Bellefontaine versus Granville playoff preview

As we get ready for week 13 in high school football, we break down the DIII Region 11 matchup between Granville and Bellefontaine.

Granville Blue Aces (12-0)

Location: Granville, Licking County

League: Licking County League

Head Coach: Wes Schroeder

2023 Playoff Games:

Round 1 beat Bexley 53-27

Round 2 beat Tri-Valley 32-29*

*closest win of the season

Playoff History: 13^th appearance (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2017-2023); 1 appearance in the State Final Four (2021)

Playoff Record: 7-12

Offensive/Defensive Numbers: Scoring 35 points per game while allowing 12 points per game (4 shutouts)

Top Offensive Players

QB-Beckett Long has thrown for 2,542 yards and 26 TDs and has 750 yards rushing with 13 more TDs

WR-Dante Varrasso has 60 catches for over 1,000 yards and 12 TDs

WR-Jakob Culver has 54 catches for 582 yards and 3 TDs

Bellefontaine Chieftains (10-2)

League: Central Buckeye Conference

Head Coach: Jason Brown

2023 Playoff Games:

Round 1 beat John Glenn 49-7

Round 2 beat London 35-28

Playoff History: 14^th appearance (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2020-2023)

Playoff Record: 5-13

Offensive/Defensive Numbers:  Scoring 37 points per game while allowing 18 points per game (1 shutout)

Top Offensive Players

QB-Tavien St. Clair 203-283 (71.7%) for 2,716 yards with 34 TDs and 4 INTs

RB-Chris Fogan has rushed for 1,102 yards and 17 TDs

WR-Riley Neer has 93 catches for 1,585 yards and 19 TDs

WR-CJ Wilson has 61 catches for 688 yards and 8 TDs

Defense

LB-Jayden Temple leads the team with 113 tackles (20 TFL) and has 4 sacks

LB-Carter Caudill has 106 tackles

DL-Haiden Manns leads the team with 6 sacks

Kicker Alex Crabill is 47 for 53 in extra points and has not attempted a field goal this season

Previous playoff matchups

2017 Bellefontaine 55 Granville 28

2022 Granville 25 Bellefontaine 20

The Chiefs will face the Blue Aces Friday night at London High School in the Regional Semi-Final.  Kickoff is at 7:00.  You can listen to the game live on 107.3 The Drive.