CIRCLEVILLE -- It was supposed to be an explosive offense vs. a stingy defense.

As it turned out it was, but both belonged to the Chesapeake Panthers.

Chesapeake put together its usual strong running game with 314 yards on a mind-boggling 69 carries en route to a 26-7 win over the Woodsfield Monroe Seminoles in the Division V Region 19 semifinals Saturday night.

But the Panthers defense took a page from the Seminoles by holding Woodsfield to 152 total yards, including a mere 19 rushing.

"Offensively we wanted to keep them off balance because they were loading up on one side. Our offensive line was blocking them up front," Panthers coach Phil Davis said. "Defensively, I thought our guys stepped up. They did what coach (Larry) Morgan had them ready to do."

Woodsfield's 1,000-yard rusher, Christopher Wilson, managed just one net yard on four carries. The Seminoles' only offense was generated by quarterback Michael Jorris, who was 8-of-17 for 133 yards. However, he was intercepted twice by the Panthers' defense.

"We executed this week really well. We weren't sitting on our heels like last week," Panthers' linebacker Todd Marcum said. "Our defensive line and our offensive line played a heck of a game. We beat them up front physically."

Chesapeake's ground game was led again by Michael and Cody Hunt. Michael had 145 yards on 27 carries while Cody ran for 143 yards on 28 attempts.

"They haven't seen an offense like ours. They saw it tonight," Michael Hunt said.

Chesapeake (9-3) will now play Amanda-Clearcreek next Saturday, possibly at Ohio University or Portsmouth. This marks the first time in five playoff appearances the Panthers have reached the regional finals.

The game was only 7-0 at halftime, with the lone score a 6-yard run by Cody Hunt with 6:26 left in the half.

The Panthers then began to assert themselves in the third quarter with a 68-yard, 13-play drive. Chesapeake converted two fourth-down plays to keep the drive alive, and then Michael Hunt raced 40 yards for a touchdown with 2:50 left in the quarter. Zach Waugh kicked his second extra point, and it was 14-0.

"That was one of the biggest holes I've ever run through. It was like the oceans parted," Michael Hunt said.

Woodsfield (11-1) went to the air and answered quickly. Jorris completed four straight passes for 57 yards to set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Gabe Gordon. T.J. Stevens conversion kick cut the deficit to 14-7 with 1:08 on the clock. Chesapeake dominated from that point on.

After the ensuing kickoff went out of bounds, the Panthers went 65 yards in nine plays, with Cody Hunt capping the drive on a 9-yard run, and it was 20-7.

Woodsfield went back to the air, but Cody Hunt intercepted a tipped pass with 9:01 left at the Seminoles 29.

It took the Panthers eight plays to score their final touchdown as Cody Hunt ran the final five yards with 5:03 to go.

Woodsfield used a 55-yard pass from Jorris to Josh Ischy that put the ball just inside the Panthers 10-yard line. But Gordon was tackled for a five-yard loss and then Michael White intercepted a Jorris pass at the 12 with 3:06 to play.

The Panthers then ran out the clock and celebrated the third playoff win in school history.