After stopping Westlake in overtime 14-7 last Friday in the Division II regional quarterfinal, the 10-1 Madison Rams will head to Sandusky Perkins on Friday to face 10-1 Toledo Central Catholic.  The Irish earned their way in by belting Grafton Midview last week 50-7.  For the first time in three weeks the Rams will not be playing in mud as Perkins has turf. 

The last time Madison went two games deep in the playoffs was 2005, falling to Toledo Central Catholic at Tiffin 42-14.  The game was close at 14-14, until former Buckeye and now Chicago Bear Dane Sanzenbacher caught two long passes for touchdowns.  Madison coach Sean Conway says the Irish have more of those types of athletes this season.  They boast three D-1 prospects on offense in quarterback 6'4" 205lb DeShone Kizer, tight end 6'5" 250lb Keith Towbridge and 5'11" 195lb running back Amir Edwards who has run for 1,284 yards scoring 22 touchdowns and did not play last week against Midview due to an injury the week before against Toledo Whitmer, the teams only loss 42-0.

The Rams will try to counter with Kale Huss who has set Madison's single season rushing mark which now stands at 1,898 yards through 11 games.  Huss did not find the endzone last week against the Demons but teammates Cody Rush and Calvin Gordon did as Madison came from behind to win their first playoff game on the road in seven years.  Conway knows how talented the Irish are, but hopes his team can play ball control on offense keeping the game close and giving themselves a chance to win at the end, something the team has done all season.

The winner will move on to the Division II regional final next week against either Tiffin Columbian or Avon at a site chosen by the OHSAA.  For Madison, this is their fourth appearance in the post season, for TCC it's their 14th overall and ninth straight.