H.S. FOOTBALL
PREVIEW
WEEK 4
Games of Sept.
12
NON-LEAGUE
Garaway (3-0)
at Zanesville (0-3)
Last week: Garaway 36, Norwayne 35; Newark 52,
Zanesville 20
Last Year: Did not play
This year: Garaway hops on the road after pulling
out a thriller last week over visiting Norwayne. The two teams traded scores
until Norwayne pulled in front 35-28 in the fourth quarter on a fumble return,
only to have Garaway score on a Grady Miller to Jaxon Garber 6-yard pass, then
get the win on Christian Raber’s 2-point pass to Wyatt Reifenschnieder. The
teams combined for 844 yards of offense, 612 coming through the air as Miller
hit 17 of 23 for 294 yards — 9 going to Micah Yoder for 175 yards. They’ll face
a Zanesville defense that gave up 374 passing yards last week. Matthew Frey
added 121 yards and 2 TDs rushing. The final non-conference game should be a
pleasant bus ride back and forth for the Pirates against the winless Blue
Devils allowing 54 points a game.
Louisville (3-0)
at Marlington (2-1)
Last week: Louisville 10, Northwest 3; Marlington
38, Howland 20
Last Year: Louisville 38, Marlington 13
This year: The Dukes, which managed less than 30
yards rushing in a shutout loss to Northwest in Week Two, came alive against
Howland, gouging the Tigers’ defense for 230 yards on the ground in a 38-20
win. Div. II Louisville will be a tough matchup for the Dukes, who have already
matched their win total from 2024. The Leopards are coming off a 10-3 victory
over Northwest, the team that blanked Marlington 35-0 just the week before.
Howland (1-2)
at Carrollton (1-2)
Last week: Marlington 38, Howland 20; Cloverleaf
42, Carrollton 18
Last Year: Carrollton 21, Howland 14
This year: How little some things change. Much
like last season, the Warriors enter their Week 4 matchup against the Tigers
with a 1-2 mark following a lopsided loss. In 2024, Carrollton reeled off five
consecutive wins beginning with its one-score victory over Howland. It remains
to be seen if the Warriors can duplicate that feat following a loss at Div. IV
Cloverleaf in which the Colts held a 125-yard advantage in total offense and
gained nearly 200 yards on the ground. One promising sign: Howland had similar
issues stopping the run in its loss to Marlington, so the Warriors’ Levi Kiko
could be poised for a big game against the Tigers.
Minerva (2-1)
at Sandy Valley (0-3)
Last week: Minerva 34, Springfield 0; East Canton
47, Sandy Valley 27
Last Year: Sandy Valley 42, Minerva 0
This year: Three games do not make a season.
Still, it is impossible not to acknowledge the Lions, who continue their
redemption tour looking for payback against the Cardinals. Minerva is winning
with its hard-nosed rushing attack; the Lions didn’t complete one pass against
Springfield, instead relying on the two-headed monster of Timmy Kirkpatrick (18
carries, 153 yards, two TDs) and Nate Linkous (11 carries, 129 yards, three
TDs). The Cardinals, after scoring just 13 points apiece in Weeks 1 and 2,
just about doubled their scoring output against East Canton in putting 27
points on the board, but a porous defense that has allowed 145 points through
just three games is a cause for concern.
Mogadore (2-1)
at Malvern (2-1)
Last week: Dalton 28, Mogadore 19; Malvern 34,
Harrison Central 15
Last Year: Did not play
This year: The visible improvement by QB Jaxon
Jones has Malvern fans breathing a sigh of relief as the junior play caller’s
output increased from 39 and 84 yards in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, to 242
yards in Week 3 against Div. V Harrison Central. Receivers Roy Simmons and Josh
Untch have been major beneficiaries of Jones’ visible strides. Mogadore, which
slipped by winless Crestview and Canton Central Catholic in its first two weeks
before losing to a solid Dalton team in Week 3, should provide a sterner test
for Jones and the Hornets.
Union Local (1-2)
at Harrison Central (0-3)
Last week: Indian Creek 23, Union Local 15;
Malvern 34, Harrison Central 15
Last Year: Union Local 49, Harrison Central 13
This year: The Huskies are still searching for win
number one, and this may not be the week the tide turns on their rough start to
the 2025 season. Union Local will visit Harrison County this Friday night, and
they’ll do so as heavy favorites. The Huskies are still struggling to establish
control at the line of scrimmage, having significant trouble establishing a run
game in each of their first three contests. A quick passing attack with
quarterback Brady Hyre and top target Kayne Dunkle may be the most likely path
to success this Friday. The Jets on the other hand could very well be 3-0, even
though they’ve played two of the Valley’s better teams already this season,
dropping two contests to Wheeling Central and Indian Creek by just a combined
14 points. The Jets will look to establish the run game with Brody Perzanowski
on the ground, a junior that is on pace to break career rushing records for the
Jets.
Ridgewood (3-0)
at Utica (1-2)
Last week: Ridgewood 23, Lutheran East 20;
Fredericktown 27, Utica 20
Last Year: Ridgewood 35, Utica 0
This year: Ridgewood never trailed last Friday
after grabbing a 16-0 lead, but the home faithful couldn’t breathe easy until
Lutheran East missed a game-tying FG in the final minute. RHS QB Jace McQueen
continues to shine after scoring on a short run and tossing a 63-yard TD to
Preston Ator against LuE. Logan Wince added a 50-yard scoring dash for the
Generals. McQueen may be in for a big night on the road at Utica — the Redskins
allowed the opposing quarterback over 100 yards in both rushing and passing a week
ago.
Columbus
Academy (1-2) at Dover (1-2)
Last week: Heath 34, Col. Academy 7; West Holmes
28, Dover 7
Last year: Did not play.
This week: The Tornadoes fell behind early and could not catch up last week in
losing to West Holmes for the first time. Columbus Academy comes in this week
on a two-game losing streak, including a 14-12 nailbiter Week 2 against
still-unbeaten Jonathan Alder. Looking ahead, the Tornadoes have only one more
team on the schedule that entered the week with a winning record, that being
Ashland (3-0), which hosts Dover next Friday.
Tuscarawas
Central Catholic (1-2) at Millersport (1-2)
Last week: TCC 20, Aquinas 6; Millersport 33,
Federal Hocking 0
Last year: Did not play.
This week: The Saints won for the first time in 29 outings last week with their
triumph over St. Thomas Aquianas. Their last win came Aug. 27, 2022 at home
against Grove City Christian, also by the score of 20-6. Since that time it’s
been a struggle for Central Catholic, with 11 of 29 losses being shutouts. The
Saints got a huge game defensively from aptly named Louden Savage, who racked
up six tackles and a pair of sacks, along with a fumble recovery. Central
Catholic will look to keep things going against Millersport, which hails from
Fairfield County, about 20 miles east of Columbus. Millersport’s nickname is
the Lakers, presumably after Buckeye Lake, home of the Legend Valley concert
venue. What that has to do with football is up to the reader.
Expression Prep
(0-2) at Indian Valley (3-0)
Canceled
Last week: Expression Prep DNP; Indian Valley 49,
Roosevelt 20
Last year: Did not play.
This week: Expression Prep is unable to field a team, so
the Braves get a bye week. Through no fault of their own, they may not face a
ton of resistance over the next few weeks. In addition to a potential canceled
game, their next two opponents – Buckeye Trail and Sandy Valley – headed into
Week 4 without a win. It gets better from there, though, with Garaway and
Ridgewood, IV’s Week 7 and 8 opponents, both unbeaten through three games.
Grady Kinsey had another stellar game in the Braves’ win over Roosevelt. Kinsey
totaled 193 yards and three TDs. He averaged more than 12 yards per carry while
piling up nearly 200 on the night. Ryker Williams threw for more than 100 yards
and three scores.
Strasburg (3-0)
at Conotton Valley (2-1)
Last week: Strasburg 47, Leetonia 14;
Newcomerstown 52, Conotton Valley 20
Last Year: Conotton Valley 39, Strasburg 6
This year: The Tigers toyed with previously unbeaten
Leetonia in Week 3, jumping out to a 21-0 first period lead en route to a 47-14
win. Conotton Valley, however, will be the true litmus test as last year’s
defeat heralded a streak of six consecutive losses that very nearly kept
Strasburg out of the playoffs. The Rockets, meanwhile, are licking their wounds
after last week’s 52-20 loss to Newcomerstown. Offensively, Conotton Valley
kept pace with the Div. VI Spartans, piling up 369 yards of offense, including 306
and 3 TDs through the air from QB Kaden Leggett. Red-zone offense was the
Rockets’ Achilles heel and it should be tested against a Tiger defense allowing
only 11 points per game. It's never too early to talk postseason in the Ohio
system and this one has plenty of implications in terms of the Div. VII Region
27 playoff picture. Strasburg is currently ranked third in the region, with
Conotton hanging on to the 12th and final qualifying spot.
Newcomerstown (2-1)
at Toronto (3-0)
Last week: Newcomerstown 52, Conotton Valley 20;
Toronto 49, Wellsville 19
Last Year: Newcomerstown 34, Toronto 6
This week: The Trojans are doing things the right
way since an opening-night loss to Crooksville, which incidentally headed into
the week at 3-0. In a bit of bizarre déjà vu, the Trojans’ 52-20 win over
Conotton Valley was the second time in three years they beat the Rockets by
that exact score. It was also the fourth consecutive time Newcomerstown put a
50-burger on the Rockets, having won 50-0 last season and 58-44 in 2022. The
Trojans will make the nearly 90-minute trek to Toronto, which sits on the Ohio
River just north of Steubenville, to take on the unbeaten Red Knights, who have
been impressive, outscoring foes 117-25 through three weeks.
Fairless (2-1)
at Tusky Valley (1-2)
Last week: Claymont 7, Fairless 6; Norton 53,
Tusky Valley 17
Last Year: Fairless 42, Tusky Valley 14
This year: After beginning the season with a
come-from-behind OT win, the Trojans nearly pulled it off again in Week 2.
Against Norton, however, Tusky Valley was manhandled by a talented Panther
squad that scored at will in a 53-17 win. The Trojans welcome a Falcons’ crew
that suffered a narrow 7-6 loss to Claymont in which a blocked PAT attempt was
the difference.
Marietta (0-3)
at Claymont (2-1)
Last week: Athens 33, Marietta 21; Claymont 7,
Fairless 6
Last year: Marrietta 28, Claymont 13
This week: The Mustangs took a 7-0 lead into the
late-going against Fairless and made it stand up. The Falcons got a potential
tying touchdown late but were unable to convert the point-after. They will now
turn their attention to the winless Tigers, who have faced teams that are a
combined 7-1 and have been competitive in all three games. The Mustangs are in
a stiff part of their schedule, with Newcomerstown (2-1) and Garaway (3-0) next
up after better-than-the-record Marrietta.
Johnstown (2-1)
at Mount Vernon (1-2)
Last week: Granville 33, Johnstown 21; Hayes 41,
Mount Vernon 34
Last Year: Johnstown 41, Mount Vernon 0
This year: The
Yellow Jackets have a tough task ahead
of them as they try to lick their wounds from last week’s loss to rival
Delaware Hayes. The Jackets had led 34-14 midway through the third quarter,
thanks in part to a huge night from quarterback Mason Richards but watched as
the Pacers scored four straight touchdowns to pull off the comeback victory.
Richards rushed for 222 yards and five touchdowns, passed for another 55 yards
in leading the Jackets to the huge lead. Johnstown lost its first game of the
season last week, falling to Granville. MV’s defense will have its hands full
with Johnnie running back Ryan Sager, who rushed for 106 yards against
Granville. Sager already has 438 yards rushing in just three games, including a
278-yard, 7 TD performance over Centerburg.
John Glenn
(2-1) at Coshocton (1-2)
Last week: John Glenn 28, West Muskingum 7;
Highland 24, Coshocton 7
Last year: John Glenn 49, Coshocton 14
This year: These two teams are in separate
divisions in the Muskingum Valley League and crossover games don’t count in the
MVL race. From the Large School Division, the Muskies make the trip to
Coshocton off a dominating win over West Muskingum in another crossover game as
Reese Metzger churned out 129 yards and 3 TDs rushing and the JG defense held
WM to just 76 total yards. The Redskins, meanwhile,
couldn’t run the ball a week ago (10 yards rushing) and also had a hard time
stopping it, although QB Mason Williams was 21-of-30 for 180 yards and a TD
passing. Hayden Young snagged the 9-yard scoring pass and also led CHS with 9
stops on defense.
GREATER
CLEVELAND CONFERENCE
Shaker Heights
(1-2) at Medina (1-2)
Last week: Solon 10, Shaker Heights 7; Wadsworth
47, Medina 0
Last year: Shaker Heights 22, Medina 21.
This week: Medina was going to be outmanned last
week anyway but the Bees hurt themselves all night against Wadsworth, turning
the ball over five times. With the running game producing less than 10 yards
and the passing attack barely cracking 100, Medina was destined for a running
clock, which was assured of not two minutes into the second half. River
Blomquist completed a respectable 17-of-24 passes but three of his seven
incompletions were caught by the Grizzlies. The Bees start their final season
in the Greater Cleveland Conference against a Shaker Heights team that has
averaged just 14 points per game. The three teams Medina has faced thus far are
a combined 8-1 and have outscored their opponents by an average of 46-7.
SUBURBAN LEAGUE
Aurora (1-2) at
Highland (3-0)
Last week: Twinsburg 20, Aurora 19 (OT); Highland
34, Avon Lake 7
Last year: Highland 34, Aurora 0.
This week: The Hornets continue to roll over everyone in their path. Last week was
a rare occasion that Highland didn’t play with a running clock for at least
part of the game. It easily could have been that way, though, as the Hornets
34-7 at halftime and then basically shifted into neutral. They piled up 330
yards in the first 24 minutes. In the second half, guys like Anthony DePompei,
Frankie Iannaggi and Joseph Oriti got to carry the ball after senior
quarterback Grady Gibb toted it 11 times for 120 first-half yards and a
touchdown while throwing for three more TDs on 12-of-13 passing. Highland
scored on all five first-half possessions. This week the Hornets play the last
installment of what has been a decent rivalry atop the Suburban League American
Conference with Aurora. The Greenmen could easily be 3-0 with losses by 4 and 1
points, the latter last week in part due to a blocked extra point in overtime.
CLEVELAND WEST CONFERENCE
North Olmsted (0-3)
at Buckeye (3-0)
Last week: Amherst 34, North Olmsted 0; Buckeye
35, Columbian 30
Last year: Buckeye 28, North Olmsted 7.
This week: The Bucks continue to impress and are sitting atop the Division III,
Region 10 standings after taking down Columbian behind 86 yards and a pair of
touchdowns on 23 carries by Brayden Sopko and a pair of TD receptions by Jacob
Snyderbum, who had roughly half of the 144 yards thrown for by quarterback
Turner Dolata. Buckeye led by as many as three touchdowns but Ryan Wilhelm’s
15-yard TD run with a minute left sealed things; Columbia scored a meaningless
touchdown with five seconds left. The Bucks will not take North Olmstead
lightly, given the teams’ outcomes against Amherst Steele the prior two weeks.
Buckeye beat the Comets 21-13 on Week 2, while North Olmsted beat them one week
later 34-0.
METRO ATHLETIC
CONFERENCE
Springfield (1-2)
at Cloverleaf (2-1)
Last week: Minerva 34, Springfield 0; Cloverleaf
42, Carrollton 18
Last year: Cloverleaf 34, Springfield 3
This week: The Colts continued their bounce back from an opening-night loss to
still-unbeaten Buckeye and could fatten their win total the next three weeks in
Metro Conference play. Buckeye over the next three weeks will face Springfield,
Coventry and Ravenna, all with 1-2 records at this point. Springfield comes in
having been outscored 78-6 over the past two weeks. The Colts stepped up
defensively against Carrollton, forcing four turnovers, including three fumble
recoveries. On TD was recovered by Zayne Trent for a touchdown. The Colts also
got TDs from Kellen Price, Ashton Gray, Jimmy Tolley and Brayden Beier Isaac
Smith passed for 160 yards and three TDs.
FEDERAL LEAGUE
Perry (3-0) at
Lake (3-0)
Last week: Perry 25, Warren Harding 15; Lake 34,
Rocky River 28
Last Year: Perry 17, Lake 7
This year: It is only three weeks into the season,
but Lake currently sits atop the Div. II, Region 5 rankings following its 34-28
win over Rocky River. Cause for concern is the loss of junior two-way sparkplug
Ty DeGeorge, who suffered a broken ankle early in the Pirates game DeGeorge’s
play will be sorely missed as he was a catalyst on defense and accounted for 10
TDs on offense and special teams. Thankfully for the Blue Streaks, running back
Davis Matson returned from a non-football injury just in time to pick up the
slack. Matson and QB Alex Quior will need to be at the top of their game in
this battle of the unbeatens. Perry has been impressive thus far, and even
though the Panthers defeated Harding last week by just 10 points, they
dominated the game, holding the Raiders to just four first downs while
outgaining them in yardage, 420-186.
KNOX-MORROW
ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Danville (2-1)
at Mount Gilead (3-0)
Last week: Danville 26, Lucas 14; Mount Gilead 21,
Grove City Christian 7
Last Year: Danville 20, Mount Gilead 8
This year:
Danville bounced back from a tough
loss in Week 2 to handle Lucas. The Blue Devils will have their hands full this
week with the surprising Indians, who are 3-0 after beating Grove City
Christian. The Indians have held opponents to just one touchdown in all three
of their wins. Carson Barnum leads the offense, gaining 119 yards rushing in
the win over GCC. Tyler Harr also gained 72 for the Indians. The Blue Devils
hope to pound their way past the Indians with a strong running attack led by
sophomore Cyren Wallace. Wallace had 203 yards and two TDs in the win over
Lucas.
Loudonville (2-1)
at East Knox (0-3)
Last week: Hillsdale 35, Loudonville 14; Col.
Crawford 42, East Knox 18
Last Year: East Knox 34, Loudonville 0
This year:
East Knox will look for its first win
of the season when Loudonville comes to town. Quarterback Jax Lester will need
another big game for the Bulldogs to win. Lester completed 20 of 27 passes for
189 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-18 loss to Colonel Crawford last week.
The Redbirds are coming off their first loss, a 35-14 decision to Hillsdale,
which was runner-up in the state last year. East Knox’s defense will be tested
by a Redbird team that scored 60 and 48 in its first two games after going 0-10
a year ago.
Centerburg (2-1)
at Northmor (2-1)
Last week: Centerburg 53, Worthington Christian
14; North Union 19, Northmor 14
Last Year: Northmor 34, Centerburg 26
This year:
Centerburg is hoping to turn the
tables on Northmor this year after suffering two defeats to the KMAC champion
Knights last fall. The Knights won the rematch in the state tournament, 39-7.
The Trojans have been explosive on offense, averaging 34 points per game,
including scoring 53 in a victory over Worthington Christian last week.
Quarterback Blane Ball has been a huge cog in that wheel, rushing for 127 yards
and throwing for another 177 in the win over WC. Northmor is led by running
back Carson Campbell and quarterback Tanner Miley.
Fredericktown (3-0)
at Cardington-Lincoln (2-1)
Last week: Fredericktown 27, Utica 20;
Cardington-Lincoln 55, Bucyrus 24
Last Year: Fredericktown 45, Cardington-Lincoln 18
This year:
Fredericktown has been dominant
offensively, led by quarterback Blake Sipes. The senior rushed for 110 yards
and a touchdown, as well as threw for 136 yards and two scores, in a 27-20
victory over Utica last week. Brode Davis has been his main deep threat,
catching two touchdown passes in the win. The Freddie defense will have a tough
task slowing down Cardington-Lincoln, which pounded Bucyrus last week. Last
year’s KMAC Player of the Year Wyatt Denney ran for 261 yards and three
touchdowns in the victory. He’s had plenty of help from quarterback Josh Goers,
who rushed for 170 yards and threw for 50 last week.
MUSKINGUM
VALLEY LEAGUE
River View (0-3)
at Philo (2-1)
Last week: Crooksville 48, River View 0; Philo 38,
Maysville 21
Last year: Philo 61, River View 0
This year: Rebuilding a football program is
usually difficult, particularly in the early stages, and that’s where River
View is at right now. The Black Bears have been overmatched and outscored 150-0
through 3 games and now coming down the barrel is Philo RB Jack Lincicome, who
ran for 243 yards on just 21 carries a week ago. This kicks off the MVL Large
School Division slate for both teams.
WAYNE COUNTY
ATHLETIC LEAGUE
Chippewa (0-3)
at Hillsdale (3-0)
Last week: Coventry 31, Chippewa 0; Hillsdale 35,
Loudonville 14
Last year: Hillsdale 63, Chippewa 0
This year: This is a battle of the haves and the have-nots as a
much-deeper Falcons team hosts the Chipps. Hillsdale has picked up right where
it left off last year in a Div. VII state runner-up season with three
convincing wins. Owen Sloan is the Falcons’ all-time rushing leader, Hayden
McFadden leads in career receptions and QB Kael Lewis (543 yards passing, 7 TDs
in three games this season) has been highly efficient running the show.
Chippewa is low on numbers on its roster and has been outscored by a combined
107-7 margin in its three losses.
Dalton (3-0) at
Smithville (3-0)
Last week: Dalton 28, Mogadore 19; Smithville 14,
Black River 8
Last year: Dalton 46, Smithville 7
This year: The Bulldogs have been workmanlike in
sweeping their non-league foes, averaging 25 points a game and giving up 25
total. One piece of disheartening news from last week’s win over Mogadore was
the loss of RB Jaxon Ryder to an apparent knee injury, but QB Carter Hignight
can still run the show. The Smithies, who have given up just 20 points, are
searching for some offensive consistency — they’ve managed to go 3-0 despite
scoring just 44 points. RB Mason Haines is key to the offense — he’s rushed for
344 yards and 4 of the Smithies’ 5 TDs — while Brock Cannon has thrown for 195
yards, 110 to Isaiah Lee on 11 catches. Cayden Clark has 1.5 sacks in last
week’s win.
Norwayne (1-2)
at Northwestern (0-3)
Last week: Garaway 36, Norwayne 35; Columbia 49,
Northwestern 0
Last year: Norwayne 56, Northwestern 0
This year: The good news is, the Bobcats bounced
back from an abysmal offensive showing at Triway to rack up over 400 yards at
Garaway, including 318 yards passing and 2 TDs from QB Jacob Bruner. The bad
news is that Norwayne allowed over 400 yards and lost on a 2-point conversion
in the fourth quarter. Northwestern, meanwhile, has been outscored 125-7 in its
3 losses as the rebuild continues in West Salem.
Waynedale (0-3)
at Rittman (3-0)
Last week: Triway 45, Waynedale 0; Rittman 14,
South Central 12
Last Year: Waynedale 34, Rittman 0
This year: Since Waynedale jumped to a 14-0 lead
in Week 1, a game it lost in OT, the Golden Bears have scored just 6 points and
have been shut out the past 2 weeks. This is when the Bears got better a year
ago, but the Indians under first-year coach Mike Huff will be fired up at home
trying to build on their 3-0 start.
PRINCIPALS
ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Orrville (2-1)
at Tuslaw (2-1)
Last week: Orrville 28, Canton C.C. 7; Tuslaw 43,
Caldwell 20
Last Year: Orrville 34, Tuslaw 28
This year:
The
Red Riders will open Principals Athletic Conference play coming off a balanced
win over the Crusaders. Cameron Kraft passed for 92 yards and a TD, Breylon
McDuffie had his second interception return for a TD this season and Travis
Pumneo, Mark Lorson and Parker Hostetler each rushed for between 25 and 55
yards. Orrville outgained CCC 262-128 in total yards. Nathan Eberhardt leads
Tuslaw with 277 yards rushing, while Ethan Haer and Patrick Fox have also
topped 100 yards. Haer has added 257 yards passing and six TDs, with four
INTs.
Triway (3-0) at
Northwest (1-1)
Last week: Triway 45, Waynedale 0; Louisville 10,
Northwest 3
Last year: Northwest 38, Triway 21
This year:
The
Titans and Indians will open PAC play in Canal Fulton in a matchup of what
appear to be two of the top three teams in the league. Manchester is also
looking strong. Triway built a 42-0 lead to put Waynedale away by halftime.
Luke Starr passed for 254 yards and three TDs, with Bruin Flinner grabbing nine
catches for 123 yards and a TD, while Brandt Clippinger had six catches for 74
yards and two scores. Northwest will try to get its offense back on track after
scoring just three points against unbeaten Louisville, which sealed its win
with an interception near midfield with 6 seconds left.
OHIO CARDINAL
CONFERENCE
Ashland (3-0)
at New Philadelphia (1-2, 1-0)
Last week: Ashland 35, Clyde 21; New Philadelphia
42, Wooster 7
Last year: Ashland 17, New Philadelphia 14
This week: The Quakers took advantage of a break in their schedule to pick up their
first win of the year. Wooster is now 0-3 and has allowed 141 points. Kolston
Fox scored a pair of touchdowns to lead New Philadelphia against Wooster. The
junior had a 9-yard TD run and returned an interception 72 yards for his other.
The Quakers took a quick 14-0 lead over the Generals and never looked back last
week. This week things won’t come as easily. Ashland, led by QB Nathan Bernhard,
an Appalachian State commit, is unbeaten, though the Arrows were by no means
dominant last week against winless Clyde. The Quakers next week face another
struggling squad in winless Mansfield Senior, which also has been giving up
piles of points while not scoring many.
Mansfield
Madison (1-2) at Wooster (0-3, 0-1)
Last week: Ontario 57, Madison 6; New Philadelphia
42, Wooster 7
Last Year: Madison 35, Wooster 24
This year: The Generals have given up 42 or more points in three
games this season – all losses. Wooster needs to shore things up on defense,
but the Generals have also thrown three Pick-6 interceptions. WHS has played
three different quarterbacks for at least a half: junior Landen Bird and
freshmen Griffin Siegenthaler and JR Wright. Siegenthaler made his first
varsity start at New Philly, passing for 28 yards and running for 34 and a TD.
Kaj Meier led the ground game with 15 carries for 71 yards. Madison got thrashed
by Ontario last week. If the Generals can keep things close early, they have
their best shot of 2025 to notch the first win under Ray Leek.
West Holmes (2-1)
at Mansfield Senior (0-3)
Last week: West Holmes 28, Dover 7; Cleveland VASJ
47, Mansfield Senior 7
Last Year: West Holmes 33, Senior 7
This year: Two teams seemingly headed in opposite
directions meet at Arlin Field. The Knights have overcome the sting of a late
loss to Triway to post back-to-back impressive wins. RB Brody Bowman now has
311 rushing yards and 3 scores, while freshman Coi Beachy’s 41 tackles are one
more than teammate Braxton Blake for the team lead. The Tygers, on the other
hand, have been outscored 130-26 in their 3 losses.
Contributors: Fred Main, Ray Sarvis, Todd Stumpf, D.J.
Watson, Aaron Dorksen and Mike Plant
Week 5 schedule
Sept. 19
Garfield at Carrollton
Minerva at St. Thomas Aquinas
Akron North at Harrison Central
Marlington at Warren JFK
Medina at Mentor
Highland at Copley
Buckeye at Bay
Cloverleaf at Coventry
Lake at GlenOak
Tusky Valley at Malvern
Maysville at Coshocton
River View at West Muskingum
East Canton at Ridgewood
Northmor at Danville
Mount Vernon at Heath
Cardington-Lincoln at East Knox
Loudonville at Centerburg
Fredericktown at Mount Gilead
New Philadelphia at Mansfield Senior
Dover at Ashland
Federal Hocking at Tuscarawas Central Catholic
Sandy Valley at Strasburg
Tusky Valley at Malvern
Claymont at Newcomerstown
Indian Valley at Buckeye Trail
Hillsdale at Dalton
Rittman at Norwayne
Northwestern at Chippewa
Smithville at Waynedale
Fairless at Orrville
Triway at Tuslaw
Lexington at Wooster
West Holmes at Madison
H.S.
football scoreboard
Sept.
5
Wadsworth 47, Medina 0
Highland 34, Avon Lake 7
Buckeye 35, Columbian 30
Cloverleaf 42, Carrollton
18
Lake 34, Rocky River 28
Marlington 38, Howland 20
Minerva 34, Springfield 0
Malvern 34, Harrison Central
15
Highland 24, Coshocton 7
Crooksville 48, River View
0
Ridgewood 23, Lutheran East
20
Danville 26, Lucas 14
Delaware Hayes 41, Mount Vernon
34
Col. Crawford 42, East Knox
18
Centerburg 53, Worthington
Christian 14
Fredericktown 27, Utica 20
New Philadelphia 42, Wooster 7
West Holmes 28, Dover 7
Tusc. Cent. Cath. 20, St. Thomas
Aquinas 6
East Canton 47, Sandy Valley
27
Norton 53, Tusky Valley 17
Claymont 7, Fairless 6
Indian Valley 49, Roosevelt (DC)
20
Newcomerstown 52, Conotton Valley
20
Strasburg 47, Leetonia 14
Hillsdale 35, Loudonville 14
Coventry 31, Chippewa 0
Dalton 28, Mogadore 19
Rittman 14, South Central
12
Columbia 49, Northwestern 0
Garaway 36, Norwayne 35
Smithville 14, Black River
8
Orrville 28, Canton Cent. Cath.
7
Triway 45, Waynedale 0
