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Area places nine in postseason

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By TIM McDONOUGH

mcdonough@crescent-news.com

Bring on Week 11.

It's going to be a busy weekend of high school football playoff action for fans in the Defiance six-county area, after a total of nine teams played their way into OHSAA regional quarterfinal action.

In Division III, Napoleon is making a trip to the playoffs for the eighth time in school history and the sixth time this decade. The Wildcats earned the No. 2 seed in Region 10 and will host Columbus Eastmoor Academy on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

"It's exciting," Tory Strock said of reaching the playoffs for the first time as Napoleon head coach. "We spent an unbelievable amount of time preparing on Saturday and Sunday but it's a fun way to spend time, finding out about an opponent and finding the best ways you can to put your kids in position to succeed."

Also in Division III, Bryan played its way into the playoffs for the first time in school history under second-year mentor Travis Cooper. The Golden Bears, the No. 8 seed in Region 10, will head to No. 1 seed Columbus St. Francis DeSales on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

"It's hard to put into words just what it means ... nobody here has ever experienced this," said Cooper who was an assistant coach at Defiance before going on to Bryan. "It's very gratifying for the kids, because there were times when it got tough, but they didn't let it slip away.

"The community is very excited," added Cooper. "It's just great to see the community so proud. But I think the best moment for the coaches was seeing the faces of the kids when they came in Saturday. It was crazy, kind of like Christmas morning."

In Division V, a quartet of area teams will take to the field on Friday night, including a pair of GMC teams that find themselves in a rematch in Week 11.

GMC champion Tinora will host Defiance County rival Fairview on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Rams defeated the Apaches 55-14 back on Sept. 14.

But before the Rams think about that, head coach Kenny Krouse took the time to reflect on just how special it is to make the playoffs for the seventh time overall and the sixth this decade.

"It's very special ... any coach in the world will tell you it's tough to get in and that's why it is so special," said Krouse. "What makes this one maybe more special, is the fact that the kids have lived up to some pretty high expectations because of their success through the program."

Joining the playoff party from the GMC is Hicksville, back in the playoffs for the third time in school history and its first appearance under mentor Lucas Smith. The Aces enter the playoffs off a tough loss to Tinora in their season finale, so Smith knows his team must have a short memory. The Aces will travel to Lima Central Catholic for a 7:30 p.m. kick on Friday.

"We told the kids you gotta have a short memory, we're going to have to learn from this (loss to Tinora)," said Smith. "We play LCC and they run the same style of offense (as Tinora). We're going to have to figure out something and go from there."

Also back in for an astounding eighth straight year is Patrick Henry, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in D-V. The Patriots, who will be making their 12th overall trip to the playoffs, will host Northwood on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"It never gets old, it's just always exciting," said long-time PH mentor Bill Inselmann about making the playoffs. "Getting to the playoffs is always one of our big goals and it's something we don't take for granted."

On Saturday night, Ottawa-Glandorf will hit the road to square off against Wooster Triway at 7 p.m. in Division IV regional quarterfinal action. The Titans are in the playoffs for the fifth straight year and for the seventh time this decade.

In Division VI action, Leipsic will host Fremont St. Joseph on Saturday at 7 p.m., while Columbus Grove hits the road to face Carey on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Bruce Hefflinger and Jason Stein contributed to this story.