The City Series baseball teams will not have a four-team playoff at the end of the regular season. One veteran City coach said there may have been the perception on the outside that the reason the league did away with the playoff system several years ago was because the district was going through financial difficulty, which forced cuts in extracurricular activities.

The district passed a levy which helped bring back those extracurricular activities that were cut. But Ellet coach John Sarver said the levy had nothing to do with the elimination of the playoff system.

Sarver said it all started a few years back when the basketball teams decided to drop the four-team playoff system and instead just play the championship game between the top two teams. That change was implemented because the basketball teams, in putting together schedules each season, had to factor in the possibility of playing in the semifinal and/or championship games. That meant coaches could only schedule 18 games (OHSAA rules allow for 20 regular season games) in case they made it to the City playoffs. But if a team didn’t make the playoffs, they would have only played 18 or 19 games during the regular season.

So the baseball teams decided to follow suit and drop the playoff system, allowing the coaches to schedule two additional games in place of the two dates they would have reserved for the playoffs.

Incidently, OHSAA rules allow 27 regular season baseball games.

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

The Louisville football team is the lone area representative in this year’s state championships.

Louisville (12-2) will face Cincinnati Anderson (12-2) in a Division II state championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

Louisville defeated Mayfield last week to advance to the first state final in school history. Click here for a Louisville vs. Mayfield game story.

Brunswick was the only other area team that advanced to last week’s state semifinals. The Blue Devils ended their season with a 13-1 record after suffereing a 39-14 defeat against Mentor.

Click here for a Brunswick vs. Mentor game story.

Stay tuned for more Louisville coverage leading up to the big game.

The Louisville football team will advance to its first state championship game.

The Leopards defeated Mayfield 41-13 in a Division II state semifinal Friday night at Bearcat Stadium in Bedford.

Louisville (12-2) will play Cincinnati Anderson (12-2) in next Friday’s title game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

Stay tuned for more updates.

After the first round of the high school football playoffs, 13 of the 23 area teams that qualified for the postseason are still alive.

Here is a breakdown of the regional quarterfinal (first-round) games that took place this past weekend (area teams in bold):

DIVISION I (four area teams alive)

Boardman (8-3) defeated Euclid 14-7 and advances to play Cleveland Glenville at 7 p.m. Saturday at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium.

Brunswick (11-0) defeated GlenOak (6-5) and advances to play Toledo Whitmer at 7 p.m. Saturday at Fremont Ross Paul Stadium. Brunswick quarterback Sean Bedevelsky completed 22-of-26 passes for 386 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils.

Toledo Whitmer defeated Wadsworth (9-2) 51-37. Senior running back Dru Jones led the Grizzlies in their losing effort with 29 carries, 174 yards, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

North Canton Hoover (9-2) defeated Toldedo St. John’s 40-33 in five overtimes. Vikings sophomore running back Erick Howard scored the game-winning touchdown with a 1-yard run. Hoover advances to play Nordonia at 7 p.m. Saturday at Massillon Washington Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Nordonia (10-1) defeated Perrysburg 43-21 and advances to play Hoover. Senior quarterback Aaron Pankratz completed 14-of-21 passes for a school-record 354 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Knights.

GAVIN JACKSON/Akron Beacon Journal

North Canton Hoover sophomore running back Erick Howard rushes against Jackson in Week 10 as Hoover clinched the Federal League title outright. Howard scored the game-winning touchdown this past Saturday to lift Hoover to a 40-33 win over Toledo St. John’s in five overtimes in a Division I regional quarterfinal.

DIVISION II (two area teams alive)

Tallmadge (10-1) defeated Firestone (7-4) 35-20 and will play Parma Normandy at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bedford Stewart Field at Bearcat Stadium. Senior quarterback Patrick Pakan completed five-of-eight passes for 116 yards and a touchdown to lead Tallmadge. Pakan also ran eight times for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Louisville (9-2) defeated Lake (7-4) 34-21 and advances to play Dresden Tri-Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday at New Philadelphia Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium. Junior quarterback Neal Seaman threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead the Leopards.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Tallmadge senior quarterback Patrick Pakan runs the ball during the Blue Devils’ 35-20 win over Firestone in a Division II regional quarterfinal.

DIVISION III (three area teams alive)

Walsh Jesuit (9-1) defeated Field (9-2) 35-0 and advances to play Cortland Lakeview at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ravenna Stadium. Sophomore running back Cameron Ontko carried the ball 18 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Warriors.

Northwest (11-0) defeated Poland Seminary 32-8 and advances to play Dover at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Massillon Washington Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Senior quarterback Jim Shiplett completed 13-of-14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown to lead the Indians.

Dover defeated Canton South (6-5) 11-7. Quarterback Matt Trissel threw a touchdown pass to Brad Herbert for Canton South’s lone score during its loss.

West Branch (9-2) defeated New Concord John Glenn 48-22 and will play Neward Licking Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wooster Follis Field. Quarterback Steve McNeely threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns to lead West Branch.

GAVIN JACKSON/Akron Beacon Journal

Sophomore running back Cameron Ontko carried the ball 18 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns to lead Walsh Jesuit to a 35-0 win over Field in a Division III regional quarterfinal.

DIVISION IV (two area teams alive)

St. Vincent-St. Mary (9-2) defeated Lake County Perry 42-0 and advances to play Youngstown Cardinal Mooney at 7 p.m. Saturday at Beloit West Branch Heacock Stadium. Senior running back Carnell Evans ran 14 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Irish. St. Vincent-St. Mary played Cardinal Mooney in Week 8 and lost 21-17.

CVCA (9-2) lost to Steubenville 28-10. Junior running back John Pettigrew had 22 carries, 167 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort for the Royals.

Canton Central Catholic (10-1) defeated Tusky Valley (8-3) 48-6 and advances to face off against Steubenville at 7 p.m. Saturday at Austintown Fitch Falcon Stadium. Senior quarterback Joey Rhoads completed nine-of-12 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Crusaders. Rhoads also ran for a score. CCC played Steubenville in Week 9 and lost by a point.

KAREN SCHIELY/Akron Beacon Journal

St. V-M senior running back Carnell Evans runs for a touchdown during the first quarter of the Irish’s 48-6 win over Perry in a Division IV regional quarterfinal.

DIVISION V (one area team alive)

Waynedale (9-2) defeated Northwestern (9-2) 19-7 in a battle between the Wayne County Athletic League co-champions. Waynedale advances to play Youngstown Ursuline at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Canton Central Catholic Klinefelter Stadium.

DIVISION VI (one area team alive)

Mogadore (10-1) defeated Columbiana 25-14 and advances to play Boscom Hopewell-Loudon at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Ashland Community Stadium. Senior running back Cody Destro carried the ball 24 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats. Mogadore senior running back Ryan Brodie also contributed with a 62-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Shawn Pierce.

Did anything of these results surprise you during this past weekend? Walsh Jesuit did what I thought it would do and is still my pick for the area team most likely to win a state title. What team do you think can go the distance?

The high school football playoffs start this week and 23 teams from the Beacon Journal’s coverage area have qualified for the postseason.

Click here for information about each playoff team and the top players.

There are two area teams that are going to make their first playoff appearances: Firestone and Field.

For a story about Firestone Falcons click here.

For a story about the Field Falcons and other playoff notes click here.

Which area playoff team do you think has the best chance to win a state title? My pick is Walsh Jesuit because I think the Warriors have the best offensive and defensive linemen in the area. Walsh sophomore running back Cameron Ontko is one of the most impressive playmakers I’ve seen this season. He missed five weeks with mono, but he returned in Week 10 as Walsh thrashed Firestone.

Let me know which team you’re picking to go far and why.

GIRLS SOCCER

DIVISION II REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
ARCHBISHOP HOBAN 1, FINDLAY LIBERTY-BENTON 0

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Hoban sophomore forward Juliana Libertin.

Libertin scored the game’s only goal in the fifth minute to lift the Knights (14-3-1) over the previously undefeated Eagles (19-1-0). Libertin has scored seven goals of her 34 total goals in the postseason.

Hoban advances to play the winner of Genoa Area and Bryan in a regional final at noon Saturday at Findlay High School.

Week 10 of the 2007 high school football season has arrived and several area teams are still fighting for playoff spots.

CVCA, Northwestern, Hillsdale, Dalton, Stow and Lake must win in Week 10 to earn a playoff berth.

Click here for a story that gives an in-depth look at the playoff chances of the aforementioned teams.

To check out the playoff status of all the teams in Ohio visit this site: www.joeeitel.com. The computer points for each region are broken down in an organized and accurate way. Remember, the top eight teams in each region make the playoffs.