Two boys, Malvern girls team run into cross country regionals

At times this season, Malvern has had trouble putting points on the board.

That was clearly not the case Oct. 17 as the Hornets scored just about every way imaginable in a 56-16 shellacking of Inter-Valley Conference North foe Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

The Malvern offense, which had produced under 24 points per game over the first six weeks of the season, has been averaging a cool 50 points per game the past three weeks. The Hornets got the ball rolling with a Julius Gore touchdown run from 17 yards out for the early lead.

Malvern proceeded to score its second TD on a pass from Jaxon Jones to Josh Untch, its third TD on a Luke Thomas 48-yard punt return, and then – following a defensive safety – its fourth score on 75-yard kickoff return by Thomas. When the smoke had cleared, the Hornets had a 29-0 lead and it was still the first quarter.

Malvern scored three more TDs in the second period as Roy Simmons caught a touchdown pass and ran for one before Aiden Sprague hauled in Jones’ third touchdown pass on the night for a 49-0 halftime lead. A 61-yard scoring run by Nate Ezell capped the scoring for the Hornets. Trailing 56-0, the Saints (2-7, 0-4) scored twice on second-half runs by Grady Stein.

Jones went 8 of 10 for three scores and 76 yards. Sprague was his primary target, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown, while Simmons caught two for 25 yards and a score. On the ground, Gore ran for 72 yards on only four carries, while Ezell added 65 yards on two touches. Defensively, Untch and Darnell Jackson led the Hornets with seven tackles apiece, and Brennan Mitchell added a sack.

Malvern (6-3, 3-1) may have wrapped up a playoff spot before its final regular season game against East Canton, but the Hornets still have an outside shot at a top four slot, which would give them a first-round bye and a home game.

Volleyball

Malvern hosted Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans Oct. 13 in a Div. VII East District Sectional match and the Hornets swatted the Bishops 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-7). Whitney Smith led the Lady Hornets with 14 kills, while Zoe Sikorsky was top server for the match with six aces and 14 points. Meanwhile, Ashlyn Bush paced Malvern with 29 assists, and Avery Sprague logged 17 digs against the Bishops (3-15).

The eighth-seeded Lady Hornets then advanced to a Sectional final match against No. 2 seed Tuscarawas Central Catholic Oct. 15. The Saints (18-5) lived up to their ranking, sweeping Malvern 3-0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-22). Malvern ends its season at 6-18. 

Cross Country

The Hornets will be well-represented at Pickerington North High School for the Div. IV Regional meet Oct. 25 as the girls qualified as a team and the boys advanced two individual runners following the district meet at Cambridge.

For the Lady Hornets, sisters Olivia Maher (22:14) and Emma Maher (22:23) placed 15th and 17th, respectively. They were followed by Mya Doughty in 38th, Lexus Buchman in 40th, and Annabell Renz, rounded out the team scoring in 59th place. Add it up, and Malvern finished fifth overall as a team with 103 points, just four points behind fourth-place Barnesville. Bellaire was the overall champion with 30 points.

On the boys’ side, the Hornets placed sixth as a team with 127 points, but only the top four teams advanced. Bellaire made it a sweep as the Big Reds finished first with 39 points. However, Dalton Pennington (18:10.00) and Jacob McClelland (19:13.00), who placed 10th and 23rd, respectively, have another week of running ahead of them as they advanced to regionals as individuals. Other Hornets who competed at districts include Cooper Dorr in 29th place, Dekon Pennington in 47th, and Blaze Garrot, who set a lifetime PR in placing 57th

Malvern coach Jeremy Maher was understandably excited after witnessing his squad’s improvement throughout the season.

“We are excited to have so many athletes qualify for the Regional meet at Pickerington North High School and look forward to the opportunity to try to get one to the state championship meet next Saturday,” he said.