Division 7 Region 26 Regional Final
#1 Columbus Grove (13-0) vs #15 St. John’s (6-7)
November 22nd, 2024
The Division VII, Region 26 Regional Final is set to feature a showdown between #1 Columbus Grove (13-0) and #15 St. John’s (6-7). The game, airing on Fun 107.1, offers a classic playoff story: an undefeated powerhouse against a Cinderella team making an improbable run.
Columbus Grove has been dominant all season, continuing their perfect record with a 35-13 win over #4 Mohawk in the regional semifinal. The Bulldogs relied heavily on star running back Trenton Barraza, who delivered another impressive showing of 287 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the victory. On defense, Layton Blankemeyer recorded two sacks, while Gavin Barraza contributed an interception and two passes defended, helping secure their place in the final. Columbus Grove, the Northwest Conference (NWC) regular-season champions, boasts one of the most balanced teams in the region.
The Bulldogs’ offense is led by Trenton Barraza, who has been nothing short of spectacular this season, racking up 2,423 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns while averaging nine yards per carry. With last week’s performance, Trenton racked up 6,139 yards rushing in his career becoming the all time leading rusher in Columbus Grove history. Trenton passed up CG great Blaine Maag who rushed for 6,134 yards from 2001-2004 and led the Bulldogs to their only Football State Championship in 2003. In the air, quarterback Kyle Hopkins has 775 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, with Trevon Baxter leading the receiving corps with 577 yards and 10 touchdowns on 37 catches. The team averages a staggering 42.1 points per game. On defense, Columbus Grove has been equally dominant, allowing just 10 points per game. Defensive standouts include Kylan Mayes, who has nine sacks, an interception, and 13 tackles for loss, and Gavin Barraza, who leads the team with six interceptions and 10 passes defended.
On the other side, St. John’s has emerged as the ultimate underdog. They earned their playoff spot with a critical Week 10 win and haven’t looked back, winning three straight games, including a 21-13 upset over #11 Leipsic in the semifinal. While the Blue Jays’ regular-season numbers may not jump off the page—averaging 18 points per game on offense and allowing 27 points per game on defense—they’ve stepped up significantly in the playoffs, averaging 25.3 points scored and just 11.7 points allowed per game. Their defense has been especially crucial, finding ways to shut down high-powered offenses during their playoff run.
St. John’s plays in the competitive Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC), known for its strong teams, which has prepared them well for high-pressure situations. They’ll need to bring their best effort to slow down Columbus Grove’s offensive juggernaut and find ways to exploit opportunities against the Bulldogs’ stout defense.
Kickoff is set for Friday, November 22, 2024 at Spartan Stadium in Lima . While Columbus Grove enters as the overwhelming favorite, St. Johns has already proven they can rise to the occasion. This game promises to be an intriguing clash between a dominant favorite and an inspired underdog. Fans tuning in on Fun 107.1 can expect an exciting contest as these two teams battle for a spot in the state semifinals.
-David Mansell