The Division II, III, and V regional final playoff football games were played across Ohio last night.

In Division V, Coldwater edged rival St. Henry 47-41 in four overtimes at Wapakoneta’s Harmon Field.

St. Henry led 21-7 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs scored the game-tying touchdown with 50 seconds left to force overtime.

Keith Wenning’s one-yard touchdown run in the fourth overtime was the game-winner.

The Redskins (9-4) have not beaten Coldwater since ‘96.

Coldwater (12-1) will play in the state semifinals next Friday.

Other Division V finals:

Patrick Henry 28, Defiance Tinora 21

West Lafayette Ridgewood 21, Fredericktown 14

Youngstown Ursuline 47, Cuyahoga Heights 28

In Division III, Cincinnati Wyoming edged Springfield Shawnee 14-7.

The Cowboys (13-0) scored on a 64-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to break a 7-7 tie.

The Braves finish the season 9-4.

Columbus DeSales eliminated rival Columbus Watterson 24-10.

The Stallions (10-3) beat the Eagles 17-10 in Week 7.

Other Division III finals:

Steubenville 28, Dover 14

Youngstown Mooney 24, Poland Seminary 7

Division II finals:

Cincinnati Winton Woods 28, Trotwood-Madison 7

Mentor Lake Catholic 45, Ashland 42

Maple Heights 34, Toledo St. Francis 21

Columbus Marion-Franklin 31, Columbus Brookhaven 24

The Urbana University men’s basketball team cruised to an 84-48 home-opening victory over the Miami University-Hamilton Harriers Thursday night in UU’s Warren G. Grimes Center Gymnasium. Hamilton held a slight lead after the games’ first 13 minutes, but the Blue Knight defense kicked in another gear and held the Harriers scoreless over a 14-minute stretch. Urbana outscored their opponents 26-0 during that stretch and never looked back.

The Blue Knights’ 2-1 start is the program’s best since 2006-07 when the team won their first 3 contests.

Fourteen Blue Knights scored in the win. Leading the way was sophomore guard Clint Nicholson (pictured) with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting. T.R. Ellis, Robert Wilson, Charlton Conner, Sean McCants, and Drew Sawyer all chipped in with 8 points.  Wilson led the way with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Anthony Gage tallied 9 assists and 5 steals. As a team, the Blue Knights caused 32 turnovers and had 23 steals.

Junior forward Alfred Corbin Jr. capped the win with a spectacular block and thunderous dunk that brought the crowd to their feet in the game’s final minute.

Next, Urbana (2-1) travels to Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday to take on the Gannon University Golden Knights. Gannon defeated Urbana twice last season and ended the year ranked 5th in the country in Division II. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday in Ann Arbor, Michigan, quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Tate Forcier will take center stage in front 100,000 fans at Michigan Stadium and millions more watching on television across the world. The Buckeye sophomore and Wolverine freshman have been prepared for this moment by two men who share something in common. Both Pryor and Forcier’s quarterbacks coaches, OSU’s Nick Siciliano and UM’s Rod Smith, passed through the coaching pipeline at Urbana University

Smith got his collegiate coaching start at Urbana in 1998. That season, he served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Blue Knights. Smith stayed one more year, earning his masters in education from UU before moving on to West Viginia Tech, and later Clemson, where he was reacquainted with current Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez was Smith’s head coach at Glenville State College, where Smith was an All-American QB. Rodriguez brought Smith with him to West Virginia when he landed his first head coaching gig with the Mountaineers. Smith left the Mountaineers for 4 seasons to coach the quarterbacks at the University of South Florida, but later returned for the 2007 season. Smith, Rodriguez, and the Mountaineers capped that season with a win in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. West Virginia quarterback Pat White was named the Fiesta Bowl MVP, and a short while later the Wolverines courted Rodriguez to replace the departed Lloyd Carr.

Siciliano made a similar trip through the coaching ranks. Early in his career, he served under current Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel at Youngstown State University. Siciliano was a student coach on Tressel’s 1997 national championship team at YSU. He left YSU to become Bob Stoops’ assistant video coordinator at Oklahoma, where he won another ring as a member of the coaching staff on the Sooners’ 2000 national championship team. Siciliano returned to YSU for one season as the tight ends coach before beginning his stint as offensive coordinator at Urbana in 2002. After his season at Urbana, Siciliano made a 2-year stop at North Carolina A&T State before reuniting with Tressel at OSU. He assumed the duties of the Quarterbacks Coach just prior to this season.

Both coaches have ties to members of the current Urbana coaching staff. Smith’s first season with the Blue Knights was current Urbana Head Coach Dave Taynor’s last as a player. Smith coached the quarterbacks and Taynor was an All-American center during the 1998 season. Both made strong contributions to a ’98 team that tied a school record for wins and set 12 passing records. The following year, Taynor made his coaching debut under Smith as the offensive line coach for the Blue Knights.

“Rod was a big part of the impetus of that ’98 season,” explains Taynor. “We set several school records that year, and Rod’s offense was a big reason why.”

Adds Taynor, “He brought in much of the system he played with under Coach Rich Rodriguez at Glenville State, and it worked for us that season.”

Siciliano coached alongside current Blue Knight assistant coach Jeff Smith. Siciliano even helped Smith and his wife move into their first house in Urbana.

“Nick is a great guy, very organized and very intelligent,” remembers Coach Smith. “He was the right man for the job at that time. He brought in a D-I element, right after winning a national championship with Oklahoma, and he helped move this program in the right direction.”

On Saturday, Siciliano and Smith’s star pupils, Pryor and Forcier, look to make their mentors proud on the big stage at Michigan Stadium.

The Urbana University women’s basketball team dropped their second straight game to begin the ‘09-‘10 season. The Blue Knights fell 68-64 at the University of Southern Indiana on Wednesday night. Urbana is 0-2 for the first time since the ‘02 season.

The Blue Knights and Screaming Eagles engaged in a seesaw battle that lasted all 40 minutes. USI took an early 8-point lead, but Urbana instigated a 20-point turnaround over the next 10 minutes that ended with Blue Knights on top by 12.  Urbana’s Haley Ducey started and ended a 16-1 Urbana run with 3-point baskets.

The Blue Knights’ double-digit lead didn’t last long. USI opened the second half on a 12-3 run to return the lead to the home team. A back-and-forth battle ensued over the game’s final 15 minutes before the Screaming Eagles took the lead for good with just over a minute remaining.

Turnovers hurt the Blue Knights all night long, and eventually, back-to-back turnovers ended Urbana’s chances at a late comeback. The Blue Knights ended the night with 31 turnovers. USI (3-2) finished with 20.

Four Blue Knights finished with double-digit points, including Ducey (13), Gail Hartings (12), Jalyssa Jackson (11), and Jessica Byrd (10).

The Blue Knights (0-2) return home to host Ashland University for their home opener on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Select swimmers competed at the Pentathalon meet in Sidney last Saturday.

Standouts include Macy Arn who placed first in the 25 freestyle, backstroke and 100 individual medley; as well as second in the 25 breaststroke and fly.  Emily Fulmer placed first in the 50 fly and third in the 50 free and 100 individual medley.  Shelby Starkey placed first in the 25 breaststroke and fly; as well as second in the 25 backstroke and individual medley and third in 25 freestyle. Christian Garlock placed third in the 100 freestyle and fly and Skyler Tavenner placed second in the 50 fly.

In addition, Amy Fulmer, Anna Louden, Jared Salyer, Molly Schultz, and Emma Smith all placed in the top 10 in one or more of their individual events.

Swimmers continued to impress in the Greater Columbus Invitational at the Columbus Academy last Sunday. 

Standouts include Arn who placed first in the 25 freestyle and second in the 50 freestyle and 100 individual medley. Emily Fulmer placed second in the 50 fly and backstroke; as well as third in the 100 freestyle.  Jessica Miller placed first in the 100 individual medley and second in the 100 breaststroke and 100 freestyle. Starkey placed second in the 25 fly and third in 25 breaststroke and 100 individual medley. Tavenner placed second in 50 back and fly and third in 50 freestyle.

In addition, Amy Fulmer and Alex Miller placed in the top 10 in one or more of their individual events.

West Liberty-Salem softball standout Abbey Ledford made school history Monday afternoon when she signed a letter of intent with Kent State University.

The senior shortstop (pictured with mother Lori and father Gary) is the first-ever Lady Tiger to sign with a Division I softball program.

Ledford was joined by her parents, WLS softball coach Lanay Detwiler, and several teammates and school administrators at a ceremony in the high school library.

The three-time First Team All-Ohio selection has compiled some eye-popping numbers over the last three seasons. She has a .606 batting average along with nine home runs, 39 doubles, and 90 RBI. In 282 at bats, Ledford has only struck out six times.

Over the last three years, West Liberty-Salem has a combined record of 82-8 and advanced to the state semifinals in ‘08.

Abbey wants to pursue a degree in elementary or middle education. She chose Kent State over Louisville and Tennessee Chattanooga.

She said her older brother, Tyler, has been an inspiration on how to play sports with passion. Tyler plays basketball and baseball at Wilmington College.

Ledford and Coach Detwiler spoke with Bill Tipple after the signing ceremony.

Listen to Abbey talk about her choice, what Kent State likes about her, and her role models.

Listen to Coach Detwiler discuss Abbey's special day, what makes her a Division I player, what makes her a great high school player, a description of the Kent State program, what it means to have a Division I player from WLS, and when she knew Abbey was something special.

Here are Ledford’s career numbers and accomplishments.

Career Stats: (Freshman-Junior)

AB    R    H  RBI   1     2   3  HR  SO BB AVG

282 111 171 90  116  39  7   9     6    39 .606

Career Awards: (Freshman-Junior)

1st Team All Ohio: 2007, 2008, 2009

1st Team All OHC: 2007, 2008, 2009

1st Team All Springfield Area: 2007, 2008, 2009

1st Team All Urbana: 2007, 2008, 2009

1st Team All Logan County: 2007, 2008, 2009

Bellefontaine Player of the Year: 2007, 2008, 2009

Urbana Player of the Year: 2009

Springfield Player of the Year: 2008

Team MVP: 2007, 2008, 2009

Team Batting Title: 2007, 2008, 2009

Team Stats: (Freshman-Junior)

2007 Record: 25-4 OHC, Sectional, District Champions, Regional Runner Up

2008 Record: 31-2 OHC, Sectional, District and Regional Champions and State Final Four

2009 Record: 26-2 OHC, Sectional, District Champions, Regional Runner Up

Several local players and coaches participated in the Miami Valley Division II Senior All-Star soccer game at Bellbrook High School last night.

Benjamin Logan standout Logan Leis scored the North’s lone goal in a 3-1 loss vs. the South.

Leis was joined by teammate Billy Simpkins and Bellefontaine’s Robbie Ball, Kraig Strayer, and Anthony Vicario.

Bellefontaine head coach Steve Henry directed the North squad.

Benjamin Logan assistant coach Todd Shadley was on Henry’s staff.

The Urbana University men’s basketball team used a furious finish to overcome a 14-point deficit against host Glenville State College in both teams’ season opener Sunday. Sophomore guard Marcus Pearl (pictured) capped the Blue Knights comeback with a lay-up with 14 seconds remaining. Senior guard T.R. Ellis ended the Pioneers’ last-ditch effort with a win-securing steal, and the Blue Knights won their season-opener 83-82.

Urbana dropped their first 7 contests last season. They have not won a season opener since 2006, when they won their first 3 games.

With 14 minutes left in the game, the Blue Knights trailed the Pioneers by 14. They trailed by as many as 13 with just over 7 minutes to play. That’s when the 5-8 Pearl began to take over. Pearl and freshman Robert Wilson combined to score the next 8 points for Urbana. A couple minutes later, a Pearl 3-pointer trimmed the Pioneers’ lead in half, and with just 36 seconds left, the Blue Knights took their first lead of the second half on a 3-pointer by Clint Nicholson.

The Pioneers briefly got the lead back with 23 seconds to play, but Urbana’s Pearl answered the challenge with just 14 ticks left on the clock.

Pearl scored a team-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Three other Blue Knights finished with double-digit points.  Nicholson netted 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three from long range. Wilson and junior center Justin Tyson each chipped in with 10 points, and junior Jared Dewberry had 8 points and team-high 11 rebounds.

The Blue Knights return to the court in Fairmont State University’s Tip-Off Classic tonight to take on their hosts from FSU.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8 o’clock.

The Urbana University women’s basketball team dropped their season opener 74-63 at Saginaw Valley State University on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Knights led by as many as 10 in the first half, but the Cardinals trimmed Urbana’s lead to 28-27 at the half. With just over 17 minutes remaining, the Cardinals used a run to assume the lead and pull away for good.

Next, the Blue Knights (0-1) travel to the University of Southern Indiana on Wednesday night to take on the Screaming Eagles. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Week 12 in the HS football playoffs concluded Saturday, with a few area teams moving into the Regional Finals, and few having their seasons come to an end.

Division II Region 8: CBC representative Tecumseh fell flat against Cincinnati Winton Woods 40-7. Winton Woods plays Trotwood-Madison in the Regional Finals Friday.

Division III Region 10: Another CBC team, Tippecanoe, was blasted by St. Francis DeSales 54-14, setting up a Bishop Watterson-DeSales rematch for Friday with a final four berth at stake. DeSales won in week 7 17-10 over Watterson.

Division III Region 12: Springfield Shawnee kept the CBC alive with a 21-14 win over Logan Elm. Shawnee gets Cincinnati Wyoming in the Regional Final.

Division IV Region 16: Kenton fell short against undefeated Clinton-Massie 30-22. Massie gets unbeaten Kettering Alter for the final four spot. The Knights have outscored their two playoff opponents 83-0.

Division V Region 20: West Liberty-Salem was stopped by Midwest Athletic Conference member St. Henry 42-14. Two other MAC members, Anna and Coldwater, needed overtime to decide St. Henry’s opponent next Friday. Coldwater prevailed 28-21 over the Rockets. The MAC placed five teams from the conference in the playoffs, who now have a collective 9-1 record, with Anna being the only team out, at the hands of a conference for. Coldwater defeated St. Henry 17-0 in week 7.

Division VI Region 22: Ada moved to 12-0 with a 14-7 win over Carey. MAC member Delphos St. John’s, also 12-0, is the opponent in the Regional finals for Ada. D-SJ has outscored it’s two playoff opponents 90-7.

Division VI Region 24: The final MAC representative, Marion Local, advanced to the Regional Final, slipping past Covington 21-17. Marion Local will take on Ft. Loramie, who blasted the OHC’s final representative, Southeastern, 63-21.