COLUMBUS – After years of finding their path blocked by Steubenville and Wheelersburg, the Johnstown High School Johnnies are making their first trip to the state football championship game.
Ohio High School Football Championships
7:30 PM, Thursday, Nov. 29 – Division II: No. 3 Massillon Washington (14-0) vs. No. 1 Akron Archbishop Hoban (14-0)
10:00 AM, Friday, Nov. 30 – Division VI: No. 1 Kirtland (14-0) vs. No. 3 Maria Stein Marion Local (13-1)
3:00 PM, Friday, Nov. 30 – Division III: No. 1 Kettering Archbishop Alter (13-1) vs. No. 4 Chagrin Falls Kenston (13-1)
8:00 PM Friday, Nov. 30 – Division I: No. 9 Lakewood St. Edward (10-3) vs. No. 1 Cincinnati Colerain (14-0)
10:00 AM, Saturday, Dec. 1 – Division VII: No. 6 McComb (13-1) vs. No. 2 Glouster Trimble (13-1)
3:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 1 – Division V: Orrville (12-2) vs. No. 4 Johnstown-Monroe (13-1)
8:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 1 – Division IV: No. 1 Cincinnati Wyoming (14-0) vs. Girard (13-1)
The Johnnies (11-1) reached the Division V final against Orrville Saturday by virtue of a 32-14 victory against defending state champion Wheelersburg, avenging a loss in the 2017 regional finals.
Falling behind early, Johnstown held Wheelersburg to just one first down during the second and third quarters while running off 32 unanswered points.
The Johnnies have previously lost playoff games in three consecutive seasons to Steubenville before dropping down to the smaller division.
Johnstown, the only central Ohio team left in the tournament, made the first of 11 playoff appearances in 2002, coach Mike Carter’s first season.