By Lucas Sullivan for Cox News Service

Trying to talk to Greeneview coach Bob Eakins after each of his six tournament wins has been like trying to keep a farm cat in a box.

The veteran coach, a Greeneview grad, can hardly contain his excitement each time his Rams get closer to the school's first ever state title.

Well, they're here now.

Today the Rams take on Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in the Division III state final at Columbus Crew Stadium.

Greeneview is ranked No. 1 in D-III and carries a school-record 22-game win streak into the matchup with Mooney, which has been to the state finals three of the last four years.

"This is a lot of fun," Eakins said Tuesday after Greeneview knocked Worthington Christian out of the tournament. "It's just unbelievable."

What's unbelievable is that Eakins almost missed the Rams' record-setting ride. After last season, he stepped down in order to give someone else a shot at taking the program to the next level. School officials posted the coaching position publicly in November, but months went by and there were no takers.

So Eakins came back, and his Rams are making it worth his while.

"He means so much to this team, and we really want to win for him," said senior Ryan Hartman, who leads the team in goals with 36. "Coach Eakins is the heart of this team, and we're glad he's here."

Eakins could say the same thing about Hartman. The speedy striker has had a tremendous postseason, scoring nine goals in six games, including both goals in the 2-1 state semifinal victory Tuesday.

Dustin Bryan and Brock Gill have also scored goals in the Rams' last four tournament games and can be dangerous if teams mark Hartman.

"We know that (Dustin Bryan, Nick Bryan and Hartman) are their go-to players," Mooney coach Lenny Krispinsky said. "But I hope we have some kids that can rise to the occasion."

The Cardinals (18-3-1) hope to contain the Rams' attack with senior sweeper Kevin Miller and senior goalkeeper Andrew Loudon, who has 13 shutouts.

On offense, the Cardinals rely heavily on senior Zack Hernan, who has scored a team-high 32 goals.

View Article at DDN