Edison plays for third regional title

MILAN — Edison and Liberty Center aren't identical, but it's close. The two football teams have the same record and both were state-ranked in the top 5 the last few weeks of the season. They even came in with the same amount of points in the rankings following Week 9. In the final Division V Associated Press state poll, Edison finished No. 4 with 87 points while Liberty Center was No. 3 with 89 points. Both received three first-place votes. The similarities don't stop there. The two undefeated, tough-nosed, blue-collar teams will get to settle it on the field at 7 p.m. Friday when they clash in the Region 18 championship game at Lake High School. The winner faces either No. 1 Canfield South Range (13-0) or Poland Seminary (11-2) in a state semifinal next week. "It's very rewarding to see the team advance to this regional final game and to see their hard work and dedication pay off," Edison coach Jim Hall said. "I know they are not satisfied with being here and have higher goals in mind." Both teams have been led by their rushing offenses. The Chargers (13-0) have run 528 times for 3,796 yards and 49 touchdowns while LC (13-0) has racked up 456 carries for 4,073 yards and 56 touchdowns. Leading Edison's ground game is Bryson Wittmer and Cy Finnen. A bruiser, Wittmer has 109 attempts for 1,073 yards and 17 touchdowns. Finnen, the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division Most Outstanding Performer, has 163 carries for 1,063 yards and 12 scores. Quarterback Abe Hermes has 118 rushes for 740 yards and 10 TDs while completing 72 of 119 passes for 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns. "The biggest thing that stands out with Edison is how many weapons they have," Liberty Center coach Casey Mohler said. "They seem to be able to get the ball to a lot of different guys and all seem to be equally as good. "Defensively, they are strong and really run to the ball very well and don't give you much room to do anything." The Tigers have plenty of options themselves. Leading the way is Waylon Rentz, who has amassed 135 carries for 1,506 yards and 24 TDs. Thomas Mohler adds 98 rushes for 817 yards and six TDs and Garrison Kruse has 68 attempts for 715 yards and 13 scores. "Offensively, they are somewhat similar to us in that they want to establish a strong running game," Hall said. "They have multiple threats and spread the carries around. We must rally to the ball defensively and tackle well in space." Liberty Center has thrown the ball just 54 times in 13 games. Grady Miller has completed 27 of those passes for 615 yards and 9 TDs. Kruse is the leading receiver with 11 catches for 346 yards and 4 TDs. "For us to come away with a win, we're gonna have to control the line of scrimmage and end drives with points," Mohler said. "We are also going to have to get off the field on third down and not let them keep drives going. We are also going to have to try and win the turnover battle, and try to win the field position battle." The Tigers have been one of the more consistent programs in the area for decades. Mohler took over for Rex Lingruen, who coached Liberty Center for 30 years. In that time, the Tigers made the playoffs 16 times, winning the Division V state title in 1997. Liberty Center was state runner-up in 1993 and 1998, and also won three other regional titles under Lingruen. Mohler went 7-3 in his first season in 2017, and also in 2020. Every other year, the Tigers have won at least 10 games including regional championships in 2018 and 2022, and a state runner-up finish just last year. Mohler is 89-15 in his eighth season at the helm of Liberty Center. "I think having been in the regional finals the last three years is going to help," Mohler said. "Our guys are familiar with the atmosphere and playing in this type of game. But we also know you certainly have to play well and we can't just rely on past experience." This trip to the regional final is the first for Edison since winning consecutive regional titles in 2015 and 2016. The Chargers were 11-2 last year, losing in the regional semifinals to Coldwater. Hall has won 160 games since taking over before the 2001 season. Liberty Center is scoring 42.3 points a contest while giving up 4.9 points a night with seven shutouts on defense. The Tigers advanced with a tight 24-21 win over Oak Harbor last week. Edison is averaging 32.8 points per game while allowing 8.0 points a contest. The Chargers have three shutouts defensively. Edison topped Eastwood last week, 49-28. "Offensively, our success is due to the ability of our guys to adjust and execute at a high level," Hall said. "Along the offensive line, we have some very experienced players and they have a great understanding of what we are trying to do. "That, combined with the talent and depth we have at the skilled positions, has given us the ability to spread out the carries and receptions to multiple players."