Stark County high school football OHSAA playoff recaps: Nate Baker keys Lake to OT win

The Lake High School football team extended its season with a thrilling overtime win Friday in the regional quarterfinals, led by its star running back. Three other Stark County teams, all playing on the road, were not as fortunate in their playoff games Friday. Find out about those first-round playoff games and more.

Nate Baker produces another huge game in Lake football playoff win

LAKE 21, BIG WALNUT 20 (3 OT)

Division II, Region 7

HARTVILLE — Josh Hankins’ PAT kick in the third overtime, after Big Walnut had failed on its, won this regional quarterfinal for the host Blue Streaks on Friday night.

After a scoreless regulation, Lake’s Nate Baker ran for three touchdowns in the OTs and Hankins made all three of his extra points. The No. 4 seed Blue Streaks (9-3) advance to face No. 1 Massillon (12-0) in a regional semifinal next week at a site to be determined. Lake lost to Massillon 24-6 in a regional final last year.

Baker ran 31 times for 234 yards, which surpasses his previous career high of 200 set last week in a first-round win vs. Perry. The Blue Streaks finished with only 27 yards passing while Big Walnut (6-6) had 48 yards through the air and 176 yards total.

After both teams scored TDs and converted the ensuing kicks in the first two OTs, the No. 12 seed Golden Eagles scored on QB Jake Niers’ 1-yard TD run to start the third. But the hold on the PAT was bobbled. That opened the door for Hankins to win it after Baker ran for an 11-yard TD.

Baker also had TD runs of 4 and 20 yards. Niers ran for two TDs, while Nate Severs rushed for 74 yards and a TD on 27 carries for Big Walnut.

Linebacker Joey Garro led Lake with 15 tackles and two sacks. Charlie Christopher had nine tackles and an interception. Ohio State recruit Garrett Stover led Big Walnut with 16 tackles.

Powerful top-ranked St. Edward football too much for GlenOak

ST. EDWARD 35, GLENOAK 0

Division I, Region 1 

LAKEWOOD — Two-time defending state champion St. Edward limited GlenOak to four first downs and 110 yards of offense.

No. 1 seed St. Edward (11-1) advances to face No. 4 Canton McKinley in a regional semifinal next week. No. 8 seed GlenOak (7-5) was playing in the second round for the first time in nine years and earned its first seven-win season in eight years.

Sandy Valley’s football season ends at hands of undefeated Lake County Perry

LAKE COUNTY PERRY 34, SANDY VALLEY 7

Division V, Region 17  

PERRY — The No. 9 seed Cardinals could not win on the road for a second straight round, losing to No. 1 seed Perry (12-0).

Sandy Valley, which won at No. 8 Cortland Lakeview last week, finishes at 7-5. No details on the game were available.

Big first half helps top-seeded Kirtland roll past Canton Central Catholic at home

KIRTLAND 48, CENTRAL CATHOLIC 26

Division VI, Region 21  

KIRTLAND — No. 1 seed Kirtland (10-2) scored the first 34 points of the game in routing No. 8 Central Catholic (7-5). The Hornets built a 41-7 halftime lead.

Willie Beers paved the way to victory by rushing for 204 yards and two TDs on 23 carries.

Quarterback Jake LaVerde also threw a TD pass and ran for two scores. LaVerde was 7-of-9 passing for 107 yards with no interceptions. He also carried six times for 43 yards.

Brennan Betz returned from injury last week to throw two TD passes for Central. Betz was 10-of-17 passing for 244 yards with no interceptions. Betz also ran 10 times for 54 yards and a TD.

Daniel Boron caught five passes for 138 yards and a TD for the Crusaders.

Malvern football unable to rally vs. Norwalk St. Paul

NORWALK ST. PAUL 20, MALVERN 14

Division VII, Region 25 

MALVERN — Drake Hutchison caught a 20 yard touchdown pass from Jared Witherow in the fourth quarter to pull No. 5-seeded Malvern (9-2) within six points but the Hornets could get no closer as 13th-seeded Nowalk St. Paul (7-4) won on the road for the second straight week.

Witherow threw two TD passes for Malvern. He was 10-of-29 passing for 145 yards with an interception.

Rodney Smith also caught a TD for the Hornets. Smith caught five passes for 88 yards.

Josh Pocos ran for two touchdowns for St. Paul. Pocos carried 18 times for 71 yards.

Drew Kuhnle also threw a TD pass to Ashton Stang. Kuhnle was 6-of-10 passing for 166 yards with no interceptions.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County high school football OHSAA playoffs recaps, scores