Coldwater Cavaliers

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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11/21/05

Coldwater, Carroll chasing first state titles

By Mark Gokavi
Dayton Daily News
All that's missing is a state championship trophy.

Other than that, two area high school football teams have done it all. League titles. Playoff victories. Deep postseason runs.
Carroll and Coldwater also have longtime coaches who know the variables.
"It's very difficult," Carroll coach Steve Bartlett said. "You've got to be good. You've got to be lucky. You have to stay healthy. It's a combination of things."
The Patriots won the Division II, Region 8 title Friday night by defeating previously unbeaten Springboro 20-7 in a rematch of a 23-0 loss.
Coldwater won the D-IV, Region 14 crown by dominating Huron, 28-0. In fact, coach John Reed's Cavaliers have outscored their playoff opposition 101-6 in three games.
Carroll (11-2) plays Toledo Central Catholic (12-1) in the state semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dublin Coffman Stadium.
"They beat Avon Lake (35-14)," Bartlett said. "So they must be pretty good."
The Patriots have made the playoffs five straight years and six of the past seven. Carroll is in its second straight state semifinal and 40th game in three seasons.
The Cavaliers (13-0) play Monroe (12-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Welcome Stadium. Coldwater has made the postseason eight consecutive years.
The Cavs were state runners-up in 1998 and 2000 and made the state semis in 2001 and 2004. This is Cavalier's 41st game in three years.
Fans who watch the Monroe-Coldwater game will see Ohio State-bound Ross Homan, a force at 6-foot-1, 229 pounds. Homan was first-team All-Midwest Athletic Conference at running back and linebacker. Several MAC teams have won state football titles, but the Cavaliers are looking for their first.
If Coldwater advances to the state title game, it would play the Youngstown Cardinal Mooney-Bellaire winner. If Carroll wins, the Patriots would face Tallmadge or Canfield — just don't tell Bartlett.
"It's a one-week season now," Bartlett said. "My only thoughts are about Toledo Central Catholic. I don't know who we'd play. I don't even care. If we get that far, we'll go to work on them."
Contact Mark Gokavi at 225-6951.

[Folanator]

My best bud was a DB for Coldwater in the 70's. I think I am going to go up with him and watch the game. Should be fun.

[wadc45]

not to get too far ahead but how good would a Coldwater/Cardinal Mooney state title game be? that would be worth the drive to Canton to see...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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11/24/05

Coldwater looking to contain Monroe QBs

Cavs' secondary has only allowed three passing TDs this year

By Greg Billing
Dayton Daily News
DAYTON | Coldwater's prolific passing attack needed just six quarters to throw four touchdowns this season. How long did it take opponents? So far it's 62 quarters and counting.

The Cavaliers' secondary has allowed just three passing TDs through 13 games. On Saturday, Coldwater (13-0) attempts to take the air out of Monroe's offense in the Division IV state semifinals at Welcome Stadium.

The Hornets' (12-1) two-quarterback rotation of Tyler Osterman and Tad Kilburn combined for TD passes of 80 and 73 yards and three receivers finished with 96 yards or more in last week's win over Valley View.

"Don't get beat deep," Coldwater senior Justin Kahlig said. "That's been one of our goals all year, to not let the long ball get us."

Only Delphos St. John's has managed to do so against the secondary that includes Kahlig (two interceptions), senior Brady Geier (10), senior Trevor Stromblad (two) and sophomore Ryan Geier (five). The Blue Jays' TD went for 67 yards. The others covered 14 and 11 yards.

"That's more than you can ever expect," Coldwater coach John Reed said of a defense that has allowed a miserly 10 TDs all season, none in the postseason. "We've gotten better and better and better. The development of our defensive line has been the key."

With a strong defensive line and hard-hitting linebackers pressuring quarterbacks, the secondary benefits from some rushed passes and bad judgements. But the group — just like the teammates in front of them — are speedy and athletic. That'll come in handy trying to contain Osterman and Kilburn, both nearly 1,000-yard throwers. Though the offense isn't routine — each QB plays two series then switches — the Cavs' approach remains the same.

"It won't change a thing," Ryan Geier said. "Both quarterbacks like to throw it short and try to get you long once in a while. They have the same kind of ability out there."

Few teams, though, have been able to take advantage of Coldwater's defense. The Cavs have allowed 119 yards rushing and a scant 65 yards passing per game. More of that could land the Cavs in the state title game for the first time since 2000. Coldwater lost to Versailles 14-0 in last year's state semis. Unlike that game, this game doesn't bring the added hype and pressure of facing a fellow Midwest Athletic Conference member.

"We're not holding anything back," Stromblad said of the seniors' last shot at a title. "We have that mentality."

"We're playing a little looser," added Brady Geier, who had a pair of interceptions to go along with 181 yards and 2 TDs receiving in last week's win over Huron.

In addition to their defensive duties, Stromblad is a standout kicker who has made 64 of 65 extra points and boots 50-yard field goals in practice. His longest in a game is 38. Both Geiers and Kahlig are key targets for Coldwater QB Steve Borger. Brady Geier is also the team's top return man and the Cavs' punter.

A win Saturday puts Coldwater in the state title game at 11 a.m. Dec. 3 at Canton's Fawcett Stadium against either defending champion Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (11-2) or Bellaire (13-0).

Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, Ext. 6991.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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11/25/05

Division IV
Monroe, which finished 2-8 last season, is possibly the best story remaining in the state playoffs.

The Hornets (12-1), who are making their first trip to the state semifinals, will play Coldwater (13-0), the state's top-ranked team, at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dayton's Welcome Stadium.

Monroe coach Jason Krause says the Cavaliers' success begins with Ross Homan, a senior running back and standout middle linebacker who has committed to Ohio State. Homan has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He led the Midwest Athletic Conference with 141 tackles.

Coldwater's spread offense bears a resemblance to Monroe's. The Cavaliers are led by senior quarterback Steve Borger, who passed for 1,620 yards and 21 touchdowns.

"I told our kids that Coldwater is going to make plays," said Krause. "We just need to weather the storm and make plays of our own. They have a lot of kids playing both ways. That could be an advantage for us."

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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11/25/05

DIVISION IV

Coldwater (13-0) vs. Monroe (12-1)

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Welcome Stadium, Dayton

Directions: I-75 to Dayton (exit 51, Edwin C. Moses Blvd.); stadium next to UD Arena.

Outlook: Defenses are put to the test against spread attacks. Coldwater QB Steve Borger hit six different receivers in win over Huron. Monroe counters with QB tandem of Tyler Osterman and Tad Kilburn, both close to 1,000 yards passing, who used big plays to beat Valley View. Coldwater, in its 5th state semi, hasn't allowed an offensive TD in the postseason, outscoring opponents 101-6. Monroe, making its 2nd appearance, has beaten its competition 92-44.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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11/26/05

Cavs face mirror image
By JOHN S. HULLINGER
419-993-2088
jhullinger@limanews.com

COLDWATER — Wide-open, sideline-to-sideline.
That’s the way Coldwater likes to play football.
It’s also the way the Cavaliers’ state semifinal opponent, Lemon-Monroe, like to play, which means the Hornets may be the biggest threat to Coldwater’s defensive dominance.
Coldwater and Lemon-Monroe square off in the playoffs Saturday night at Dayton’s Welcome Stadium for a trip to the Division IV state title game.
Lemon-Monroe is averaging 30.7 points per game in the playoffs. Coldwater hasn’t given up a touchdown, just two field goals, in its three postseason games.
“It’s really kind of a mirror image of ourselves,” Reed said of the Hornets’ offense. “It’s a team that tries to spread you out to be able to run the ball and tries to spread you out to be able to throw the ball.”
The Hornets (12-1) have been a surprise under third-year head coach Jason Krause. This is their deepest trip into state playoffs. The last time Lemon-Monroe had a winning record, won its conference (Mid-Miami League) or went to the playoffs was 1994.
“We were 2-8 last year, and we’ve had a real big turnaround,” Krause said. “The community has been very supportive, and we’re happy to be in this position. … We had a real good senior class that hung in there and decided to make a commitment in the weight room.”
Krause centers his spread offense around two quarterbacks, senior Tad Kilburn (6-foot, 175 pounds) and sophomore Tyler Osterman (6-1, 160 pounds). They rotate in and out every two series, regardless of the game situation.
Kilburn is the more athletic of the two. Osterman, more of a pure passer, has thrown for 1,480 yards (91-of-155, 58.7 percent) with 12 touchdowns. Osterman was selected second-team All-Southwest District despite never starting a game. His 75-yard touchdown pass to tight end Shae Michael broke open the Hornets’ 35-21 regional final win over Germantown Valley View.
“When I did the original (game film) report, I didn’t see the one quarterback doing anything different than the other quarterback,” Reed said. “I think they just feel they have two good quarterbacks and they let them both play.”
Lemon-Monroe has two 1,000-yard receivers in senior Pat Harrington (6-2, 200 pounds) and junior Josh Herron (5-11, 190).
Sophomore running back Jared Ferguson (6-1, 180) has 996 rushing yards. He rushed for two TDs in the win over Valley View.
But those yards won’t come as easily against a Coldwater defense — led by Division IV Northwest District Defensive Player of the Year Ross Homan — that has been stingy, to put it mildly, all season long and especially in the playoffs.
In the Cavaliers’ regional title win over Huron, Coldwater held the Tigers to 116 total yards of offense and frustrated quarterback Nick Basting (3-of-13 passing, 28 yards, three interceptions).
“Yes, our secondary is playing really well. But I think our defensive front is starting to bring more pressure,” Reed said. “That combination is pretty good. The best pass defense is when that quarterback is throwing the ball when he doesn’t want to throw it.”
Offensively, senior quarterback Steve Borger — the Division IV Northwest District Offensive Player of the Year — has been superb in the postseason. After missing on his first four pass attempts in the win over Huron, Borger completed 18 of his next 21 attempts for 291 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He has thrown just two picks all year.
“When I got to watch film and see some of the decisions that he made, he made some great non-throws that would have been picks,” Reed said.
Said Krause, “They’re very athletic. We notice the quarterback has a lot of time to throw the ball, so the offensive line must be doing the job. And, obviously, they have a great player in Ross Homan.
“Our key defensively is to weather the storm, kind of bend but don’t break,” he said. “They’re going to make plays, but we don’t want to let them get into the end zone.”
The Hornets will counter on defense with senior outside linebacker Michael Majors (6-3, 175 pounds), the Southwest District Player of the Year. Kilburn earned All-District honors as a safety.

[JohnnyCockfight]

Sounds like Ross Homan has both touchdowns with a few minutes left before the half. Coldwater up 14-0.

[JohnnyCockfight]

Looks like A.J., err, I mean Ross had a special spectator in attendance last night...

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sport...coldwater.html

STATE FOOTBALL SEMIFINALS: COLDWATER 35, MONROE 0

Coldwater takes sting out of Hornets

By Greg Billing

Dayton Daily News

DAYTON | On the same field as last season's state semifinal loss, Coldwater made sure it didn't meet the same fate in the high school football playoffs.

Coldwater's team speed overwhelmed Monroe in the Division IV state semifinal, winning 35-0 in front of about 9,000 spectators at Welcome Stadium on Saturday night. The win puts Coldwater (14-0) one win away from its first football title. That chance comes at 11 a.m. Saturday at Canton's Fawcett Stadium against defending champ Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, which beat Bellaire, 20-13.

"Last year was a sick, sick feeling leaving this place with a loss," Coldwater receiver-defensive back Justin Kahlig said. "We had a talk last night and said refuse to lose. We're doing it for (our teammates) last year, too. We're not the only guys playing out there."

The Cavaliers looked as though they had a few extra defenders with them Saturday. The Hornets (12-2) finished with minus-30 yards rushing — thanks in part to four sacks — and just 71 yards in total offense. The shutout was the Cavs' fifth and third straight of the postseason.

"Fast and athletic," said Monroe coach Jason Krause. "They really surprised me. I didn't think they were that fast on film, but they really were."

Coldwater built a steady lead with touchdowns in the first and second quarters, both on Ross Homan runs of 1 and 4 yards. With a defense allowing just six points a game overall, Coldwater essentially put the game away with 5:53 left in the third quarter.

After Coldwater's Brady Geier intercepted a pass, Cavs' quarterback Steve Borger needed one pass to hit him in stride down the left sideline for the 43-yard score.

Borger completed 11-of-18 passes for 188 yards and a TD as the Cavs racked up 342 yards in total offense.

Monroe's best chance to score came just before the half. Consecutive personal fouls on Coldwater moved Monroe to the Cavs' 8-yard line with 9.5 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, Monroe missed a 26-yard field goal wide left. The Hornets never moved closer than the Cavs' 34 again.

"It added to our intensity. If anything it helped us out," said Homan, who rushed for 141 yards and 3 TDs on 24 carries and added a sack on defense — all in front of Jim Tressel, his future coach at Ohio State.

The Cavs, not wanting to let this one end like last season's 14-0 loss to Versailles in the semis, added a 23-yard Homan run and 11-yard run by Tyler Kunk to cap the scoring.

Monroe, which also lost to West Carrollton 28-10, averaged 32 points this season.

"I think it does somewhat demoralize you," Reed said of the defensive effort. "When you have been as successful as they have been scoring-wise, it takes a lot from you."

The state semifinal appearance capped an amazing turnaround for the Hornets, who had gone 3-27 in the three seasons prior, and recorded their first winning season since 1994.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Division IV State Championship game...

Saturday

DIVISION IV

At Fawcett Stadium
(1) Youngs. Mooney (12-2) vs. (2) Coldwater (14-0), 11 a.m.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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12/1/05

<H2>Mooney poses big challenge for Coldwater

Defending champs have huge offensive line, plenty of speed

Trying to describe the challenge Coldwater faces against Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in the Division IV state championship game, Cavaliers' coach John Reed drove the point home

"If you've got an S-10 truck and that S-10 truck is the best truck it can be, if it meets a semi coming the other way the semi is going to win," Reed said of matching up against defending D-IV state champ Mooney. "We just have to hope our speed, our tenacity, our quickness will be able to level things out a little bit."

On that collision course with Mooney, Reed hopes Coldwater has its swerve on at 11 a.m. Saturday at Canton's Fawcett Stadium. One of two Midwest Athletic Conference teams playing for state titles (Delphos St. John's in D-VI) the league looks to keep the MAC trucking with its 13th and 14th football crowns.

The D-IV state poll champion Cavaliers (14-0) other two title trips were bumpy rides. Coldwater lost to Orrville (23-21) in 1998 and Youngstown Ursuline (49-37) in 2000. Mooney (12-2), fifth in the final poll, has won five titles in six attempts including last season's 28-6 win over MAC member Versailles.

Reed said the Cavs aren't distracted by the 0-2 record at state. They're focused on another set of numbers — namely Mooney's massive offensive line. The Cardinals' line features three players 6-foot-4 or taller and ranges from 245 pounds (the lightest one by 30 pounds) to 320. The Cards also can match the Cavs team speed with its spread offense.

Coldwater's offensive line play, a question mark entering the season, has left defenses looking for answers on how to contain the Cavs. Quarterback Steve Borger has completed 69 percent of his passes (153-of-223) to 12 different receivers. Five different receivers have 17 catches or more and six have caught TDs. Borger has thrown 27 TDs and just two interceptions.

Running back Ross Homan has rushed for 1,341 yards and 25 TDs.

"They give you a lot of field to cover, and you have to make sure you're sound in all areas," Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said. "They have the athletes to really exploit you. You have to try and cover it all."

On defense, the key is how well Coldwater can penetrate the line and contain Mooney quarterback Derrell Johnson (499 yards passing, 6 TDs, 5 INTs; 1,239 yards rushing, 10 TDs in nine games) and running back Nate Burney (2,300 yards, 22 TDs).

Led by linebackers Homan (188 tackles) and Cody Muhlenkamp (111) the Cavs' defense has not allowed any points in the postseason and just six per game overall.

"They are aggressive and playing with a tremendous amount of confidence, just beating up on people score-wise and physically," Fecko said. "They definitely offer a huge challenge for us. We'll have to try and get in there and compete."

Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, ext. 6991.

</H2>

[Folanator]

Man I wish games were in Central Ohio. Sucks I cannot reasonably drive to this game from Cincy. Best of Luck to Coldwater.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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12/2/05

Unbeaten Coldwater says Mooney i big favorite
Friday, December 2, 2005 By Chris Beaven REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER


They enter the Division IV state finals unbeaten and virtually unchallenged this high school football season. They have an Ohio State recruit, a powerful offense and a defense that has not allowed a point in four weeks.
But as good as the Coldwater Cavaliers are, their coach thinks they are the underdog against defending state champion Youngstown Cardinal Mooney.
When the 11 a.m. game kicks off Saturday at Fawcett Stadium, John Reed hopes his team is not run over by the parochial powerhouse.
“You can have an S-10 truck, and it’s the best S-10 truck it can be,” Reed said. “But if it meets a semi coming the other way, the semi’s going to win.”
Reed sees Mooney as that semi with its huge offensive line and outstanding skill. The Cardinals have nine guys weighing 265 pounds or more, including 310-pound all-state lineman Ishmaaily Kitchen. Coldwater counters with one player over 250 (a 269-pound freshman), and just six weighing 235 or more.
Reed also thinks the Cardinals have an unfair edge in drawing players since they are a parochial school.
“I don’t think there’s a question about that,” Reed said. “We’re a town of three or four thousand people, and we have our school district. And that’s where all of our kids come from. ... I can only imagine what an all-star team would look like from Mercer County.”
Mercer County is home to two recent lower-division state champions, St. Henry and Maria Stein Marion Local.
Those schools, as well as recent state champs Versailles and Delphos St. John’s, join Coldwater in the Midwest Athletic Conference. The league has produced 12 state champs and six runners-up since 1989. So Coldwater is accustomed to tough competition.
This year the Cavaliers have gone 14-0, outscoring teams by an average of 39.5 to 5.6. They have outscored teams 136-6 in the playoffs.
Coldwater is led by Ohio State recruit Ross Homan, a 6-1, 235-pound running back-linebacker. He has 1,341 yards rushing, 466 yards receiving, 29 TDs, and 179 total tackles.
The Cardinals, the only defending champion still playing, have faced their share of challenges in going 12-2. They beat Walsh Jesuit, Warren Harding, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Central Catholic (twice) and Ursuline this season. They lost to Benedictine and Columbus Bishop Watterson, two playoff teams.
“These guys gradually improved, gained momentum and gained confidence each week,” coach P.J. Fecko said.
Two seniors leading the way are quarterback Derrell Johnson and tailback Nate Burney. Johnson, a transfer, has run for 1,239 yards, passed for 499 and accounted for 16 TDs in nine games. Burney has rushed for 2,300 yards and 22 TDs.
When Reed looks at the overall Mooney package, he thinks of the oncoming semi.
“I just hope,” he said, “our speed, tenacity and toughness will level things out a little bit.”
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345
or e-mail chris.beaven@cantonrep.com

Youngstown Cardinal Mooney
Nickname Cardinals
Head coach P.J. Fecko, 41-26, sixth season
Conference Steel Valley
Boys enrollment 217
2005 record 12-2
Playoff history 19th appearance, seventh in state finals, 34-13 overall. State champion in 1973, ’80, ’82, ’87, 2004.
Average points scored 24.6
Average points allowed 13.2

Coldwater
Nickname Cavaliers
Head coach John Reed, 117-26, 11th season
League Midwest Athletic
Boys enrollment 198
2005 record 14-0
Playoff history 11th appearance, third in state finals, 24-10 overall. Average points scored 39.5 Average points allowed 5.6

[Cavball9]

Gettin ready to head to the game in about an hour. Gotta camp out in North Canton tonight so I can get up early and start the booze-fest. Hope my Cavies can take this one home.

Coach Reed deserves it.

Two people very close to te situation have said Derrell Johnson is out for sure tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see.

[bucknut11]

Originally Posted by Cavball9

Gettin ready to head to the game in about an hour. Gotta camp out in North Canton tonight so I can get up early and start the booze-fest. Hope my Cavies can take this one home.

Coach Reed deserves it.

Two people very close to te situation have said Derrell Johnson is out for sure tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see.

I'm heading down to the game in a few minutes here. Hoping to see Ross (and the team) put on a show... I'll have my full report for anyone who's interested shortly after the game ends.