Scotties preparing for rematch with St. Vincent-St. Mary

DRESDEN, Ohio – When Tri-Valley opened up the season with a home loss to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary few people thought the Scotties would see the Irish again that year.

However, as luck would have it, the two Division III powerhouses will do just that. They’ll play one another on Friday with a trip to the state championship game on the line.

Scottie linebacker Nathan Lawler says that the Irish and the Scotties’ paths crossing again doesn’t surprise him too much.

“We said it after we lost that there is a good chance that we’ll see them again. One of our goals at the start of the year was to beat Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. And now we have the chance to do that,” said Lawler

Since that season opening loss to the Irish, Tri-Valley has won 12 straight, including their last three playoff games. In each game the Scotties have trailed early, only to come back and win. That includes last Friday when they beat two-time defending state champion Bishop Hartley.

The Irish finished the regular season 7-3. They won their first two playoff games by double digits over Woodridge and Tallmadge. However, last Friday’s regional championship game was a dog fight that they won 13-10 over Canfield. The Irish are trying to get to the state title game for what would be the eighth time in school history.

This is the first time TV has made it to the final four in school history. Head coach Justin Buttermore knows that this St. Vincent-St. Mary team has improved a lot since their August matchup.

“Defensively they look terrific. They looked good when they were here but they look even better. And offensively their quarterback was very good then and he has got even better and he’s only a sophomore. He’s improved greatly over the course of the year. They’re throwing the ball a little more than they did at that point,” said Buttermore.

The winner of Friday’s contest will move on to the DIII state championship game to play either Toledo Central Catholic or Trotwood-Madison.

Friday’s game is at Massillon Perry High School. Kickoff is at 7:30 and you can hear live play-by-play on Highway 103 Radio.