Toledo - Two storied high school soccer programs will take the pitch at Central Catholic High School's Gallagher Athletic Complex looking to take that next step in the OHSAA state soccer tournament. Anthony Wayne (11-6-2) have been battle tested throughout the year - starting out of the gate slow with losses to St. John's Jesuit (0-3), top-rated in Division I Copley (0-5), Medina (0-1) and the NLL champion Sylvania Northview (1-2) - the Generals found their stride towards the end of the year when it means the most. " We are not intimidated to go and play anyone in the state" said third year head coach Brian Billings "at the end of the day it makes us better and has prepared us to make deep runs in the tournament". Billings and his Generals should be very familiar with the Regional level since they have been part of the last three regional semifinal matches - most recently in 2013 defeating St. John's Jesuit (2-1) and Medina (1-0) to win their second regional title in school history, last time was in 2008 when the Generals advanced to the Final Four for the first time in school history - but Billings credits the experience of his players getting to this point of the season "We have very seasoned players that most programs do not have - our kids have seen many teams ahead of them make it to this point and it has become the culture out here within our program". Anthony Wayne back in late August drew Perrysburg 0-0 and the Generals top man knows to expect a great match " They [Perrysburg] are a quality opponent, they defend well as a unit and Kyle [Rowan] is one of the top goalkeepers in the area - we know it could be a tight game but we have to ready for those moments in the match" said Billings. As for the Yellow Jackets - one of the most storied soccer programs in northwest Ohio they should be at this level every year but it has been unlucky for them at times in the tournament. Last year the Jackets were nearly 20 seconds away from hoisting the District title until Freshman Zachary Buescher spoiled the plans with a game-tying finish and then the Titans snatched a game-winner in extra time from Adam Naayers sent Perrysburg home disgusted and hungry for a different result in 2014. After longtime head coach Mike Timbrook retired after last season the Yellow Jackets hired a young and ambitous coach with experience in Brandon Decker; Decker comes from a rich tradition in the Richfield Revere program who were Division II State champions last fall under head coach Sandor Jakob - so Decker was the right fit to take Perrysburg back to where they belonged. "When getting here - it took our boys sometime to get to our potential - we play some of the best competititon in the state and we know that we are able to play with anyone on anyday" said Decker. Perrysburg (11-3-5) played a daunting regular season schedule including playing the same opponent Anthony Wayne lost to in the regular season top-rated in the state and in the country Copley. "I am very familiar with Copley and how to play against them - we were in that game and gave up a soft goal on a set-piece...from that moment I knew these boys were capable to play with anyone" - the Yellow Jackets looked to have turned a corner after picking up a big road win over St. John's Jesuit (1-0) and then drew the fifth-rated team in Ohio Sylvania Northview (1-1). "Coming into the tournament we have been preaching two things - you can not be emotional and just do your job to the best of your abilities" said Decker and the Jackets have by defeating Sylvania Southview in a tight match 3-2 in the sectional final, beating Ashland 2-0 in the district semifinal and then the game they wanted in the district final against St. John's Jesuit by deciding that fixture in penalties winning it 4-3 after finishing the regulation and extra time finished at 0-0. One reason why is the defending combination of seniors Jacob Kirby and Caleb Oeder and the goalkeeping of senior Kyle Rowan - "Kirby and Caleb have been very steady during the [tournament] run and Kyle has been great, making the saves that matter the most in matches" said Decker. For the Yellow Jackets to knock off the defending champions it will take a team effort - Anthony Wayne is playing great soccer at the moment with the defending of senior Chris Jackson, Austin Adams, junior Hunter Theis and sophomore Tyler Mangotic, on the attacking side the Generals have been steady with seniors Zach Harris, Colin Mortemore, Jared Russell and Jacob Bores all holdovers from that 2013 final four Generals team who are very seasoned and experienced at this level. "It will be a great game - all it takes at this level is one clear chance and capitalizing on it - you have to figure both of us will get that chance" said Decker.
You can catch this Regional semifinal tonight on tape delay at 11PM on BCSN with Mason Lowry and former Ottawa Hills head coach Francis Stephens on the call from Central Catholic High School.
#nwoSOCCERweekly
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