tedginn05
Legend
...
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Steubenville vs. Kettering Alter
Steubenville (14-0) vs. Kettering Alter (14-0)
In what could shape up to be the most entertaining state championship game, the Steubenville Big Red will try to crack the steadfast Alter defense. Steubenville, the defending state champions in Division III, have won 40 of their last 41 games and currently boasts a 29-game winning streak. Alter, behind their powerful defense, has an unblemished record this season and has literally coasted through the playoffs thus far.
Steubenville, coming off a hard-fought 33-30 win over Dover in the Region 11 final, regrouped to overwhelm Aurora in the state semifinal, 48-13. Meanwhile, Alter continued its playoff dominance with a convincing 31-7 victory over New Albany.
When Steubenville has the ball: the offense runs through senior quarterback Zach Collaros. The talented signal caller, recently chosen as the Division III Offensive Player of the Year, is both a running and passing threat. In last week's victory over Aurora, Collaros threw for 293 yards and six touchdowns.
The Big Red's other big weapon is 6-foot-1, 190-pound running back Tamawi McGhee. The senior two year starter has rushed for over 2,500 yards in the past two seasons, including 1,600 total rushing yards this year.
The potent Big Red offense will have a hard time against one of the best defenses in the state. Alter head coach Ed Domsitz calls his defense the best he has seen in 31 years of coaching. The quick, attacking style installed by defensive coordinator Larry Masters has held three playoff opponents scoreless. The Knights have shutout half their opponents this season and have allowed only seven points over the last 16 quarters of play.
Defensive lineman Brad Cash and linebacker Ben Maxwell were recently named first team All-Ohio selections while lineman Nick Anderson was tabbed as a second-team pick.
Maxwell, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior linebacker, was also named Division III Defensive Player of the Year.
When Kettering Alter has the ball: the Knights will look to control the clock with a straight-ahead rushing attack out of the wishbone formation. Michael Shaw and Chris Roark are the two primary ball carriers for the Knights, who average a whopping 291 rushing yards per game. However, quarterback Steve O'Donnell orchestrates the offense and is a capable ball carrier as well. In last week's state semifinal victory, O'Donnell scored twice on the ground.
Steubenville has a capable defense that has been solid all season. In addition to his quarterback duties, Collaros is also a standout on defense. In Steubenville's regional final victory over Dover, Collaros intercepted four passes and returned one 100 yards for a touchdown.
Outlook: It will be a battle of contrasting styles in this highly anticipated matchup. Steubenville, behind Collaros, will have to solve the Alter defense and be able to put points on the board early. Meanwhile, Alter will try to grab the early advantage and attempt to control the clock from that point on with their steady ground attack. Which ever team can establish the pace of the game early on should be able to put the other is a precarious position the rest of the way.
-Mike Parris
Defensive lapses in the 1st half, and XP problems cost the Knights dearly.
I like to think there is a huge difference between a missed XP and a blocked XP. Stevie Davis made an outstanding play to get in there and block it... We've been great at blocking kicks for the last 4 years.tedginn05;677202; said:Thats gotta hurt..........losing the state championship on a missed XP.