Mogus captures state title
Northwestern will be getting more than a three-star offensive lineman next fall, when Class of 2011 commitment Geoff Mogus reports to Evanston.
The Wildcats will also be getting a state champion.
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Mogus and Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward capped a perfect 15-0 season by coming from behind to beat Wayne Huber Heights, 35-28, in the Ohio Division I championship game. It's the first state title in school history for St. Edward.
Running back Terrell Bates scored on a 17-yard run with 1:32 left to clinch the title for St. Edward, which fought back from second-half deficits of 21-7 and 28-27 in the snow at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.
The Eagles were just 4-6 last year in coach Rick Finotti's first season, and Finotti gives his senior class credit for sparking the turnaround. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Mogus was one of 34 seniors who were ordered by Finotti to stand on the tiny award stand in the middle of the field after the game.
"Get up there," Finotti said. "You earned this."
St. Edward quarterback Kevin Burke finished with 130 yards rushing and one touchdown on 15 carries, and he threw for 89 yards and another TD. Bates ran 21 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Ohio State recruit Braxton Miller led Huber Heights with 207 yards passing and 75 rushing and scored all four touchdowns.
Pittsburgh commitment Deonte Gibson and Ball State recruit Avery Bailey also play for St. Edward.
For more on St. Edwards' win, see this story by Tim Warsinskey of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.