JEROME T. OSBORNE SR. STADIUM in MENTOR OH- The JTO will be the neutral site as the 7th seed 9-3 Chardon Hilltoppers and 3rd seeded 11-1 Aurora Greenmen will duel for a chance to play for a Region Championship. Chardon took down CVCA 42-0 in week 11, before winning an up and down battle with the Geneva Eagles in week 12 by a score of 28-14. Aurora has defeated Alliance 41-7 (week 11) and Gilmour Academy 30-27 (week 12) to get to this week 13 clash. Coach Mitch Hewitt just picked up his 109th career win as a head coach of the Toppers. Coach Bob Mihalik just earned his 200th career win a week ago, both coaches look to add to their historic resumes this Friday. Aurora has 19 straight winning seasons that included a 2008 state title. Chardon just notched it's 12th straight winning season that has seen back-to-back state championships in 2020 & 2021. The winner of this one will advance to play the winner of VASJ / Ursuline for the regional championship. Let's dive into what these teams do well.
#3 11-1 AURORA GREENMEN (ALL STATS ARE CREDITED TO GREG POLLOCK)
TEAM: Aurora averages 4.75 penalties per game
OFFENSE: 163 rushing yards per game
OFFENSE: 114 passing yards a game
DEFENSE: Only gives up 96 rushing yards per game
DEFENSE: Average 1.5 interceptions per game
DEFENSE: 8 times held opponent to 7 points or less (2 shutouts)
#7 9-3 CHARDON HILLTOPPERS (ALL STATS ARE CREDITED TO GARRY PARRISH)
TEAM: The Hilltoppers have outgained every opponent this season by a combined total of +2306-yards
OFFENSE: Chardon averages 324.7 rushing yards a game (369 yards per game)
OFFENSE: Average of 35.5 PPG
DEFENSE: Allows only 13.5 OPPG
DEFENSE: 3 times this season Chardon has held an opponent to negative rushing yards
DEFENSE: Held Willoughby South and CVCA to under 10 total yards.
STATISTICAL LEADERS-
CHARDON:
PASSING -
Will Francis: 43/80 C/A - 540 yards - 2TD to 4INT
RUSHING -
Will Francis: 191 attempts - 1397 yards - 12TD
AJ Bruce: 79 attempts - 627 yards - 7TD
Caleb Hewitt: 61 attempts - 609 yards - 12TD
Vinny Colombi: 89 attempts - 545 yards - 14TD
RECEIVING -
Caleb Hewitt: 14 receptions - 219 yards - TD
Leo Colombi: 12 receptions - 186 yards
Drago Vujaklia: 8 receptions - 64 yards - TD
DEFENSE -
Alexander Ash: 123 total tackles (78 solo) / 22.5 TFL / 9 sacks
Austin Green: 75 total tackles (53 solo) / 14.5 TFL / 7.5 sacks
Austin Leszynski: 64 total tackles / 6.5 sacks / 16.5 TFL
Maddex Ciancibello: 55 total tackles / 5 sacks / 13.5 TFL
Caleb Hewitt: 13 PBU / 2INT
AJ Bruce: 11 PBU / 3INT
Leo Colombi: 56 total tackles / 13 PBU / 1INT
Braden Maruna: 61 total tackles / 10 PBU / 2INT
SPECIAL TEAMS -
Sam Sacerich: 2/5 FG - 54/55 PAT
AURORA:
PASSING -
Brandon Liepins: 86/143 C/A - 1263 yards - 10TD to 3INT
RUSHING -
Enzo Catania: 158 attempts - 1009 yards - 16TD
Lucas Manderbach: 55 attempts - 300 yards - 3TD
RECEIVING -
Ben Lukasik: 28 catches - 405 yards - 2TD
Jayce Unverferth: 18 catches - 246 yards - 3TD
Dylan Crasi: 13 catches - 214 yards - 3TD
DEFENSE -
Tommy Tartabini: 84 total tackles (39 solo) / 7 TFL
Enzo Catania: 67 total tackles (31 solo) / 4 TFL
Lucas Manderbach: 55 total tackles (36 solo) / 11 sacks / 5 TFL
Dom Trivisonno: 41 total tackles / 4 INT / 3 PBU
Jayce Unverferth: 38 total tackles / 4 TFL / 4 INT / 2 PBU
SPECIAL TEAMS -
Dom Trivisonno: 51/53 PAT - 4/5 FG