Some anxious moments intruded on Olentangy Liberty's intended getaway, but each time the Patriots were threatened in Friday's Division I semifinals, they found a way to break free in search of a state title.
New Albany is set for a regional semifinal showdowm with Upper Arlington thanks to the dominance of its running game, led by QB Brock Kidwell (7) and fullback Jadyn Garnes (PressPros Feature Photos by Brian Bayless).
Asher Hamilton and the Upper Arlington defense pointed the way to the regionals, where the Golden Bears will face unbeaten New Albany after eliminating Reynoldsburg. (PressPros Feature Photos by John Hulkenberg).
There were many lopsided mismatches that the masses feared in Week One of the state football playoffs, but a noteworthy number of upsets mitigated the ugliness and set some teams up for future success.
In a season marred by near misses, Reynoldsburg developed a healthy case of revenge for someone and made Hilliard Davidson the first, and maybe not the last, to pay for past frustrations.
