Football Wins Thriller vs. Kings Mills Kings in State Semifinals of OHSAA Division II Playoffs, 52-49

The Central Catholic football team posted a thrilling 52-49 victory against Kings Mills King on Friday in the OHSAA Division II state semifinals at Mercy Health/Wapak Ford Field at Harmon Stadium. With the post-season triumph, the Fighting Irish stretch their winning streak to 14-consecutive games and improve to 14-1 overall.

CCHS will now advance to the state championship game for the 5th time (2005, '12, ’14, ’15, ’22) under Head Coach Greg Dempsey and 6th time (1962) in program history. The Fighting Irish are seeking their 5th state title (1962, 2005, ’12, ’14).

Central Catholic will battle Akron Hoban (14-1) in the state finals on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 pm at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (1835 Harrison Ave. NW, Canton, 44708). The Knights won their semifinal game vs. Massillon Washington, 41-20. Hoban defeated Central Catholic 33-20 in the 2015 Division III state championship contest in Columbus.

Senior QB Ty'Waun Clark was simply magnificent against Kings Mills Kings (13-2), completing 16-of-24 passes for a career-high 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. A 2022 honorable mention All-TRAC honoree, Clark also ran for a season-best 130 yards on 16 carries. Clark's previous-best effort was 255 yards passing vs. arch-rival St. Francis de Sales on Oct. 22, 2021.

Clark's favorite targets were senior WR/DB Braden Awls (6 catches, 141 yards, 1 TD) and junior WR/DB Marvon Greenlee (3 catches, 119 yards, 2 TDs), who combined for 9 receptions for 160 yards and 3 TDs.

Senior RB Chris Edmonds also had a big game for the Scarlet & Gray, registering 104 yards on 30 rushes and 3 scores. Edmonds saved his best for last, recording a 5-yard TD run with 28 seconds left in regulation to produce the game-winning points. The 2022 TRAC Offensive Player of the Year topped the century for the 13th time this fall.

Kings Mills Kings did not go quietly though, as QB Will Kocher completed 3 long passes to set up a potential game-tying 34-yard field goal on the final play. Fortunately for CCHS, Brady Wik's attempt to force overtime fell short, sending the Central Catholic sideline and its fans into a frenzy.

Kocher finished 27-of-51 passing for 567 yards and 5 TDs.

The 2 teams combined for 1,137 yards of total offense, with CCHS posting 528 yards.