Time Warner to show Colerain, La Salle games
The Recruiting Trail
Mike Dyer, mdyer@enquirer.com 11:18 p.m. EST November 23, 2015

The La Salle versus Perrysburg and Colerain versus Huber Heights Wayne games state football semifinals will be televised live by Time Warner Cable SportsChannel this weekend.

La Salle (11-2) plays Perrysburg (13-0) in a Division II state semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Piqua.

Colerain (12-1) plays Huber Heights Wayne (13-0) in a Division I regional final/state semifinal at 7 p.m. Saturday at Mason.

La Salle, the reigning Division II state champion, is making it second straight state semifinal appearance. Perrysburg is making its first state semifinal appearance.

Colerain is in the state semifinals for the first time since 2006. Wayne was the Division I state runner-up last season.

The Cardinals are No. 3 nationally in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. Colerain is No. 11 nationally by the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings (editorial).

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/recruiti.../76270564/

LaSalle-Perrysburg is going to be a fantastic game. I'm mad that it's so far away from NW Ohio, I would've been there in a heartbeat.

La Salle rallies past Perrysburg, reaches state final
Adam Baum, abaum@enquirer.com 12:48 a.m. EST November 28, 2015


La Salle's underdog role lasted for a half Friday night in a consistent rain at Piqua in a Division II state semifinal.

For the first time this postseason, La Salle (12-2) needed a definitive second half to come back and beat Perrysburg (13-1) 49-28 to win its ninth consecutive playoff game and book a return trip to the state final next weekend against Massillon Perry (12-2). La Salle outscored Perrysburg 35-7 in the second half to pull away from the Yellow Jackets.

Quote:OHSAA Sports @OHSAASports

#OHSAA FOOTBALL: Div. II championship - Massillon Perry vs. Cincinnati La Salle will be FRIDAY at 8 PM at Ohio Stadium

10:41 PM - 27 Nov 2015 · Indiana, USA, United States

https://twitter.com/OHSAASports/status/6...=twsrc^tfw

It was the defense that jump-started La Salle's come-from-behind win, which featured a 21-0 La Salle edge in the third quarter alone. With his team trailing 21-14 following intermission, La Salle junior two-way standout Jarell White returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 21-21 with 8:18 left in the third quarter.

"Right off the bat (in the second half), we set the tempo," said first-year La Salle coach Jim Hilvert. "Defensively, turnovers, we start smacking people around, being physical on defense. We contained the quarterback. I'm so proud of the way our defense responded ... we settled down, 35-7 in the second half, we were playing Lancer football. I'm proud of our guys."

Two plays later, junior defensive back TreSean Smith, who finished with two interceptions, stepped in front of another Perrysburg pass and La Salle's big offensive line led senior Nick Watson on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to give La Salle its first lead of the game 28-21 with 4:48 to play in the third quarter.

A three-and-out for Perrysburg, followed by two big plays from La Salle seniors Jeremy Larkin and Josh Gebing set Watson up for another rushing touchdown to give La Salle a 35-21 lead after three quarters.

Hilvert said he told his team at halftime, "We gotta go get it. Don't wait around for anybody else. We gotta grab it and go take it."


With 10:24 left in the game, Perrysburg senior quarterback Trevor Hafner scrambled for a 36-yard touchdown to cut into La Salle's lead, 35-28.

The Lancers went to the ground and put Perrysburg away with a Larkin touchdown run to make it 42-28 with 3:31 left in the game. Larkin, who became the Greater Catholic League South's all-time leading rusher in the game, added a 21-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Larkin finished with 161 yards rushing on 16 carries with three touchdowns.

Larkin said the Lancers responded in the second half and began playing "like it was our last game."

"It's incredible," said Larkin, who's committed to UC. "To be in this position, to play 30 games within two years. I'm gonna go out there next week and leave it all on the line, make the most of our days and just enjoy the moment."

Perrysburg, which finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the state's final Associated Press state poll (La Salle was No. 4), got on the board first after a Watson interception on the Lancers' first possession of the game. Senior running back Josh Haynes gave Perrysburg a 7-0 lead with a 2-yard touchdown run with 6:45 left in the first quarter.

A second straight three-and-out from La Salle's offense, followed by a 90-yard scoring drive, capped by a 26-yard touchdown run by Hafner, that left the Lancers uncharacteristically trailing 14-0 with 2:39 left in the first quarter. It's the largest deficit La Salle's faced this postseason.

La Salle had problems slowing down the Yellow Jackets' dual-threat attack offense in the first quarter. Hafner, who gave La Salle fits for nearly three quarters, finished with 149 rush yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Hafner was 17 of 27 for 193 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

"I think the first half we were a little uptight because they didn't think that was gonna happen," said Hilvert. "But, we didn't flinch. At halftime they settled down, and kept plugging away."

The two-touchdown deficit brought La Salle's offense to life, which answered with a drive and a 5-yard touchdown run by Watson, who finished with three rushing touchdowns.

Perrysburg went to the air for its third score of the first half, a 10-yard pass from Hafner to Connor Meredith gave the Yellow Jackets a 21-7 lead with 6:52 left in the first half.

Christian Turner recovered a sneaky onside attempt and Jeremy Larkin got loose for a 26-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-14 with 5:15 before halftime.

La Salle squandered an opportunity just before the break. The Lancers were pinned at their own 1-yard line, 2:34 on the clock, and Josh Gebing caught a 62-yard pass to flip the field. La Salle had second-and-goal from Perrysburg's 1-yard line, but a false start backed the Lancers up and senior Drue Chrisman's 23-yard field goal attempt drifted right as time expired in the first half.

Next weekend in Ohio Stadium, the Lancers will play their 30th game in a two-season span in an effort to win consecutive state championships.

"It's very, very exciting to be running for a state championship against great football in Ohio, some of the best football in the country," said Hilvert. "To be able to play for a state championship, it's tough to repeat. It's tough to win. I'm proud of my coaching staff. One of our coaches lost his dad last night, and our staff did a great job preparing our guys. Our kids stayed with the plan and played their butts off."

The OHSAA confirmed that La Salle will meet Massillon Perry on Friday at Ohio State at 8 p.m.

Larkin said next weekend's state final is "gonna be very emotional, hopefully we can come away with a win."

La Salle 0-14-21-14 – 49

Perrysburg 14-7-0-7 – 28

P – Haynes 2 run (Smith kick)

P – Hafner 26 run (Smith kick)

L – Watson 5 run (Chrisman kick)

P – Meredith 10 pass from Hafner (Smith kick)

L – Larkin 26 run (Chrisman kick)

L – J. White 39 interception return (Chrisman kick)

L – Watson 1 run (Chrisman kick)

L – Watson 8 run (Chrisman kick)

P – Hafner 34 run (Smith kick)

L – Larkin 4 run (Chrisman kick)

L – Larkin 21 run (Chrisman kick)

Records: L 12-2, P 13-1

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/h.../76477648/

La Salle routs Massillon Perry for state title
Mike Dyer, mdyer@enquirer.com 9:27 a.m. EST December 5, 2015


COLUMBUS – The Lancers roll deep yet again.

The La Salle football team captured its second straight Division II state title with a 42-0 win over Massillon Perry Friday night in front of 11,168 at Ohio Stadium.

The 22 seniors joined elite company in the La Salle football program as a group that will always be remembered for winning back-to-back state titles.

"Every team from now on will be compared to this team," La Salle coach Jim Hilvert said. "There is no doubt about it. What these seniors did these last two years is unbelievable."

In a week filled with surprise within La Salle regarding the Ohio Mr. Football Award going to Massillon Perry senior running back Keishaun Sims and not La Salle senior running back Jeremy Larkin, the Lancers proved that what matters most in any season is the team accomplishments.

"To be honest nothing surprises me anymore," Hilvert said. "For us it just adds fuel to the fire. It really does with all the stuff that goes nowadays. It is what it is. We care about winning and being consistent winning and establishing a program that is going to last forever. There is no feeling in the world that compares to this. I know these kids would rather have this any of the individual awards that go on around here."

The La Salle defense picked the perfect time for their first shutout of the season. The Lancers offense did its part by striking quickly and often.

"My pregame speech was all about completing the mission and they completed the mission," Hilvert said. "We talked about it getting it right off the bat. Don't wait around, you go get it and take it. I think our kids did it. They set the tempo – driving down the field and getting that quick touchdown."

The Lancers (13-2) wasted little time on their opening drive after starting at their own 36-yard line after Perry won the toss and deferred.

Larkin, who is verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati, had receptions of 28 and 24 yards on the second and third plays of the opening drive, respectively.

The Lancers went for it on 4th-and-goal and senior offensive lineman Luke Doerger (Toledo commit) fell on junior Jarell White's fumble in the end zone to give the Lancers the touchdown. Senior Drue Chrisman (Ohio State) added the extra point and La Salle led 7-0 at the 8:24 mark. That completed a 7-play, 64-yard drive that took 3:36.

It was the first career touchdown for Doerger, who made his school-record 50th consecutive start.

"Beyond words," Doerger said after the game. "It was insane. This entire thing is beyond belief. What a way to go out."

Perry punted on its first possession but the Panthers picked off La Salle near the end zone on the Lancers' second drive.

Perry saw its next drive stall and the Panthers punt went into the rear end of another Perry player. The ball was recovered by La Salle senior defensive lineman John Willcox, who returned it 32 yards to the Perry 11.

The Lancers took advantage of the turnover two plays later when Larkin scored on a 7-yard touchdown run over left guard to help give the Lancers a 14-0 lead with 1:49 left in the first quarter.

Larkin scored his second rushing touchdown on a 10-yard carry over left end to help give the Lancers a 21-0 with 8:29 left in the second quarter. Chrisman made his third extra point of the night.

The Lancers' defense held firm late in the second quarter after Perry threw an incompletion in the end zone with 21 seconds left.

La Salle held a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Perry's first drive stalled in the third quarter and La Salle freshman Jared Uran blocked the Panthers' punt to give La Salle the ball at the Perry 27.

Six plays later, senior quarterback Nick Watson found White for a 9-yard touchdown pass connection and Chrisman added the extra point to give the Lancers a 28-0 lead with 6:46 left in the third quarter.

That completed a 6-play, 27-yard drive that took 2:41.

Watson added a 32-yard touchdown run with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter and Chrisman added the extra point to give the Lancers a 35-0 lead with 8:59 left in the fourth quarter.

Junior defensive back TreSean Smith had a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown to help give the Lancers a 42-0 with 4:26. Chrisman added the extra point for his 65th consecutive extra point of the season.

La Salle had 347 yards of total offense including 216 yards rushing. Perry had 187 total yards, including 166 on the ground. The Panthers were 3 of 13 on third down.

White had nine carries for 93 yards. He also had a team-leading 10 tackles.

Larkin, a Mr. Football finalist, had 11 carries for 62 yards and two touchdown carries. He had three receptions for 57 yards. He finished the season with 38 total touchdowns.

"I'd take (two state titles) any day of the week (over Mr. Football)," Larkin said. "You get two rings or a plaque or whatever it is."

Freshman linebacker Garrett Bledsoe had nine tackles for La Salle.

Chrisman is No. 13 on the Ohio High School Athletic Association state record list for most consecutive extra points. He didn't have to punt Friday night and said that spoke volumes. He will always remember his four years at La Salle.

"Just the brotherhood," Chrisman said. "The senior class and everything. Just making friends for life with all the seniors. It was awesome."

Friday was the first meeting between La Salle and Perry.

La Salle was ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press Division II poll, while Perry (12-3) was ranked No. 10.

Sims rushed 28 times for 117 net rushing yards.

The Lancers are ranked No. 25 nationally in the USA Today Computer Rankings.

With the state title Friday night, La Salle is the first area team in Ohio to win back-to-back state football titles since Moeller (2012 and '13).

La Salle has 24 seniors, including 22 that were on the 2014 state championship team.

La Salle also joined elite company statewide with the school's second state football title.

La Salle is the third Division II program since to win back-to-back state titles since the Ohio High School Athletic Association went to five divisions in 1980. The others include Akron Buchtel (1987 and '88) and St. Marys Memorial (1992 and '93).

The Lancers were hungry for another ring. It was evident all week.

"I talked about another big ring on the finger," Hilvert said. "I know these kids will remember this forever. I know I will."

Enquirer reporter Adam Baum contributed.

Massillon Perry 0-0-0-0--0

La Salle 14-7-7-14--42

L-Doerger fumble recovery (Chrisman kick)

L-Larkin 7 run (Chrisman kick)

L-Larkin 10 run (Chrisman kick)

L-White 9 pass from Watson (Chrisman kick)

L-Watson 32 run (Chrisman kick)

L-TreSean Smith 47 interception (Chrisman kick)

Records: L 13-2, P 12-3

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/h.../76815804/

Take that Mr football

Further proof that OHSAA screwed up the Final Four seeding. Should've been Lasalle-Perrysburg in the final.