Irish to meet Newark Catholic in state semis
Monkey off its back, Catholic Central faces Green Wave squad with its own hurdle to overcome.
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Monday, November 19, 2007
SPRINGFIELD — Steve DeWitt, coach of the undefeated and second-ranked Catholic Central High School football team, called it "getting the monkey off our backs."
His 13-0 Fighting Irish played like a revitalized team Saturday night in destroying Sidney Lehman Catholic 48-14 for the Region VI, Region 24 championship and their first trip to the state semifinals since 1991. That's because a victory the week prior sent that "monkey" scurrying.
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Catholic Central High School coach Steve DeWitt disputes a field position call with an official during the Division VI, Region 24 championship game at Piqua High School on Saturday. Staff photo by Barbara J. Perenic
Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"They went into the game in a great frame of mind," said DeWitt on Sunday of his team's most recent effort. "Getting past the regional semifinals (a 24-17 win over Mechanicsburg on Nov. 10) was a real sticking point for us. And the kids showed that by the way they played (Saturday) night."
As fate would have it, waiting for the Irish in the state semis will be another storied football team that still has that monkey on its back. Catholic Central will meet 11-2 Newark Catholic at Upper Arlington's Moorehead Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The winner of that game will earn a berth in the state championship game at 11 a.m. the following Saturday in Canton.
"I talked with their coach earlier this afternoon, and it is interesting that this has been their sticking point the last few years, getting out of the semifinals," DeWitt said.
But DeWitt thinks his Irish are past that. They are focusing on the rare opportunity of being in the state's Final Four.
"It's a privilege to have an opportunity like this, and we'll carry that task well," he said. "It's a formidable task for these kids."
For DeWitt, however, this trip to the state semifinals is more than just an opportunity to be the best in the state.
"Way down deep inside, there's such a regard and respect I've got for these young men and this coaching staff because of their willingness to dig deeper than most people are willing to do to take on an endeavor like this," he said. "It is a great lesson, where athletics has a phenomenal opportunity to teach kids what they can accomplish if they are willing to work for a common goal.
"What a lesson in life."
Was Saturday's dominating win the Irish's best game so far?
"I think it is still out there," DeWitt said. "It was probably one of the most thorough games we played. The execution, the enthusiasm, all those things were very evident.
"I'm excited about the position we are in and even more excited about the way we played ball (Saturday) night to get here."
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.
