High School Football Division I State Championship Preview: Pickerington Central Vs Mentor

By Corey Perez

#8 Pickerington Central (13-1) vs #6 Mentor (13-1)

#8 Pickerington Central Tigers (13-1)

• Pair of Michigan State commits
  • DB Xavier Henderson
  • TE/OLB Trenton Gillison
• Senior LB Grey Brancifort is the program’s all-time leader in tackles, has led the team the last 3 seasons.
• Pickerington Central is looking for its first football state title in school history
  • Two runner-ups (2006 Piqua) (2011 St. Ignatius)
• Only regular season loss came to Division III finalist Trotwood Madison 28-19 (Week 3)

 

Playoff Results:

• Def Clayton Northmont 41-21
• Def Hilliard Bradley 42-31
• Def Pickerington North 31-14
• Def Cincinnati Colerain 41-28

Stats:

Rushing	Demeatric Crenshaw	192 carries 1,218 yards 18 TDs	Jamir Jackson	147 carries 782 yards 15 TDs
Passing	Demeatric Crenshaw	85-165 1,500 hards 5 TDs
Receiving	Tristan Peppers	15 receptions 389 yards 4 Tds	Trenton Gillison	17 receptions 191 yards

Mentor Cardinals (13-1)

• Quarterback Tadas Tatarunas has thrown for 8,484 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 3 years at the helm. Behind only Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky (9,126 yards 92 touchdowns)
• Two juniors have Division I scholarship offers
  • OT Ryan Jacoby
  • DT Noah Potter
• Senior RB Eli McDougal did not play football the past two season due to concussion issues by has rushed for 1,062 yards this season and 11 touchdowns
• Mentor is looking for its first football state title in school history. 3x runner-up
  • 2006 Hilliard Davidson
  • 2007 Cincinnati St. Xavier
  • 2013 Cincinnati Moeller
• Only loss the season was to Cleveland St. Ignatius (41-31,Week 2) but the Cardinals later avenged this loss by defeating St. Ignatius in the regional final (23-21)

 

Playoff Results:

• Def Stow-Munroe Falls 49-17
• Def Lakewood St. Edward 21-13
• Def Cleveland St. Ignatius 23-21
• Powell Olentangy Liberty 27-21

Stats:

 

Rushing	Chris Edmond	182 carries 1,083 yards 21 TDs	Eli McDougal	107 carries 1,062 yards 11 TDs
Passing	Tadas Tatarunas	244-374 3,231 yards 30 TDs
Receiving	Logan Shea	76 receptions 1,015 yards 11 TDs	Luke Floriea	41 receptions 677 yards 7 TDs