HOME SWEET HOME — Catholic Central welcomed River to Harding Stadium on Saturday night in the Division VII, Region 27 playoff opener, earning the right to host a home playoff game for the first time in 11 years. – Andrew Grimm
STEUBENVILLE — For the first time since 2013, Catholic Central will host a playoff football game.
Thanks to Saturday night’s win over Pittsburgh Carrick, the Crusaders are 7-3 and in fourth place in Division VII, Region 27, setting up a showdown with River in the opening round of the playoffs this Saturday.
Central has made the playoffs for the third consecutive season and the 16th time in program history with an overall playoff record of 12-14. That home game in 2013 was Central’s most recent playoff win.
“I told the kids I was so proud of them.” Central head coach Eric Meek said. “Back in August, if I sat them down after practice one day and they did their best to be good people, be great teammates, play hard and have fun, that was it. That’s all I asked for, and they certainly complied with that.
“Our goal was obviously to win games and make the playoffs. I’m proud of the kids. It was a really fun season and the kids played hard against a very good opponent. I think I did.”
The Pilots finished 13th in the regional standings and entered the game with a record of 4 wins and 6 losses.
The Pilots have advanced to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year and 15th time overall with a playoff record of 15 wins and 14 losses. The team advanced to the regional finals the year before last and the regional semifinals last season.
“I know (River head coach) Mike Flannery very well. He’s an outstanding football coach.” Meek said. “They’re big up front and they like to run the ball. They’re aggressive. They’re coming back from a really tough loss, so when we get to Harding Stadium on Saturday night, their kids I’m sure it will be ready.
“We have to win the physical battle, we have to win the margin of turnover and we have to be able to move the ball. We have to stop their ground attack and we have to win the turnover margin and we have to be able to move the ball. Once we set that up, we have to work on our football.”
After starting 0-3, River won four of their next six games to get back into the playoff race. They suffered a tough 7-6 setback to Frontier in the final game of the regular season, dropping them slightly in the standings.
“Until last week, they were playing really good football.” Meek said. “They’re a good team, they have a veteran coaching staff and we know they’re fundamentally sound. They’ve had a really good tradition the last few years and River has been very good the last few years. We’re putting a good team on the field and that’s what we expect.”
In addition to the loss to Frontier, the Pilots also lost games to North Robinson Colonial Crawford, Martins Ferry, Monroe Central, Burnsville and Shadyside.
Their wins came against Magnolia, Bridgeport, Shenandoah and Buckeye Local.
River averages 21.2 points per game and allows 28.9 points per game.
The Crusaders’ run-heavy attack averages 23.3 points per game and allows an average of 18.5 points per game. Jimmy Hernon leads the way with over 1,000 rushing yards, averaging over 6 yards per carry, and scoring 16 touchdowns.
Tommy Pergi has rushed for 700 yards and six scores and is also the team’s leading receiver with 252 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Peyton Roush had 20 sacks.
The winner of this matchup will face the winner of No. 5 Corning Miller and No. 12 Racine Southern, who play Friday night, in the second round. If the Crusaders win, they will be at home again in the second round next Saturday.
This Saturday night’s opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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