Adams042Kennedy Catholic734Linsly (W.Va.)027St. Thomas Aquinas1454Trinity College (Ont.)1428Steubenville Catholic Central7
Playoffs
22Smithville1414Barnesville8
Scouting report: The Eagles are 23-14 all-time in the postseason, spanning 16 appearances. JFK is outgaining opponents 4,010-1,587 and its defense has been the key all season. First team all-district selections DB Anthony Kokal, a Miami (Ohio) recruit, DL Tom Mariani and LBs Rob Dray and Jared Province are key players on the defense. Kokal and DB Rafael Patterson each have four interceptions. Offensively, QB J.J. Townsend, the district offensive players of the year, has completed 109-of-214 passes for 1,677 yards. His main targets are junior James Howard (31 catches, 395 yards, 3 TDs) and sophomore Desmar Jackson (21 catches, 471 yards, 8 TDs), while juniors Jared Province (101 rushes, 749 yards) and Eric McBride (137 carries, 656 yards) are the main running threats. Eagles coach Tony Napolet was named the district coach of the year.
South Range (12-0)Regular season
42Mogadore1228Independence047Newton Falls67Crestview630East Palestine034United720Columbiana1419Mineral Ridge1426Springfield1243Lisbon12
Playoffs
24Ridgewood921Crestview7
Scouting report: South Range is 12-9 all-time in 10 playoff appearances, including 1-2 against Warren JFK. The Raiders are coming off a 21-7 win over Crestview last Saturday, rallying behind sophomore QB Jack Dawson and junior RB Steve Bensinger. Dawson has completed 64-of-120 passes for 875 yards, 8 TDs and 4 INTs and also has 484 yards rushing in 88 attempts with 6 TDs. Bensinger, a speedy junior, leads the team with 1,079 yards rushing on 140 attempts with 11 TDs and has also caught 14 passes for 212 yards and a TD. Senior fullback Tommy Shives, who has helped offset the loss of injured FB Randy Johnston (knee), has carried 89 times for 418 yards and senior David Rach, the defensive co-player of the year in the district, has 350 yards rushing and does a little bit of everything on offense and defense, whether it's catching, running, tackling, blocking kicks or picking off passes. Offensive lineman David Heck and defensive lineman Matt Baird were all-district selections and key the Raiders up front, while linebackers Jacob Hudak, Heck and Jeremy Oddo solidify a stout defense. Josh Less is a terrific cornerback and is also a receiving threat.
MOGADORE vs. COLUMBIANA
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Ravenna StadiumRadio: WNIO-AM 1390
Mogadore (10-2)Regular season
12South Range4240Springfield2620Newark Catholic1427Rootstown1021Garfield1342Woodridge1433Streetsboro3542Windham1851Waterloo06East Canton0
Playoffs
33Lucas1430Cle. Cuyahoga Hts.27
Scouting report: The Wildcats, who won state titles in 1979, 1996, 2002, are 39-16 in 20 postseason appearances. Mogadore is led by junior FB Cody Destro (6-3, 230), who has run for more than 1,000 yards the past two seasons in the Wildcats' run-oriented offense. Senior LB Bobby Shew leads a defense that has gotten better as the season wears on. Offensive lineman Will Yoho, a first-team all-district selection, helps open the holes for Destro, who many have compared favorably with Chuck Moore, an all-state running back on the 1996 team who later excelled at Mount Union. Shane Smith, a first-team all-district selection, and Shew, the co-defensive player of the year, will need to be accounted for on every play.
Columbiana (10-2)Regular season
21Malvern1914Leetonia728Western Reserve628Springfield733Mineral Ridge1634Lisbon614South Range2032East Palestine00Crestview1027United0
Playoffs
41Windham014Western Reserve9
Scouting report: Columbiana, in the regional final for the second straight year, is 5-4 in five postseason appearances. The Clippers are led by running back Joe Winters, who has rushed 196 times for 1,269 yards and 21 TDs. Although he's quick enough to avoid defenders, he's just as likely to run them over. Jarrett Whelton (717 yards passing, 195 yards rushing) has seen the bulk of the time at QB this season, but Ryan Williams (402 yards passing, 285 yards rushing) has played lately. Tony Giannone (24 receptions, 321 yards) leads the receiving corps. Columbiana's real strength is on defense, led by co-player of the year Chris McIntyre, a senior defensive lineman. Senior linebacker Mackie McGarry and senior defensive back Cory Guy were both first-team all-district selections.
Vindicator staff reports