Stark County-area high school football playoff games to watch | What to know about Round 2

The second round of the high school football playoffs, kick off Friday night. All games start at 7.

Here's a look at this week's games, with each team's regional seed listed:

8 GlenOak (7-4) at 1 St. Edward (10-1)

Division I, Region 1

What to watch: The GlenOak Golden Eagles are on a roll, winning five straight games, their longest winning streak in 12 years. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 16-7 victory over No. 9 Lorain, their first playoff victory in nine years. ... Now, the Golden Eagles must take their show on the road against No. 1 St. Edward at Lakewood Stadium. GlenOak and St. Edward last played in a 2020 first-round playoff game, which GlenOak lost 42-0 on its way to an 0-8 record in the COVID-altered season. ... The two-time Division I champs are coming off a 42-0 shutout against No. 16 Elyria. ... GlenOak will have to step up in the trenches against St. Ed's. GlenOak's front seven will take on St. Ed's offensive line, which includes three future Big 10 players. "They are massive up front," GlenOak coach Scott Garcia said. "I've been coaching for about 32 years or so, and it's the biggest offensive line I've ever seen in high school. You have to be technique sound. You got to be able to move and maintain our gaps, maintain our assignments. We can't let our guys sit there and be sitting ducks against those guys. We have to get off blocks and use our quickness against them." ... GlenOak's defense has allowed an average of 9.8 points a game. Junior linebacker David Potter leads the Eagles with 13 tackles for loss. ... Jamar Johnson is GlenOak's leading rusher with 1,278 yards and seven TDs. ... The winner advances to the regional quarterfinals to face the winner of the McKinley-St. Ignatius game.

12 St. Ignatius (3-8) at 4 Canton McKinley (8-3)

Division I, Region 1

What to watch: Although they play annually each preseason, this is the first McKinley-Ignatius matchup that counts since the Wildcats came to Canton and beat McKinley 38-14 in a 2013 first-round playoff game. ... The No. 4 seed Bulldogs look to advance to the third round of the playoffs for just the second time in the last 13 years. The No. 12 seed Wildcats, who knocked off No. 5 seed Mentor for the second time this season last week, seek their fourth straight trip to the third round. ... McKinley coach Antonio Hall is preaching to his team to not be fooled by the record of Ignatius, which is adjusting to life without Chuck Kyle and playing its typically brutal schedule for new coach Ryan Franzinger. "You watch them on film and they're still a very disciplined and sound team," Hall said. "They still play extremely hard to the whistle. And they're still a physical bunch. That pedigree is still there." ... Nino Hill is coming off a season-high 156 yards and two TDs on 24 carries in McKinley's 37-13 first-round win against Strongsville. It was the talented junior's first 100-yard game since Week 5. ... After totaling a combined 248 yards of offense (and three points) the prior two weeks during losses to GlenOak and Massillon, the Bulldogs produced 391 yards vs. Strongsville. Senior QB Keaton Rode threw TD passes to juniors Keith Quincy and Dante McClellan. ... Quincy had a pick-six against Strongsville and owns a team-high five interceptions on the season. He also leads McKinley in receiving with 35 catches for 715 yards and five TDs. Rode has thrown for 1,934 yards, 15 TDs and nine interceptions. ... Senior LB Shaukeer Hatcher leads McKinley with 104 tackles, 17 of them for loss, to go with three interceptions. ... Senior Max Woidke (6-1, 175) blocked two field goals last week for Ignatius, including Mentor's 33-yard attempt with three seconds left to preserve a 10-7 win. Junior RB Grant Washington's 57-yard run set up Ignatius' only touchdown, a 17-yard catch by junior Cody Haddad from senior QB Joshua Papesh (6-3, 215). Haddad (6-1, 175) also starts at safety, where he has three interceptions and three forced fumbles despite missing much of the season due to injury. ... Tommy Kilbane accounted for the rest of Ignatius' points with a 34-yard field goal. Senior LB Ryan Ardire (six tackles and a sack) and senior DL Greg Hanson (nine tackles, 1.5 sacks) led the Ignatius defense. Hall is particularly impressed with Hanson's ability to bounce between nose and end. ... Ignatius utilizes a tight end or wing on offense much like McKinley's last two opponents (Massillon and Strongsville) did. The Wildcats like to use two backs, although senior Max Ritt (5-8, 170) went down with an injury last week. Washington (6-0, 195) has eclipsed 100 yards the last two games.

9 Westerville South (7-4) at 1 Massillon (11-0)

Division II, Region 7

What to watch: The Massillon Tigers have won 16 straight home games after last week's dominating victory over No. 16 Central Crossing. Win or lose, this is Massillon's final home game of the season since the regional semifinals will be at neutral sites. .. Massillon QB DaOne Owens had a big night against the Comets last week, throwing for a season-high 341 yards and four TDs. The team's leader in passing and rushing yards, Owens has produced 2,060 yards of total offense and accounted for 25 TDs. ... The Tigers have outscored their opponents 440-88 this season. ... Massillon is 4-0 all-time against Westerville South, including a 50-19 win in the 2021 playoffs in their last meeting. ... The Wildcats have won four straight, beating No. 8 Columbus Briggs in the first round. The Wildcats are led by QB Dominic Birtha, who's thrown for more than 1,500 yards with 16 TD passes. Nasir Phillips has rushed for 1,535 yards and eight TDs. ... The winner Friday faces the winner of the Lake-Big Walnut game next week.

11 Hoover (6-5) at 3 Green (8-3)

Division II, Region 7

What to watch: These two Federal League foes renew acquaintances after host Green rallied in the second half for a 41-34 win vs. Hoover in Week 9. ... The Bulldogs cruised in their playoff opener, a 44-14 win over No. 14 seed Columbus St. Charles. Senior RB Jorden Beyl ran for 165 yards, which broke his previous career high of 125 yards set the week before in a 28-0 win against Lake. ... Hoover made the long trip to Columbus last week and knocked off No. 6 seed DeSales 23-21 on Paul Koskovich's 22-yard field goal as time expired. ... Both teams were without their senior starting quarterbacks in the Week 9 matchup. Hoover's Carson Dyrlund missed it with a hamstring injury but has played the last two weeks. Green's Samino Manson had been out since breaking his collarbone in Week 5 but returned last week to play some against St. Charles and throw a TD pass. ... Sophomore Tyson Hunka has started for Green in Manson's absence and performed well, throwing for 572 yards, 11 TDs and three interceptions. Green head coach Mark Geis did not name a starting QB for Friday. He said he is not opposed to playing both quarterbacks if that's what's best for the team. ... Dyrlund returning allows junior Zach Braucher, who subbed at QB while Dyrlund was out, to return to receiver and defensive back. Braucher joins speedy senior Mason Ashby to form an explosive receiving duo with a combined 133 catches for 1,454 yards and 15 TDs. Braucher also has a team-high four interceptions, three of them in the last two weeks. Ashby, already Hoover's career receptions leader, is two catches from breaking Matt Wakulchik's single-season school record of 80. ... Beyl and junior Antonio Martin have combined for 569 yards and six TDs rushing the last three games. Martin has run for five TDs and caught five TDs this season. Senior Zach Baglia is Green's top receiver with 59 catches for 763 yards and 12 TDs. "You've just got to be ready for a little bit of everything out there," Hoover coach Brian Baum said about defending Green. ... Hoover senior Kyler Miraglia has run for 835 yards and six TDs. Dyrlund has run for six TDs and passed for 16. ... Special teams likely will play a big role in this one. Hoover has returned three kickoffs for TDs this season, two by Ashby and one by Jack Andes. Koskovich is 35-for-37 on PATs and 7-for-8 on field goals, while Cole Rembielak is averaging 39.1 yards a punt for Hoover. Green returned consecutive kickoffs for scores in its win against Hoover, the first by Baglia and the next by Martin. "No disrespect to anyone else, but you'll probably have three or four of the best kick returners around on the field," Green coach Mark Geis said. Manson averages 42.1 yards a punt. ... Green and Hoover met in a second-round playoff game two years ago, with the Bulldogs upsetting the Vikings 14-10 on their way to a state semifinal appearance.

12 Big Walnut (6-5) at 4 Lake (8-3)

Division II, Region 7

What to watch: Expect a very physical regional quarterfinal Friday night in Hartville between these two run-heavy teams. ... Senior Nate Baker (5-11, 175) ran for a season-high 200 yards on 22 carries in Lake's 35-14 first-round win vs. Perry. The versatile Baker scored three TDs and caught a key 37-yard pass that sparked a big second half for the Blue Streaks. Baker has run for a Federal League-best 1,383 yards this season to go with 13 total TDs while also starting at cornerback and returning kicks. "I think some D1 colleges are missing out on him because he can do a lot of things really, really well," DeGeorge said. "One of the most athletic kids I've ever coached." ... Big Walnut is led by senior Garrett Stover (6-1, 215), an Ohio State recruit and 2022 first-team All-Ohio linebacker. DeGeorge called Stover "probably the best linebacker" Lake has seen this year, and added, "He's just an animal." Stover, who also will move to safety and play some running back on offense, is playing with a broken thumb. ... Senior Nate Severs (5-11, 193), another first-team All-Ohioan last year, gets most of the carries for the Golden Eagles. He's rushed for 1,565 yards at 7.5 a carry and 18 TDs. He also has a pair of receiving TDs. Said DeGeorge, "He reminds me of Nate Baker, but with another 15 pounds on him." ... Severs had been committed to Air Force before decommitting in early October. Lake left tackle Anthony Miller (6-5, 285) is an Air Force recruit. ... Big Walnut wants to run straight ahead. It will be met by a stout front seven from Lake. Junior LB Charlie Christopher (6-1, 220) has a team-high 115 tackles. Junior DE Ryan Lippe (6-4, 220) has team highs of 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. ... Lake senior QB Cale Jarvis (5-11, 185) will try to play this week after aggravating a shoulder injury against Perry. Jarvis splits time at quarterback with junior Noah Kubasky (6-3, 215), who ran for a TD and made some big throws in the second half last week. ... Big Walnut senior QB Jake Nier (6-0, 201) has thrown for 819 yards, eight TDs and five interceptions this season while rushing for 505 yards and five TDs. ... Big Walnut battled injury problems this season and had to win in Week 10 to make the playoffs. The Golden Eagles beat previously undefeated Canal Winchester 17-0 just to get in, then crushed No. 5 seed Columbus Northland 43-14 to advance. Severs ran for 187 yards and four TDs on 25 carries. ... The only previous meeting between these two programs was a 2010 regional final. Lake beat Big Walnut 42-14 before losing in a state semifinal to Trotwood-Madison the next week. ... Both of these teams bowed out of last year's tournament to Massillon — Big Walnut in a regional semifinal and Lake in the regional final. Friday's winner likely gets the No. 1 seed Tigers next week in a regional semifinal.

9 Buchtel (6-5) at 1 Canton South (11-0)

Division IV, Region 13

What to watch: Another week, another home game and another opportunity for Canton South to march on in the playoffs. The Wildcats defense is playing its best football of the season. If that trend continues, the sky’s the limit in the postseason for head coach Matt Dennison’s team. A.J. Pierson and Tyler Pugh were among those who helped South’s defense shut down Northwest in last week’s 35-7 playoff win. At one point, Pierson recorded three straight quarterback sacks. Pugh also had multiple sacks. Quarterback Poochie Snyder is just three touchdown passes away from breaking the all-time Stark County record of 116 held by Sandy Valley’s Cameron Blair. Snyder broke Blair’s county career passing yards during the regular season. Buchtel hopes to upset a PAC-7 opponent in the playoffs for the second straight year. The Griffins beat Northwest 31-14 in the second round last season. Buchtel has won three straight, five of six and six of eight since starting the season 0-3. Running backs Wylie Cheairs and Justin Hill and quarterback Stevie Diamond are among the Griffins’ offensive threats. Hill ran for two touchdowns in last week’s 26-16 win over Mooney. Defensive back Zyaire Lewis is capable of turning mistakes into points. He had an interception return for a touchdown against Mooney.

5 Streetsboro (10-1) at 4 West Branch (10-1)

Division IV, Region 13

What to watch: Streetsboro has won seven games in a row. The only loss this season for the Rockets came against undefeated Norton (35-14) on Sept. 8. … Streetsboro has reached the playoffs every year since 2019. … Streetsboro and West Branch last played in 2012. The Rockets won that game 37-35. … Streetsboro RB/WR Preston Hopperton is versatile threat with more than 2,400 yards from scrimmage. Hopperton has 160 carries for 1,461 yards rushing with 28 TDs and 46 catches for 972 yards with 13 scores. … Cohen Klimak is a dual threat at quarterback for the Rockets. Klimak is 67-of-102 passing for 1,280 yards passing with 17 TDs and six interceptions. He also has rushed for 1,303 yards and 12 TDs on 166 carries. … West Branch has won 10 consecutive games. West Branch has reached at least the second round of the playoffs every year since 2020. … Beau Alazaus is nearing 3,000 yards passing for West Branch. Alazaus is 227-of-331 passing for 2,947 yards passing with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. … RB Boston Mulinix has 129 carries for 1,025 yards and 18 TDs.

9 Sandy Valley (7-4) at 1 Lake County Perry (11-0)

Division V, Region 17

What to watch: The Cardinals head to the second round for the first time since 2020 and just the second time in program history. ... Lake County Perry represents their biggest challenge of the season. The Pirates stopped Kirtland’s 57-game regular-season winning streak and have rarely been threatened all year. They average 38.9 points and are allowing just 5.8 points a game. The defense recorded its fifth shutout of the season in last week’s 56-0 win over Crestwood. ... With QB Walter Moses, RB Jayden Studio and WRs Brayden Richards and Luke Sivon leading the way, Perry’s offense has not slowed down. ... Sandy Valley’s Nick Petro will be one of the best quarterbacks the Pirates have faced. Petro has thrown 19 TD passes and is just 51 yards passing shy of 2,000. He also leads the Cardinals in rushing with 1,259 yards and 13 TDs. Chad Davis also has rushed for 13 touchdowns, while Lukas Gilland has a team-best 12 TD catches. ... LB Chapin Greer has been a force for Sandy Valley’s defense. He broke a 22-year-old record for sacks in a season and enters the week with 16.5.

8 Canton Central Catholic (7-4) at 1 Kirtland (10-1)

Division VI, Region 21

What to watch: Kirtland has six state championships and has reached the state finals 11 times overall since 2011 under head coach Tiger LaVerde. … The Hornets have won seven straight games. The only loss for Kirtland this season came to undefeated Lake County Perry (24-6) on Sept. 1. … Kirtland is averaging 41.27 points per game this season. … The Hornets primarily run the ball with Will Beers and Rocci Alfieri. … Central has reached the playoffs every year since 2019. The Crusaders have reached the state championship game three times under head coach Jeff Lindesmith and won a state title in 2016. … Central is hoping two key players recover quickly from injury. Starting QB Brennan Betz was knocked out of the Cruaders’ 26-10 win over Cardinal just before halftime. … Starting DB and special teams snapper Braylwyn Tabellion also went down with an injury after making an interception and did not return. … Louis DiRuzza will start at quarterback if Betz can’t play. DiRuzza helped Central outscore Cardinal 19-3 after entering the game. … James Kane will cover for Tabellion at defensive back if he is unable to play this week. … RB/WR/DB Daniel Boron does a little of everything for Central. Boron has 105 carries for 699 yards with 12 TDs, and has caught 38 passes for 616 yards with eight TDs. He also leads the team with three interceptions.

13 Norwalk St. Paul (6-4) at 5 Malvern (9-1)

Division VII, Region 25

What to watch: Malvern head coach Matt Chiurco senses "a lot of confidence" coming off a strange 35-20 win over Salineville Southern. It was 14-14 in the third quarter when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helped the Hornets out of a third-and-long. They scored on the next play, then recovered what looked like an onside kick but wasn't planned that way, then took a 28-14 lead on the next play. Receiver Dylan Phillips came around on a jet sweep, pulled up, and sailed a 39-yard TD pass to Rodney Smith. … Three Southern players got thrown out of the game during that sequence. "It was absolute chaos over on their sideline, and their stands," Chiurco said. "We'd never seen anything like it. I told our kids they did a good job keeping at it." … Jared Witherow's passing helped Phillips and Smith both produce 100-plus receiving yards. … Southern averaged 46 points across its previous four games before getting held to 20 by Malvern's defense. … John Livengood has been St. Paul's head coach since 1991, the year the Browns hired Bill Belichick. He won his 300th game last year. His best recent run, 57-8 from 2013-17, included a 2014 trip to the Division VII state finals. Since then, the Flyers are 49-19. … Livengood exploits defensive weaknesses. After a game-day adjustment against Edon late last season, his Flyers rushed for more than 600 yards in a 62-50 win. ... Livengood likes a crisp pace: Break the huddle and make it quick taking the snap. … Last Friday, in a first-round game at 9-1 Toronto, St. Paul rolled 56-20. A week earlier against 7-2 Monroeville, the Flyers won 41-14. … Since losing 35-28 at Fort Loramie on Sept. 29, they have won four straight by a combined 184-47 score. … Last year, St. Paul took an 8-3 record into a second-round playoff game at Salineville Southern and lost 42-22. … RB Ben Burger and QB Drew Kuhnle lead a St. Paul offense that wants to run but can be balanced as needed. … The Hornets aim to win a second playoff game for the first time since 2009.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football OHSAA playoff games to watch in Stark County