D4 Semifinal Preview: Indian Hill Versus Shelby

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">We've now advanced to the semifinals of the OHSAA state football playoffs. Friday night will feature a matchup of Division 4 top seeds that will take place at Sidney High School. Shelby was the #1 seed and winner of Region 14 while Indian Hill was the #1 seed and winner of region 16. Both teams come in with records of 13-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Shelby Whippets</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Playoffs</strong></span><br>W 42-0 Orrville (7-5) <br>W 49-7 Bath (9-3) <br>W 41-7 Galion (11-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Shelby has been relatively unchallenged this year. They've had running clocks in every game this season but 1, a 45-34 win over Galion all the way back in September. When you talk about key players for the Whippets you start with [player_tooltip player_id='970982' first='Brayden' last='DeVito']. The Mr. Ohio candidate has had a huge senior season. Last Friday night versus Galion he scored his 200th career touchdown. He's a player who can score from anywhere on the field whether it's as a thrower or a runner. DeVito is committed to Air Force. Brayden isn't the only offensive threat on this team, however. [player_tooltip player_id='1412485' first='Carter' last='Kessler'] is factor on both sides of the ball. His combination of size and athleticism make him a tough matchup whether he's playing tight end or defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='1678121' first='Brady' last='Bowman'] is a legit 4.4 receiver who can take the top off a defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Key Players</span></strong><br>2026 DL Hunter Oney 6'3 260<br>2026 DL/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1412485' first='Carter' last='Kessler'] 6'5 240<br>2026 LB Brice Sampsel 5'10" 190<br>2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1591653' first='Sam' last='Gwirtz'] 6'2 200<br>2026 QB/CB [player_tooltip player_id='970982' first='Brayden' last='DeVito'] 5'11 175<br>2026 OL Quinton Albert 6'1 240<br>2026 WR/LB Avery Lambert 6'0 180<br>2026 WR/LB Travis Slone 6'0 215<br>2027 DL Bryce Booker 6'0 280<br>2027 OL/DL Gavin Garrett 6'0 280<br>2027 RB/DL Gavin Baker 5'10 195<br>2027 TE [player_tooltip player_id='1632073' first='Michael' last='Shepherd'] 6'4 210<br>2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1678121' first='Brady' last='Bowman'] 5'10 175</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Keys To Winning</span><br>Offense-</strong> Get out to a fast start. Indian Hill's offense is not really built to play from behind.<br><strong>Defense-</strong> Be physical and rally to the ball in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Indian Hill Braves</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Playoffs</span></strong><br>W 57-14 Washington (6-6)<br>W 25-19 Taft (11-1)<br>W 41-14 Valley View (11-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When you watch the Braves you may not see flash, but you definitely see dominance. They're a really well coached team who plays for the man next to them. The leader of Indian Hill's offense is [player_tooltip player_id='1434416' first='Devlan' last='Daniel']. The athletic junior made the transition from running back last year to Quarterback this year. Daniel is one of the best running backs in Ohio and has offers from Cincinnati, Northwestern, and Miami (FL). As a runner he's a blend of size, agility, and power. Evan Riggs is a stellar two-way player for the Braves. On offense he has over 700 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense he had 100+ tackles, 4.5 sacks and 19 TFL's on defense. Defensively the Braves are physical and they're fast to the ball. On the backend of the defense Dylan Hartman has an impressive 8 interceptions on the season. Another 2-way player, senior George Vollmer chipped in with 4 interceptions and also lead the team in receiving with 555 yards..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Key Players</span></strong><br>2026 DL Jaxon Frye 6'4 215<br>2026 LB Evan Riggs 6'1 205<br>2026 DL Drew Roeder 6'2 255<br>2026 WR George Vollmer 6'0 175<br>2026 WR Ben Sichel 6'2 180<br>2026 OL Luke Stelhenpohl 6'0 210<br>2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1434416' first='Devlan' last='Daniel'] 6'1" 205<br>2027 DB Dylan Hartman 5'10 170<br>2027 OL Henry Hayes 6'1 225<br>2027 DB Tyler Fitzgerald 6'1 175<br>2028 RB Jacob Alexander 6'2 190<br>2028 LB Joey Jernigan 6'1 170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><strong>Keys To Winning</strong></span><br><strong>Offense-</strong> Control the time of possession on offense and finish drives with points.<br><br><strong>Defense</strong>-Limit the explosives and sound and disciplined defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->