CINCINNATI – Welcome to the playoffs.
There were plenty of storylines and thrilling finishes to start the first weekend of the Ohio high school football playoffs Friday night around Greater Cincinnati.
Winton Woods junior running back Miyan Williams rushed 21 times for 431 yards and six touchdowns as the Warriors rallied to defeat visiting Lewis Center Olentangy 49-42 in a Division II, Region 8 quarterfinal.
Williams had 279 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the second half, according to This Week News reporter Dave Purpura. Winton Woods trailed 21-0 after one quarter and 35-14 at halftime.
The 431 yards is the 25th most all-time for rushing yards in a game, according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association record book (minimum 400 yards per game).
WATCH: Friday's playoff highlights above.
Williams is 45th all-time in OHSAA history in rushing yards in a single season (minimum 2,400 yards). He has 2,413 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.
Williams, whose scholarship offers include UC, Maryland, Toledo, Kentucky and Rutgers, entered Friday night with 1,982 net yards rushing and 26 touchdowns.
Winton Woods coach Andre Parker told WCPO he never saw a performance like Friday night.
“A man amongst boys,” Parker said. “Unbelievable. The best back I have seen, period.”
RELATED: Winton Woods star reaches OHSAA records list
Winton Woods (10-1) advances to play Little Miami (9-2) in a Division II regional semifinal Nov. 9 at a site to be determined.
Making history doesn’t just happen, Mahon says. It has taken the work of coaches, players, parents & fans. “We’re not done.” @LMPanthersFB @swocsports @MikeDyer pic.twitter.com/CswMwQFEGX
— Little Miami Athletics (@Panther_Tales) November 3, 2018
Little Miami captures first postseason win
Little Miami defeated Edgewood 10-7 in a Division II, Region 8 quarterfinal Friday night.
Although Edgewood defeated Little Miami 20-0 two weeks ago in the regular season, the Panthers were healthy Friday night. Little Miami trailed 7-0 entering the fourth quarter Friday night, but the Panthers were hungry to prevail.
“I am trying to come back down to Earth,” Little Miami coach Nate Mahon said. “When we have a full deck of cards and we are playing with all of our guys ... we just weren’t healthy two weeks ago. We got healthy and the kids played their butts off.”
Little Miami is making its first postseason appearance since 1992.
Storylines galore. Which do you pick?
-32 unanswered points
-1st playoff win in school history
-1st home playoff game in school historyPlayoff football is here. Highlights on @WCPO.@NelsonFo1 @Milford_Schools @MHS_Kauffman @MilfordFootbal1 @Milford_Eagles @THEMilfordFlock pic.twitter.com/mc35LJNiSl
— Jake Ryle (@JakeWCPO) November 3, 2018
Milford captures first postseason win
Down 35-7, Milford captured its first playoff win in program history by rallying to defeat visiting Fairfield 39-35 in a Division I, Region 4 quarterfinal. The Eagles outscored Fairfield 18-0 in the fourth quarter.
Milford (9-2) advances to play Colerain (11-0) Nov. 9 in a regional semifinal.
Junior quarterback Hunter Johnson had 381 yards passing and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Dylan Hughes had six receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Milford senior Cameron Kells had 24 carries for 107 net yards and three touchdowns.
Milford made the playoffs for a second straight year after having not gone to the postseason since 1986 prior to 2017.
REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN REDSKINS WIN @AndersonRedskin @TheTeepeeAHS @_AHS_Football pic.twitter.com/g1mFuaXO55
— AHS Athletics (@AHSRedskins_AD) November 3, 2018
Anderson defeats Kings
Anderson rallied to defeat Eastern Cincinnati Conference rival Kings 42-35 in a Division II, Region 8 quarterfinal. Anderson (8-3) is the No. 7 seed while the host Knights (9-2) were the No. 2 seed. Anderson advances to play Troy (10-1) Nov. 9.
Anderson had 551 yards of total offense. Kings had 502 yards.
Anderson quarterback David Thompson was 19 of 27 passing for 226 yards unofficially. Bennett Snyder had 25 carries for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receivers Joey Newton (six receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown) and Eric Curless (nine catches for 81 yards) also played key roles.
“I’m very proud of our kids battling against our conference champion,” Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said. “Our seniors did a great job keeping us in the game. I'm proud of our effort tonight. Kings was an unbelievable football team.”
Elder avenges loss to Moeller
Elder's 35-0 win over Moeller at The Pit is Elder’s first shutout win over the Crusaders since 1994 (21-0). The margin of victory is Elder’s second largest in the history of the rivalry (43-6 in 2001). This was the fifth postseason meeting between the two programs.
Four weeks ago, Moeller beat Elder 24-21 at Nippert Stadium.
SEE High school football scores on WCPO Scoreboard.
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