H.S. FOOTBALL
PREVIEW
WEEK 6
Games of Sept. 26
CLEVELAND
WEST CONFERENCE
Buckeye (2-2,
1-0) at Valley Forge (2-3, 1-1)
Last week: Buckeye 34, Bay 28; Valley Forge 42,
Westlake 38
Last year: Buckeye 45, Valley Forge 13
This year: A couple of early deficits were no
problem for the Bucks against Bay. A 17-point second-quarter run, highlighted
by a 68-yard TD pass from Liam Phillips to Nick Prouza and a short Phillips
run, turned a 14-7 deficit into a 24-14 halftime lead. The Rockets made it a
one-possession two more times but could not get over the hump. Phillips
finished with 23 carries for 134 yards and scored three times, in addition to
his halfback pass for a TD. Brayden Bonnett kicked a pair of field goals for
the Bucks. Valley Forge snapped a three-game losing streak with its win over
Westlake. It was the Patriots’ highest point total of the year. Buckeye will
not take on another team with a winning record until at least Week 9.
EASTERN BUCKEYE
CONFERENCE
Marlington (2-2)
at Carrollton (2-3)
Last week: Marlington 45, Warren JFK 40; Akron
Garfield 20, Carrollton 0
Last year: Carrollton 24, Marlington 17
This year: The
Warriors’ schedule has followed a pattern thus far this season: a loss followed
by a narrow win, followed by a loss, and so on. After last week’s shutout by
Akron Garfield, could this be the week for a close win over the Dukes? That was
the outcome last year for Carrollton. However, Marlington has improved from
last season. For evidence, look no further than the Dukes’ record as they’ve
already exceeded their 2024 win total with five yet to be played. Marlington
accrued 464 yards of offense against Warren JFK last week, including more than
300 through the air. Meanwhile, Garfield threw for 200 yards against Carrollton
last week and scored all three TDs through the air while keeping the Warrior
offense completely in check.
West Branch (4-1)
at Minerva (4-1)
Last week: West Branch 48, Howland 7; Minerva 31, Aquinas
0
Last year: West Branch 64, Minerva 0
This year: The first half couldn’t have gone
better for Minerva, as in their four-game winning streak, the Lions have averaged just shy
of 34 points per game. Now, however, the schedule becomes more difficult, as the
Lions’ next five game are against Eastern Buckeye Conference opponents,
beginning with West Branch. The Warriors decimated Minerva last year, and while
the odds of a lopsided shutout are slim, the Lions will have their hands full
against a WB team that has piled up 130 points in its last three games while
surrendering less than seven points per game.
GREATER
CLEVELAND CONFERENCE
Medina (2-3,
1-1) at Strongsville (4-1, 2-0)
Last week: Mentor 49, Medina 0; Strongsville 27,
Euclid 12
Last year: Strongsville 49, Medina 14
This year: The Bees are finally winding down a
rough stretch of schedule that spanned five weeks and included three currently
unbeaten teams along with Strongsville. Things lighten up the rest of the way;
their final four opponents are heading into this weekend a combined 6-14.
Against Mentor, Medina got nothing going in what could be the final meeting
with the Cardinals. Mentor scored 35 first-quarter points and had all its
scores before halftime. River Blomquist and Beckett Vogrin each passed for 82
yards for Medina, which had 171 total yards. Kellen Hathaway had a solid day
with seven receptions for 98 yards. Mentor dominated on the ground, averaging
more than 8 yards per running play.
INTER-VALLEY CONFERENCE
NORTH
Malvern (3-2)
at Strasburg (4-1)
Last week: Malvern 14, Tusky Valley 13; Strasburg 42,
Sandy Valley 7
Last year: Malvern 41, Strasburg 14
This year: A
year ago, the Hornets hosted Strasburg following their first loss of the season
and the 27-point win over the Tigers was the launching point for a winning
streak that sent Malvern into the third round of the playoffs. This season’s
iteration of the Tigers sports a winning margin of 27 points per game and is
averaging 39.8 points per game. Malvern, coming off a 14-13 win over Tusky
Valley, has struggled to score points this season; take away a 34-15 Week 3
defeat of Harrison Central, and the Hornets are averaging just 12.5 points per
game. They will need to surpass that to defeat their IVC North foe.
East Canton (4-1)
at Newcomerstown (2-3)
Last week: Ridgewood 35, East Canton 0; Claymont 28,
Newcomerstown 14
Last year: Newcomerstown 41, East Canton 7
This year:
The Trojans have run
into back-to-back buzzsaws since winning consecutive games against Harrison
Central and Conotton Valley to improve to 2-1. They lost 26-16 to
still-unbeaten Toronto before falling last week to 4-1 Claymont. Now comes East
Canton, also 4-1. A win over the Hornets would do a lot to pull Newcomerstown
back into the Division VI, Region 23 playoff race. Right now the Trojans are
20th in the region, with postseason spots going to the top 12 finishers,
meaning they have their work cut out. East Canton is coming off its first loss
of the season after being fairly dominant through four weeks. The Hornets had
been outscoring opponents by an average of 43-7 before traveling to unbeaten
Ridgewood and becoming its third shutout victim of the first half of the season.
Tusc. Cent.
Cath. (2-3) at Buckeye Trail (0-5)
Last week:TCC 46, Federal Hocking 6; Indian Valley
54, Buckeye Trail 16
Last year: Did not play
This year: The Saints have won two of their last
three games and been competitive all season, save for a 50-22 loss to Conotton
Valley on opening night. Now comes a very winnable game against the Warriors,
who are probably better than their record indicates. It’s a game the Saints
have to have if they want to entertain any postseason hopes. The final four
games include a trip to 4-1 East Canton and the regular-season finale at home
against unbeaten Strasburg. Central Catholic is also looking to win consecutive
games for the first time since the first two weeks of the 2022 season, when
they beat Fisher Catholic and Grove City Christian, which preceded a 29-game
losing streak. A victory also would give them their first three-win season
since 2021, when they finished 3-7. Counting the last game of 2021 and the
first two of 2022 was the Saints’ last three-game win streak. It’s safe to say
if TCC beats Buckeye Trail, it will have turned a corner.
INTER-VALLEY CONFERENCE
SOUTH
Ridgewood (5-0)
at Tusky Valley (1-4)
Last week: Ridgewood 35, East Canton 0; Malvern
14, Tusky Valley 13
Last year: Ridgewood 42, Tusky Valley 7
This year:
The Trojans’ best chance
for a second win on the season slipped away as their 13-0 halftime lead over
Malvern last week evaporated, morphing into a 14-13 loss. The situation will
not improve for Tusky Valley against undefeated Ridgewood. Aside from a narrow
win over Div. III Lutheran East, the Div. VI Generals have defeated their
opponents by an average score of 38-2 and their defense has pitched three
shutouts. RB Logan Wince had 3 TDs last week for Ridgewood, while QB Jace
McQueen is a dual threat.
Indian Valley
(4-0) at Sandy Valley (0-5)
Last week: Indian Valley 54, Buckeye Trail 16; Strasburg
42, Sandy Valley 7
Last year: Indian Valley 42, Sandy Valley 14
This year: Talk
about a killer schedule — the current combined record of the Cardinals’ first
nine opponents is 37-7. There is an excellent chance Sandy Valley will not face
a team with a losing record until Week 10. Defending Div. IV state champ Indian
Valley is on the docket next. The Braves are undefeated, having won their four
games by an average of nearly 24 points. In fact, a cancellation in Week 4 has
been the only thing to slow Indian Valley down. In last week’s romp, Grady Kinsey ran 5 times for 140 yards and Ryker Williams
tossed a trio of first-half touchdown passes, two to Reese St. Clair. Meanwhile, the Cardinals,
coming off a 42-7 loss to Strasburg have seen their offensive output decline
since a 47-27 loss in Week 3 to East Canton.
Claymont (4-1)
at Garaway (4-1)
Last week: Claymont 28, Newcomerstown 14; Girard
49, Garaway 7
Last year: Garaway 38, Claymont 0
This year: The Mustangs continued to roll, posting their third
consecutive victory after a Week 2 loss to Smithville, which remains unbeaten.
Claymont has moved into fifth place in the Division V, Region 17 standings, and
a win this week would go a long way toward cementing that position. It also
would put the Mustangs in good position to stretch their win streak to six
games, with Tusky Valley (1-4) and Sandy Valley (0-5) waiting the next two
weeks. If the Mustangs are going to beat Garaway, which last week stumbled for
the first time, they might want to try it through the air. Girard got four of
its TDs against Garaway via the pass. Like Claymont, Garaway’s only loss is to
an unbeaten team; Girard improved to 5-0 with the win last week.
KNOX-MORROW
ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Danville (2-3,
0-2) at Loudonville (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: Northmor 37, Danville 12; Centerburg 41,
Loudonville 0
Last year: Danville 22, Loudonville 0
This year: The Danville Blue Devils are in unfamiliar
territory, losing their first two KMAC games and sitting in a tie with
Loudonville for last in the league. The Devils struggled holding on to the ball
in their loss to Northmor last week, giving up three interceptions. Danville
hopes to get back to its strong running game, led by sophomore Cyren Wallace.
Wallace had just 11 yards rushing against the Knights after averaging more than
100 in the first four games. Freshman quarterback Parker Proper provided a
spark for the Devils in the loss to Northmor, rushing for 42 yards and throwing
for 25 in a relief role. The Redbirds, led by former Danville coach Ed
Honabarger, also struggled in their loss to Centerburg, allowing more than 400
yards rushing to the Trojans. Loudonville did run for 117 yards on offense.
Fredericktown (4-1,
1-1) at Northmor (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: Mount Gilead 41, Fredericktown 7; Northmor
37, Danville 12
Last year: Danville 22, Loudonville
Last year: Northmor 19, Fredericktown 6
This year: The Freddies will look to bounce
back after a 41-7 loss to Mount Gilead last week. The Freddies were shut down
in a big way, as the Indians controlled the game with their big offensive and
defensive lines. Fredericktown’s only score of the game came on a pass from
Blake Sipes to Gavin Toombs that gave the Freddies an early 7-6 lead. The
Knights took advantage of three interceptions to beat Danville. Quarterback
Tanner Miley is a dual threat for the Knights, as he completed 21 of 26 passes
for 218 yards in the win over Danville. He also ran for another 86 yards,
matching up well with Garrett Deisch, who had 102 yards.
Centerburg (4-1,
2-0) at Cardington-Lincoln (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: Centerburg 41, Loudonville 0; Cardington-Lincoln
36, East Knox 35
Last year: Centerburg 33, Cardington-Lincoln 6
This year: Centerburg hopes to continue
its impressive offensive performance against the Pirates this week. The Trojans
ran for 408 yards on the ground in beating Loudonville. Miles Marshall had 192
yards and two touchdowns, one on a 92-yard scamper. Quarterback Blaine Ball had
183 yards on just 11 carries. The Pirates also have a solid running game, led
by Wyatt Denney, who has nearly 1,000 yards on the season so far. The Trojans
will have their work cut out for themselves defensively, as Cardington had 350
yards on the ground last week.
East Knox (1-4,
1-1) at Mount Gilead (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: Cardington-Lincoln 36, East Knox 35; Mount
Gilead 41, Fredericktown 7
Last year: East Knox 20, Mount Gilead 0
This year: East Knox will have its work
cut out this week when the Bulldogs travel to undefeated and KMAC leader Mount
Gilead. The Indians are fresh off a 41-7 pasting of Fredericktown last week and
are led by the strong running of Carson Barnum (more than 900 yards in just
five games). East Knox lost a heartbreaker to Cardington-Lincoln last Friday,
36-35. Quarterback Jax Lester had a big game, completing 14 of 23 passes for
250 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown for 1,112 yards and 14 TDs in
just five games. His favorite target, Rush Beatty, had five receptions for 138
yards and two TDs in the loss.
LICKING COUNTY
LEAGUE, BUCKEYE
Zanesville (0-5) at
Mount Vernon (3-2)
Last week: Northridge 21, Zanesville 13; Mount
Vernon 38, Heath 22
Last year: Mount Vernon 37, Zanesville 0
This year: Mount Vernon will look to make it
three wins in a row when Zanesville comes to town on Friday. The Yellow Jackets
beat Johnstown and then Heath in their last two games. The running of
quarterback Mason Richards has been a key in that resurgence. Richards, who has
864 yards rushing on the season, rushed for 302 and 125 yards in the last two
victories. Landon Dawson has become his favorite target while throwing,
catching six passes for 80 yards on the season. Zanesville is coming off a
21-13 loss to Northridge last week. The Devils scored first, then were picked
off late while trying to rally. The Jackets will be looking to pick up a win in
their first Licking County League conference game against Zanesville.
METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Cloverleaf (4-1, 2-0) at Ravenna (1-4,
0-2)
Last week: Cloverleaf 19, Coventry 0; Woodridge
28, Ravenna 21
Last year: Ravenna 21, Cloverleaf 7
This year: Believers in trap games will love this
one. The Ravens will hope to catch the Colts peering around the corner toward
their Metro Athletic Conference showdown next week at home against unbeaten
Norton. Don’t expect a defense that has allowed just 31 points in four games
since a Week 1 loss to Buckeye to fall into the trap, though. In blanking
Coventry, Cloverleaf allowed 82 yards and forced three turnovers. Brayden Beier
highlighted the shutout with a 69-yard interception return that broke a
scoreless tie late in the second quarter. Ethan Gray and Ashton Gray each had
touchdown runs in the second half as the Colts’ running attack piled up more
than 200 yards and wore down the Comets. Kellen Price led the Colts on the
ground with 115 yards on 15 attempts. Cloverleaf’s schedule has been on the
easy side since playing Buckeye. That will change down the stretch. After
Ravenna, the Colts will play three teams currently with winning records in
their final four games. The exception is Week 8 at home against winless Field.
MUSKINGUM VALLEY LEAGUE
Big School
Sheridan (3-2, 2-0) at River View
(0-5, 0-1)
Last week: Sheridan 52, John Glenn 28; West
Muskingum 62, River View 0
Last year: Sheridan 62, River View 0
This year: Sheridan rolls into Warsaw fresh off a 52-point performance
a week ago, and the host Black Bears are allowing that many per game. The
Generals are led on offense by RB Logan Russell, on track for a 1,000-yard
season. River View, meanwhile, is still looking for its first points of the
season. Last week, RV managed just two first downs and trailed 41-0 at
halftime.
Small School
Coshocton (1-4, 0-0) at New Lexington
(5-0, 2-0)
Last week: Maysville 48, Coshocton 0; New
Lexington 29, Tri-Valley 7
Last year: New Lexington 51, Coshocton 14
This year: The Redskins jump from the frying pan — getting cooked by 5
TD passes from Maysville QB Kade Rock — into the fire, traveling to New
Lexington to meet up with the unbeaten Panthers. Last Friday was a disaster for
Coshocton at home — already down RB/LB Champ Haley due to injury, the Redskins
fell behind 34-0 at the half and can use the start of the MVC schedule to get
back in gear.
OHIO CARDINAL CONFERENCE
Wooster (0-5, 0-3) at West Holmes
(4-1, 2-0)
Last week: Lexington 42, Wooster 14; West Holmes
35, Madison 0
Last year: West Holmes 34, Wooster 6
This year: The Knights have a golden opportunity to continue their recent mastery of the Generals and get out to a 3-0 record in the conference. WH RB
Brody Bowman exploded for 206 yards and a TD on just 15 carries last week,
while QB Brayden Parsons was an efficient 7 of 12 passing for 96 yards and a
pair of scores. Chris Williams had 19 tackles against the Tygers. Wooster is
off to a slow start under first-year coach Ray Leek, who has a lot of
underclassmen on the field, including freshman QB Griffin Siegenthaler. The
Generals need to improve defensively — they’ve allowed less than 42 points just
once through five games.
PRINCIPALS’ ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Orrville (4-1, 2-0) at Canton South
(1-4, 0-2)
Last week: Orrville 48, Fairless 35; Northwest 24,
Canton South 14
Last year: Canton South 42, Orrville 28
This year: Orrville’s offense was prolific in
scoring 48 points, but the Riders’ coaches weren’t happy to see the defense
give up 35. With Canton South struggling, Orrville’s defense will try to get
back to form on the road. The Riders have been balanced on offense most of the
season, with QB Cameron Craft (602 yards passing, 7 TDs), RB Parker Hostetler
(81-543 rushing, 7 TDs) and WR Breylon McDuffie (23-332, 4 TDs) leading the
way. McDuffie and Case McDaniel have two Pick-6 interception returns apiece.
Fairless (3-2, 0-1) at Triway (4-1,
1-1)
Last week: Orrville 48, Fairless 35; Triway 21,
Tuslaw 14
Last year: Triway 17, Fairless 7
This year: Triway will try to keep its PAC title hopes alive when it hosts
Fairless. Triway senior QB Luke Starr has some of the area’s best passing stats
at the mid-point of the regular season, throwing for 1,269 yards and 16 TDs.
Junior WR Bruin Flinner has caught 41 passes for 556 yards and 4 TDs. Roman
Gilbert has been outstanding on defense with 32 tackles, including 10 for
losses. Fairless gave Orrville a battle before falling by 10 points last week.
The Falcons have three wins, but those opponents have a paltry combined record
of 1-14.
SUBURBAN LEAGUE
Tallmadge (2-3,
1-1) at Highland (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: Tallmadge 21, Barberton 20; Highland 42,
Copley 9
Last year: Highland 49, Tallmadge 0
This year: The Hornets have not been tested yet
and now it looks like it might not happen until about the third or fourth round
of the playoffs. They scored all their points last week in the first half
before enjoying a running clock in the second. Highland already was subbing on
both sides in the second quarter and its starters had the final two periods
off. Copley, which was 3-1 and averaging 40 points going in, managed 189 yards,
but much was against Highland’s backups. Senior Grady Gibb completed his first
dozen throws and finished 13-of-16, all before halftime, for 175 yards. His
three incompletions matched his total through Highland’s first four games.
Senior Casey Myser had 117 yads and three touchdowns on just eight carries. He
passed the 4,000-yard mark for his career, the first Hornet to do so. Tallmadge
snapped a three-game losing streak last week in a narrow win over Barberton but
also is likely to see a running clock for the entire second half, as are all
teams remaining on the Hornets’ schedule.
WAYNE COUNTY
ATHLETIC LEAGUE
Smithville
(5-0, 2-0) at Hillsdale (5-0, 2-0)
Last week: Smithville 49, Waynedale 7; Hillsdale
35, Dalton 6
Last year: Hillsdale 14, Smithville 7
This year: The Game of the Week in Wayne County
will be in Jeromesville in a battle of unbeatens between Smithville and
Hillsdale. The Smithies are off to one of their best starts in recent memory
and a big part of that is the play in the trenches. The Smithies’ starting O
and D linemen are all seniors, led by Chase Tomasetti, Dylan Kreider and Nathan
Horst. RB Mason Haines (87-630, 7 TDs) leads the ground game, which has four
players with 106 or more yards rushing. Sophomore Isaiah Lee adds big-play
capability with 26 carries for 144 yards and a team-high 17 catches for 205
yards. Brock Cannon and Brady Sidle have both seen action at QB. Sophomore Zach
Lanneaux leads the defense with 37 tackles. Hillsdale has been dominant,
scoring at least 31 points in every game and not giving up more than 14. The
Falcons have opened WCAL play by outscoring Chippewa and Dalton by a combined
88-6 margin. QB Kael Lewis has thrown for 886 yards and 13 TDs, while Owen
Sloan has rushed for 675 yards and nine scores and Kyle Turk leads a balanced
receiving corps with 14 catches for 228 yards and 4 TDs.
Waynedale (0-5,
0-2) at Norwayne (3-2, 2-0)
Last week: Smithville 49, Waynedale 7; Norwayne 26, Rittman 13
Last year: Norwayne 45, Waynedale 10
This year: The Bobcats received a challenge from Rittman, but were able to
edge the Indians and remain in the hunt for the WCAL title. Norwayne’s schedule
is completely end-loaded, with matchups against winless Waynedale and Chippewa
before facing a gauntlet of Dalton, at Smithville and Hillsdale. Jacob Bruner
has 947 yards and 10 TDs passing, with his main target continuing to be Ryder
Ingold (35 rec., 543 yards, 7 TDs). The Golden Bears, on the other hand, need
something positive to happen but they are in the middle of a 3-game stretch
that ends with a trip to Hillsdale next week.
Chippewa (0-5,
0-2) at Rittman (4-1, 1-1)
Last week: Northwestern 21, Chippewa 14; Norwayne
26, Rittman 13
Last year: Rittman 22, Chippewa 21
This year: These two rivals will meet in the
“Battle for the Big Chief” in a game that has taken place annually since 1923
in Wayne County’s longest continuous rivalry. After the Chipps enjoyed a
10-year winning streak over the Indians, Rittman has rebounded to take the last
two meetings, including last year’s thriller. Although the Chipps tripled their
scoring output for the season last week, an inability to move the ball has hurt
them — the top rusher has just 21 yards. Rittman played league power Norwayne
tough on the road last week before falling and will look to make it three in a
row in the rivalry and get back into the WCAL championship chase.
Dalton (3-2,
0-2) at Northwestern (1-4, 1-1)
Last week: Hillsdale 35, Dalton 6; Northwestern
21, Chippewa 14
Last year: Dalton 41, Northwestern 7
This year: After scoring just 7 points in its 3
non-league contests, Northwestern has tallied 34 points in league action,
including 21 in last week’s victory. This game, however, begins a tough 3-game
stretch for the Huskies, who face unbeatens Smithville and Hillsdale the next 2
weeks. Dalton, meanwhile, has stumbled from the gate in WCAL play with 2 losses
after starting the season 3-0. The Bulldogs led Smithville 13-0, but have since
been outscored 70-12 and look to right the ship on the road.
NON-LEAGUE
Linsly (W Va) (1-3) at New
Philadelphia (2-3)
Last week: Steubenville 55, Linsly 7; New
Philadelphia 45, Mansfield Sr. 26
Last year: New Philadelphia 59, Linsly 28
This year:
The Quakers are
coming off just their second victory of the season. More importantly, though,
New Philadelphia earned win No. 700 in program history. That makes the Quakers
the 18th team in Ohio history to reach that number, according to Ohio High
School Athletic Association records. Their overall record is 700-451-53.
Massillon Washington holds the record with 959 victories. Against Mansfield,
the Quakers faced early deficits of 6-0 and 12-7 but scored 15 unanswered
points to lead 22-12 heading into the final period, than poured it on in the
final 12 minutes. While Linsly hails from another state, its home in Wheeling,
West Virginia is only about an hour and change away. Linsly plays a schedule
that includes half Ohio opponents. The Cadets, in addition to taking on
Steubenville a week ago, will host Dover on Oct. 17. They present an
opportunity for New Philadelphia to have a winning streak for the first time
this year, with a chance to stretch that next week at Madison Comprehensive.
Linsly’s only win came against 1-3 Wellsville (W.Va.) Brooke in Week 2.
Steubenville (2-2) at Dover (1-4)
Last week: Steubenville 55, Linsly 7; Ashland 42, Dover
7
Last year: Steubenville 42, Dover 7
This year: Dover is in somewhat of a predicament. The Tornadoes most
likely will need to win out to make the Div. III state playoffs, according to
analyst Drew Pasteur – though they could sneak in the at 5-5 – and they have to
take on a Big Red squad this week that may be the best team on Dover’s
schedule. After that are four teams that are a combined 5-14. A win over
Steubenville would be ginormous. To get that, though, the Tornadoes will have
to do better than they did for the final 43 minutes or so against Ashland.
After a Liam Mast TD reception staked Dover to an early 7-0 lead, things fell
apart. Ashland, which tied the game at 7-7 in the first period, scored 21
points in the final six minutes of the first half, scoring two touchdowns after
Dover turnovers. Dover started the second half with another interception, which
Ashland converted to points, leading to a running clock in the third quarter.
Dover’s only other good chance to score resulted in a lost fumble inside the
10-yard line late in the game. Steubenville got off to an uncharacteristically
slow start, losing its first two games, but appears to have righted itself.
Weir (W Va) (0-3) at Harrison Central
(1-4)
Last week: Weir did not play; Harrison Central 41,
Akron North 8
Last year: Did not play
This year: The Huskies did what they were expected
to do against a struggling Akron North team last week in convincing fashion as
QB Brady Hyre rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another in the Huskies'
first victory. The Huskies found offensive balance for the first time this
season, throwing for 146-yards and rushing for 178. Omit an 87-yard North
touchdown on the last play of the game and the Huskies defense was stellar, as
the Vikings had just 100 yards of offense before the underclassmen surrendered
the only North points in the final seconds. Harrison also won the turnover
battle for the first time this season. The Weir Red Riders bring their
rebuilding act to Wagner Field averaging just 16 points a game, a trend that
should play well into the Huskies' wheelhouse. The two teams have a competitive
history, with the all-time series favoring HC 7-6. The two schools haven’t met
since 2015.
Northwest (3-1) at Lake (5-0)
Last week: Northwest 24, Canton South 14; Lake 35,
GlenOak 21
Last year: Did not play
This year: Lake
is riding high, sitting atop the Div. II, Region 5 rankings. But the Blue
Streaks, who take a break from their Federal League schedule, cannot afford to
overlook Div. IV Northwest. After having their season opener against Norton
canceled, the Indians have compiled a 3-1 mark. Northwest’s only blemish is a
Week 3 road loss to Div. II, Region 7 Louisville, and in that contest, the
Indians pushed the Leopards to the brink in a 10-3 loss. Against GlenOak, the
Blue Streaks piled up nearly 400 yards of offense, but they also gave up 350
yards to the Golden Eagles.
Conotton Valley (3-2)
at Bridgeport (2-3)
Last week: Conotton Valley 46, Brownsville 0;
Bridgeport 42, Magnolia 18
Last Year: Conotton Valley 41, Bridgeport 6
This year: As anticipated, the Rockets rolled to
their third victory of the season last weekend across state lines as Kamden
Wright turned in a career high yardage effort with 122-yards receiving and
three touchdowns. He also picked up 52 yards on the ground. Gavin Haney lived
up to the hype last week as well, rushing for 111-yards and four touchdowns in
the blowout victory. Now, the Rockets travel to the banks of the Ohio River to
take on Bridgeport, coming off a big road victory at Magnolia. Conotton will
have to limit the rushing duo of running back A.J. Bishop and quarterback Jaki
Threet (five touchdowns against the Eagles last week). Threet is averaging 2.5
rushing touchdowns per game, so the Rockets will need to be strong in the front
seven to contain the shifty signal caller. The Bulldogs rushed for 391-yards in
New Martinsville, 185 of those to credited to Threet and 184 of those to
Bishop. The Rockets like to throw it; the Bulldogs like to run it., so it will
be an interesting clash of contrasts at Perkins Field.
Contributors: Fred Main, Ray Sarvis, Todd Stumpf, D.J.
Watson, Aaron Dorksen and Mike Plant.
SEPT. 19 SCOREBOARD
GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE
Mentor (5-0, 2-0) 49, Medina (2-3, 1-1) 10
SUBURBAN LEAGUE
Highland (5-0, 2-0) 42, Copley (3-2, 1-1) 9
CLEVELAND
WEST CONFERENCE
Buckeye (5-0, 2-0) 34, Bay (3-2, 1-1) 28
METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Cloverleaf (4-1, 2-0) 19, Coventry (1-4, 0-2) 0
FEDERAL LEAGUE
Lake (5-0, 2-0) 35, GlenOak (1-4, 0-2) 21
KNOX-MORROW ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Northmor (3-2, 1-1) 37, Danville (2-3, 0-2) 12
Cardington-Lincoln (3-2, 1-1) 36, East Knox (1-4. 1-1) 35
Centerburg (4-1, 2-0) 41, Loudonville (2-3, 0-2) 0
Mount Gilead (5-0, 2-0) 41, Fredericktown (4-1, 1-1) 7
WAYNE COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE
Hillsdale (5-0, 2-0) 35, Dalton (3-2, 0-2) 6
Smithville (5-0, 2-0) 49, Waynedale (0-5, 0-2) 7
Norwayne (3-2, 2-0) 26, Rittman (4-1, 1-1) 13
Northwestern (1-4, 1-1) 21, Chippewa (0-5, 0-2) 14
PRINCIPALS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Orrville (4-1, 2-0) 48, Fairless (3-2, 0-1) 35
Triway (4-1, 1-1) 21, Tuslaw (2-3, 0-2) 14
OHIO CARDINAL CONFERENCE
New Philadelphia (2-3,2-1) 45, Mansfield Senior 26
Lexington 42, Wooster 14
West Holmes 35, Mansfield Madison 0
NON-LEAGUE
Akron Garfield 20, Carrollton 0
Minerva 31, St. Thomas Aquinas 0
Harrison Central 41, Akron North 8
Conotton Valley 46, Brownsville (PA) 0
Mount Vernon 38, Heath 22
Girard 49, Garaway 7
Ridgewood 35, East Canton 0
Malvern 14, Tusky Valley 13
Strasburg 42, Sandy Valley 7
Claymont 28, Newcomerstown 14
Indian Valley 54, Buckeye Trail 16
Ashland 42, Dover 7
Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 42, Federal Hocking 6
Maysville 48, Coshocton 0
West Muskingum 62, River View 0
Sept. 20
NON-LEAGUE
Marlington 45, Warren JFK 40
October 3 schedule
CLEVELAND WEST CONFERENCE
Westlake at Buckeye
EASTERN BUCKEYE CONFERENCE
Marlington at West Branch
Carrollton at Alliance
Salem at Minerva
FEDERAL LEAGUE
Jackson at Lake
GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE
Cleveland Hts. at Medina
INTER-VALLEY CONFERENCE
NORTH
Buckeye Trail at Malvern
Strasburg at East Canton
Newcomerstown at Tuscarawas Central Catholic
SOUTH
Sandy Valley at Ridgewood
Tusky Valley at Claymont
Garaway at Indian Valley
LICKING COUNTY LEAGUE BUCKEYE
Mount Vernon at Watkins Memorial
KNOX-MORROW ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Cardington Lincoln at Danville
East Knox at Northmor
Mount Gilead at Centerburg
Loudonville at Fredericktown
METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Norton at Cloverleaf
MUSKINGUM VALLEY LEAGUE BIG SCHOOL
Tri-Valley at River View
MUSKINGUM VALLEY LEAGUE SMALL SCHOOL
Meadowbrook at Coshocton
OHIO CARDINAL CONFERENCE
New Philadelphia at Mansfield Madison
Lexington at West Holmes
PRINCIPALS’ ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Orrville at Northwest
Canton South at Triway
SUBURBAN LEAGUE
Barberton at Highland
WAYNE COUNTY ATHLETIC LEAGUE
Hillsdale at Waynedale
Rittman at Dalton
Northwestern at Smithville
Norwayne at Chippewa
NON-LEAGUE
Dover at Wooster
Indian Creek at Harrison Central
