Cavs headed back to 'The Shoe'

XENIA - Not even a persistent rain could water down Coldwater's drive for another trip to Ohio Stadium.

Jack Hemmelgarn threw four first-half touchdowns, three to favorite target Aaron Harlamert, and the Cavaliers punched their ticket to the Division V state championship game with a 36-6 win over Wheelersburg Friday night at Doug Adams Stadium in Xenia. It's the seventh straight trip to the state title game for Coldwater, which will look for a fourth straight state title.

The Cavaliers (14-0) face Canton Central Catholic next Friday at 10 a.m. at Ohio Stadium. The Crusaders earned a rematch of last year's state title game with the Cavaliers after posting a 17-14 win over Milan Edison at Wooster.

"At the beginning of the year, Mitch Clune put it out there (to the seniors) that we're going to go undefeated and try and win it all," Coldwater coach Chip Otten said. "That's a great feeling for those guys. They're right on the edge of getting there."

Coldwater took possession first and wasted no time in getting the first lead, putting together a 12-play, 58-yard drive as Hemmelgarn found his groove passing the ball. The senior quarterback found Harlamert early for several big gains and threw to Kraig Schoenherr and Zach Homan as well. The first score came on a 13-yard pass from Hemmelgarn to Harlamert with 8:14 left in the first quarter.

The Cavaliers had to do a rare punt on the next drive, but their defense came up big on the next series. Pirates punter Jordan Howard had to scramble after a high snap and lost five yards to give Coldwater the ball at the Pirate 24. Six plays later, the "Hemmy-to-Harley" show had its second TD team-up to make it 14-0.

"Me and Jack have been doing this since the seventh grade," Harlamert said. "He just seems to find a way to find me."

After the Cavaliers shut down the Pirates on offense on the first two drives, Wheelersburg was able to work a long drive to get on the board. Quarterback Kyle Davis ran the ball well and hit favorite receiver Jake Darnell for two big first-down conversions. Tanner Bivens put the Pirates on the board with 7:18 left in the first half to cut the deficit to 14-6.

Coldwater had to deal with a pair of holding calls that had the team face a first-and-27, but a 26-yard Hemmelgarn-to-Zach Homan pass made second down easier. Later, Kraig Schoenherr ran for two big plays to get inside the 10 and then Hemmelgarn hit Harlamert for the third touchdown of the night to make it 21-6.

"Every game we got out to a good start," Otten said. "It takes awhile to adjust to the weapons we have. We spread the wealth. Zach Homan had two big plays today."

After another three-and-out by the Pirates, Coldwater drove 54 yards on five plays. This time, Hemmelgarn found Schoenherr for a 40-yard score with 1:18 left in the half to make it a 22-point game.

Schoenherr took over the bulk of the running chores with Chris (Petey) Post hampered by an ankle injury suffered in the Brookville win. Schoenherr kept the chains moving for Coldwater throughout the game, capping off the scoring midway through the third quarter with a 43-yard touchdown run. A two-point pass play from Kyle McKibben to Hemmelgarn made the margin 30 points, triggering the running clock. Schoenherr carried the ball 12 times for 124 yards in the game.

"Schoeny went into beast mode today since Petey couldn't do his thing," Otten said.

The Pirates moved the ball slightly better in the second half, but were no threat to score until the waning seconds of the game when the Cavaliers had their second team defense in.

Coldwater's defense held Wheelersburg to just 92 yards rushing in the game. Quarterback Kyle Davis was sacked three times and held to just 19 yards on 13 carries. Jordan Howard led the Pirates with 46 yards.

"It's kind of like last week (against Brookville). They're a good team that plays smash-mouth football. Their O-Line had some big dudes," Schoenherr said. "You have to prepare for that, and I think we prepared very well."

Hemmelgarn was 12-of-21 passing for 126 yards and four touchdowns. Harlamert had six catches for 45 yards. Zach Homan added 41 yards on two catches.

Now it's on to state. For the seniors, it will be their 60th game, having gone 56-3 during their high school careers.

"It'll hit me when I get back into the locker room," Schoenherr said. "I just can't wait to get back to 'The Shoe.' It's been way too long."