Patrick Henry back in Final Four

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Expectations for St. Francis football have come a long way this year, from celebrating a big win over Southview to start the season, to now, where the team's one step away, from state.

The Knights took on a Toledo City League-killer Maple Heights, the same team that knocked out both Rogers and Central Catholic the past two weeks, in a Division II regional final in at Harmon Field in Fremont.

After St. Francis took a 7-0 lead, Maple Heights and quarterback Shaq Washington took control and bounced the Knights from the playoffs, 34-21.

The Mustangs advance to the Division II final four Thanksgiving weekend against former Div. III state champion Mentor Lake Catholic. The Cougars outlasted Ashland, 45-42, in a shootout in the other regional final.

Over in Div. V, for all the success that Patrick Henry has had, they do not want history to repeat itself. In 2008, the Patriots were unbeaten all the way through, until the regional finals, which is where PH was Friday evening, facing another local team, Defiance Tinora.

So somebody from around Northwest Ohio is making it to state, and that's a good thing.

Luke George scored two touchdowns as the undefeated Patriots took a 14-0 lead into halftime against the Rams.

Tinora found itself down 28-7 entering the fourth quarter, but made a game of it, but lost 28-21.

Patrick Henry advances to the Div. V final four Thanksgiving weekend and will likely face either Coldwater or Youngstown Ursuline.

Former state champ Coldwater outlasted St. Henry, 47-41 in four overtimes while Ursuline knocked off Cuyahoga Heights, 47-28, to stamp their tickets to states.