ST. HENRY, Ohio (WLIO) — St. Henry is back in the state semifinals for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2023.

The Redskins enter Thursday's Division VI state semifinal with a 26-3 record after outscoring opponents 53-15 during their postseason run.

Standing in their way is a familiar challenge: three-time defending state champion Berlin Hiland.

Sixth-year head coach Mike Gast said his team understands the task ahead but welcomes the opportunity to compete against one of the state's premier programs.

"You know, in looking at Highland, I kind of feel like they're a lot like us, you know. I think they are capable of beating teams in some different ways," Gast said. "It's a very solid lineup, one through nine, two or three very good pitchers at the top of their rotation. So, it's actually going to be a challenge, and you know, we know they're good, but we also know that we're a really good team as well. So, we're looking forward to the competition continuing to keep climbing."

Senior pitcher Max Delzeith said preparation has been key during the postseason run.

"I'm just making sure my body's right, so I can get to the best of my ability and help my team," Delzeith said. "We got good leaders that are seniors, and we know it's our last time playing. And then we just bring everyone else up with us, and we have people on the bench that keep the energy high."

Senior first baseman Jake Schwieterman said confidence and balance throughout the lineup have kept the team steady.

"We just got to keep doing what we've been doing all year, playing our own baseball, trust the guys behind us, and we'll be all right," Schwieterman said. "We're all confident in the guy that is behind us. We know we don't have to do too much when we're at the plate. We have other guys who can make plays, and you know it can be a different guy every game on, you know, who's our star player. We don't have the same guy making the winning run every every game for us."

Gast added that the team’s experience in big moments has helped prepare them for the challenge.

"When the bright lights come on, they're not going to be, you know, shying away from a challenge," Gast said. "So and really go back all the way to last summer with the ACME State Championship that these guys won in Kalida, so that was huge for us as a program, but certainly moving into the fall and those guys playing really good football and coming back here in the spring and really enjoying their time and continuing to compete is really big."

St. Henry and Berlin Hiland will meet Thursday in Akron with a spot in the state championship game on the line.

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