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Ontario Has to Contain Whippets

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Aaron Eckert

 

          Ontario versus Shelby, the sequel, is Friday night at Arlin Field in Mansfield in the division IV regional semifinals.

          Here’s hoping it’s better than Rocky II.

          Ontario (11-1) was very good last week in humbling Clyde (38-7) in the quarterfinals.

          Coach Aaron Eckert says they were ready to play.  “I thought we played extremely well.  I think the kids had a great week of practice leading up to that game and then went out and executed the game plan I thought that was really well done by our offensive and defensive staffs.  At the end of the day, were at home and we said were not we're not done playing yet.  We wanted to keep playing football and here we are playing week 13,” he said.

          Shelby beat Ontario (50-36) on week nine of the regular season and with it went the title in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.  It was the only time the Warrior varsity allowed more than two scores in a game.

          Eckert says they can’t blow coverages or allow gaps or Shelby will exploit them.  “It starts with being aligned right.  Last game we did not get aligned all of the time and they hurt us.  They have arguably the best player in the area, it’s either Bodpegn (Miller) or (Brayden) DeVito.  With a kid like that, if you don't align right he takes advantage of it.  If you misalignment secondary he's going to find you.  So, we've got to be sound in how we get aligned and what we do in terms of how aggressive we are.  At the end of the day, I think the tougher team wins this game.  Last game we put ourselves in a chance to win.  We're winning in the fourth quarter and weren’t able to get it done.  So, we're going to take and learn from it and get better this week,” said Eckert.

          Eckert says their goal is to contain DeVito.  “Anybody you play you try to make them one dimensional.  What makes it so tough when you play a quarterback like DeVito is that he is their running and their passing.  So, if you try to bottle them up in the run game and not let him scramble around, he can hurt you with his arm.  In the same way if you put a bunch of people in the secondary, he’s just going to run all over you,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “Shelby does a nice job of putting him in positions to be successful.  So, what you're trying to do is trying to contain him because you're not going to stop him, it's just not realistic in high school football with them.  We hope to do a better job of containing him and kind of trying to keep them bottled up the best we can.”

          Arlin Field has been a great playoff setting over the year and Eckert says Friday night will be no different.  “We're both less than 15 minutes away from the from the stadium itself.  Both communities butt up to that community.  So, in terms of where it's at I think it's great for the game.  It's close, it's good for the area, a lot of people might stop over.  Mansfield Senior’s got a huge stadium so there will be a lot of people there.  It's good because you've got two of the best teams in North Central Ohio squaring off against each other with chance to go to the regional finals,” said Eckert.

 

Published 11/12/24

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Hartley Steps Down

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Will Hartley

 

          Will Hartley has decided to resign as football coach at Fredericktown.

          Hartley says other things, mostly his family, have become priorities.  “Well at this time I've been a part of football at Fredericktown for 23 years.  I've been coaching in one capacity or another for 26 years.  Just getting to that age where other things kind of start to take on a priority.   I've got one son that's going to be a senior next year and he runs a cross country and I haven't been able to get to many of his meets through his high school career.  My oldest son is currently playing football down ay Otterbein and it's kind of the same thing.  It has been hit and miss getting to his game.  So, hopefully get to enjoy that a little bit more consistently,” said Hartley.

          Will is also a member of the Clear Fork Valley Athletic Hall of Fame.  He was a tremendous athlete for the Colts.

          Hartley says coaching football just takes an enormous amount of time and energy.  “I think it's just you start to get a little older that that generational gap starts to be a factor as far as kind of relating to the kids, maintaining that energy, especially in the off season becomes a little tougher.  Still being a full time teacher, a lot of times coaching can be a full time job.  It can seem like a full time job on top of that.  So, just time management and just the natural maturation of a career I think,” he said.

          Hartley says he will remember the wins, but mostly the people.  “I think the biggest thing is just the people.  I've had the opportunity to work with some great kids and it's just a joy to share those memories, those competitive memories together.  All the support staff that have been a part of the program over the years also just great people.  The coaches that I've worked with, and under when I was an assistant, still great relationships with those people.  Parents have been solid in my corner throughout,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “It's just a lot of great memories.  It will be a transitional period for me.  You always kind of look back and just remember with fondness all those great times and great people that have been a part of the journey.”

          Hartley does not rule out a return to coaching in future as an assistant.

 

Published 11/12/24

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Mohawk Must Battle

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          Mohawk tangles with unbeaten Columbus Grove in a division VII regional semifinal at Fostoria High School on Friday night.

          Last week, they contained a big time run game and beat McComb (20-13) in a regional quarterfinal.

          Coach Eric Daniel says their defense was outstanding.  “They had one big chunk play and outside of that play we really contained them.  They had a 65 yard touchdown run.  When you lead the “BVC” in rushing, they’re an excellent football team, they're going to pop one here and there.  So, overall we were able to keep them under 200 yards rushing, which we were tickled pink about, really under 200 yards total offense.  So, I thought defensively our kids played really well.  We were kind of scrambling there in the second half, had a couple injuries, and threw a pic and they were driving and our kids buckled down and stepped up big time.  So, couldn't have been more proud of our kids,” he said.

          Mohawk (10-2) will play Columbus Grove (12-0) on Friday night.  The Bulldogs hammered Lima Central Catholic (38-6) last week.

          Daniel says there are no weaknesses with this team.  “They're good everywhere.  When you get to this point in the year everybody's good and our kids understand that.  Their kids are tough, they're physical, they're well coached, they know their scheme, they keep everything in front of them on the back end and they're excellent tacklers and fly to the ball.  Then offensively they've got probably one of the best backs in Ohio and they're very good up front,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Certainly a great challenge for us.  We're excited about it, our kids are excited and not intimidated, which is a big thing.  We're going over with the intention to win the football game and we're training this week with that intention.  We get another week with our kids, which we're very grateful for.  Like I told you last week, we're just constantly thanking God and praying for another week and we're just taking it one week at a time and keep coaching them up.”

          Columbus Grove has been a state semifinalists the last two years.

          Daniel says their goal Friday night is to win and they are going to enter the game with confidence.  “I haven't seen them get intimidated yet this year.  Our challenge to them is don’t be the first to blink.  They're going to be physical, we're going to be physical, they're going to get you on some plays, you're going to get them on some plays. The biggest key is keep battling, keep your head down, be good teammates to each other, pick each other up.  If they get a good play, shake it off, tackle them on the back end and live to fight another day.  Just keep battling and good things will continue to happen.  So, we don't have a lot of kids that bicker amongst themselves or anything.  I think that's a big part of it is having good team chemistry.  It allows you to kind of fight through the adverse moments of a football game, which every team experiences, even the great ones.  So, we're going to lean on that, lean on our senior leadership and we'll have our boys ready to go,” said Daniel.

 

Published 11/12/24

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Willard Figuring Things Out

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          Willard, one of the traditional powers in boys’ basketball, will have a team his year that features a lot of youth.

          Coach Joe Bedingfield says they are eager to learn the game at the varsity level.  “We have got a good group of kids.  They're working very hard, very coachable and they're doing a nice job of trying to pick some things up.  We don't have a lot of returning letterman.  We have a lot of youth and just trying to get them kind of accustomed of some things at the varsity level they're going to see.  They'll find out on game night how much faster and how much bigger and quicker things can move.  It's been a process, but that's what we try to teach them is just focus on getting better each and every day and the kids are doing nice job of that so far,” said Bedingfield.

          Bedingfield says a key this month it to teach his kids how to anticipate the flow of the game.  “You have got to anticipate I think too.  We are trying to teach kids how to anticipate what could happen and not thinking too much.  I think it's better to anticipate than think and react.  Sometimes you're kind of too slow if you react the more experience you gain I think the easier game becomes and that's why people say it slows down for you.  So, we're just trying to get our legs under us, get us in shape and also just learn what's going to make us successful this season,” he said.

          Willard will scrimmage Madison on Tuesday and Fostoria on Friday and Bedingfield says these scrimmages, especially this year, are important to the Flashes.  “We've already had one.  We usually don't have as many scrimmages as we have this year, but we used all of them because we need that experience.  We need to go against someone else that has a varsity body.  Sometimes your younger guys, as much as they're trying, they just can't provide you exactly what you need and what you're going to see,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “We've tried to use all our scrimmages and try to gain that experience for our kids.  We have tape to show them.  Some of the mistakes and some of the good and some of the bad.  It's just a process, everyone's in the same boat right now, not really sure until the lights come on and people come in the stands, what you really have.”

 

Published 11/12/24

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Colonel Crawford With Good Combination

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          Colonel Crawford was the runner up in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference last year, advanced to a district final, and the outlook for the Lady Eagles this season in pretty good too.

          Coach Zac Bauer says they have a good mix of experience and younger talent.  “We're in a good spot where we return three major players from last year’s team in Mira Holt, Gabby Roston and Lexi Dure.  Couple that with a letter winner in Robin Ehmann, who lettered as a freshman and saw more time as the year went on.  The challenge for us is going to be who's going to fill the void left by our senior class last year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We've got kids in Carley Zender and Lila Plesac who are ready to do that.  We’ve got Camryn Powers coming up as a senior from our JV last year.  We've got two nice freshmen stepping in in Emmi Powers and Sailor Holt.  It's just who can find a way to kind of support those other three that have been through the ringer with us for the last two years and getting them to feel like they belong and are peers to those three.”

          Colonel Crawford tips off its season with back to back games against teams out of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference in Northmor and Cardington November 22 and 23.

          Bauer says they have spent this preseason determining who can play and how much.  “That’s what we sent our first two scrimmages doing was just seeing not only if our young kids are ready to play at the varsity level, but then rotation wise how do they fit in with the others and could they find their footing there.  I think those young ones, they are sophomores and freshmen. have done a really, really good job doing that and rising to the occasion,” said Bauer.

          Bauer says he is particularly impressed with the work ethic and improvement shown by one of his girls.  “I have got to mention Carley Zender again.  She's a girl I sat with in the spring and we kind of set a goal for her to be a catch and shooter for us.  I just never seen a kid go after a role and the spot and do the things that she did on her own to get to where she is right now, so proud of her,” he said.

 

Published 11/12/24

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Crawford to Face Speedy Grandview Hts

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Jake Bruner

 

          Colonel Crawford, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, is at unbeaten Grandview Heights on Friday night in a division VI regional quarterfinal,

          The Eagles played one of the most exciting games in Ohio last week when they railed late to beat Monroe Central (37-36) on Friday.  The game winning points coming on a two point conversion.

          Coach Jake Bruner says it was a great win, but their execution must be better this week.  “At school this week a lot of people were saying great job to our guys.  Probably as fan it was fun to watch, not so much as a coach.  It was a very interesting game.  It was far away and whenever you get a road win at a place you have never been against a team that was 9-1, you feel good about it.  There were a lot things execution wise that we didn’t do a very good job with, so we really have to do a better job this week if we are going to compete with this team,” said Bruner.

          Colonel Crawford (9-2) visits Grandview Heights (10-0), the top seed in the region, on Friday night.  The Bobcats blasted Marion Elgin (41-6) in their playoff opener last week.

          Bruner says the Bobcats have great speed.  “I don’t know what’s bad about them.  Obviously, they’re undefeated.  They have a tremendous amount of speed at the running back position.  They are well coached.  You don’t get to this level and not be well coached and not be a good team.  Their speed really concerns me.  They do a great job on special teams.  They fly to the ball.  They are not extremely big, but they get off the ball up front.  They take care of the ball.  They like to run the ball like we do and they do a really good job with that,” he said.

          Bruner says Grandview has gotten off to good starts in a lot of their games, their only close game was a double overtime win over Johnstown Northridge, and he says they can’t allow that to happen.  “What they have done all year is they get big leads early and kind of just cruise on teams and they have been very successful doing that.  Once they do that defensively they kind of lay back and kind let you make a mistake,” he told Swankonsports.com, “They are already up and they can run the ball and eat the clock.  They do a great job with that.  They don’t have a huge team, but the kids they do have is they play hard and they do a great job of getting the ball around.  They key of one back and he is very, very good.”

 

Published 11/08/24

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Run Defense Big for Perkins

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Jalen Santoro

 

          Top seeded Sandusky Perkins hosts Vermilion Friday night in a division IV regional quarterfinal.

          Last week, Perkins scored four times in the first 10 minutes of the game and went on to take down Upper Sandusky (49-10) on Friday night.

          Coach Jalen Santoro says they made some big plays early.  “I thought we went out jumped on them early.  We had a couple one play drives and obviously when you catch that momentum that's exactly what you want to do in a playoff game, any game but, especially a playoff game.  So, I thought we did that.  I thought we executed in all three phases of the game.  I thought we were pretty sound.  I thought our guys again upfront, I thought we played well on both sides of the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We came out and had a couple big run plays right to start the game.  I thought we kind of settled in there early in the first quarter.  Overall, I thought we executed very well, we tackled well, on offense running the ball I thought we were pretty sound.  Pretty pleased with the way we played.”

          Vermilion won the first playoff game in school history last week when they downed River Valley (37-21) in a first round game.

          Perkins beat the Sailors (44-6) in a first round game last year in the playoffs.

          Santoro says this is a lot more experienced and a better team.  “It's a team we played them last year as well.  As a team they have grown a lot.  They have a lot of guys that again played last year.  They were sophomores and juniors last year now they’re juniors and seniors.  When you get to that point you get another year of experience, you get the extra year continuity of playing together in your system, good things are bound to happen.  So, those kids have grown up a lot,” he said.

          Santoro says the key is they have to stop the Vermilion running game.  “They're playing good football.  They're going to run the ball.  They have an identity of running the football.  So, we have got to do a good job of slowing down the run game and getting them off the field.  The (Evan) Kuhns kid is a very good running back and the (Aaron) Mathis kid at quarterback makes things happen.  We have got to make sure we don't fall asleep in the pass game and make sure again we're playing sound defense,” said Santoro.

 

Published 11/08/24

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Mohawk Must be Physical

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Eric Daniel

 

          Mohawk, champion of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, plays host to McComb on Friday in a regional quarterfinal in division VII.

          They walloped Edgerton (49-14) in their playoff opener last week.

          Coach Eric Daniel says they put it away by scoring four straight times.  “We started kind of slow but then really picked it up there the last five minutes of the first half we scored 21 unanswered and then we scored coming out of the half.  So, took it from 7-7 to 35-7 in six minutes, so it made a heck of a difference,” he said.

          Mohawk (9-2) hosts McComb (8-3) on Friday night.  The Panthers beat Edon (28-14) in week one playoff action.

          Daniel says this is a team that wants to be physical and run the football and they are very good.  “They’re tough, they’re very big up front.  They have two 1000 yard backs that are both excellent.  One is their quarterback and one is their tailback and they're both exceptionally tough and run hard.  They can throw the ball too, but they've got that Carey mindset where they're come in and knock your block off,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “If they're getting four or five yards a carry they won't stop.  They have a hall of fame coach.  Chris Alge, he's done it, he's won state and he's won every year.  I don't think they've had a losing season in 30 years.  So, they're definitely a perennial, not only a playoff team, but like regionals and then state semis and that type of deal.  So, it's a great program.  It's a good opportunity.”

          Daniel says to have a chance to win on Friday night, they have to match that McComb physicality.  “It's huge this week.  We've really challenged our offense and defensive line.  We're very familiar with McComb we were able to scrimmage them, so it's kind of you know we've seen them, they've seen us type of deal, but both teams have gotten better throughout the year.  I would say the strength of their team is up front and they're running backs.  Certainly not to take away from any of the other ones, but they definitely like to run the ball and they're extremely physical.  Very similar to like a Carey mindset.  So, it's going to take our best effort up front on both sides of the ball to match that physicality,” said Daniel.

 

Published 11/08/24

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Hillsdale to Face Run First Windham

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Trevor Cline

 

          Hillsdale will be at home for the second straight week as they entertain Windham in a division VII regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

          In their playoff opener, the Falcons (10-1) buried Fairport Harding (55-12) on Friday night.

          Coach Trevor Cline says once they got it in gear they were pretty good.  “I thought for the most part we played well.  We didn't get off to the best start.  We let him hang around early on, but they had a good game plan and they were trying to eat up as much clock as they could in the first quarter to try to keep the ball away from us, but once we were able to get going, our offense played well,” said Cline.

          Windham (10-1) outscored Southern (50-35) last week in playoff week one.

          Cline says they have an excellent run game.  “They have two 1000 yard backs.  They've been impressive team to watch on film.  They have one back that's more like the physical back and then they have another one that's like a speed back.  They put a lot of points up throughout the entire year on their opponent.  So, we're looking forward to the opportunity trying to slow them down,” he said.

          Windham has averaged six TD’s per game this year.

          Cline says they have got to keep them behind the sticks.  “With them being a run first team we have got to do a good job and get them to play behind the chains.  If we do that we're going to put their offense in a situation they're not used to being in.” he told Swankpnsports.com on Thursday night, “We just have got to be disciplined and make sure on the early downs that we're doing a good job trying to keep them in second and long and third and long because then it takes them get out of what they like to do as an offense.”

          The Falcons have some pretty good skill guys and Cline wants to put them in position to make plays.  “I think they have multiple athletes on their defense.  I feel that our athletes if we can get them out in space, I feel that we should be able to win a lot of those one-on-one battles.  Defensively, they just have multiple guys that I feel if you give them an opportunity to make a play they will.  I think their defense just has a lot of good athletes on it,” said Cline.

 

Published 11/08/24

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Shelby Plays With Trust

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Robert Mahaney

 

          Shelby, the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference champ, plays at home against Ottawa-Glandorf, of the Western Buckeye League, in a regional quarterfinal in division IV on Friday night at the Whippet Athletic Complex.

          The Whippets (11-0) rallied after spotting Elida an early lead and he blasted the Bulldogs (49-21) last week in their playoff opener.

          Coach Robert Mahaney says they were able to make the right adjustments.  “I thought our kids did a great job of continuing to play and understanding that there's going to be ups and downs throughout a football game.  I thought our kids did a great job of continuing to stay the course and trust the guys around them and sticking to what we do best offensively.  We played really well defensively once we kind of got settled in the second half of our kids played really, really well.  So, some adversity I think is always good for your football team and our kids did a good job of responding to that,” said Mahaney.

          Ottawa-Glandorf (6-5) held off Galion (13-7) last week.

          Mahaney says this is a school district where athletics are respected.  “I think “OG” is a community with a ton of pride and I think their kids play with a ton of pride too.  You watch the film you can see their effort it sticks out on the film a lot.  I think it's something that football team prides in, just like all those sports.  They have a ton of success in a lot of different sports because of the support that they receive in the effort that they play with and all their sports and their football team is the same,” he said.

          Three of the Titans five losses have been by two scores of less. 

          Mahaney says they play very hard and do what they have to do to win.  “Defensively, they fly around to the football and they pursue the football relentlessly and so we got to be ready for that.  Offensively, they do a lot of good things with finding different ways to run the football, so we have got to be ready for that.  They're going to stick to their game plan,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Coach (Ken) Schriner has been there for a long time and has had a ton of success.  29 years and over 200 wins.  So, they have ability, they have great effort.  Again, they play in a great conference in the “WBL”, so they're going to be battle tested as well.”

          You get to this level of the playoffs game are often decided late.  Mahaney has confidence in his players.  “Our kids have been really good all year continuing to play and understanding that high school football is a four quarter game.  We've made some plays when we needed to down the stretch.  We have really good football players on our team, but we don't have any kid that goes out there and tries to be Superman.  They have committed themselves to doing their job and playing as a team.  I think that's why when we get in the situations, we find ways to make plays because we just trust the guys around us, trusting ourselves and if we can continue to do that we can be successful,” said Mahaney.

 

Published 11/07/24

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Lexington Must Limit Mistakes

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          Lexington will be on the road at Rocky River Friday night to lock horns with the Pirates in a division III regional quarterfinal.

          Last week, the Minutemen (6-5) downed Maumee (28-14) in their opening round game.

          Coach Andrew Saris says they played a very good second half.  “It was a hard fought game, but it was fun for everybody.  Maumee, a team you don’t typically see.  Our kids came in and they were they were ready to perform.  We were down a point going into halftime and that second half came out and the defense was able to shut them out and then the offense just was able to run the football and put up two scores,” said Saris.

          Rocky River (8-3) beat Parma Holy Name (34-14) last week.

          Saris says they are a very disciplined football team.  “They're coming in playing good football.  Offensively, they definitely want to try to run that football.  They don't make a lot of mistakes.  You can tell as a football team that they're disciplined and they know their job and they do their job well.” he told Swankonsports.com, “Defensively, they remind me of a lot of teams we've seen on our schedule, but they're pretty long on the outside, they run well to the ball and they're definitely aggressive.”

          Saris says to advance to next week they can’t hurt themselves on offense and they want to put Rocky River in bad down and distance situations.  “We've got to try to play mistake free football and don't put us in a position where we are shooting ourselves in the foot so to speak.  So, we have just got to be able to execute, never get behind the chains.  Defensively, force them into those situations where it's third and long, second along and not letting them have big gains on first down,” he said.

 

Published 11/07/24

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Lady Colts Have a lot of Pieces

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Scott Sellers

 

          Clear Fork has been able to put together one of the more consistent girls’ basketball programs in this area and they should be pretty good again this year.

          Coach Scott Sellers says they are starting to put things together for a season that starts in just over two weeks.  “We had about half of them through Monday and then I got the rest of the kids back on Monday.  So, a couple practices with everybody.  I think (Wednesday) is practice 11.  It’s just exciting to be in the gym.  We are just excited for this time of year.  I think all of the coaches are as well.  We're certainly not any different.  So, we're really ready for the season to kind of kick off,” he said.

          Clear Fork (17-8) last year did lose some very good players to graduation, but Sellers says they have some outstanding kids returning too.  “We lost quite a bit.  We lost our all time three point shooter in Annika Labaki.  She was fantastic on defense as well.  Kylie Belcher, probably the best on ball defender, one of the smartest kids, I've ever coached.  A couple other seniors in Avery Wine and Allison Montgomery, they did help us out.  So, pretty big shoes to fill, but again as you’re building a program and you get athletes you try to put them in the best position you can,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We have some really great kids coming back as well.  I think Mel Blubaugh is going to have a big time year for us.  She had an amazing soccer season.  I think an All-Ohio, first or second team, is basically pending at this point.  Lilly Weikle is back, she's going to be a four year letterman.  We have got some really exciting juniors as well in Brinley Barnett, Ashton Wine to name a few, Rozy Stover.  So, really excited about the core of this team.  I think we're a little bit deeper.  I think we're a little bit longer, a little bit more athletic.  So, time will tell as far as how they kind of gel together when we start playing some basketball.”

          Clear Fork has its first of four scrimmages on Thursday.  Their season opener is at Mansfield Madison on November 22.

          Sellers says it’s time to find out what they have.  “The OHSAA allows us to have six scrimmages, previews, some other stuff, I'm not exactly sure.  I know we usually schedule four, we'll keep a couple in our back pocket, but I think four is a good number for us.  We start out (Thursday) against Triway and Mt. Vernon.  We have a scrimmage on Saturday against Colonel Crawford.  A couple next week and then two weeks from Friday we have we have Madison at their place.  So, how soon, how much later we put it together with a lot of new pieces that that remains to be seen.  I can tell you this we've practiced really hard.  We practiced really well.  I think the kids are genuinely excited to be back in the gym.  I think for us as a coaching staff that's really all you can ask for at this time of year.  They want to play, they haven't been around the game, we're really excited about this year's team,” said Sellers.

 

Published 11/07/24

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Northmor Plays Centerburg Again

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Scott Armrose

 

          Unbeaten Northmor, the winner of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference, plays host to conference foe Centerburg on Friday night in a division VI regional quarterfinal.

          They smoked Caldwell (42-0) in their playoff opener.

          Coach Scott Armrose says it was a good way to get their feet wet.  “It was a good game to get us going in that playoff state of mind and it's a game where we executed very well early on and then took care of business,” he said.

          Centerburg (8-3) downed Reedsville Eastern (34-12) last week.

          Armrose says they are tough to prepare for at any time of the season.  “Despite the fact that we've already played them they're very difficult team to match up against because they're so athletic and physical in what they do and they're so well coached,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Then you're going to get a Centerburg team when you play them one time they're tough, two times can be very tough.  So, they have a great coaching staff over there.  They breakdown film well, they adjust well, and they're going to be ready for us.”

          The first time they met it was a one score game with Golden Knights (11-0) winning by a (34-26) final.  They had to rally behind two A.J. Bauer TD passes, one to Cowin Becker and the other to Boo Landin.  Those 26 points are the most Northmor has allowed in any game this year.

          Armrose looks for an even more competitive game this time.  “I think they are going to be closer together.  With us and Centerburg I don't know that low scoring comes to mind.  We may get a shootout Friday night.  They're definitely get closer because you know what each other does, you know team tendencies, and where the weapons and things are.  Again, we're week 12, we have got 11 films and you know your opponents pretty well at this point,” he said.

          Bower and Centerburg QB Blane Ball both threw three touchdowns in the first meeting.

          Armrose says whatever happens this game with different in its makeup.  “It will be different, we're different, we're a little bit healthier than we were last time we played them.  They're different, they're healthier too.  So, we'll get different looks.  Both teams have evolved, that happens throughout the season.  We played week four and a lot has happened since then.  Offenses and defenses evolved and changed as the season goes on.  So, I wouldn't look for a carbon copy of week four matchup at all,” said Armrose.

 

Published 11/07/24

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Seneca East is Confident

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          Seneca East, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, will be just down the road at Hopewell-Loudon, winner of the “SBC” River, in regional quarterfinal in division VI on Friday night.

          In their first playoff game they routed Western Reserve (56-20) in Collins.

          Coach Ed Phillips calls it their best performance of the year.  “I think that was our best game this year because it was a good football team we beat and we took it to them.  The week before in a loss to Mohawk, we did a lot of really good things there, just didn't finish the job.  So, I really do think we're playing our best football right now and that's where you want to be,” said Phillips.

          Quarterback Nicholas Parks threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in the win over Western.

          Seneca East (7-4) is at Hopewell-Loudon (10-0) on Friday night.  The Chieftains hammered Margaretta (43-8) last week.

          Phillips says they are very good in the trenches.  “They're really good up front.  They're offensive and defensive lines are very good and then they have good skill behind it, but I think with them it starts up front,” he said.

          In many of their games, the Chieftains put it away very early.

          Phillips says they can’t let them build and early lead.  “I think they probably think the same thing about us right now, which should make it a pretty exciting game.  I think they feel that way and I feel that way.  If I'm picking a game to go to Friday night that's where I'm going,” he said.

          The Tigers scored three times in the first quarter last week and led (37-6) at the half.  Hopewell led (37-0) at the intermission.

          Phillips says they have establish control of the point of attack on Friday.  “We have win up front.  One reason I think we're playing our best football right now is our guys up front have really improved as we've gone through the year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “I told them (Wednesday) when we left practice, I said you can tell really good offensive line by just listening.  I said you can close your eyes and you can hear the snap count hear the ball snapped and if you have got a great offensive line you can hear it.  You just hear the pop and our guys are popping right now.  I know their guys are too, which makes it an exciting game Friday night.”

 

Published 11/07/24

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Huron to Challenge Experienced, Talented Bluffton

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          Huron will be at Bluffton to face the Pirates in a division VI regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

          They opened the playoffs last Friday with a (42-7) destruction of Spencerville.

          Coach Sam Hohler says it was nice to get back on the beam.  “It was nice for our kids to get a win.  We had lost three straight against three really tough opponents to end the regular season.  For a chance to get a victory last week was really nice for us.  The kids had a great week of practice and preparation and went out and executed.  Our schedule really has prepared us for what we're facing here in division VI this year,” said Hohler.

          During the regular season, the Tigers (7-4) played two division III schools, four division IV schools, and three division V schools.  Bluffton has played only one school larger than division VI this year.

          Bluffton (10-1) beat Paulding (21-6) last week.

          Hohler says the Pirates are very talented and they have a lot of experience.  “Bluffton returns a lot of experienced kids from last year.  They made a deep run in the playoffs in division VI last season,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “Offensively, they do a lot of jet sweep type stuff with buck sweep and that kind of action out of shotgun.  Defensively, they are a 3-4 and they play a lot of different coverages.  Again, with their returning crew from last year, they have got a lot of kids that that know how to get it done.  So, to go to their place on the road, we'll definitely have our hands full.”

          Last season, Bluffton won three playoff games, losing to Columbus Grove in a division VI regional final.

          In nine of their 11 games this season, Bluffton has allowed one score or less.

          Hohler says it would be a big plus for them if they could score early.  “That would be huge.  They do have an outstanding defense.  If we can find ways to put points on the board and maybe put the pressure on them on the offensive side of things that would be a big bonus for us,” he said.

 

Published 11/07/24

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Ashland to Play DeSales

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Scott Valentine

 

          Ashland, the Ohio Cardinal Conference champion, hosts Columbus DeSales in a division II regional quarterfinal on Friday night at Community Stadium.

          In their postseason opener, the Arrows belted another catholic school in Columbus in St. Charles (42-0) last week.

          Coach Scott Valentine says they came out ready to play.  “You just never know how your kids are going to react in those situations.  I really thought our kids had a good week of practice and then we were able to go out on the field and play a good football game,” he said.

          Valentine has been a head since the 1990’s, this is second stint at his alma mater, and he says they try to prepare the kids for the pressures of playoff football.  “We talk about it all the time that when you’re in heat the battle your body's going to do what it's done over and over and so doing the little things right all week lends to performing under the pressure of Friday night.  So, we try to emphasize that, it doesn't always work that way, but that's what we try to emphasize,” said Valentine.

          Ashland (11-0) is at home for DeSales (9-2) on Friday night.  The Stallions outscored New Albany (48-28) last week.  In terms of score comparison, they beat St. Charles (28-0) in a regular season game.

          Valentine says they are a very solid team.  “They're one of those traditional powers down there.  They've been very good football program for a lot of years.  They play good hardnosed football, they run downhill at you, do some things throwing the ball and then defensively their a physical football team.  So, again it's a challenge and a test and we've got to be ready to go,” he said.

          When it comes to x’s and o’s, Valentine says DeSales does some different things and they will have to be ready for those.  “I think it's a little bit of a different animal just because of what they do.  We’ve seen different formations, but when they get in those running sets, they like using their “H-Back” as a puller up in there and so offensively they present a few different problems than anybody we've seen,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “Defensively, they remind me a lot of the teams in our league that are aggressive and have good pass coverage and good skill guys.  So, again just a few different challenges there.”

 

Published 11/06/24

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Carey Has to be at its Best

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          Carey will be on the road at Patrick Henry against the Patriots in a division VI regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

          Carey scored once in the third quarter and made a couple big fourth quarter stands to beat Defiance Tinora (21-17) in a first round game last week.

          Coach Jonathan Mershman says they made a number of big plays in the game, some of them unnoticed.  “We got the plays that we needed to squeak that one out.  What was huge that might be missed by people is we threw a pic late in the first half and our offensive lineman got down there and made a tackle around the 10 yard line we held them to a field goal and that ended up being this huge play for us.  Just the effort that we needed throughout the entire game was there,” said Mershman.

          Carey (6-5) is up at Patrick Henry (9-2) on Friday night.  The Patriots smoked Evergreen (35-4) last week.  Their only losses come to unbeaten teams in Columbus Grove and Liberty Center.

          Mershman says they are solid.  “They are just a really solid team all the way through.  A great defensive line, an awesome quarterback, he also plays really good defense.  They're a solid football team and we're going to need to come with our “A” game,” he said.

          Mershman says to be able to win, they have to do what they always need to do.  “Well, we have to play Carey football.  We have got to run the ball and we have got to stop the run,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “We have got to limit our penalties, limit it to no turnovers would be great, and just play solid football.  Play complementary football offensively and defensively and maybe hopefully do something special in special teams.”

 

Published 11/06/24

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West Holmes Again Must Stop the Run

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Keaton Leppla

 

          West Holmes must get on the bus again as they travel to East Liverpool to challenge the Potters on Friday night in a division IV regional quarterfinal.

          They beat Chillicothe Unioto (28-21) in a first round game last week.

          Coach Keaton Leppla says they were able to dig down deep and find a way to win.  “There's a lot of things we feel like we could have done better.  We played a really good first half of offensive football.  We're talking almost flawless execution and we’re able to do whatever you wanted, so great first half offensively. Then in the second half we shut them out.  We stopped him eight times there at the end of the game to stop them from tying it up.  So, each side of the ball had about as good of half as you could have.  Fortunately for us in the second half we were able to get an interception, take the ball down to the two, three yard line and we were able to punch it in offensively to essentially a get that game winning score.  It was defensive battle, but you know it's going to be tough,” he said.

          Leppla says a win like last week brings some confidence to the football team.  “Our kids were put in an adverse situation having to drive to two and a half to three hours on a bus going to their home field as 13 seed and they're the four seed.  We knew we weren't going to go down there and blow the doors off.  There's a lot of a lot of adversity in that situation, but it shows the grit of our team, it shows the leadership of our seniors, of our captains to be able to do that.  Make that long haul on their field when they're favored to beat us and come away with the victory and doing the way that we did is really big for our program.  It's a great momentum booster for our kids and we're starting to see a team that really believes in themselves and what they're able to accomplish,” said Leppla.

          West Holmes (6-5) is at East Liverpool (7-4) on Friday night.  The Potters also beat a higher seeded team in Columbus East (41-40) in their playoff opener.

          Leppla says for the second straight week they will be playing a team that likes to emphasize the run.  “East Liverpool is going to be similar.  We're talking back-to-back weeks of teams that really aren't familiar with each other.  So, looking at them they want to establish the run.  They are very similar to the team we played last week.  They want to control the line of scrimmage.  They want to run the football.  They get a little bit more size and speed than Unioto does.  I don't know that they're as physical offensively, but they’re a team that's going to establish the run.  I don't think they like to pass as much as they like to run it.  They do have quarterback back there who's able to scramble around and make some plays with his feet as well as his arms, so containing them on the offensive side starts with containing him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “As far as defense, they're big, they have got good speed, but they're similar to Unioto in they're going to show what they show.  Offensively, we have to execute like we did in the first half last week.  We have to continue to be patient, take what the defense gives us and execute, execute, execute and force them to adjust that's where you get your big plays.”

 

Published 11/06/24

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Ontario Plays Versatile Clyde

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Aaron Eckert

 

          Ontario is at home form Clyde in a regional quarterfinal in division IV on Friday night.

          Last Friday, the Warriors (10-1) dominated Clear Fork (24-2) in a first round game.

          Coach Aaron Eckert felt they played well.  “Clear Fork had gotten a lot better since the first time we played at mid season and I thought we saw pretty good version of Clear Fork the other night.  It was a dogfight.  We were fortunate to come out on top after it was all said and done,” he said.

          Clyde (8-3) hammered Otsego (42-7) last week.

          Eckert says Clyde approaches the game a lot like they do.  “If you put us, Clear Fork and Clyde into a blender you would come out with a lot of the same pieces.  I think that they're really similar to us in terms of just being a physical football team with some good athletes.  They also play quite a few guys like we do.  So, it's like one of those games where you kind of look at yourself in the mirror and say we do a lot of the same things with a lot of similar type athletes, but everything starts up front for those guys as well just like it does here at Ontario,” said Eckert.

          Clyde plays two kids at quarterback who are both on the field at the same time.  Eckert says that allows them to do a lot of different things.  “It's a little bit unique when you have that kind of offensive identity.  Their starting quarterback is a left-handed kid, it looks like he's going to be a four year letter winner over there.  He's really dynamic and he can line up in the backfield, line up at receiver, and line up at quarterback.  Kind of how we use about the Bodpgen Miller some,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “They have a junior that has a really nice arm that comes in and plays some.  He can throw it.  They're a little bit different type of quarterbacks, but with them being on the field at the same time they can throw double passes and things like that.  So, it's definitely a unique challenge for us.”

          Eckert believes their defense has to give Clyde a lot of different looks.  “Every time they're on offense they’re going to kind of go up there and call a play, look at it again after they kind of fake snap it and then they're going to try to put their team in the best spot to be successful in that individual play.  They will do that the entire game.  It slows the game down a little bit it looks like on film, but it's hard to tell based off film.  So, we'll do the best we can and try to mix things up as they try to mix things up on offense.  We're looking forward to the challenge on Friday here at Ontario,” said Eckert.

 

Published 11/05/24

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Clyde Has to Make Plays

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Ryan Carter

 

          Clyde travels to Ontario to face the Warriors on Friday night in a division IV regional quarterfinal.

          The Fliers (8-3) blasted Otsego (42-7) in their first round game.

          Coach Ryan Carter says Ontario is a sold team and the presence of Bodpegen Miller makes them exceptional.  “I think you have to you have to be good at what you're good at.  We have to be as consistent as we possibly can this week in our preparation and getting ourselves ready to go because we're playing a different type of player than we have seen so far this year.  We've seen some really, really good players, but he's very, very dynamic in what he does.  You could be in the right positions and still not get him to the ground,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “We have to be sound with what we do both sides of the ball will help you against him.  If you can keep it offensively, if you can score that puts pressure on each possession they have.  Then you just have to when you have opportunities to make plays you have got to make them because if you don't and you give this team extra opportunities it's going to be a touchdown one way or the other.  He can throw it, he can run it and they have very good players around him.”

          Carter says Ontario tries to do a lot of different things with Miller.  He says he’s just very difficult to contain.  “They do a good job of mixing between him running and then handing it off to their tailback and them giving him some throw looks.  It's a tough situation to try and contain him at all.  We're going to go put a good week of work in and do the best we can and hopefully we can do some things offensively to alleviate some of that pressure defensively,” said Carter.

          The Ontario defense has played very well all season, including last week when they didn’t allow any points.  Carter says again they have to make plays when they have the opportunity.  “They are very solid up front and on the perimeter and then they take (Miller) and put him in at safety and he kind of covers the entire middle of the field.  So, the same type of thing you have certain areas that you can exploit and try to make plays, but when the plays are there to be made you have to make them, you can't miss,” he said.

 

Published 11/05/24

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The Trenches Key for Monroeville

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Tylor Nester

 

          Monroeville entertains Warren JFK in a regional quarterfinal in division VII on Friday night at Marsh Field.

          After losing their only game of the season on the final week of the regular season, Monroeville routed Independence (47-7) in their first playoff game last week.

          Coach Tylor Nester says it was a good rebound win for the Eagles.  “Yeah definitely, it's always nice rebounding and our kids, our captains, and our leadership group they recognized some of the deficiencies that we had week 10 and really focused in on getting better at that and the results showed for themselves  against Independence,” said Nester.

          Warren JFK smoked East Palestine (40-13) in their first playoff game.

          Nester says JFK is physical and they have guys that can make plays too.  “They are really similar to us.  They are big and physical.  Defensively, they get to the ball really well.  The front three do a really nice job of making plays all over the place.  Their secondary is extremely fast,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Then offensively they have a couple of key guys that they want to get the ball to.  Their quarterback last week was hurt, but it seems like he should be back ready to go.  They have a couple of guys that standout.  (Lamarcus) Proitt, who is kind of their wildcat quarterback.  He’s very dynamic.  Skilled guys (Noah) Esler and Camora that can stretch that field vertically.”

          To win on Friday, Nester says they have to be able to control the point of attack.  “We have to control the line of scrimmage.  I say that every week, but that's definitely a key this week and protect the ball and be disciplined.  If we get those three taken care of we will be in good shape,” he said.

 

Published 11/05/24

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Norwayne Has to be Disciplined

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          Norwayne will host Pemberville Eastwood on Friday night in a division V regional quarterfinal.

          Last week, they barely survived in edging #13 seed Delta (45-42) in overtime.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they made a lot of mistakes, including turning the ball over, but they found a way to win.  “We were minus three in the turnover margin there.  We continued to battle and showed a lot of moxie and resolve to continue to fight to make it to overtime and eventually win,” he said.

          Norwayne (10-1) entertains Pemberville Eastwood (10-1) on Friday night.  Eastwood beat Archbold (41-0) in their playoff opener last week.

          Indorf says they have to get in the offensive backfield and create some chaos for the Eagles.  “They're going to be athletic.  They're going to be physical.  Offensively, they do a lot of things with motions and shifts and things like that, so we are going to have to be on our toes and then be disciplined in the secondary with our eyes.  Up front, we’re going to have to do a great job defensively trying to get to the quarterback create some chaos and try to make some blitzes happen that we can catalyze on some momentum there from the defensive standpoint,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Offensively we're going to have to show up.  We're going to have to control the line of scrimmage and make sure that we're just taking what the defense is giving us.”

          As Indorf says Eastwood will show a lot of motion in the game and he says they must be focused on what they have to do as a result.  “We need to make sure that we are being incredibly focused on that.  Sometimes motions are used to get you to show your hand if you’re in man coverage or maybe we're not moving appropriately or calling the strengths and things like that.  So, definitely need to have a staunch stance on the discipline and make sure that we are we're doing our jobs to the upmost ability,” said Indorf.

 

Published 11/05/24

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Perkins Not Taking Win for Granted

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          Sandusky Perkins, the winner of the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference, will entertain Upper Sandusky on Friday night in a first round division IV playoff game.

          Perkins won that division title outright by smoking Tiffin Columbian (42-7) last Friday.

          Coach Jalen Santoro says again they got off to a good start.  “I thought we came out and I thought we executed pretty well.  I thought we got to a fast start, which is big especially offensively.  We got the ball first, went out and took it down scored.  I thought we executed, I thought we tackled well.  I thought we did the little things well last week and the big thing, got out healthy,” said Santoro.

          Perkins scored three times in the first half of the first quarter last week.

          Perkins (9-1), #1 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, hosts Upper Sandusky (5-5) on Friday night.  The Rams buried Buckeye Central (42-7) last week.  It was Perkins second straight poll title with Swankonsports.com.

          Santoro says they have things they want to accomplish.  “They’re big up front on both sides of the ball, so it will be a challenge for our kids up front kind of get back on track.  Get back to throwing the football and doing what we need to do to again to execute on the field and execute on both sides of the ball and continue to do little things right,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Right now in the bigger scheme of things we have got to focus on doing all the minor details that got us here and continuously keep attacking those details every single week, every single day in practice and hopefully that shows up on Friday night.”

          Santoro says they have to have focus Friday night because 16 seeds have won before in Ohio.  “It's happened before.  It’s any given Friday night.  Again, going back and focusing on the details.  Really harping on details and focusing on what got you here is kind of the approach we want to take in practice this week.  Just continuously working on us and perfecting our craft and making sure are ready for Friday night,” he said.

 

Published 11/01/24

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Lucas Needs to Play Pass Defense

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          Lucas visits Malvern for a first round playoff game in division VII on Friday night.

          The Cubs have won 14 playoff games in the last six years, so they know what the strategy is to get that done.  Many times that has come as an underdog.  Plus, not being in a conference means they are no strangers to long bus rides.  This one will only be about an hour and a half.

          Coach Jim Sweat says when you’re in the playoffs everything becomes magnified.  “The name of the game is being focused and having attention to detail and doing the little things right and that's how you get wins on Friday nights, especially when we get into the playoffs late in the year,” he said.

          Lucas (5-5) is at Malvern (9-1) on Friday night.  The Hornets closed the regular season with back to back shutouts of Tuscarawas Central Catholic (41-0) and East Canton (34-0).  Perhaps their best win came week eight when they beat Newcomerstown (38-28).

          Sweat says they can throw it around.  “They're very dynamic offensively.  Their quarterback is one the best quarterbacks throwing the ball that we've seen all year long.  They're solid up front and their skill kids do a good job of getting open,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We're going to have to tight down on defense.  I think most importantly for us we have to play a complete team game.  Our style play is predicated on all three phases of the game working in unison.  We need to do our job on offense and limit their possessions.”

          Of course, Lucas wants to possess the ball and Sweat says on defense they have to make Malvern uncomfortable.  “We will try to keep him moving off his mark as much as we can and give him some different looks the best we can and keep him moving around.  Guys like this young man when they get locked in they're a problem,” said Sweat.

 

Published 11/01/24

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Monroeville Faces Athletic Independence

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Tylor Nester

 

          Monroeville, the co-champion of the Firelands Conference, plays at home against Independence in a first round playoff game in division VII on Friday night.

          They had a chance last week to claim the conference title outright, but Norwalk St. Paul executed a two point conversion with no time left to win (29-28) on Friday night.

          Coach Tylor Nester says they have worked this week to get better.  “I mean hats off to them.  They came prepared and ready to play.  It was a battle to the end and they came out on top.  We talked to our kids about evaluating and reflecting and seeing what we can do better and there were some things that we saw and we worked on this week,” said Nester.

          Monroeville (9-1) hosts Independence (4-6) on Friday night.

          Nester says they are athletic on offense.  “Their record is a little deceiving.  They faced seven playoff teams, including kind of perennial Cuyahoga Heights so their record is a little deceiving,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “They are a really good, athletic team, kind of led by their quarterback (Dominic) Narduzzi, who's got 1200 to 1500 yards passing along with the receiver that's over 1000 yards, but all around their front to back they're fast, they're physical.”

          Independence beat Cuyahoga Heights (22-18) this season.

          Nester says this is one of the more athletic teams they have played this year.  “That's something we talked about as a staff.  It's always difficult to kind of evaluate teams, especially if you don't have common opponents.  Each area is a little bit different, but they do a really good job of getting off blocks and getting to the ball defensively.  You can definitely tell their athleticism on the field versus some other teams,” he said.

 

Published 11/01/24

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Carey Knows How

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Jonathan Mershman

 

          Carey, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, plays at Defiance Tinora in a division VI first round playoff game on Friday night.

          Carey won the 2021 state championship in division VI and over the last four seasons they have won a combined 11 playoffs games, that’s more success than anyone covered by Swankonsports.com.

          Coach Jonathan Mershman says at this time of year it’s a different approach.  “This is the third season for us.  The first season is the non league and then league and then now this.  So, this brings a whole different energy and a different mindset.  Really now the records don't matter, it's just going playing football,” said Mershman.

          Carey (5-5) is at Tinora (7-3) on Friday night.  The Rams won the Green Meadows Conference this year.  They shutout Edgerton (24-0) last week.

          Mershman says pass defense will be a key for them.  “We've seen them in the past.  We saw them in 2020 and then again in 2021, but they're a little bit different now.  They have got a different coach than they did back then.  They still play physical defense like they used to, but their offense is a little bit changed,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “They're spreading it out a little bit more and throwing it a little bit more than they did in the past.  So, that's a different challenge and we're going to need to be ready to defend the pass.”

          Mershman says both teams will have to adapt to what they see on Friday night.  “They kind of remind me a little bit of Seneca East, so there's that.  I like facing new people because they also don't know us.  It looks pretty simple on paper, stop the run, but you have got to kind of do that,” he said.

 

Published 11/01/24

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Quakers to Face Physical Jackson

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Mike Johnson

 

          New Philadelphia, out of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, makes the long trip to Jackson to take on the Ironmen in a first round playoff game in division III on Friday night.

          The Quakers (7-3) outscored the archrival Dover Tornadoes (42-24) last Friday.

          Coach Mike Johnson calls it their best performance of the season.  “I would say it was our best game really.  We kind of put it all together.  Our offense was clicking, we punted twice all night and one was with a minute or so left in the game to kind of give them the ball back.  We were able to move the ball when we needed to move the ball and our defense got after that quarterback.  We were able to rack up six sacks and just keep putting together first downs.  So, that's what we wanted to do.  Credit to our kids they executed the game plan wonderfully,” said Johnson.

          New Philly has won its last five games and Johnson says they playing some excellent football and the right time of the season.  “Our guys are playing great football.  We've been playing fast, we've been playing physical, so it's just can we keep that momentum going into the playoffs.  After a week of practice, we're really excited to head down to Jackson,” he said.

          Jackson (8-2) belted Chillicothe (43-14) in their final regular season game last week.

          Johnson says they are physical and they are going to make them stop them running it.  “The Ironmen like to run the ball.  I mean it's going to be a physical game.  We like to play physical football and you can definitely tell that they do too.  They have big kids, strong kids, a really nice running back a couple of lineman, who you look at and you think wow they're monsters,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “It's going to take a lot for us to get off the bus and be ready to go, but you know what they want to do and that’s run that football.  So, let's stop the run and then when they try to take their shots let's make the most of those opportunities.”

 

Published 11/01/24

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Columbian Has to Take Advantage of Opportunities

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Judd Lutz

 

          Tiffin Columbian takes to the road to meet Cleveland Benedictine in a division III first round playoff game on Friday night.

          The game will be played at Brooklyn High School, Benedictine’s home field.

          Last week, the Tornadoes lost (42-7) Sandusky Perkins, the outright winner of the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Coach Judd Lutz says they did some good things last Friday.  “They were explosive early.  I think they scored on three big plays in the first five touches in the game, which obviously is not the way you want to start the game.  To be honest after those three scores we really battled.  I was proud of the team for responding.  Forcing a turnover and forcing several punts defensively and really contained them.  They made some big place because they have got an outstanding receiver who's going to play collegiately next year and we had trouble with him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “As far as the effort and the execution went we showed a lot of growth and a lot of young guys who can continue to get thrown in there and are trending in the right direction late in the season, which is what you want.  The kids are still hungry to learn and get better and that’s a sign of good football in the future for the young guys, but we're trying to prolong this season as much as possible for our seniors and do something special this year.”

          Tiffin (4-6) is at Benedictine (8-2) on Friday night.  The Bengals hammered Akron St. Vincent/St. Mary (39-8) last week.

          Lutz says they will feature a balanced attack on offense.  “They’ve got an outstanding running back, a quarterback that is really efficient and a big offensive line, so they want to run the ball efficiently throughout the game.  They also have some big play capabilities on the outside with some really good speed down the field that you have got to be wary of.  You can't get too focused in and eyes in the backfield that's going to run right by you or make a catch and make a guy miss and another off to the races.  They're an outstanding team right now offensively,” said Lutz.

          Tiffin Columbian is aggressive on defense and Lutz says so is Benedictine.  “Defensively, they are very aggressive, but also can play some base and are really good at all three levels.  It's a very active defensive line and linebackers with some blitzes and they got some athletes in the perimeter who can really match up and play some zero and cover one, they do play a little bit of zone, but for the most but they're kind of a pressure package and their going to force your hand offensively.  So, we have got to be efficient offensively when we run it as well as pass it and make those plays when we have the opportunity to do so,” he said.

 

Published 11/01/24

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Ontario to Face Physical Clear Fork

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Aaron Eckert

 

          Friday night marks the second meeting of the season between Ontario and Clear Fork as they collide in a first round playoff game in division IV at Copeland Field.

          Ontario (9-1), #4 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, won the first meeting (31-14) on September 20.

          Coach Aaron Eckert says the Colts are an improved football team.  “It's one of those things.  It's kind of weird in you're playing a team from your own conference in a way, but you know them, they know you.  What's unique about Clear Fork is their season probably turned after we played them.  They played a really good game against us.  They got healthy after us and they have won three their last four games.  So, it's a team on the upswing and playing pretty good football right now,” said Eckert.

          Clear Fork has wanted to be a physical team, but Eckert says now they are giving you more to defense.  “I think a lot of it has to do with just how physical they are.  They started that trend against us.  Clear Fork has always been known as a physical football team and a team that likes to run the football.  Now, their quarterback is healthy again and they're starting to do some RPO’s with him where they just throw it off the runs and just makes them that much more dangerous on offense,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “Then defensively, they've been solid all year.  They struggled to score early in the season, but now they're scoring the ball in waves and playing really good defense, which makes for a pretty tough match up for us.”

          Clear Fork is going to want to eat some clock and Eckert says they need to get them off the field.  “As in any game you want to get a bunch of three and outs and get your offense back on the field.  We can get the ball in the hands of Bodpegn Miller that's usually a good thing for us at Ontario.  So, overall we've got to try to limit their opportunities and play good fundamental defense and get the ball back to our offense and see if we can go down and score against that really good defense they have,” he said.

          Miller leads led the “MOAC” in rushing tis year and has made multiple big plays.  Eckert says they need some of those on Friday night again.  “That's kind of the name of the game if you can create some big plays in the throw game or the run game then you're probably going to win the game if you have more than they do.  The last time we played them we were fortunate enough to have Bodpegn on our team and he had some nice long runs.  If I remember right, Mason (VanTilberg) had a great game.  For us, we've got to show up and do a great job on the perimeter in terms of blocking because they're kind of in your face playing defense.  Up front you've also got to do a great job of opening up holes and trying to let those backs that we have find a crease and go,” said Eckert.

 

Published 10/31/24

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Ashland to Host St. Charles

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Scott Valentine

 

          Ashland, the Ohio Cardinal Conference champion, will at home at Community Stadium against Columbus St. Charles in a first round playoff game in division II on Friday night.

          They won the “OCC” outright with a (30-21) win over Lexington last week.

          Coach Scott Valentine says their defense got a couple big scores in the game.  “Our defensive staff had a good game plan and our kids went out and they got opportunities to get some interceptions and then went ahead and took them in for touchdowns.  That was a big part of our game last week,” said Valentine.

          Valentine says when you get those defensive scores it can really give you some momentum.  “It just propels your team and gets everybody excited.  Momentum is the thing that that you need to have on your side as you go through the game,” he said.

          Ashland (10-0), #3 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, plays host to St. Charles (4-6), a loser of their last six in a row.

          Valentine says they got a great start to the season, but then were hurt by some injuries.  “Early on they had a lot of success and then I got into a couple games and their starting quarterback got hurt, which hurt them a little bit.  Now, I think he came back and they started scoring some more points,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “They play a tough schedule down there in the Columbus area.  So, again when you get to this point everybody's going to be good, so you got to be ready to play.”

          Valentine says they use the tight end more than a lot of teams do and they will come at you with a couple of different defensive fronts.  “I think they are multiple in what they do, like everybody right now.  They have some good runners and do some things with tight ends, which sometimes you don't see.  We see that little bit in our league.  So, those are some differences there.  Defensively, they are a four man front, three man front and play a lot of different coverages.  So, those are things we again have to be ready for,” said Valentine.

 

Published 10/31/24

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Northmor Has to be Aggressive, Yet Disciplined

 

          Northmor, the winner of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference, has a home date with Caldwell in the first round of the division VI playoffs on Friday night.

          Last week, they destroyed Loudonville (50-0) to claim an outright title in the “KMAC”.

          Coach Scott Armrose says they were able to get up early and coast.  “Loudonville’s young and they just kind of struggled to kind of keep up with us and we put them away early,” he said.

          Northmor (10-0), #4 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, continues to strive to get better, according to Armrose.  “I think we're trying to improve every week and focus on us and I think that's what we've done.  I really feel like in practice this week we're playing our best football right now and that's the goal,” he said.

          Caldwell (5-5) has won two of its last three, including (37-0) over Shenandoah last week.

          Armrose says they are a solid team.  “They're not your typical 15 seed in that they're a team that last year, just one year ago in division VII they were in state semifinals.  They've got wins against Fort Frye and Waterford, two of the teams in the top half of our region.  So, they’re a team that's physical.  Young up front, but have some experience in the skilled positions and they’ve got a quarterback that can just run like crazy and he is a phenomenal athlete,” said Armrose.

          Armrose says they must be aggressive on defense, but they have to be disciplined too.  “They spread you out and they throw the ball well enough to be able to throw it over the field at the same time.  When they spread you out you have got to keep enough guys in the box to stop that run.  You have got to be disciplined,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “You can't really afford to take somebody out of pass coverage to devote them completely to the quarterback, but defensive line has got to be disciplined, your linebackers have to be disciplined.  You have to stay in your pass rush lanes and things like that.  So, stay disciplined, but the same time be aggressive up front.”

 

Published 10/31/24

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Mohawk Has to Fix Mistakes

 

          Mohawk, the winner of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this season, plays host to Edgerton on Friday night in a first round playoff game in division VII.

          They beat Seneca East (21-13) last Friday in what was a conference title game.

          Coach Eric Daniel says they made a lot of mistakes, but they were able to make enough plays.  “Just happy to get out with the win.  We didn't play particularly the best, but we were able to turn them over and create some short fields, flip field position and we did enough and came away with our first come championship in quite some time.  So, I was really proud of the kids but we had a lot to clean up this week, a lot to get fixed and to tighten up if we want to make a playoff run, which we have every intention of doing,” said Daniel.

          It was Mohawk’s first “N10” title since 2018.

          Mohawk (8-2) entertains Edgerton (6-4) on Friday night.  The Bulldogs lost (24-0) to Tinora last week.

          Daniel says they have a lot of weapons.  “They are really good up front, very big, physical.  They've got a really nice quarterback, he’s like the (Nichols) Parks kid from Seneca East.  Not overly big, but shifty, quick, tough and throws the ball really well and then they got a couple really nice receivers and a stud running backs.  So, I would liken them to Seneca East, very talented and certainly one we are not underestimated. especially with the lack of knowledge that we have with them,” he said.

          Daniel says their goal is to make a long run, but they have to be much better than they were last week.  “They're very multiple, lot of lot of formations. a lot of motion and they do some eye candy stuff to get you off your keys.  So, there's a lot of good prep for what we're going against in week 11.  I think it kind of gets you sharp.  Seneca East did a good job moving the ball against us and there's some things that that we need to take care of and tighten up,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Fortunately, you're able to do that after a win, but nonetheless that needed fixed.  So, there's a lot of stuff that we got on our guys this week in film and coached them hard and had a lot of expectations for them to tighten it up.  We made a lot of mistakes that we hadn't made all year in week 10, so definitely a lot of stuff to get fixed and stay hungry.”

 

Published 10/31/24

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Seneca East to Meet Speedy Western

 

          Seneca East will be up at Western Reserve in a division VI first round playoff game on Friday night.

          They played Mohawk in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference championship game last week, but lost (28-13) on Friday.

          Coach Ed Phillips says it’s time to move on.  “I think it's what you would have expected out of a championship game.  Two great teams slugging it out.  Unfortunately, we didn't come out on top, but we put ourselves in a position that we could have,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Now just onward and upward to the playoffs.  If you don't win the conference a good consolation is getting in the playoffs and have an opportunity to go out and be successful there and that's what we're looking forward to.”

          Seneca East (6-4) is at Western Reserve (7-3) in an eight, nine game on Friday night. Western finished in a share of third in the Firelands Conference.

          Phillips says Riders offense tries to spread you out and create mismatches.  “They spread you out and they've got a quarterback and a couple backs that can run the ball very well, but then they will throw it also.  They've got speed kind of across the board at the receiver spots and like I said in the backfield.  They’re dual threat this year, that's for sure,” he said.

          Phillips says on defense, the Roughriders also count on their speed.  “The nice thing is that it was schematically for us they run some stuff pretty similar to what Mohawk does.  So, when your offensive line can see something similar from one week to the next that's a good thing.  The same thing they’re built on offense they are built on defense, that's their speed,” said Phillips.

 

Published 10/31/24

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St. Paul to Meet Traditional Power Cuyahoga Heights

 

          Norwalk St. Paul, co-champion of the Firelands Conference, will put the welcome matt out for Cuyahoga Heights in a division VII first round playoff game on Friday night.

          The Flyers earned that co-title last week with a thrilling (29-28) win over arch rival Monroeville last Friday, executing a two point play with no time remaining.

          Coach Chris Doughty says his kids were resilient.  “It was a clash of two traditional powerhouses in the Firelands Conference.  It's always a slugfest and that game was no exception.  I was really, really proud of the resiliency our kids showed.  It was the third straight week now we've been down at halftime have come back and battled back in the second half.  So, it's a testament to their willingness and ability to be resilient.  So, really proud of the effort,” he said.

          St. Paul (6-4) hosts Cuyahoga Heights (5-4) on Friday night.  The Red Wolves have won three straight games, including (41-8) last week over Brooklyn.

          Doughty says this is a school a lot like St. Paul when it comes to tradition. “Cuyahoga Heights is another traditional playoff powerhouse.  This will be, I believe, the fourth matchup we've had with them in the last 35 years.  The last one coming back in 2004 though, so it's been a while.  Al Martin is the head coach there.  He's got like 260 something career wins.  He is well established there, much like coach (John) Livengood was here,” he said.

          Doughty says Cuyahoga Heights will show a lot of things on offense.  “Offensively, they've run kind of a mixture of two different offenses.  They'll run some of the option offense with some midline and veer and things like that, but then they'll also jump into some empty sets and four receivers sets where they will spread you out to throw the ball some too.  So, it’s really going to come down to being disciplined,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “We have to be disciplined against their option again, but then we’ll have to be able to cover that pass when they spread you out.  They've got some really nice playmakers.  Their quarterback is only a sophomore, but he's a big kid at 6’2”, 210.  They got a real physical running back #4 and then some really good receivers number #8, #9 and #12, really impressive on film.  Their line is pretty good size up front.  They have got a couple of younger guys playing.  They do a nice job of firing off the ball though.”

          And same kind of thing on defense, Doughty says the Red Wolves will show a lot of looks.  “Defensively, they run a couple different defenses.  They run a 5-2 and a 4-4.  They're not as big on the defensive line, but what they lack in size they make up for in quickness.  They do a nice job of shooting gaps and then getting penetration and things and getting off of blocks.  So, it's going to be really important that we're maintaining that line of scrimmage and continuing to block throughout the entire play.  Kyle Porter plays linebacker for them and does a really nice job of filling on the run and also a good job of getting out in pass situations.  Their safety Devin Dzik again really aggressive run filler and again does a nice job of staying over top of the passes.  So, much like last week it's going to be important to put some drives together, sustain those drives, and most importantly finishing by putting that ball in the end zone,” said Doughty.

 

Published 10/31/24

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Norwayne Must Stop the Run

 

          Norwayne, the outright champion of the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at home against Delta in a division V first round playoff game on Friday night.

          The earned that title by beating Hillsdale in what was a championship game (45-21) last Friday.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they were able to make some plays on both sides of the ball.  “I thought our guys did a great job of squelching their offense and making sure we're rallying to the ball and making some plays.  That's not to say we were perfect, but we did it well enough.  Then offensively took care of business up front and controlled the line of scrimmage and made sure that we could run the ball there.  We did an affectively, we had a 200 yard runner on the on the night and we're able to matriculate the ball down the field very well,” said Indorf.

          Mason Moyer ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns against Hillsdale.

          Indorf says coming off such a big game last week might serve them well in their playoff opener.  “I think having solid preparation last week and coming out and playing a solid game will hopefully catalyze us into week one of the playoffs and make sure that we're doing our job as we get on the road there for the playoffs,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “So, definitely need to make sure that we're improving and definitely need to make sure that they're taking further steps to mentally prepare and keep ourselves physically healthy and then physically prepared throughout practice during the week.”

          Norwayne (9-1), #3 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, entertains Delta (6-4) on Friday night.  The Panthers carry a three game losing streak.

          Indorf says they are going to be in some tight sets and try and run the ball.  “Well, the population of athletes that's going to be playing on the field is going to increase in density as we face Delta.  They're going to be in 32 personnel with three backs and two tight ends.  They are definitely going to try to run the ball on us and pound the ball.  So, we're going to have 22 guys in a pretty dense area there.  They do a lot of things up front with their guards and lineman and then do different things with their backs to try to give us a little bit of a tumultuous look.  Hopefully, it's not a conundrum for our linebackers as they need to really focus on reading those keys of their guards,” said Indorf.

 

Published 10/31/24

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West Holmes Wants to Feature the Pass

 

          West Holmes travels south to face Chillicothe Unioto in the first round of the division IV playoffs on Friday night.

          They secured a berth with a (42-10) win over Holy Name last week.

          Coach Keaton Leppla says it was their best overall performance of the season.  “The playoffs started for us last week with really a win or go home situation like we're about to start facing week in and week out.  Really proud of our kids, they really stepped up when the pressure was on and their backs were up against the wall.  They came out and we've probably played our best four quarters of football all year long, which is really encouraging moving into the playoffs, that's where you want to be. We're not all the way there yet firing on all cylinders for all four quarters, but that's the best four quarters of complementary football we've played,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “Offensively, we were able to move the ball, we're going to throw the ball, we were able to run the ball, our execution was great there.  If we could shore up a few turnovers on that end.  Defensively, we made a big stop early and held them to a field goal after a turnover.  Lost a 50/50 ball in the end zone and then from there on out our defense played lights.  So, we're right there as program, we're right there as a team.  If we shore up those turnovers we're going to have a lot of success.”

          West Holmes (5-5) plays at Unioto (9-1) on Friday night.  The Sherman Tanks were the champions of the Scoto Valley Conference.

          Leppla says they are multiple on offense.  “With how big the region is it's a two and half hour ride down there.  Watching film, they're balanced offensively.  I would say for in their area they're the team that's able to do both throw the ball and run the ball.  Looking at them, they want to lean on their run game early and often.  They've been bigger and more physical than everybody, so they've used their run game to kind of physically beat people up.  Then again, they've got group of three receivers that are pretty talented across the board.  They have got a sophomore quarterback, he's a little bit of a gunslinger, he's not afraid to throw the ball deep, he's not afraid to throw it into tight coverage, double coverage.  So, we have got to take advantage.  We have got to stop that run on offense and take advantage of a young quarterback honestly and get that ball back for our offense,” said Leppla.

          Leppla says with a quarterback like Morgan Smith, they want to try and throw the football.  “They're one of those defenses that's similar to like a New Philadelphia.  They're going to run their stuff, they're going to run it really well and they're going to make adjustments to that defense based on whatever offense you run.  For us, right now I think what we feel like our biggest advantage is they haven't played the team that's able to throw the ball as well as us.  It's all about the trenches, we are going to establish the running game, force them to load the box up even more and then lean on to what we've been doing best for these last three weeks and that's been throwing the ball really well,” said Leppla.

 

Published 10/31/24

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Clear Fork Has to Score

 

          Clear Fork has a second chance to beat Ontario this year Friday night in the first round of the division IV playoffs in Ontario.

          The Colts (4-6) have won three of their last four, including a (34-10) pasting of River Valley in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Coach Aaron Brokaw says with the playoffs a possibility they were fired up to play.  “The guys came out motivated.  Offensively we did some nice things.  Defensively, I think they got it touchdown on us in the first half and field goal and then second half we were able to shut them out.  We were able to get some good pressure on the Ebert kid at quarterback in the second half.  We weren’t able to get there in the first half, but we were in the second half and that's a big difference in the game,” said Brokaw.

          Senior Jay Jackson had 226 totals and a interception return for a TD last week.

          Ohio State recruit Bodpegn Miller led the “MOAC” in rushing this year with and also threw for 1,500 yards.

          Brokaw says he is going to make plays no matter what they do.  “He's a really good athlete.  It's going to be almost impossible to keep him from having success at times.  We feel like we have got to take care of possessions on offense and be able to put points on the board we have opportunities,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Keep playing good defense and be sound in special teams.  It will be like we've told the guys all year long the only thing we want to be able to do is make sure that we're there in the fourth quarter to be able to have an opportunity to win.”

          Ontario’s defense did not allow more than two TD’s in any league game other than Shelby.

          Brokaw says they are very good on all levels.  “They've got quite a bit of size up front.  They have got a pretty good mic linebacker and then they're secondary just tries to keep things in front of them for the most part.  They're confident in their scheme and you can tell that by the way the kids play,” he said.

          Ontario (9-1), #4 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, won the first meeting (31-14) on September 20.

          Brokaw says this time they have to be able to score when they get down close.  “The last time we were able to get it to a 17-14 margin and then Miller broke a couple of long runs.  So, I think just given a few different looks that could present problems for them from the defensive side of the ball.  Then offensively when we've got opportunities to put points on the board and make them uncomfortable and make them press that really gives us an advantage.  We've been in a lot of close games and they might not necessarily have been in a lot of close contests this year,” said Brokaw.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Shelby Has to Have Right Mindset

 

          Shelby, the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference champion, and second seed will host Elida in a first round playoff game in division IV on Friday night.

          The Whippets (10-0), #2 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, belted Marion Pleasant (33-14) last week to secure the outright title.  It was the 30th title in the Whippets illustrious history.

          Coach Robert Mahaney says it was a pretty good night.  “It was a special night for our team and for our seniors.  It was awesome to see our kids who have bought in since last winter, through the spring, and through the summer, to kind of get that reward of having that moment on the field and then the bus ride back into Shelby was a really cool moment for our kids.  Really proud of them and everything that they accomplished this year.  Now, we're looking forward to keeping things going into the playoffs,” he said.

          Despite what they have done over the first 10 weeks, Mahaney says that is irrelevant now.  “The seeds are set, the pairings, all that kind of stuff and now you just go out and play football.  We talked about it to our team that you had to have a special sense of urgency in the playoffs because every week you're fighting for your team's life.  The seniors are trying to continue to play to extend their last season of high school football.  Our team is trying to extend their season, so they can sit together another week and spend more time together.  There is just a sense of urgency that has to pick up and so far through two days of preparation we've done a good job with that,” said Mahaney.

          Elida (3-7) comes out of the Western Buckeye League.

          Mahaney says they have been tested.  “The first thing is that they're in a really good football conference.  We've had opportunities to play teams from the “WBL” over the past couple of years, Van Wert specifically.  We have seen their conference and know there are going be battle tested.  It's a really good football conference and week in and week out they're going to be tested.  They have some really good wins over some of those teams in that conference, so that's the first thing.  Then secondly, they have some really good football players.  Defensively, they fly around and get to the football.  They have a defensive end that's really special football player and has division one offers and rightfully so,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We have got to make sure up front we know what we're supposed to do and execute at a high level.  Offensively for them, they do a really good job and do some really good stuff schematically.  Their quarterback is good and they have a wide receiver that they play in the slot that they hand the ball.  Then have a lot of different ways to get him the ball and he's one of the best athletes we've played all year.  So, they have a lot of really good football players and they're battle tested.  So, we have got to make sure that we have that sense of urgency and understand what we're playing on Friday and come out ready to go.”

 

Published 10/30/24

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Minutemen Face Balanced Maumee

 

          Lexington hits the road Friday night for a first round playoff game in division III against Maumee.

          Last week, they had a chance to share the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship with Ashland, but lost (30-21) to the Arrows.

          Coach Andrew Saris says they made too many mistakes.  “It was a tough one.  We gave ourselves a chance to come away and win that game.  Down the stretch, made some errors, made some mistakes.  I know it's tough on the kids.  I thought the kids still played extremely hard.  Now, we're excited to get a chance to make the playoffs and give ourselves a chance to win a game,” said Saris.

          Saris says they have to learn from last week, but not dwell on it.  “I think you can look in terms of what can we do and what can we change to get better, but through that I always think your windshield needs to be bigger than that rear view mirror.  So, we have got to make sure that we're looking in the past to try to get better, but always having the eyes forward,” he said.

          Lexington (5-5) plays at Maumee (8-2) on Friday night.  The Panthers finished third in the Northern Buckeye Conference.  They are coming off a (41-17) win over Otsego.

          Saris says they can throw too, but they want to run it.  “They're a tough football team.  They're very balanced offensively, but they definitely still want to be able to run the ball and grind you out.  They have got a great running back and a quarterback who runs the offense really well.  He doesn't make a lot of mistakes, so when he does get a chance to throw the football he throws an accurate ball and takes advantage of it,” said Saris.

          There is no one team on Lexington’s regular season schedule that reminds Saris of Maumee, but they have seen a lot of things they try and do.  “I think there are a big combination of a lot of teams we’ve played this year.  They have a strong arm game like a Madison or West Holmes, but also some poise at quarterback that we saw early on even later in the season.  I think they bring their own kind of scheme to the game, but it's a decent mixture of a lot of things that we've seen this year,” said Saris.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Western Reserve to Face Talented Seneca East

 

          Western Reserve, of the Firelands Conference, hosts Seneca East, of the “N10” on Friday night in a first round playoff game in division VI.

          Coach Ty Stevenson says playoff games are always a fun experience.  “It's an exciting time.  Anytime you make the playoffs.  Obviously, they expanded it, but now we're proud to be in the top eight and get to host a playoff game.  Excited for our kids and our community,” he said.

          Western Reserve (7-3) is home for Seneca East (6-4) on Friday.  The Tigers lost the “N10” title game to Mohawk (21-13) last week.

          Stevenson says they have a lot of weapons on offense.  “Basically, everybody jumps off the page at you when you start watching the film.  A great offensive and defensive line.  The quarterback is a really good wrestler.  He runs around and slings it and can run football.  #44, the running back, Gayheart, he’s really physical, about 200 pounds,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, and they have got four or five receivers.  #1 and #8 are both really good and they got some complimentary guys with that.  So, they created a great challenge.  Coach (Ed) Phillips he's been there for forever, a long time, I think 2007 maybe or something like that.  They have got a really good staff and do really, really good things over there.”

          Stevenson says they will stress them with their pass game.  “They're pretty balanced 50/50.  I'm don’t not know if you call that balance.  They definitely could throw the ball all over the place.  The (Nicolas) Parks has got maybe 2000 yards, or pretty darn close to it throwing.  So, they have got a lot of weapons,” he said.

          Stevenson adds that Seneca East is going to be physical on defense and show a lot of coverages. “A lot of those same guys play defense and again they're big and physical and strong and fast and they do a good job of playing their 4-3 and get some good coverage in some different ways and trying to confuse you a little bit with different coverages.  They get their ends wide and they bring it hard and play solid football,” he said.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Clear Fork Coming Together

 

          Clear Fork meets Worthington Christian in a division IV boys’ soccer regional semifinal on Wednesday night at Marion Harding Stadium.

          The Colts (9-8-3) beat Vermilion (2-1) in a district final last week.

          Coach Nate Gailey says his team has grown a lot and they have good chemistry.  “We as coaches that's one of things we talk about as you look at who's coming back.  We had a young team last year, started six freshmen, so we knew that was coming back.  We knew we had a good junior class that are now seniors.  So, between the mix of those two we know we had some talent.  Now it’s just putting the pieces together.  So, as we went through the season, certainly some ups and down.  We didn't do very well even in the preseason, struggled in some scrimmages, but we also intentionally put a pretty hard schedule together for the regular season because we feel like if you win that's awesome, if you tie then you know you're about right there, and losing to a good team is going to show you some of those weaknesses,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “We were able to just fix some of the problems that we saw come up, but we knew we had some talent.  I think one of the biggest things for us was we just had a team top to bottom the kids enjoyed being around each other and playing together and that was something special because it's not always the case, but it seemed like guy one through guy 22, they're all friends, just enjoyed playing together and being together.  So, we knew we had a special team, we just weren’t sure if we would be able to put it all together, so it's great to see that we have.”

          Gailey says they understand the one and done pressure.  “That's one of the things that we've kind of preached going into the tournament was you've done some good things and can't just be one half of good soccer.  You've got to figure out how to put two halves together.  That was honestly our main message going into the tournament for that reason.  So, for the most part we've been able to do that and so after I think the first couple of games it really puts some confidence behind the work that the boys have put in.  They're starting to see that hey we can do this and we can play with anybody, so we started to see just some of the intensity pick up and I think that's a lot of the reason behind it because they know the season's only going to keep going if you keep winning.  If you lose it's over and I don't think anyone's ready to go home quite yet,” said Gailey.

          Worthington Christian (15-3-1) has three state titles to its collection and has been the final four in the old division III, 13 times.

          Gailey says they are very solid.  “They have a strong history of their soccer program.  They were the state runner up last year in 2023.  They do some very, very good things.  They are a technically sound team, they're well coached, well disciplined.  You see that when you watch film of them.  We've not actually ever played them.  They have a schedule full of Columbus schools and they do play Mansfield Christian, so we have that common opponent.  They have been a strong, powerhouse soccer team for many years.  We are excited for the match-up, but we definitely have our work cut out for us,” he said.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Clyde Must be Disciplined

 

          Clyde will be at home on Friday night for a first round playoff game in division IV as they host Otsego.

          The Fliers have had great success in the playoffs, including winning a state title in 2019, and coach Ryan Carter says you have to have different mental approach.  “We've talked to our kids about that since Saturday morning.  There is a different feel about the playoffs, there's different intensity levels, teams handle them differently, but our kids know that, our kids have been around those fires before.  We've had a different level of intensity around practice this week.  So, we're excited about it.  We talked to our kids (Monday) night about when you hang them up this time, when it's over and the other team has one more point than you at the end, it's over.  You can do a lot of things in life.  You can go play rec league basketball, you can golf, you can do a lot of things, but you don't usually put the pads back on and play 11 man tackle football on a Friday night.  So, it's one of those special things and in the high school world that we don't take for granted,” Carter.

          Clyde (7-3), #5 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, hosts Otsego (5-5) on Friday.  They lost to Maumee (41-17) last week.

          Carter says they are a well coached football team.  “A very good football team.  A very well coached football team.  Craig Rutherford, who was at Eastwood for a long time, and his dad Jerry Rutherford, who was at Eastwood for forever before Craig took over.  You can just tell it's a Rutherford coached football team.  They do things well, their kids play hard, they come off the football, they're a wing-T offense, so we really have got to win first down,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “We really have to get off the field when we have opportunities because they are going to run a football, they're going to grind the clock, and you're not going to get very many opportunities offensively.  So, when you have opportunities to get off the field and get it back for your offense, you have to take full advantage of those.”

          Carter says their defense must be disciplined and they must tackle well.  “You have to be assignment sound, you have to be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there and you have got to show up violently.  You have to get them down to the ground.  We're preaching that to our kids, but I'll tell you this and it's one thing to practice against the wing-T in practice.  Try to simulate with your scout team, but it's a whole different world when you see it live speed on a Friday night.  So, it'll be our first time seeing that this year, so we're trying to get the kids ready to go,” he said.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Freddies Playing Role of Underdog

 

          Fredericktown takes the long bus trip to Oak Harbor to meet the unbeaten Rockets in a fist round playoff game in division V on Friday night.

          Last week, they lost their final regular season game to Centerburg (35-21) in play in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

          Coach Will Hartley says a poor first half did them in.  “The first half we just had some early breakdowns in the secondary and we were also not able to get pressure on their quarterback and they made some big plays over the top.  We dug ourselves a hole.  The second half we really battled back put it there to 28-14 and seemed like maybe we had recaptured the momentum a little bit and then they took another big shot play.  Their big receiver, their 6’4” receiver, just made a great catch going around pretty good coverage and he just made a great play.  That stretched it back out to 3-14.  The kids continued to battle and we did get a late score.  It was a good second half, kids didn’t quit, we just dug to big of a hole in the first half,” said Hartley.

          Fredericktown (5-5) is at Oak Harbor (10-0) on Friday night.  The Rockets were outright champions in the Northern Buckeye Conference.

          Hartley says they are loaded.  “Just another one of those just really solid programs.  They've got 67 boys on the roster.  They're 29-1 over the past three years in the regular season and they've gone to at least the second round of the playoffs in each of those three years, just really solid program.  The coach has been there for a long time.  Offensively and defensively they're nothing fancy, they're just very, very fundamentally sound,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They've got big, athletic kids up front, they have got some nice skilled kids.  Their best football player is their primary running back and also their inside linebacker.  He's just a tough gritty kid.  You can tell that on film.  They have several of those types of kids.  The quarterback same way, he’s a two way starter, played both quarterback and safety on defense.  You got some nice skilled kids on the perimeter.  So, just really solid well-rounded team with a lot of experience and a great deal of depth.”

          Hartley says they want to make this a game in the second half.  “That's the goal to make it a close game and have a chance in the fourth quarter and who knows what can happen and on any given Friday night that's the case.  We just really want to have our best game this season.  We talked to the kids about putting forth your best effort and if you can increase your 1/11th just a little bit and play your best game.  All those types of things multiplying.  Also, if we can put a complete came together from all three phases of the game and keep it close with a chance to win in the fourth quarter that would be great,” he said.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Hillsdale Opens the Playoffs on Friday

 

          Hillsdale will be home Friday night for Fairport Harding in a first round playoff game in division VII.

          They played a Wayne County Athletic League championship game last week against the Norwayne Bobcats.  They lost (45-21).

          Coach Trevor Cline says they just couldn't make the big plays at the right time.  “We all obviously wanted to win the league championship, be the first group that went undefeated, but that didn't work out the way that we all were hoping for.  I was proud of our players because we got down 24-7 and we end up making it a 24-21 football game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We needed to get a key stop on the following drive after making it 24-21 and we weren’t able to and things sort of spiraled out of control where they pulled away.  Our guys played hard and we just got out played in the game.”

          Hillsdale (9-1), #5 in the final Swankosports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, hosts Fairport Harding (5-4) on Friday night.  The Skippers lost (41-25) to Windham last week.

          Cline says they have an athletic group.  “I see is they’re a younger football team just based off the guys that they have playing, but they do have multiple guys that have had a very good football season so far.  Just looking up their stats they have multiple guys who have thrown for a lot of yards ran or received and got a lot of touchdowns.  So, they do have playmakers,” he said.

          Cline says on defense they can’t let the Skippers get deep.  “It's one of those things where we have got to do a good job of keeping everything in front of us because on the film they've done a nice job of getting behind some guys on the defensive side of the ball and able to get big plays offensively.  So, we have got to make sure that we keep everything in front of us and if we do that we're going to be able to slow down the offense,” said Cline.

 

Published 10/30/24

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Clear Fork Prepared for O-G

 

          Clear Fork tangles with Ottawa-Glandorf in a girls’ soccer division IV regional semifinal at Bowling Green High School on Tuesday night.

          The Lady Colts (13-4-2) blanked Liberty-Benton (4-0) in district final on Saturday at Clyde.

          Coach Brittany Bechtel says once they found their groove they were able to do some things.  “We talk a lot about the game and through tournament season you have got to have a little luck, but we also say that you create a lot of your luck.  The girls persevered, it was actually a very close match compared to what the score looked like.  Liberty-Benton was a very good team and they were honestly possessing it over us until we got that first goal in and I think that changed a little bit of the momentum.  Then the second goal swung it a little bit more.  The girls just took the opportunities and made the most of them,” she said.

          District player of the year Mel Blubaugh scored as well as teammates Mya Perry, Ashtyn Wine and Brinley Barnett.  Three of the goals came on set pieces.  Faith Smith had four saves.

          Clear Fork has been to this level before several times and Bechtel says they know what they have to do to be ready.  “We've taken things that have worked for us in the past.  We used to go Findlay for this game.  So, we're going a little bit further than Findlay this time.  We're going to break our drive up and make sure we get some food in the girls and within that broken drive we're going to eat.  We're going to have regimented food like we did Saturday,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We make sure that even though they're nervous that they're getting fuel for the body.  It's actually over two hours on the bus for our girls compared to their 50 minutes to an hour.  So, it's just important in many ways.  We look at all the obstacles that are in front of us for Tuesday.  The girls are really excited and it should be a very good game.”

          Ottawa-Glandorf (17-2-0) beat Lima Bath (2-1) in their district final. 

          Bechtel says they are also used to success, they were state runners-up in the old division III last season, and she expects it to be a tough match.  “Ottawa-Glandorf over the years has been pretty consistently through the tournament run.  We know quite a bit about them.  They played Ontario, so we've seen a little bit of a comparable match.  We've studied it and we've looked at it as best we can.  We just won Saturday, so there was a Sunday, a day off from them, and then had (Monday) to kind of to work through things.  We've done the best that we can.  We feel ready, we feel prepared, we've got our bodies ready and our mindset ready, and now we have just got to take care of business,” said Bechtel.

 

Published 10/29/24

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Crawford Must Defend the Spread

 

          Colonel Crawford heads for Southeast Ohio and a meeting with Monroe Central on Friday night in a first round playoff game in division VI.

          The Eagles finished the regular season (8-2) after winning the “Iron Plow” game with rival Wynford (42-6) last week.

          Coach Jake Bruner says they played a good game.  “Anytime you play a rival game week 10 you're concerned.  Wynford-Colonel Crawford is a big rivalry and we knew we'd have our hands full.  I thought our kids came out and played pretty well overall,” he said,

          Monroe Central (9-1) beat Shadyside (52-0) last week.

          Bruner says they will be forced to defend an outstanding quarterback in Tucker Hall.  “To be honest, never heard of Monroe Central until now.  They play there against Hannibal River, a team we played in the last couple of years on week one.  We've got a long trip, it's a three hour trip one way there, that's the first hurdle we have got to get over.  They have one of the more talented teams that they've had there.  They won a playoff game last year and were 7-5.  They have a tremendous quarterback.  He's the leading passer all time in their school and his brother is a great receiver.  They've got a couple other guys that are really good.  They have a big team from a size standpoint.  They’re big sized guys offensive linemen, so it's going to be a huge challenge for us,” said Bruner.

          Bruner says Monroe Central is going to feature a lot of the spread offense when they have the ball.  “There are parts of them that remind us of different teams.  The difference is the style of play down there is different.  I don't mean that good or bad, it's just different, people do different things and it's a little different from the area you're part of.  They remind me a little bit of a lot of different teams we play,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon. “Their quarterback is very versatile.  He runs the ball, he throws the ball, he has a tremendous arm.  He throws it deep very, very well.  They want to spread you out.  They'll run it a little, but they want to spread you out.  Spread you out and run the ball with him and they want to spread you out and throw the ball with him. So, the offensive really goes through Tucker Hall.  He's the all time leading passer for a reason.  He's got a big body, a big frame and he can run the ball and throw the ball.”

 

Published 10/29/24

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Crestview to Face Explosive Ottawa Hills

 

          Crestview travels to Ottawa Hills to take on the Green Bears in a first round playoff game in division VI on Friday night.

          The Cougars (5-5) reached the postseason by beating Western Reserve (28-8) and Mapleton (40-14) in their final two Firelands Conference games of the season.

          Coach Steve Haverdill says they played well under the gun.  “Our backs have been against the wall last two weeks and we've responded very well.  You add that with the strength of schedule that we've had this year I think that we're tested.  It's another week in our schedule that's the most important,” he said.

          In fact, the Cougars have only one loss, (16-15) to conference co-champion Norwalk St. Paul, since mid-September.

          Haverdill says they have not been hurting themselves on offense and playing sound defense.  He says they have to continue that on Friday.  “We realize in that game if you take those 20 seconds away we're 20 seconds away from being conference champs with St. Paul beating Monroeville.  Our kids feel really good about how we're playing right now.  We limit the mistakes, we haven't turned the ball over probably at all, which has been fantastic.  So, if we continue to do that and the defense keeps playing the way it's been doing, it's going to keep us in ball games,” said Haverdill.

          Ottawa Hills (8-1) won the Toledo Area Athletic Conference this year.  Their only loss coming (26-7) to Gibsonburg, the runner-up in the River Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference, in their opener.

          Haverdill says they have a lot of experience and they have a number of big play makers.  “They're very explosive on offense.  They're very fast.  They've got a lot of multi year starters.  We played them three years ago when New London first went down and didn't have a team and they came down and we actually played at Ashland High School because our turf wasn't ready and they have a handful of guys that started as freshmen in that game that are now seniors,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “They're very experienced and they're explosive and fast.  On defense they attack very well out of a 3-3 stack look.  On the offensive side, it's a unique situation.  They are zone concept with some buck sweep action stuff in too.  So, they present a lot of problems.  We have got to be very disciplined and see what we're getting and we have got to be able to tackle in space.”

 

Published 10/29/24

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Upper Likes its Role

 

          Upper Sandusky, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, made the division IV playoffs as the final seed in their region, and will play at top seed Sandusky Perkins on Friday night.

          Coach Russell Hall says the Rams (5-5) have worked hard to get here.  “We started the season off 1-2, which is the way you want to start to go into league play.  The boys did a great job of working each and every week, of trying to improve as a team and the wins started to come, which was good.  We got just enough to get in,” said Hall.

          Perkins (9-1), #1 in the final Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, smoked Tiffin Columbian (42-7) last Friday to claim the outright title in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Hall says they are just outstanding.  “It shows, they're a top team in the state.  They're very solid at every single position.  They're very impressive to watch.  Fun to watch on offense and stuff like that, just the playmakers that they have.  You can tell they're very well coached and they're a very good team,” he said.

          There likely aren’t very many people that give the Rams much of a chance to be competitive in this game.  However, Hall says the pressure is all on Perkins in this game.  “That's what we told our boys on Saturday.  There's not very many people out there that think you have a chance to you know even stop them when they're on offense because they're such a good team.  There are super high expectations for the season,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “That's what I told them.  You need to enjoy the moment and have fun and all the pressure is on them.  They're supposed to win 100-0 and you get to go out and play.  Making the playoffs for Upper Sandusky is not something you take very lightly.  This is the seventh week 11 in football program history and then the eighth time with the COVID year in 2020 that we've qualified for the playoffs in that year when every team made it.  So, just proud of these boys and proud of the program to keep working kind of turn it around.  I really enjoyed coaching this group of kids and looking forward to Friday night.”

 

Published 10/29/24

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Huron at Home for Spencerville

 

          Huron, out of the Bay Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference, entertains Spencerville in a division VI first round playoff game on Friday night.

          Last week, they lost (28-3) to unbeaten Edison in a division game.

          Coach Sam Hohler says they got off to a good start, but could not maintain that play.  “To start off, Edison's a really good team.  For them to be undefeated and have the season that they're having is pretty special.  They have a lot of talented kids.  We got off to a really good start.  We got a turnover early and we were leading after half of the first quarter.  In the second quarter though, we started to have a little bit of trouble defending their offense.  They were able to put some points on the board.  We did get some opportunities, but couldn't cash in, which we've had a little trouble with here playing some tough opponents here down the stretch.  So, a very good game, great atmosphere.  Had a chance to win the “SBC” or at least tie for the “SBC” (Bay) championship, unfortunately we weren't able to do it,” said Hohler.

          Huron (6-4) hosts Spencerville (5-5) on Friday night.  The Bearcats routed Delphos Jefferson (54-7) last week, breaking a two game losing streak.

          Hohler says they are going to want to run the ball.  “They play in the Northwest Conference.  They play schools like Bluffton, Columbus Grove and Convoy Crestview, so west central Ohio.  They're going to have to make two hour bus trip to come up to the lake here and play us.  They've got a nice ball team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “They run a lot of Wing-T on offense and they play a 3-4 defense.  They've got a couple of really nice players on both sides of the ball.  So, definitely not pushovers.  It should be a solid game and we're hoping we can figure out a way to get a win.”

          Hohler says they have not seen a lot of the wing-T offense this year, but they know what they have to do to stop it.  “Not a whole lot, not like we did you know a few years back.  You do see teams incorporate a little bit into what they do.  Edison does a little bit of it.  Clyde has a little bit in there as well.  So, we've practiced against it throughout the season a little bit.  So, pretty confident in what we can do to try to stop it,” he said.

 

Published 10/29/24

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Shelby Plays for Undisputed Title

 

          Shelby already has a share of its fourth Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title in five years and they can win it outright if they can win at Marion Pleasant on Friday night.

          They scored twice in the final minutes last week to get past Ontario (50-36) in an “MOAC” game between unbeaten teams.

          Coach Robert Mahaney says they kept attacking.  “I thought our kids played exceptionally well.  I was really proud of our efforts offensively defensively and our special teams.  I’m proud of our guys after going down early and then going down late to stick to what we do and have no panic and flip the page and to keep attacking.  I thought our kids did a great job with that.  It was a great high school football game.  Ontario is a really good football team and coached really well, so for our guys to continue to fight through it and play the way that we did just really, really proud of them,” he said.

          Quarterback Brayden DeVito accounted for seven touchdowns in the game.

          Shelby (9-0,6-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, visits Marion Pleasant (5-4,3-3) on Friday night.  The Spartans stuffed Marion Harding (14-3) last week.

          Mahaney says they have talent on both sides of the ball.  “I think Pleasant is a really good football team.  I think they're coached really well.  Offensively, they do a lot of different things that stress your defense.  The quarterback Lowry is a really good football player.  Their running back is good, they have receivers that can make plays and a good offensive line.  They put a lot of stress on you with their offensive,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Defensively, again they're very good up front.  That's where it starts with them inside with their tackles are very good.  The defensive end #24 is a really good football player.  He leads the league in sacks with like double anybody else.  He makes a ton of plays for them.  Their linebackers run to the football and their db's do good job of keeping things in front of them and tackling the football.  I think offensively, defensively and special teams, they do a really good job.  It starts with how well they’re coached and then their kids give a ton of effort.  Pleasant has a ton of tradition and you can see that that tradition in the effort on film.”

          Mahaney says they have been telling the kids that last week was only step one towards their goal.  “We talked about that this week with our guys about finishing the job.  Coming out this week we get one more regular season football game.  Our seniors get to play in one more “MOAC” game.  We want to go out there and take full advantage of it.  Fly around and play together and have a lot of fun and play Shelby Whippet football and compete until the very end and then hopefully we find ourselves in a position to make plays to win the game at the end.  If we can do that and play with one another and go out and execute I think we can do that,” said Mahaney.

 

Published 10/25/24

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Lady Colts to Play in District Final

 

          Clear Fork meets Liberty-Benton in a girls’ soccer division IV district final at noon on Saturday at Clyde High School.

          Mel Blubaugh and Ashtyn Wine both scored twice and the Lady Colts buried Upper Sandusky (7-0) in a semifinal on Wednesday.

          Coach Brittany Bechtel says after they shook some of the rust off, they played pretty well.  “We hadn't played in a long time, so that was kind of a little concerning.  The girls took a little bit to warm up during the game, but once they got rolling they were good to go,” she said.

          Clear Fork (12-4-2), the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference champ, plays Liberty-Benton, (4-0) winner over Port Clinton in the other semifinal on Wednesday.

          The two teams played September 14 at Liberty-Benton (10-4-4) and the game ended in a (1-1) tie.

          Bechtel says they are familiar with each other.  “We played them in season and we tied, so we've seen each other play and have each other's style of formation.  We have an idea what to look for.  We stayed for a half after our game to watch them play Port Clinton, so we have an idea what we're coming into and it's going to be a really good game by two good programs,” said Bechtel.

          Bechtel says she is not giving away the game plan, but says they have done the research and will come out ready to play.  “I’m not going to give too much away.  We definitely have been watching our film, watching other people's film and the different formation that they have and different ideas that we have moving forward.  We've been kind of building to this, but also kind of keeping ourselves in check because we wanted obviously to make sure that we took care of Upper Sandusky first and not get ahead of ourselves,” she told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Soccer can be a funny game.  You can control the whole game and shoot a ton of shots and not have anything fall and somebody can take one shot at your goal and it can go in.  So, until we took care of Upper we weren't looking quite at Liberty-Benton yet.  I was up till all hours (Wednesday) night and then (Thursday) at training and then (Friday) at training.  We have more stuff that we're working on to gear us up to get ready for Liberty Benton.”

 

Published 10/25/24

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Perkins Can Get it Outright

 

          Sandusky Perkins claims an outright title in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference if they can beat Tiffin Columbian on Friday night.

          They got a piece of the title by smoking Sandusky (37-0) in a division game last week.

          Coach Jalen Santoro says they made some big plays in the special teams.  “I thought we came out firing on all cylinders.  It was one of the big talking points going into the game was we had to handle special teams right away because Sandusky made a lot of big plays this year in the return game.  We wanted to make sure we tried to neutralize that as much as possible.  A couple of our squib kicks actually bounced the right way for us, which got us a couple possessions back.  Our defense came out and got some scores as well.  So, overall I thought we played well last week.  I thought our guys were ready for the challenge,” said Santoro.

          Perkins (8-1,3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, plays at home against Tiffin Columbian (4-5,1-2) on Friday night.  The Tornadoes thrashed Norwalk (47-20) in a division game last week.

          Santoro says they run the ball well and on defense they are going to be in a number of different looks.  “It’s one of those teams, they're a lot better than our record shows.  I think it's very easy to see that.  They have a very good offensive line.  They get off the ball well and they're big.  At the end of the day, they run the ball well between the tackles.  On defense, they show you a heck of a lot of different things.  So, you have to be prepared for everything and anything when you're playing them, especially their defense.  We have to be very sound in what we do.  We have you very sound in our game plan.  At the end of the day, it always comes down to the simple things like blocking and tackling.  They get off the ball very well and you have got to be very good about getting off blocks.  You got to be very good at the point of attack and tackling.  On offense, make sure you're dissecting their defense great and like again do the simple things like block very well.  They do show you a lot.”

          Santoro says on Friday night they better be ready to play.  “I don't think their record speaks about the team they are.  They have played some good competition up to this point in the year and teams that are state ranked and you know at the end of the day we have to come ready to play,” he said.

 

Published 10/25/24

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Northmor Goes for Outright Title

 

          Northmor already has no less than a share of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference title and they can win it outright with a win Friday night over winless Loudonville.

          Last week, the wrapped up a share of the title with (49-6) route of the Cardington Pirates.

          Coach Scott Armrose their goal every week is to get better as a football team and that’s the case this week too.  “That's been the goal every week to keep improving and play our best football each week.  We want to be playing our best football here this week, week 10,” he said.

          Northmor (9-0,6-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, is at Loudonville (0-9,0-6) on Friday night.  The Redbirds were hammered (43-0) by Mt. Gilead last week.

          Armrose says they have some athletic kids.  “They're a young football team and they've made some mistakes, but I’ll tell you for an 0-9 football team they've got some athletes that can make plays.  A quarterback that can run and throw and a receiver that can really make some plays,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Those guys are both really good defensive players as well.  So, they are an 0-9 football team, they are young, they have made their share of mistakes, but they're a football team that's much better than their record shows.”

          Armrose says they will focus on their execution.  “Our focus has been on us all season.  We focus on us we do and then what we need to do to improve and what we're going to do.  We’ve done that all week and we'll do that again on Friday night.  We're going to focus on us and we're going to execute and do what we do and try to do it better than we did last week,” said Armrose.

          10-0 records don’t come around everyday and Armrose says this would be a great accomplishment.  “I've been around this business for a long time.  I've been a part of a lot of really good football teams and I've never been part of a 10-0 season, so it'll be something very special,” he said.

 

Published 10/25/24

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Huron With a lot to Play for

 

          Huron entertains Edison on Friday night in a game in the Bay Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

           A win by the Tigers gets them a share of the division title.

          They lost (20-7) to Clyde in a “SBC” crossover last week.

          Coach Sam Hohler says they played really a pretty good football game.  “We went over to Clyde last week.  We played a terrific first half, came out and played really well.  In the second half it kind of flipped, Clyde had had the upper hand on us.  We had a couple of opportunities in the red zone where we weren't able to put points on the board and that was really the difference in the game.  I'm very proud of our kids playing a bigger school, a tough opponent, we had a great week of preparation and they went out and worked hard, we just weren't able to come away with the win,” said Hohler.

          Huron (6-3,2-1) plays at Edison (9-0,3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, on Friday night.

          Hohler says this is a big game for them in many ways.  “This is a rivalry game for us.  Here we are week 10 and we still have a chance to play for the SBC Bay championship.  We're kind of standing in the way of their undefeated season, so this is a big game for not only winning the league, but for playoffs as well and for local bragging rights,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “It’s going to be a big game atmosphere.  Should be a lot of fun.  We really don't have anything to lose.  We're going to go out there and give it our all and see if we can come away with one.”

          Edison features the triple option offense and Hohler that means they must be assignment sound on defense.  “They’re very balanced in their attack.  Their quarterback makes great decisions.  They have a couple of very solid running backs.  So, you have got to make sure that if you're on the dive, if that's where you’re at, or the QB, or the pitch.  It really is about assignment football and limiting your mistakes,” he said.

 

Published 10/25/24

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Carey Has to Get Better

 

          Carey will not win a fourth straight Northern 10 Athletic Conference football title, but they can still make a long playoff run.

          They have already wrapped up a division VI playoff berth.

          Friday night, they conclude the regular season with a conference game at winless Bucyrus.

          They fell last week (27-14) to “N10” co-leader and rival Mohawk.

          Coach Jonathan Mershman says they could not finish drives.  “We can't spot them 14 points right off the rip in the first seven minutes, but I thought we played a really well after that to finish out the half well and be 14-7 at halftime.  I thought coming out we drove a little bit.  We just didn't finish the drive and then we had a turnover and we didn't finish that drive,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Our theme of the year has been finish and we didn't do good enough finishing on a Friday night and didn't come away with the win.  There were things that we learned and things that I think we can grow from.  Then learn some more this week a little bit more and then we have got to get ready for playoffs.”

          Mershman says they just don’t want to win this week, but more than that play good football.  “Make good decisions, don't put the ball in jeopardy and limit, I don't know how to say it other than bonehead mistakes.  Keep the ball front of us on defense, don't let them get behind us and just play sound football,” he said.

          Carey (4-5,4-2) plays at Bucyrus (0-9,0-6) on Friday night.  The Redmen were roughed up last week by Seneca East (59-6) in “N10” play.

          Mershman says they need to take care of business.  “Offensively, they do move the ball down the field.  We need to come ready to play.  They will stick around if you let them and they will play hard to start the game.  It's our job to make sure that we finish on offense and make sure we keep things in front of us on defense,” he said.

 

Published 10/25/24

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West Holmes Must Win to Get in

 

          West Holmes must beat Holy Name in a non-conference game on Friday night to qualify for the division IV playoffs.

          Last week, they lost a shootout (38-31) to New Philadelphia in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game.

          However, coach Keaton Leppla says they learned a lot from the loss.  “The biggest thing from our perspective is we saw our kids really step up to the challenge.  It was back and forth, it was up and down, but our kids kept responding.  It's the most physical our football team has played all year.  So, there's tons of positives from it.  There's things we have got to clean up.  We have got to clean up turnovers.  We have got to clean up missed assignments on defense.  So, there's plenty of things that we could have done better to win that game.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do that, but again there's a lot of shining points.  There's a lot of things you like to see as a coach,” he said.

          Leppla says its straightforward for them this week.  It’s win or go home.  “Coming into this week, it's pretty simple.  It's you win you get to move on and you get a chance to make a round in the playoffs, you lose you go home.  So, these kids are fired up.  These seniors are ready to go.  We're going to honor them here one last time here at Knights Stadium and these guys are hungry.  We've had three tough weeks, some close games, some ones we wish we had back, but we can't control that.  All we can control now, what our kids have done a great job of is, how are we going to respond, how are we going to come out this week.  Are we going to come out and get in the playoffs and get in division IV and make a run or are we're going to kind of feel sorry for ourselves and kind of have the season where we're at as a disappointment.  So, I'm excited to see these kids respond and just go out and play at Knights Stadium one last time um and it should be a good one,” said Leppla.

          West Holmes (4-5) entertains Parma Holy Name (3-5) on Friday.  The Green Wave lost (13-3) to Elyria Catholic last week.

          Leppla says they have to be able to stop the run.  “They’re a private school and they play a bunch of private schools up north.  They definitely like running football.  They run the ball 60% of the time and throw the ball 40% of the time.  For us defensively, we have got to stop that run game.  We have got to control the line of scrimmage and force them to do what they don't want to do and that’s throw the ball.  So, that's them offensively in a nutshell,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Defensively, they're a 4-2-5 cover four.  They play two high safeties a lot.  We're going to have to take what they give us.  We’re going to have to establish our run game.  Force them to come up make some adjustments to stop our run and then once they do that try and take the top off top off the defense.  So, similar defensively to us and similar to defenses that we’ve played.  They're tough, they're fighters, they're physical.  I say this every week it's a matter of who takes care of the football, and it’s a matter of who controls the line of scrimmage is the one who is going to come out on top of this week.”

 

Published 10/25/24

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Bellevue Ready to go

 

          Bellevue plays at Vermilion in a Bay Division game in the Sandusky Bay Conference on Friday night.

          It was tough loss for the Redmen last week, falling (29-26) to Port Clinton in a division game.

          Coach Ed Nasonti says it boiled down to some plays right at the end of the game.  “It was tough loss.  It's kind of uncharted waters for us over here.  If you come into our fieldhouse, we have a big sign up in our fieldhouse and it says no excuses and that goes for the head coach too.  We're not playing good enough to get over the hump.  We had five plays probably in the end of the fourth quarter that if we make any one of the five plays, we probably would have been successful in that game and we didn't make any of the five,” he said.

          Nasonti says at Bellevue they don’t feel sorry for themselves.  “It's been tough sledding this year.  It isn’t easy for anybody that's involved.  We're not about self pity over here.  We're about supporting each other and I think we've done a good job with that.  I've talked to you before there's no finger pointing with the players and there's no finger pointing with the coaches.  We've stayed together and tried to bail water the best that we can.  So, here we are going into week 10, hard to believe this season is going by this fast, but we have got a good football team here in Vermilion coming up and we're hoping we can finish on a positive note,” said Nasonti.

          Bellevue (2-7,0-3) plays at Vermilion (7-2,2-1) on Friday night.  The Sailors fell (17-0) in unbeaten Edison in a division game last Friday.

          Nasonti says they have a lot of weapons.  “I think their coaches have done a pretty good job putting things together over there.  We've seen this class come up from seventh grade on.  They have a nice group of kids that execute their game plan.  They're playing with confidence.  They had a schedule that was conducive to them and getting some success early.  They have a really good quarterback.  They're doing a lot of the “Q” runs with him and they've been successful there.  They've also have three running backs that they take turns giving the ball to and these guys run hard and they're physical.  A lot of times those guys are doing the blocking on the “Q” runs also.  Those same guys are on the defensive side of the ball and they run to the ball and they like to hit.  Like I said, they're playing with confidence and they're riding the wave right now,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “It should be a good ball game for us.  Even though we haven't been that successful this year our kids have laid it out there and I'm proud of the way that they've played each week and I feel strongly that we're going to have a good showing (Friday) night.”

 

Published 10/25/24

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Ashland Not in Sharing Mood

 

          Ashland already has a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference title and they can win their first outright title since 2011 by beating Lexington on Friday night at Community Stadium.

          If they lose the game, they will have to share it with the Minutemen.

          They put themselves in a position to win the outright title by beating Wooster (24-14) last Friday.

          Coach Scott Valentine says they played good complementary football.  “Anytime you're going through a season you've got to make sure in the end that you take care of plays and make plays when you need to.  I thought special teams wise we got a field goal that they put us out there.  Then offensively we were able to drive the ball in the fourth quarter and get another score.  Defensively, we made a couple interceptions and got some picks.  So, it was a good all round team game,” said Valentine.

          Ashland (9-0,5-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, hosts Lexington (5-4,4-1) on Friday night.  The Minutemen beat Madison (14-7) last week.

          Valentine says Lexington has a big play offense and they tackle well in space.  “Well, I think they're a very athletic team.  The thing that's scary about them is they've got guys who can make plays and defensively you've got to try to limit their plays.  You have got to be great tacklers in space because that's something that they do well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “Defensively they haven't given up a lot of points.  They keep you in front of them.  They tackle in the open field.  So, we've got to find some ways to make some plays.”

          Sometimes you have to be patient against teams like Lexington and Valentine says that’s his job.  “You try to tell your kids, but sometimes that’s tough, so as the coach you have got to try to make calls that keep you patient.  In the end I think overall our guys understand that we've got to take out and play how the defense is playing us and so hopefully that we can do that,” said Valentine.

          Ashland has won outright or shared eight “OCC” titles and Valentine says they want this one to themselves.  “It's one of those games that you want to get out.  You always want to be playing in these types of games.  It’s our senior night for our kids, so our seniors are going to be excited about their last regular season game here.  So, it's something that you don't want to share it with anybody, you want to try to have it by yourself,” he said.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Playoffs a Possibility for Clear Fork

 

          A win on Friday night at home against River Valley in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference action will put the Clear Fork Colts in the division IV playoffs.

          That’s something that seemed impossible a month ago.

          They produced one of their better performances of the season last week in pounding Highland (41-7) in conference play.

          Coach Aaron Brokaw says they did a pretty good job of executing.  “The guys did a lot of good things.  We didn't put ourselves in difficult situations early on, which is always a benefit.  We scored on our opening offensive possession.  Got a couple holding penalties on the second one, but outside of that offensively we were able to move the ball all night long.  Defensively, we played well.  They completed a touchdown right before the half, but outside of that we were able to keep them in check with the defense.  We had a couple of issues in the point after try game that hopefully we got that corrected this week.  Overall, it was a good win.  It's great to see the kids be so excited afterwards too,” said Brokaw.

          Brokaw says dedication and work ethic are starting to pay off.  “We have a lot of young guys contribute sometimes they can get a little down on themselves and maybe a little too hard themselves.  So, it's always nice when you can get a win.  We've been after those guys all year that if you keep doing things the right way eventually, you're going to start seeing the benefits.  You're going to start to see the wins.  It was great to see that finally come true for them on Friday night,” he said.

          Clear Fork (3-6,2-4) plays host to River Valley (5-4,3-3) on Friday night.  The Vikings lost (42-34) to Galion in league play last week.

          Brokaw says they like to feature the pass.  “They definitely like to throw the ball.  (Ebert) has averaged something like 45 attempts a game.  So, they're definitely a pass first, run second type of offense.  Defensively, they've been basing out of a 3-4 look here down the stretch.  They have played a little bit of a four man front at times,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “It will be a little bit interesting for us to see exactly what we're going to get because we run more tight end sets than most other teams in the conference do so usually, we get a little bit of a curveball from the opposition.  Hopefully, by week 10 there's not a whole lot new that we can see up front.”

          Brokaw says beginning last week they were talking to the players about the possibility of the playoffs.  “We talked to the kids about last week.  We told them last week it was a playoff game so to speak.  We want to play beyond week 10 and they need to take care of business last week and they responded really well.  So, this week we have just been telling the guys it might not be the home playoff game you guys always dreamed about, but this is in fact a home playoff game.  If we go out and we take care of the business like we need to in week 10 there's a real good possibility that we can play in week 11,” said Brokaw.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Run Game Key for Monroeville

 

          Monroeville wins its first outright Firelands Conference title since 2002 if they beat archrival Norwalk St. Paul at home on Friday night.

          This is a classic high school rivalry between schools literally five miles from each other.

          Monroeville coach Tylor Nester says this game goes across family trees with friends and neighbors playing for more than just bragging rights.  “You know the history and like coach (Chris) Doughty alluded to you have got families that have friends or relatives that played on both sides, played each other on Friday night under the lights at Marsh Field or over there at Contractor’s Stadium.  So, there's a lot of relationships on and off the field and grudge match in the end,” said Nester.

          Monroeville (9-0,6-0) has been the mean mistreater in the Firelands Conference this year.  They have pitched five straight shutouts and allowed only 16 points all year.  St. Paul (5-4,4-1) has rebounded from injuries to win all but one conference game.  They beat South Central (34-20) last week.

          Nester says St. Paul kids always come to play.  “They have persevered kind of doing the same thing that they did last year.  Battled through some injuries and kind of put themselves in a position to fight for the conference championship or at least a share of it,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Definitely they're gritty and coach Doughty’s done a good job of keeping them focused and allowing them to progress week by week.”

          Nester believes the game will be won and lost up front in the trenches.  “We have to control the line of scrimmage, stop the run and get some movement on the offensive side of the ball,” he said.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Fundamentals the Difference for Seneca East

 

          Seneca East hosts Mohawk in what amounts to the Northern 10 Athletic Conference championship game in Attica on Friday night.

          It’s winner take all as the two schools sit atop the conference standings with on loss each.

          Seneca East last won a “N10” title in 2019.  Mohawk was the winner the year before in 2018.

          Tigers coach Ed Phillips says this is almost like a movie script.  “It's like you write the script to be playing in the game like this and against Mohawk.  I think that makes it even more special because they're a good rival of us.  I think both of us have believed in ourselves all year long and now I think other people look around and they believe also,” said Phillips.

          Seneca East (6-3,5-1) overwhelmed Bucyrus (59-6) last week.  Meanwhile, Mohawk (7-3,5-1) got past three time defending champion Carey (27-14) in a battle of rivals.

          Phillips says the teams are very similar in their makeup and what they like to do on the field.  “They are really balanced.  These two teams are so much alike in terms of offensively they run the ball and throw the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Defensively they play physical football.  They're well coached, so it's just a great match up.”

          Nick Parks of Seneca East and Ben Bogner of Mohawk are the two leading passers in the conference.  Plus, both have a number of good targets.

          However, Phillips says this game will come down to fundamentals.  “The basic stuff.  They always say it comes down to that, but blocking and tackling and taking care of the football.  I have no doubt that's what this game will come down to,” he said.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Ontario Must Get Back up

 

          Ontario lost its first game of the season last week and now they have to get back on the beam as they host Highland in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, they held a (36-35) lead with just over five minutes to play, but lost (50-36) to Shelby in a battle of unbeatens last week in conference play.

          Coach Aaron Eckert says they hurt themselves with poor execution late in the game.  “Great game high school game.  We always kind of have that with them.  Unfortunately for us you know made too many mistakes down the stretch and to beat a good football team like Shelby you can't do that expect to win the game,” he said.

          Now, if Ontario (8-1,5-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, can beat Highland and Shelby loses to Marion Pleasant, the Warriors would share the title.

          Eckert says Friday night will kind of show what they are made of.  “It’s kind of like life.  You don't win every game you should or thought you would.  It's just one of those things where you're knocked down and what do you do, how do you respond,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “For us it goes back to who we are as people.  So, I fully expect the Warriors to be back and ready to go on Friday night.  Hopefully we learn something from last Friday’s game and our character shows through and we're able to get back on the horse and play Warrior football.”

          Highland (3-6,2-4) was waxed last week (41-7) by Clear Fork.

          Eckert says it can be difficult to understand what you will get from Highland.  “Highland is a team that they're kind of hard to evaluate.  They've got some really nice things this year.  They don't give up a ton of big plays.  They have some big plays of their own. They seem to just stick around games and then maybe late they give up a couple ones and the score looks a little worse than the game was.  They're pretty fundamentally sound team just like most teams that Ty Stover coaches.  So, we have to bring it really good game plan and effort and attitude with us on Friday if we have any chance of winning,” said Eckert.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Clyde Has to Keep Going

 

          Clyde makes the trip to Norwalk for a Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division game on Friday night.

          They Fliers (6-3,1-2), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, stuffed Huron (20-7) in an “SBC” crossover last Friday.

          Coach Ryan Carter says they made some big plays in the special teams that got them some momentum.  “Well, my immediate thoughts are what you just said to wrap up the regular season.  It's kind of crazy to me.  Week 10 got to us in a hurry.  I was just talking to my coaches the other day and we're in Wednesday practice of week 10 already and that's crazy,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We played a good Huron team.  I thought they came in and really executed their game plan.  They tried to slow the game down I thought and tried to keep the ball away from our offense, keep their offense on the field and they did a nice job of that.  We were very fortunate early to block two kicks.  One of our corners Dawson Brimmer had two blocked field goal attempts in the in the first half that really kept the momentum on our side.  We came out and executed after halftime where we made some adjustments we came out and executed very well in the second half.  We went down to punch the first drive in and then had another long drive.  So, I just thought we came out in the second half and played much better.  Kind of wore them out at the end of the game.  That's a good football team with some wins.  I was happy with our efforts.”

          Norwalk (2-7,0-3) lost (47-20) to Tiffin Columbian in a Lake Division game last week.  The Truckers have scored only 76 points in nine games.

          Carter says they will be ready to play.  “Well, I'll tell you what you have got to know where #82 is at all times.  He’s a Big Ten football player for a reason.  I mean he's a good football player.  So, you have got to locate him each and every snap because if not he can score a touchdown on you at any point in the game.  I know they're doing a good job over there.  I know their staff well.  They're working at it, so I fully expect them to come in with a with a great game plan and focusing on the trying to get their kids a win here in week 10 and carrying them on from there.  So, we are trying to improve.  We can't take steps backwards, looking to continue to move forward here at the end of the season and then wherever we fall after that we fall,” said Carter.

          Carter says they want to be playing their best football right now.  “I think that's part of at the end of the season you have to be playing your best football.  Everybody says that at the start of the year.  You want to be playing your best at the end of the year.  We're here now, so we got to put our best foot forward.  We have got some injuries.  We have got some kids that are out, but those kids behind them are going to have to step up and play well and that's what we fully expect,” he said.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Riders Looking to Bounce Back

 

          Western Reserve is assured of a division VI playoff berth, but they want to be playing well when the postseason begins next week.

          They were smoked (28-8) by Crestview in a Firelands Conference game last week and they play at New London in “FC” action on Friday night.

          Coach Ty Stevenson says they really shot themselves in the foot last week.  “We had a lot of self-inflicted things, a lot of turnovers and a couple illegal shifts, which is not very common of what we usually do.  Not a great night for us.  You can't beat a good team when you turn the ball over five times and have all those self-inflicted wounds,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We've come back and practiced pretty well so far this week.  We're excited to turn the page and get to New London.  I guess all things considered if you can get to seven wins in the regular season with one senior, I think that's a pretty decent season.  So, we're excited about that.  We look forward to getting week 11.”

          A win is one thing, but Stevenson says even more importantly they have to execute well on Friday night.  “We've talked about that a lot.  New London has struggled a little bit this year, but I’m telling you they have got some playmakers and some things that we have to make sure that we're ready to go.  You like to go into week 11 playing your best football,” he said.

          Western Reserve (6-3,4-2) plays at New London (2-7,0-6) on Friday night.  The Wildcats lost (47-13) to Mapleton in a Firelands Conference game last week.

          Stevenson says New London is a team still trying to get better.  “They've struggled a little bit, but they are trying to do some things and they're trying to get better every week.  Credit to their kids and their coaches because it's not easy to get beat the majority of the weeks of the season.  So, credit to them for the effort and continue to play hard.  It's going to be their last game at this stadium.  They’re getting a new one next year, so I'm sure they'll be excited and play hard,” said Stevenson.

 

Published 10/24/24

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Madison Wants Good Memory

 

          It’s Madison at home for rival Mansfield Senior in the latest installment of the “Battle of Mansfield” at Ram Field on Friday night.

          It hasn’t been a good season for either as they both carry (1-8) records into the game.  Each has one “OCC” win.  Madison beat Wooster and the Tygers edged New Philadelphia in overtime.

          Last week, Madison lost another heartbreaker (14-7) to Lexington.

          Coach Brent Besancon says they couldn’t come up with that one play.  “Luck hasn't gone our way down the stretch in a couple of these games.  You have got to be able to finish.  They hit a screen pass later in the game with 12 seconds left and that ended up being the difference of the game.  We had our opportunities, but we just never connected on those opportunities.  We just have to finish those games out,” said Besancon.

          When it comes to Mansfield Senior, Besancon says they again have speed and quickness and they have outstanding play on their defensive line.  “They have a lot of athletes and team speed as usual.  Their defensive line really gets off the ball and gets after people and gets a lot of pressure on the quarterback,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I think that's what stuck out the most.  You throw out any kind of records when you're playing these last games and rival games and stuff like that, so it's going to be a good battle I think.”

          Besancon says Friday night is an opportunity to make some good memories.  “No matter how your season is going you're ending on the game like this.  It's a game that especially for your seniors is going to be their last memory.  You just want to send those seniors out the right way and this game right here should be a lot of fun,” he said.

 

Published 10/24/24

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St. Paul Must Have Fast Start

 

          Norwalk St. Paul and Monroeville high school football are just two schools that sound right together like chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream.  Two different flavors, but they are right together.

          Since 1985, Norwalk St. Paul has won 22 conference titles, Monroeville has nine and the rest of the six schools in the league have combined to win 15.  Three times during that era the two schools have shared the title.

          This year either Monroeville wins its first outright title since 2002 or the Eagles and Flyers share the trophy.

          St. Paul coach Chris Doughty knows the tradition.  “There's no bigger game than one a conference championship game, but two against Monroeville.  This has been a week 10 matchup since about 2007.  It's come down to the wire several different times with the conference championship riding on the game.  So, the kids are definitely looking forward to the opportunity,” he said.

          Monroeville has the two top rushers in the league in quarterback Evan Benfer and running back Landen Roeder.

          Doughty says the Monroeville offense is dangerous because of the number of weapons they have.  “First and foremost, Evan Benfer plays quarterback and safety for them.  He is one heck of a player.  Offensively, averages about 13 yards a carry.  So, anytime you have got a player that averages more than a first town every time they touch the ball that's a pretty special individual.  So, between him and Landin Hershiser is a receiving threat for them.  They have got Landen Roeder in the backfield as well and then honestly the sophomore Colton Clark, he's done a heck of a job for them for being only a sophomore,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “He's a nice weapon for them as well.  Really, they do a nice job of getting it done up front on their offensive line starting with Brycen Dunlap.  I think he's one of the better linemen in the area, not just in the conference, but honestly in the entire area.  He’s a heck of a two way player for them.”

          The Eagles (9-0,6-0) have not allowed a single point in their last five games, including a (59-0) whipping of Plymouth last week.

          Again, Doughty says they have players all over the field.  “Defensively, a lot of similar names really.  Again, Evan Benfer playing safety for them.  Up front their defensive line again starts with Dunlap.  They have the (Jaxson) Hedrick kid who plays offensive tackle for them as well.  Landen Roeder, Maverick Myers do a real nice job of setting the edge for them on defense from their defensive end spots.  Again, they've got Colton Clark playing the other safety spot.  Hershiser plays linebacker.  They just they got a lot of really nice players that have a lot of experience back from last year's team that just do a nice job attacking the ball and offense and defense,” said Doughty.

          In the last couple of weeks Monroeville has put the game away early, while St. Paul (5-4,5-1) has been forced to rally.  Doughty says that trend has to be reversed on Friday.  “Looking back the last few games for us the reality is we've started games slow, so that's going to have to be a big mindset shift for us.  We can't have those slow starts and claw our way back after halftime.  We've had two games in a row now where we've been down at halftime and done a nice job of you know just adjusting and coming out and playing much better in the second half.  We're going to need that kind of focus right from the opening kickoff for this game,” he said.

 

Published 10/23/24

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Norwayne Wants that “WCAL” Title Back

 

          Norwayne despite consistent success has not won a Wayne County Athletic League title since 2020.  They want that streak to end on Friday night when they battle Hillsdale for the outright title.

          The Bobcats and Falcons are both unbeaten in the league going into Friday’s winner talks all game.

          Norwayne (8-1,6-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, downed Smithville (27-14) in a “WCAL” game last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they played sound fundamental football.  “I thought Smithville was continuing to get better as the season went on.  Their physical.  We had to quell their offense a little bit and make sure that we were doing our job as they tried to matriculate down the field.  Our kids responded and continued to work hard and hold on to the fundamentals and ideals and the energy that we desire out of our kids and they brought that with them,” said Indorf.

          Hillsdale (9-0,6-0), #5 in our poll, hammered Rittman (42-7) last week to maintain a share of first.

          Indorf says they have athletes that make plays.  “They’re an athletic team.  They have got a solid quarterback.  They have got a big offensive line.  We're going to have to do a great job,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening,
“We're going to have to be zealots with regard to our goals and energy and then fundamentals and go out there and perform with great effort.  We cannot have a perfunctory performance and make sure that we are doing our very best each and every play.”

          In games like this big plays can carry the day.  Indorf says they have to be able to feed off of those.  “We need to continue to make sure that we're the beneficiary of those big plays and allow lot those to catalyze us.  Continue to make plays as we go through and to be the impetuous in our time in the game and during the game and make sure that we got the sidelines and using the fans as energy to provide us with just a catalyzation of the entire team and energizing force for us,” said Indorf.

 

Published 10/23/24

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Lucas Looking in a Mirror

 

          Lucas controls its own destiny when it comes to the division VII football playoffs.  The simplest way is to just win on Friday night against visiting Whiteford, Michigan.

          They could lose and still get in, but they are going to need some help.

          They hammered Kansas Lakota of the River Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference (46-9) last week.

          Coach Jim Sweat says they continue to play better football.  “We did what we needed to do last week.  The offense started coming along a little bit more the last couple weeks.  Defensively, we've been playing a little bit better than we had earlier in the year, but most importantly we're getting healthy,” said Sweat.

          Sweat says that is goal in the Lucas (5-4) program to be peaking at this time of year.  “We always pride ourselves on trying to play our best football at the end of the year and this year's no exception to that,” he said.

          Whiteford carries a (4-4) record on the season.  They have not won two games in a row this season, but they did beat White Pigeon (30-16) last week.

          It isn’t very often that Lucas plays a team that runs an offense like them, but Sweat says that will be the case this week.  “They are the Michigan version of us.  They run double wing.  They're a really storied program.  They were state runners up in division VIII, which is equivalent to our division VII in Michigan last year,” he told Swanknsports.com on Tuesday night, “They've been to four straight final fours in the State of Michigan, so they're a solid football program was a great tradition and we’re going to have to strap it up on Friday.”

 

Published 10/23/24

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Tiffin Has to Do a lot of Things

 

          Tiffin Columbian is looking to boost itself into the playoffs as they travel to Sandusky Perkins to take on the Pirates in a game in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Perkins can claim an outright title in the Lake Division with a win.  Tiffin stands in 14th place in its division III region.

          Last week, Columbian belted Norwalk (47-20) in a division game.

          Coach Judd Lutz says they got thinks going early.  “We played good complementary football.  Established a really good running game early and often took advantage of some explosive plays.  I thought played really good defense against them and did some good things in the kicking game too.  So, overall pleased, but still lots to fix and a lot to address here moving on here in late season play,” he said.

          Mason Seitz ran for 257 yards and six TD’s on Norwalk.

          Lutz says there is no question that this is a step up in competition.  “They're an outstanding team.  They have been the class of our conference for the last couple of years, us and them battling out a little bit with some good teams.  They've taken no dip obviously and are playing really good football with a lot of experience.  They had a bunch of kids back from the last two years.  A couple of three-year starters even I think a couple of four year starters that are going on to play collegiately and play at the next level, but before they do they have got things they want to accomplish.  They have got a really, really good team with very few holes, if any, and it's going to take our very, very best and probably some good bounces our way too,” said Lutz.

          Tiffin Columbian (4-5,1-2) plays at Perkins (8-1,3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, on Friday night.  Perkins thrashed Sandusky (37-0) last week to get a share of the division title.  It was their sixth shutout of the season.

          Lutz says they are just good all over.  “You have to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  They're really good on defense up front in the box.  They are super aggressive, but have the skill to run with you on the perimeter.  So, you got to block them where you are and then probably run through one or two arms tackles.  You have got to be able to break some tackles at the point of attack because on the other end of it there are some explosive plays,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Defensively, it's a tall task.  They have the ability to run it and probably pound the ball, but also get the ball in the perimeter quickly.  Then also get the ball down the field.  They have tremendous speed on the outside and up the middle.  So, it's going to be a tall task.  A lot to ask of our kids, easier said than done, but love how our team has practiced last several weeks, love the preparation we've put in, now you just got to go out and reap the benefits on Friday night.”

 

Published 10/23/24

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Colonel Crawford Plays Big Rival

 

          Colonel Crawford pays a visit to Wynford to play the rival Royals on Friday night in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          The Eagles got more than 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns from running back Conner McMichael and beat Upper Sandusky (28-14) last Friday in league play.

          Coach Jake Bruner says it was a good win for them.  “Number one, we were happy to get a win.  We really felt like Upper Sandusky was hot right now.  They’re playing really well and they played really well that night.  They were very physical.  I could tell that they're much improved, especially from game one and offensively they're really hitting on all cylinders,” he said.

          Bruner says this game is always important for the Eagles.  “Number one, for us this is a big rival game.  The playoffs and all that stuff is obviously important, but more important for our community and our kids Wynford has a great program.  It's a big rival school across the county.  We have got to go there.  They've won two in a row.  They're going to get some kids back healthy,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They've got enough weapons.  They do a great job running the football.  They have got one of the best backs in the league.  We know we're going to get their best effort Friday night and it's going to be a war.”

          Wynford’s Anthony Evans has run for more than 1,000 yards this year.

          Colonel Crawford (7-2,4-2) stands ninth in its division VI region.  A win could get a home playoff game.

          Bruner says the Royals (3-6,2-4) want to be physical and over the years wins have not some easy at Wynford.  “They're big up front.  They've got size up front.  They've got bodies to throw at you.  They've got two nice running backs.  They've got some skill.  Obviously, they're well coached.  We know anytime you throw the records out with the rivalry.  We're going to get their best effort Friday night and hopefully our kids will give their best effort as well as we travel over there.  It's a tough place to play.  Lately we've won there, but over the past 20 years there's not been too many wins over there,” said Bruner.

          Colonel Crawford has won the last two games played at Wynford, but the Royals have won seven of the last 10.

 

Published 10/23/24

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A lot of the Line for Fredericktown

 

          Fredericktown will be down at Centerburg to challenge the rival Trojans in a Knox Morrow Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          They started well last week, but couldn’t stop Danville very well in the second half and lost (31-14) to the Blue Devils in a conference game.

          Coach Will Hartley says things got away from them.  “We were up 14-7.  They got the ball in the second half and they went right down the field and scored and they went for two, so they were up 15-14.  We put a really nice drive together.  We had a nice run, probably 35 yards for a touchdown by our quarterback, bit it got wiped off the board for a holding call and the drive stalled out. Danville got the ball right back and on their first play they went I believe it was 63 yards on a sweep with their quick little freshman running back and that was just something I just couldn't recover from.  I think at that point we're down 23-14.  We had to start passing the football a little bit more than maybe what we wanted to.  They're front three really started to pin their ears back and get after a quarterback and we had trouble protecting him the rest of the night.  They tacked on another touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to secure the victory.  So, it was kind of frustrating night,” said Hartley.

          Fredericktown (5-4,4-2) is at Centerburg (6-3,4-2) on Friday night.  The Trojans smoked East Knox (40-6) last week.

          Hartley says they are really athletic.  “I would say Danville is probably the most physical team that we face this season and Centerburg might be the most athletic that we face.  They have got a really nice group of skilled guys.  The quarterback is a junior he's progressed throughout the year.  This is his first year starting, but you can see real progress throughout the season for him.  He's a dual threat, both running and passing the football,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They're always really sound on defense.  The front four, again pretty athletic kids, not the biggest group that we've seen, but definitely one of the more athletic groups that we've seen.  Linebackers and secondary are solid as well.  So, it'll be a real challenge.  It's another tough place to play.  You throw in that it's a big rival game.  It's also one of those games you kind of throw out the records.  Both teams have had their ups and downs this year.  They're 6-3 right now and we’re 5-4.  Within the league we've lost to the same two opponents in Northmor and Danville.  So, I think on paper we're pretty evenly matched.  It all comes down to can we match that with them athletically.”

          Right now, the Freddies are 14th in their division V region.

          Hartley says a win would solidify their playoff standing.  “Definitely if we win we're in.  With a loss I don't see us dropping out of the top 16, but we would definitely need a little bit of help.  If we can get a win down there first off it gets us a big win against our rival, which is the main thing.  Gets us to six wins on the season, which would be great for this group.  Then hopefully it could get it pushed up in the seeding just a little bit better, a little higher, so potentially we can get a little better match up,” he said.

 

Published 10/23/24

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Tradition Continues with New Philadelphia and Dover

 

          When New Philadelphia and Dover first started to play football there were no planes, recorded music was a fantasy in most homes and the forward pass was a trick play.

          The 121st meeting takes place on Friday night at New Philly.

          The Quakers bring a four game winning streak into the game after edging West Holmes (38-31) in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game last week.

          Coach Mike Johnson says it was a quality win.  “It was a good game, back and forth game.  We were able to get that score there near the end of the game to kind of ice it, which was huge for us,” he said.

          The Quakers are (6-3) and Dover is (7-2), they beat Linsly, West Virginia (34-25) last week.

          Johnson says the Tornadoes are going to be fundamental.  “Every year you always marvel at how well coached and disciplined they are.  I think it's testament to what Dan (Ifft) does over there, he's a phenomenal coach.  They have a quarterback and seems like every week we talk about quarterback, quarterback ,quarterback,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They have got a great quarterback who's able to run the ball and throws it.  He reminds me of a younger version of our guy and we're going to have to really contain him this week.”

          Johnson says this is just a fun week.  “This is the 121st rivalry game, which is a big deal.  It's great for the communities. There are sportsmanship banquets, there's pep rallies, there's spaghetti dinners, there's a lot of fanfare that goes with it and deservingly so.  It's really exciting for both communities,” said Johnson.

 

Published 10/23/24

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Lexington With a lot to Stop

 

          With a win Friday night at Ashland, the Lexington Minutemen have a chance to share in their first Ohio Cardinal Conference title since 2016.

          They would share it with the Arrows, who already claimed their share last week.

          Lexington (5-4,4-1) got this chance by earning a (14-7) win over Madison last week.  Joe Caudill found Markale Martin with a TD pass with only 12 seconds left in the game.

          Coach Andrew Saris says that gave them a chance at the title.  “It was an exciting win.  Again, I always say, anytime you can get a win the Ohio Cardinal Conference it's great and we set ourselves up for a chance to get a share of that conference title this week,” he said.

          Ashland (9-0,5-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, beat Wooster (24-14) last week.

          Saris says they have playmakers led by their outstanding junior quarterback.  “Offensively, they’re just a well coached team that is going to spread you out.  They've got a quarterback in Nate Bernhard, who just slings a great ball, a very catchable ball and those two receivers, they do a nice job of making plays in space,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Lately seeing him lower his pads and rushing the ball well.  It’s going to be tough for us to defend.”

          Saris says on defense Ashland is going to make you execute.  “Defensively, they do a lot of a lot of different, multiple things in what they're doing.  It's difficult to prepare because they give you many different looks,” he said.

          Saris says Friday night is what they have been working for all season long and they are looking forward to it.  “It's exciting for the kids and exciting for the community.  We put ourselves in a chance to be in this spot, to get a chance to go in and work to get a win against Ashland and hopefully get ourselves a piece of this conference championship,” he said.

 

Published 10/22/24

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Mohawk Excited for Opportunity

 

          Mohawk is at Seneca East on Friday night and to the winner go all of the chips and the outright title in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this year.

          The Warriors (7-2,5-1) put themselves in that position with a (27-14) win over three time defending champion Carey on Friday night.

          Coach Eric Daniel says they were able to get a lead early in the game and that was key for them.  “Our kids executed got up on them early, similar to Crawford game, and got them playing from behind, made him rush a little bit more, made some key stops in the second half, kept a two score cushion going into the fourth quarter.  So, that helped immensely because Carey is an exceptional team, their hardnosed and they put together eight, nine 10 minute drives.  When you're down two scores it makes it harder you feel a little bit more rushed and we were able to kind of keep them off schedule in that regard, especially later in the second half.  We were able to build up that lead early, so that was that was really important.  I was really proud of our guys,” said Daniel.

          Seneca East (6-3,5-1) hammered Bucyrus (59-6) last week in “N10” play.

          Daniel thinks these teams have a very similar makeup.  “They are a great football team man.  They are honestly very similar to us in my opinion just in regards to they can make chunk plays.  They have two exceptional athletes on the perimeter.  In my opinion, I would say that we probably between the two of our teams have four of the best receivers in the league.  They have two and we have our two.  So, they're explosive, we're explosive, they're good up front, we're good up front,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They've got a quarterback that's thrown for more yards than our quarterback, so he's a really nice player as well and does a really good job distributing the ball.  It's certainly a challenge.  In my opinion we're very similar teams athletically, physically, so it's going to come down to turnovers, penalties, execution in the second half, the first two minutes of the second half, ad the last two minutes of the first half, that type of thing.  So, it's going to be a really good football game.”

          Mohawk won it’s only “N10” title in 2018.  Seneca East shared it with Wynford in 2019.

          Daniel says it is exciting to play in a game of this magnitude.  “We told our guys at the beginning of the week, this is what you train for.  This is what two a days are for, this what four days a week in the offseason are for.  Just grateful to be able to play in this meaningful of a game this late in the year.  Playoff implications, league titles, big rivalry, it's got everything.  We don't need a lot of motivation.  This it's very similar to last week.  It’s laid right in front of them, all their goals are right in front of them and it's there for the taking,” he said.

 

Published 10/22/24

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Hillsdale Wants it

 

          Hillsdale has been one of the most competitive football teams in the Wayne County Athletic League over the last decade, but they have not won a conference title since 2014 and not an outright title since 2010.

          They can end that drought with a win on Friday night against Norwayne.  The two schools share the lead with unbeaten conference marks.

          For Norwayne it would be their sixth title in the last dozen years.

          Hillsdale (9-0,6-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, smoked Rittman (42-7) last week.

          Coach Trevor Cline says they took care of business.  “We talked to our players last week about that being a trap game and we couldn't overlook Rittman.  I thought our players handled that really well where we went over to Rittman and took care of business early on and then we could turn our focus to get ready to play Norwayne,” he said.

          Norwayne (8-1,6-0), #3 in our poll, beat Smithville (27-14) last week.

          Cline says they are big and athletic.  “They are another great Norwayne team.  They have good size up front and they have multiple playmakers.  I feel that their guys out in space do a great job of winning their one-on-one battle.  So, I'm looking forward to the matchup between their good skill position players and our good skill position players to see who can win those battles,” said Cline.

          Cline says to win a game like this you have to play a complete football game.  “You have to play well in all three phases of the game.  Special teams play could be what ends up swinging the momentum in your favor or out of your favorite.  That's going to be a focus this week of making sure that we have all our special teams things cleaned up,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “I do think we could have played better on special teams than what we have the last few weeks.  So, we'll work on getting those fixed so if that is something that could determine a game that we're prepared and we're ready to go out there and execute in all three phases of the game.”

          Cline says their kids will be ready physically and emotionally for this game.  “If you're a competitor these are the games that you look forward to.  All the hard work you put in during the offseason and throughout the season is to get ready for a game like this.  So, our players are looking forward to it.  So, if you’re a competitor this type of game that you want,” he said.

 

Published 10/22/24

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Assignment the Same for Crestview

 

          Last week, Crestview took care of step one of a two step process to make they playoffs and they must win again as they host Mapleton in a Firelands Conference game.

          The top 16 teams make the playoffs in each region and right now Crestview is 15th in their division VI region, but if they lose they won’t stay there.

          They earned their best win of the season in downing Western Reserve (28-8) in a conference game last week.

          Coach Steve Haverdill says they played good complementary football.  “I thought we played very well offensively, defensively and special teams.  When you can put all three phases together and consistent for four quarters you're going to have a good shot to win the football game.  We were able to do that as well as create five turnovers and that put us in good position to score.  So, it was a great night for our kids,” said Haverdill.

          Haverdill adds turnovers give you momentum. “We didn't capitalize on one of them, but helped the field position and helped the confidence.  Our kids started to fly around a little bit more.  We had a great week of practice.  Our kids were on top of it. They knew what they were going to get.  We schemed some things that take some things away from them.  So, our kids were able to play fast and we were able to do that against a really good football team,” he said.

          Crestview (4-5,4-2) is at home for Mapleton (4-5,3-3) on Friday night.  The Mounties beat New London (47-13) on Friday night.

          Haverdill says to beat Mapleton you have to stop the wing-T.  “They're running similar concepts with that wing-T.  If you're not disciplined they can gash in that run game.  Then if you fall asleep in the secondary, they'll pass it on you.  Defensively, we have got to make sure that we're focused on our eyes around our keys,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Offensively, I think we have got to continue to do what we're doing.  Run the football, set up the passing game.  Again, we have got to put another four quarters with all three phases together.”

          Haverdill says this is another must win for them.  “It's week two of the playoffs for us and we know that.  I thought our kids handled that very well last week and hopefully we have another good week of practice and get the same execution this week,” he said.

 

Published 10/22/24

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Galion Wants to Continue to Build Momentum

 

          Galion, already in the playoffs for sure, ends the regular season at home on Friday night against the Marion Harding Presidents in action in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

          Last week, they handled River Valley (42-34) in “MOAC” play.

          Coach Matt Dick says they did a nice job being physical.  “We did a great job of pounding the ball up the middle.  Our defense got a lot of timely stops.  I know they scored a couple at the end.  Hats off to their kids as well, great quarterback in the (Chase) Ebert kid, but our kids really executed.  We had a fake punt early the first half and just a lot of stuff bounced our way and our kids played really well,” he said.

          Galion (6-3,3-3) has won three straight and Dick says they want to continue to build that momentum.  “I think the game plan last week was to really pound the ball, but now it's more about getting balance, getting ready for the playoffs.  Marion Harding’s defense obviously is a little different than River Valley’s, the same on offense.  It's a different game plan, but we talked about how can we become more dangerous to win as many games as possible the playoffs,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I think at this time of year, we can't go back and replay those three losses, but we can have a nice little run the playoffs.  We did that last year and I think our kids would love to do it again this year, but that's not easy.  If we're going to be able to win a couple games, we're going to have to get better.  We pushed them hard (Monday) in practice.  Our kids locked in.  We put some new wrinkles in and we're just going to keep developing those over the next two or three weeks and hopefully we'll keep playing, so we keep getting better.”

          Marion Harding (1-8,0-6) lost last week (14-3) to Marion Pleasant.

          Dick says they are going to be aggressive.  “Just a lot of athletic kids.  They're playing man press on defense a lot.  They bring a lot of pressure that makes it hard to run the ball, but it allows you to take some deep shots and have some explosive plays that you can run by their blitzing.  Then offensively, the quarterback has done a nice job of throwing the ball around.  He has lots of yards.  I think they pitch their jet sweeps and that adds a little bit to their pass yardage.  They've had nice little offense all year long.  I think that you know just like anybody else in the “MOAC” it's hard to go 1-0 in this conference,” said Dick.

 

Published 10/22/24

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Perkins Has to Make Big Plays

 

          Co-leaders in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference clash on Friday night as Sandusky Perkins entertains the Sandusky Blue Streaks.

          After losing to Edison the week before, Perkins rattled Norwalk (49-0) in a division game last week.

          Coach Jalen Santoro says their execution was sound.  “I thought we had good practices last week leading into that game.  It was time to get back to the basics, get back to the fundamentals and what got us to that point.  Again, it was a good week for us to practice.  We came out and I thought executed very well both offensively and defensively.  Just kind of coming out and getting that taste out of your mouth in a fast way against Norwalk was what we wanted to see.  So, I was happy with the way our guys responded,” he said.

          Perkins (7-1,2-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, hosts Sandusky (5-3,3-0), #5 in our poll, on Friday night.  The Blue Streaks edged Clyde (22-21) in a division game last week, scoring on the final play of the game.

          Santoro says Sandusky is athletic and can score from anywhere.  “They have got athletes all over the field.  They are very good on special teams and they have a handful of return touchdowns.  With the athletes they have on the field on offense they do a very good job when a play is broken down and making things happen when it seems like nothing there they exploit you.  So, we have got to do a good job.  Our guys in the secondary have got to ready to cover for extended periods of time.  We have got to do a great job up front making sure we corral the quarterback and keep him in the pocket and not letting me use his legs as good as an athlete as he is,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “On defense, they fly around and they’re sure tacklers, especially in the box.  So, they have got some guys up front there that are big kids and they play with a motor.  So, at the end of the day, they have very good football team and if you're not ready to play they will exploit you.”

          Santoro says they have to make more big plays than Sandusky.  “You have got to eliminate the big plays at all costs.  It’s any team you play, but a team like Sandusky that makes big plays whether it be on special teams or broken plays and you have to try to eliminate those and make them drive the ball down the field.  On offense, you're always searching for the big play, always searching for the explosive plays.  We have got to find ways to generate those whether it be matchups or schemes, we have got to find ways to generate some explosive plays.  At the end of day, if you're winning turnover battle and the explosive plays battle, you probably have a good chance to win the game,” said Santoro.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Mohawk Has to be More Physical

 

          Mohawk hosts Carey on Friday night in a game between two of the tri-leaders in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          The Warriors had been all alone in first, but they lost (13-6) to Upper Sandusky last week.

          Coach Eric Daniel says his kids have responded this week in practice.  “We've been fighting the injury bug a little bit, so we had some young guys that we tried to get ready and get to step up.  I was proud of our kids for fighting through some very adverse situations and stuff.  There was a lot of growth even though the outcome wasn't what we're looking for.  So, a lot of positives that we could draw from it.  Last time we lost was the Calvert loss (week one) and our kids responded.  They've done a nice job this week responding and kind of get that same feeling of linking together and not splintering and doing the right things practicing hard, holding each other accountable and stuff.  We're only getting healthier, so that's a good thing for as we work through this final stretch,” said Daniel.

          Mohawk (6-2,4-1) is at home for Carey (4-4,4-1), the three-time defending league champion, on Friday night.  The Blue Devils beat Colonel Crawford (19-10) last week.

          Daniel says this is a typical Carey team, they are just very physical.  “They're incredibly hardnosed, incredibly physical, which is very typical of Carey.  Those terms go synonymous with them.  So, smash mouth football.  They've got a really good, athletic, big quarterback and they got a couple absolute hammers in the backfield that are about 225, 230 pounds apiece and they run well.” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We have got to be able to slow them down.  You're not going to completely stop them, just slow them down, prevent the big chunk plays and get them behind the sticks if you can.  They're incredibly well coached, they're very sound on defense, they do a great job flying around.  So, it's just like I said it's a very hardnosed, old school football team and they do a great job.”

          On Friday night, Daniel says they have to me the most physical team.  “You have got to match it and we've always said that.  For the most part in the years past, we haven't beat them, but physically we've been able to hang in there a little bit.  It's like guys you can't just hang in there, you have got to out physical them.  You have got to kind of beat them at their own game and get after them and meet them in the hole on iso and you have got to get hats to the ball on defense, offensively you have got to stick on your blocks and do all the little things right with some tenacity and toughness extra than maybe what you would do in the other weeks.  It takes all that in some to be able to match their physicality, they're just tough kids over there,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Playoffs Start This Week for Crestview

 

          Crestview must win its last two games to secure a berth in the postseason playoffs and that begins with a tough assignment at home on Friday night against Western Reserve in Firelands Conference play.

          They lost a heartbreaker last week when Norwalk St. Paul scored with 26 seconds left to beat them (16-15) last Saturday night.

          Coach Steve Haverdill says they didn’t make enough plays.  “Definitely that's one that stings, but I give a lot of credit to our kids.  They battled and fought the entire game.  We did some really good things to get the ball back and put our offensive in position to score late and they were able to do that. Tip your cap to St. Paul.  They came back at us and we just didn't make the plays at the end, but their effort was there.  It was just a great high school football game and but it was tough, no doubt about that,” said Haverdill.

          Crestview (3-5,3-2) hosts Western Reserve (6-2,4-1) on Friday night.  The Riders are coming off a (41-15) win over South Central last week.

          Haverdill says it will be a tough task.  “They're just solid all the way around.  They're well coached, they have got athletes everywhere, and they're playing really good football.  So, we've got our hands full, there's no doubt about it at home.  We have got to make sure we don't make any mistakes.  It’s the same thing every week, especially when you're playing teams that are really good.  You can't make those mistakes, penalties, you can't have turnovers.  We have just got to go out and battle and hope we can make a few more plays than they can,” he said.

          Haverdill says they have a simple, yet very difficult task.  “We told our kids already, we are in the playoffs right now.  We have to win our next two games in order to get there.  So, our playoffs have started week nine.  We have got week nine, week 10, and hopefully we can get week 11, but if we don't take care of business on Friday it doesn't extend past week 10,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “We want to try and do everything you can to be able to do that.  The good thing is that if we are able to do that we've been put under that spotlight of the single elimination already and hopefully if we can get there we will get a little head start on things and maybe get a good role going into it.”

 

Published 10/18/24

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Norwayne Has to Win up Front

 

          Norwayne, the Wayne County Athletic League co-leader, plays at home against Smithville in a “WCAL” game on Friday night.

          The Bobcats share first place with Hillsdale, who they play next week in a possible league championship game.

          Norwayne (7-1,5-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, edged defending league champion Dalton (17-14) last week.

          Coach Adam Indorf says they just made a few more plays.  “It was a battle for four quarters last week.  It was the team that made the least amount of mistakes and capitalized and scored some points.  So, a tribute to Dalton and them battling for four quarters.  A tribute to our guys the way they responded and continued to fight.  So, I'm really proud of them.  Not the most complete game, or the most mistake free game, but working through this week and trying to get better,” said Indorf.

          Smithville (6-2,3-2) hammered Rittman (42-13) in a league game last week.

          Indorf says the Smithies are going to try and be physical and run the football on Friday night.  “They are big up front and they have got some athletic guys that run the ball.  They want to power the ball and matriculate down the field and make sure that they are kind of just continuing,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “It’s going to be a defensive game where we're going to have to be very disciplined make sure that we're clogging them up, being good up front with techniques and finding the ball trying to get them behind the sticks a little bit.”

          Indorf says they are going to have to play well if they are going to beat Smithville.  “We can't have a perfunctory performance out there.  We need to make sure we're applying physical, playing fundamental football, playing with enthusiasm and then the offense has to go out and be efficient and effective,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Clyde Moving Forward

 

          Clyde will at home for Huron in an “SBC” crossover on Friday night between very good teams that lost heartbreakers last week in division play.

          Huron lost (13-10) to Vermilion in a Bay Division game when the Sailora kicked a field goal with nine seconds left.

          Clyde was beaten on the final play (22-21) by Sandusky in a Lake Division game.

          Coach Ryan Carter says this one as particularly hard to take.  “They snapped it was four seconds left on the clock and the clock was running.  So, it was a crazy end of the game situation with stoppage on what was marked inbounds, but the clock stopped.  It was tough for our kids to handle that.  They got a play off at the end and I thought we did a great job defensively of getting to the quarterback and almost getting him to the ground and he kind of threw up a pass that wasn't really designed to go to a person and they just happen to have a guy standing there and the kid made a play in the end zone with no time remaining,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “It is what it is.  Our kids, we took them a little bit to get over that one, but bounced back and are getting ourselves ready for what ends up being a big game for us with a good crossover team in Huron.”

          Clyde (5-3) plays host to Huron (6-2) on Friday night.

          Carter says the Tigers will always give you a test.  “You always get a good Huron team and the fact that their kids do things right.  They play football the right way.  Coach (Sam) Hohler does a great job and they've been running the same thing for a long time over there and they do it really well.  So, we have got our hands full, we know that, but our kids are excited to get back on the field after last Friday's disappointment,” he said.

          Clyde is eighth in its division IV region and Huron fourth in its division VI region.

          Carter says it’s kind of a big game for both.  “I think it carries itself a couple of different ways.  It carries a lot of points for both teams when you're talking playoff positioning and it also gets you playoff ready by playing a quality opponent late in the year.  So, we're excited for a chance to get back out there, but we know we're going to have to play our best football in order to give ourselves a chance to win,” said Carter.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Huron Looking to Get Better This Week

 

          Huron visits Clyde for an “SBC” crossover game on Friday night.

          The Tigers trail Vermilion and Edison by a game in the Bay Division standings.

          That’s because the Sailors beat them (13-10) last Friday on a field goal with nine seconds left.

          Coach Sam Hohler says they had their chances to win the game.  “We went to Vermillion last week, a much improved team, they had a lot of kids back from the last couple of years.  They played an outstanding football game.  We had plenty of opportunities to put points on the board and we weren't able to do it.  The game went down to the last couple of seconds,” he told Swankpnsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “They were able to get close enough and make a field goal after we had tried a field goal going the other way and they blocked it.  So, at the end of the game they just made a few more plays than us and they were able to get the win.”

          Huron (6-2) is at Clyde (5-3) on Friday night.  The Fliers also lost in heartbreaking fashion as Sandusky scored on the game’s final play to beat them (22-21) in a Lake Division game.

          Hohler says Friday night will be a big test.  “That was a terrific game between Clyde and Sandusky last week with Clyde losing literally on the last play of the game.  Clyde is much improved this season from last year.  They've got some terrific athletes on the perimeter.  They utilize two quarterbacks and both of them do a really nice job.  Then the thing with Clyde when you play them you know they're going to play good defense, they're very physical up front, so we're going to have to try to match that if we have a chance to win,” said Hohler.

          Hohler believes this is a game that’s going to make them better.  “Our schedule's been very tough this year for us being in division VI.  Clyde is an old “SBC” rival, they're well coached, they're doing well in their region as well.  So, for us to go down there to play them hopefully we play them tough.  We'll see how it all shakes out.  Like to stay healthy and obviously a game like this will prepare us for our week 10 battle with Edison and for the playoffs,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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New Philadelphia Must Contain West Holmes

 

          New Philadelphia makes the bus trip to West Holmes to face the Knights in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They picked up a big win last week when they handed Lexington their first “OCC” loss (29-13) on Friday.

          Coach Mike Johnson says they were really very good on defense.  “I thought our guys did a great job of containing Lexington's offense.  They've been doing so well last couple of weeks, but our kids were able to kind of keep them under wraps, keep them down around 200 passing and 100 or so running.  So, our defense continues to play well and the offense is able to score and that's what we want, we will keep that going,” said Johnson.

          New Philadelphia (5-3,3-2) travels to West Holmes (4-4,3-2) on Friday night in “OCC” play.  The Knights lost (56-28) to conference leader Ashland last week.

          Johnson is concerned with West Holmes QB Mogan Smith.  “Their quarterback is so good, he's just a heck of a football player.  He's hard to bring down and that seems to be kind of a reoccurring theme here in the “OCC”.  So, we're going to try to contain him, we're going to try to make him get rid of the ball and tackle in space,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Offensively, they bring a lot of pressure, so our goal is to keep the quarterback clean and let him distribute the ball.”

          Johnson says they have to contain Smith and that isn’t going to be easy.  “In the pocket he's a good quarterback, but once he starts getting flushed, he's throwing touchdowns against everybody and he puts the ball in places where you're not quite sure he's going to make it there, but he keeps doing it.  So, we've seen a lot of him in the last couple of years and he's been deadly to us, so containing him is of the utmost importance,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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West Holmes Needs Good Start

 

          West Holmes will be at home for New Philadelphia is a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference on Friday night.

          Right now, they stand 12th in their division IV region.  The top 16 make it to the postseason.

          They were outscored last week by unbeaten Ashland (56-28) in an “OCC” game.  Arrows quarterback Nathan Bernhart accounted for eight TD’s in the game.

          Coach Keaton Leppla says they always felt like they were battling uphill.  “Their quarterback is really good football player just from an understanding of the game, knowing where to where to bring the ball, obviously is comes from coach (Scott) Valentine's great offensive mind.  We knew it was going to be a tall task, but at the end of the day we let that kid get rolling on offense and we didn't execute great on defense.  In a big conference matchup, we let the lights be a little too bright for us defensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Offensively, we threw for a ton of yards.  We did a lot of nice things on offense.  The whole game we started off playing out of the hole.  So, we had to play out of the hole the whole game and every time we got right there, we just weren't able to make that play to change the momentum of the game.”

          West Holmes (4-4,3-2) is at home for New Philadelphia (5-3,3-2) on Friday night.  The Quakers handed Lexington their first “OCC” loss (29-13) last Friday.

          Leppla says New Philly is a physical team with a very good quarterback.  “Physical is the word I would use to describe them.  Offensively, they got a guy playing quarterback who's pretty dynamic breaking out of the pocket, throwing on the run, scramble drill, running the football, designed runs, scrambles, he’s a pretty dynamic player back there.  Then across the board their physical, whether it’s their running back, whether it's their offensive line, they're just a physical football team.  Defensively, this is probably the best overall defense in our conference.  Very disciplined, they have a great defensive line.  They're not necessarily elaborate in their schemes, but they're really good at what they do,” said Leppla.

          Leppla says they have to be physical and they need to get off to a better start than they did last week.  “We have got a smash mouth football game ahead of us (Friday).  The biggest thing is we have got to get our team playing four quarters complementary football.  We're got to be consistent throughout.  We have got to start fast not slow and fight to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Changes have Brought Success for Galion

 

          Galion travels to River Valley to take on the Vikings in a game in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          The Tigers (5-3,2-3) broke a three game losing streak last week by dismantling Marion Pleasant (31-10) in conference play.

          Coach Matt Dick says some new faces helped make the difference.  “Ayden Schmidt did a good job of coming in at quarterback and jump starting the offense.  Our defense, Cameron Kuehlman being back in the middle really made our defensive front seven just a little bit tougher, a little bit harder to run up the middle with a big mic linebacker like him.  I really felt like we started to click. Jacob Chambers got off some explosive runs, so did Braxton Prosser, so it was a whole team effort.  Hats to Aiden Schmidt for coming in at quarterback and the sparking that offense,” said Dick.

          River Valley (5-2,3-2) smoked Highland (38-14) last week in a conference game.

          Dick says they Vikings are explosive and they have to keep the ball away from them.  “They're very, very explosive on offense.  If the (Chase) Ebert kid gets hot there's probably nothing you can do other than just keep mixing it up.  You're always hoping for an off night when you're playing a great quarterback and then offensively pound the ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We have not been a very smash mouth team this whole year, but I think that's a key to victory when you're playing a five wide offense to be able to run the ball and keep their offense off the field.  We're going to do our best to do that.”

          If the regular season ended last week, Galion would host a division IV playoff game, but Dick says for them to do that they have to keep winning.  “Every week is a is a new challenge in the “MOAC”.  There are no bye weeks.  River Valley would probably be our best win of the season so far.  It's the next step for our team.  Our kids had a good week of practice.  We got off the losing streak last week, the weather's been nice, lots of positives.  So, hopefully we can put together another good game on Friday night and get to the fourth quarter and try to find a way to win it,” he said.

 

Published 10/18/24

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Shelby Has to Limit Mistakes

 

          Shelby hosts Ontario in a huge game in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference between unbeaten squads on Friday night.

          To the winner goes the outright lead with one week to play.

          Ontario quarterback Bodpegn Miller has accounted for 25 touchdowns this season.  Plus, he plays a role on defense and special teams.

          Shelby coach Robert Mahaney says he is capable of making a big play from anywhere on the field.  “At the end of the day he's a special high school football player.  A special athlete in State of Ohio.  He plays quarterback and he's going to touch the ball on every single play.  He can throw it, he can run it, he can extend plays.  Everything that you could ask a quarterback to do in high school he can do it and at an elite level too.  He's a special kid, but I think also you have got to give credit to their offensive line, who has gotten better every single week and is a really solid unit.  Mason Vantilburg is playing really well at running back and then they have got a lot of receivers that can make plays.  Overall, they're really solid unit and then they're coached well.  They do good things and they take advantage of the opportunities and mismatches and all those kind of things.  So, really offensively, they're a very good football team,” he said.

          Shelby (8-0,5-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, has beaten the Warriors (8-0,5-0), #3 in that poll, in four of the last five meetings since the Whippets joined the league.

          Mahaney says in a lot big games like this special teams plays a big role.  “I think special teams is a is a huge part of the game and it seems like in bigger games there's always something that happens in special teams.  So, we have got to be ready to execute.  Ontario has really good special teams.  Over the past several years they've had really good kickers and they have the same thing again.  We talked about how good Bodpegn is as a quarterback and an athlete, but man he can pound the ball on kickoffs too and puts it through the end zone.  To me that’s impressive as anything else that he does.  All night we're going to be starting at the 20 offensively, so we have to be ready to do that.  They cover punts and all those kind of things, punt returns, they do a really good job.  So, the hidden yardage battle is going to be a big thing and hopefully we can go out there and try to make some plays when we get the opportunity to,” said Mahaney.

          When it comes to keys, Mahaney says they have to limit mistakes and turnovers, be good tacklers, above all make more explosive plays.  “I think one thing that we have got to try to do is control what we can control and make sure we don't beat ourselves.  We have got to make sure we do our best to limit the amount of penalties that we have and we have got to make sure that we limit our turnovers offensively.  We don't want to give them any extra possessions, so we have gotta make sure we do our best to make sure we limit turnovers,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Defensively, we have to tackle at a high percentage whether it's Bodpegn or whether it's Vantilberg. They have got kids that can make you miss or break tackles.  So, we have to really do everything we can to get them on the ground when we have the opportunity to do that.  So, I think those three things.  We have got to limit our penalties, we have to make sure we don't turn the ball over offensively, and really try to tackle.  I think at the end of the day whoever wins the explosive play battle is going to have a big say in the game.  I think offensively, we have got to try make some big, explosive plays and defensively we have got to limit them.  So, I think those are things that we try to focus on and get us ready for this game.”

 

Published 10/17/24

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Ontario Has to Keep the Ball

 

          No less than a share of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference crown can be secured by either Ontario or Shelby on Friday night as the two unbeaten teams play in Shelby.

          A lot has been said about the Shelby offense and why not, but their defense really has not allowed very much at all when the first string has been in there.

          Ontario coach Aaron Eckert says they are solid on three levels.  “The first thing stands out it's just how solid they are everywhere.  It starts up front with their defensive line, they've got real good pieces up there.  Their ends are really solid.  They're guys inside, two different players, one gets off the ball, really explosive, the other one double teams and they do a great job.  You combined that with their linebacker play.  They have really solid linebacker, the (Colton) Sturts kid has been a couple year starter.  Their outside two linebackers have played.  Their secondary, they've got the Nic (Eyster) kid back this year, who I think led the conference in picks last year.  They are just vert athletic in the back end.  This Shelby secondary and Shelby defense overall just really good, solid, high school football players,” said Eckert.

          Of course, Ontario has Ohio State recruit Bodpegn Miller at quarterback and he leads the “MOAC” in rushing with 1,182 yards and 12 scores.  He’s also thrown 13 TD passes.

          Eckert says he is just a playmaker.  “He's special, he's one of those kids that you call really good plays and it works and you can also call really bad plays and it works.  Sometimes those are his best plays where he just kind of improvises and goes and good things happen for the Warriors of the ball in his hands,” he said.

          Ontario (8-0,5-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, and Shelby (8-0,5-0), #2 in that poll, shared the title last season.

          Special teams can often be a difference maker in these kinds of games.

          Eckert says they have been pretty good in that area.  He says Shelby will try and do a lot of different things to get an advantage.  “That something that's probably overlooked and under practiced in general.  Something that we try to take pretty serious.  We start back in June with our special teams in the summer.  Again, luckily for us we've got Bodpegn Miller back there kicking and punting.  Our PAT kicker Kooper Kilgore is a freshman and he's done a great job for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We're playing a team in Shelby who probably puts more time an effort into their special teams than anybody in the area and it shows up on Friday with all the different things that they do.  When it’s their turn to punt they put a lot of pressure on defenses because of their ability to be different and move the ball and come out different formations and they have an advantage there.”

          The winning points in this game last year came when Shelby executed a hook and ladder play with just about a minute to play and then intercepted a pass in the end zone to secure the win.

          Eckert says they have to keep the ball in their hands and get some extra possessions with turnovers.  “I think the first thing we've got to do is keep the ball.  They're an explosive offense.  They want to make explosive plays and throw the ball down the field.  If they don't have the ball in DeVito’s hands they can't score, so we would like to control the clock.  Then for us we've got to try to create some turnovers on defense.  Shelby's going to try to get as many extra possessions, whether through a fake punt, or through an onside kick on kickoff, something like that.  We've got to secure those opportunities and then ourselves manufacture an extra opportunity or two,” he said.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Lexington Must Win

 

          Lexington is now a game behind Ashland in the Ohio Cardinal Conference standings and Friday night they face a must win situation as they meet rival Madison in an “OCC” game.

          New Philadelphia knocked the Minutemen out of a share of first place when they beat them (29-13) last week.

          Coach Andrew Saris says they had too many mistakes and didn’t punch it in when they had the chance.  “It was tough, we had won four straight and we're feeling pretty good about ourselves, but just didn't get a chance to execute completely.  Penalties and field position really hurt us.  We couldn’t get the ball in the end zone when we were in the red zone, which is something we had had more success with,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We’ve moved on and they know there are still a lot of big goals ahead of us.  If we can win out and get a chance to get a possible part of an “OCC” championship.  That's something that we're really excited about.”

          Lexington (4-4,3-1) plays at home against crosstown rival Madison (1-7,1-3) on Friday night.  The Rams were hammered (35-3) by future “OCC” member Dover last week.

          Saris says Madison will be a challenge.  “They're a hungry football team.  They play extremely physical, they play good as a team, they're extremely well coached and we know that.  We've taken this week's practice working on ourselves and getting better, but also focusing on a really good Madison team,” he said.

          Now, Lexington will play unbeaten Ashland, the “OCC” leader next week, but Saris says they cannot be thinking about that game.  “We're not looking ahead at all.  We know that this Ram team is going to come in and give us everything they have.  So, we are just going to take it one game at a time and try and get the job done this week and then get our sights set on week 10 against Ashland,” said Saris.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Northmor Can Do Something

 

          Northmor has a chance Friday night to do something that has been done since before there were video games at every child’s fingertips.

          If they beat Cardington Friday night they will get a piece of their first football title in more than 40 years.

          They held off Mt. Gilead (16-14) last week to remain unbeaten.

          Coach Scott Armrose says their kids just refused to lose.  “That's what I told our guys after the game.  If it's going to come down to just toughness, grit and determination, we have got a group of young men that really refuse to lose.  Guys that know how to win.  They've done a lot of winning in their careers and they found a way to get it done,” said Armrose.

          Northmor (8-0,5-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, plays at home against Cardington (3-5,1-4) on Friday night.  They beat Loudonville (42-13) last Friday.

          Armrose says they have some kids that have some speed and that makes them dangerous.  “Cardington is athletic.  They've got speed, they have got a big strong running back in Denny and he also plays mic linebacker for them.  They have got guys with speed on both sides of the ball.  They've kind of gotten better every week, the scores haven't shown it, but they're a football team that's improving, so it's quite a challenge for us,” he said.

          Armrose says they know what awaits them if they win Friday night, but they also have the rivalry aspect of this game.  “It's exciting for us.  We know that we have an opportunity to clinch a share of the conference championship.  Something that hasn't been done in more than 40 years at our school.  So, if we need a little bit more to play for that's exactly it.” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “At the same time. we're playing Cardington, it's one of our county rivals, and you throw the records out the door and you just go play a good, physical football game.”

 

Published 10/17/24

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Western Getting Ready for a Very Good Crestview

 

          Western Reserve, a game back in the Firelands Conference standings, will be at Crestview to tangle with the Cougars in a conference game on Friday night.

          They rallied in the second half last week to beat South Central (41-15) in “FC” action.

          Coach Ty Stevenson says they were able to take control of the game in the second half.  “I thought South Central came out and did a good job early on and they really milked the clock and limited possessions in the first half.  I thought they did a really good job, they managed some things.  We got up a couple scores and they had to speed up their offense and that kind of played into our advantage.  I thought we played pretty well in the second half and we got a few scores and were able to get up to comfortable margin,” said Stevenson.

          Western (6-2,4-1) plays down at Crestview (3-5,3-2), who got nipped in the final seconds by (16-15) by Norwalk St. Paul last Saturday.

          Stevenson says the Cougars record is deceiving.  “Well, they played Kirtland, they played Keystone and they played Seneca East, all really good programs and their non league games, so 3-5 is pretty deceiving.  They have got athletes all over the place #23 is really good, #4 is really good, #21 really good, #10 really good, #33 is really good, I could list them all,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “They're big up front, they have the Stevens kid on the defensive line and offensive line, he is really good and is only junior.  So, they have got people all over the place.  They're really good, well coached, so it'll be a big challenge this weekend.”

          To have a chance to share the conference title, Western needs to keep winning and Stevenson says that’s their focus.  “We take a day at a time.  A practice at a time, a game at a time to make sure that we have really good practices and make sure that we're ready for Crestview.  All we can do is try to win games and see what happens on the other side.  We're worried about us, we're focused on us, and hoping for real a good week against Crestview,” he said.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Seneca East Likes Playing Football

 

          Seneca East, one of three leaders in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, is over at winless Bucyrus in a conference game on Friday night.

          The Tigers (5-3,4-1) bounced back from their only conference loss the week before to Colonel Crawford (21-20) to hammer Buckeye Central (56-21) last Friday.

          Coach Ed Phillips says they came out on fire.  “The kids were really good and the coaches were really good.  They came out and they didn't mess around.  They made a statement.  I think we put 29 up in the first quarter and then continued to play really well in the second.  Then the other thing that I weas really pleased with at the end of the game, the young guys came in and they closed it out and executed stuff and played really well on their parts also,” said Phillips.

          Bucyrus (0-8,0-5) was blasted (48-12) by Wynford last week in “N10” action.

          Phillips says they have a very good back in Dernias Munn-Page and he says he respects the Bucyrus program.  “They’ve got some good skill guys.  They have got a running back that's a really good football player and does good job for them.  He is a lot like the other running backs you see in the league and a tough kid,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “I give kids like that a lot of credit and coaches like that a lot of credit.  It hasn't been a good year for them, but they're still different than a lot of other people in the world who don't have the courage to stick with it or to come out do it in the first place.  So, a lot of credit to their kids.”

          The Tigers play Mohawk, one of the other leaders next week, but Phillips says they are not about to let this be a trap game.  “Our kids are focused, their having fun, they enjoy football, they practice really well and really hard no matter what the circumstance, so it's been a good week,” he said.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Dalton Has to Get Back on the Beam

 

          Dalton is not going to defend its title in the Wayne County Athletic League this year, but they still have a lot to play for this fall.

          They are at Chippewa in a league game on Friday night.

          The Bulldogs fell to league co-leader Norwayne (17-14) last Friday.

          Coach Ray Leek says the Bobcats just made a few more plays than them.  “It was a close game.  We have to execute a little bit better and clean up penalties, things of that nature and just get better each day.  It's a tough game here anytime Dalton and Norwayne play it’s a rivalry game.  There's a lot on the line, usually a “WCAL” title.  So, we have got to learn from it.  You can learn a lot from a loss, so that's what we're taking from it.  Just trying to push on to Chippewa.  It's another big week in the “WCAL”.  It's our biggest game of the year because it’s the next game for us,” said Leek.

          Leek says they cannot be looking in the rearview mirror because they have a lot of goals they can still achieve.  “Obviously, it was one of our goals at the beginning of the season was to win another league title.  We are not going to attain that this year unfortunately, but like I told our kids you have still got two big weeks ahead of you.  We have got to finish the season strong and end on the right note,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Once you get to week 11 you are 0-0.  So, that's what we're going to look forward to.  Hopefully, once we get the week 11, we can keep playing.  Each week that you're out there it's another opportunity, so we just want to keep playing each week and getting better and making sure that we set ourselves up to hopefully make a nice playoff run.”

          Dalton (5-3,3-2) plays at Chippewa (2-6,1-4) on Friday night.  The Chipps lost (20-0) to Waynedale in league play last week.

          Leek says Chippewa is going to be aggressive defensively.  “They're pretty balanced offensively.  They've got a couple of playmakers there.  It's a league game so you know going to get their best shot.  Defensively, they like to blitz, they’re pretty aggressive as well.  They are going to run a four man front at you.  So, we've got to be ready.  Anytime we step on the field on Friday night we've got to be ready.  We're going to get everybody’s best shot.  It's our chance to rebound and clean up the mistakes and show that we've gotten better from last week,” he said.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Lucas Has to Keep Moving

 

          Lucas stands 15th in their division VII region with two weeks to play and they need to win both games if they are going to make another playoff appearance.

          The top 16 in each division make the playoffs.

          This week, they play at Kansas Lakota of the River Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          They smoked North Central (50-0) last week.

          Coach Jim Sweat says they are moving toward full strength and they did some good things last week.  “We took a big step last week.  The defense played well for the most part of the night.  On offense, we found some rhythm.  Again, I think the big thing for us last week is we started to get some kids back healthy and had some continuity.  So, it was a nice step forward.  Obviously, to be where we want to be we're going to have a lot tougher opponents moving forward.  We need to buckle down and win some football games here at the end of the year,” said Sweat.

          Lucas has enjoyed great success in the playoffs over the last five to 10 years.  Sweat they want to peak and this is the time of the year to be doing that.  “We've always prided ourselves at Lucas of hitting our stride about week seven or eight and then turn that into a nice playoff run.  We're hoping we can, as in years past, duplicate that again this year,” he said.

          Lucas (4-4) is at Kansas Lakota (2-6) on Friday night.  Lakota lost (35-0) to Margaretta in a River Division game last week.

          Sweat says the Raiders are an athletic team that has played a tough schedule this year.  “They're really dynamic.  They like to throw the ball and they have a great mix of with the run game to keep you honest.  They have athletes all over the field,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Don't get lost on their record.  They play pretty tough schedule in that Sandusky Bay Conference as we know with Tiffin Calvert and Gibsonburg and Margaretta, that's some pretty solid teams up that way and it's going to be hard fought game.”

 

Published 10/17/24

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Wynford Matches up Well With Buckeye

 

          Wynford plays another traditional rival this week in the Buckeye Central Bucks in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action.

          They broke a four game losing skid with a (48-12) thrashing of Bucyrus in conference play last week.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says last week they did play more consistent football and it showed.  “I thought our kids were very consistent from start to finish.  I know I've talked to you before about being able to play a full game of football.  There's four quarters in a game.  I feel like we were finally able to do that as a team.  That's kind of been a goal of ours to start a game and finish the game and do things right throughout the whole game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I thought we did that and it kind of showed on Friday.  Bucyrus is one of our rivals, so our kids were all ready to go, fired up, all week, thinking about the game, talking about the game.  I'm just super proud of the kids on how we competed and how we were consistent.”

          Wynford (2-6,1-4) plays at Buckeye Central (2-6,1-4) on Friday night.

          Skidmore says the Bucks have the personnel to throw the ball.  “They are pretty big up front, they have bigger kids.  They throw the ball a little bit.  I think they have got two pretty good receivers.  A quarterback that can throw it when he needs to throw it.  He puts the ball in good areas and is able to read coverages.  So, we have to stop their pass game.  They have a decent little run game through zones, so we have got to be able to stop those,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore likes the matchups he sees, but knows they are going to have to play very well.  “I think we'll be able to match their size.  I think we'll be able to match their speed.  They are a decent ball team.  They are similar to us in that they haven't won a bunch of games.  I think her kids are going to be ready to go and complete and play their butts off,” he said.

 

Published 10/17/24

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Clear Fork Hoping to Catch a Break

 

          Clear Fork makes the trip to Highland to meet the Fighting Scots in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          The Colts (2-6,1-4) challenged unbeaten Shelby for more 30 minutes before falling (34-7) to the Whippets in the end.

          Coach Aaron Brokaw says they did some good things, including possessing the ball, but they couldn’t get it across the goal line.  “We moved the ball between 20s pretty effectively in the first half.  It was one of those situations where we got ourselves behind the sticks, got a couple holding penalties.  Defensively, after the opening play we settled down and we were able to do some things.  We tied it up 7-7 with about 3 minutes to go in the third there and then they ended up getting quick one.  We just got a little bit worn out and the second half weren’t able to put enough points on the board.  There in the fourth quarter they hit some big plays and kind of blew the game open late,” said Brokaw.

          Highland (3-5,2-3) on the season lost (38-14) to River Valley last week.

          Brokaw says they are featuring their quarterback Kolton Stover a lot this season.  “They are different than they have been the last couple of years with Dane Nauman graduated.  The Stover kid, it's his third year as starter at quarterback, he'll run some doing a lot of RPO's.  The last couple of weeks they’ve went to a little bit more empty sets trying to get the ball out into space trying to get a guy out of the box to open up a little bit more running space for him,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Defensively, they've been pretty multiple as far as fronts trying to be sound, keep things in front of them.  They're coming off of couple of competitive games, so they are playing with some confidence.”

          Both teams have a chance to sneak into the playoffs and a win would help.  Brokaw says he knows his kids will come to play.  “The nice thing right now the group of guys we have this year credit to them they're playing hard.  Things haven't gone their way and the breaks haven't come, and kind of sounds like a broken record with them sometimes, but it's like guys if you keep doing the things that you're doing right now eventually you know we're going to start to catch some of those breaks that is maybe are going against us through eight weeks and the season maybe isn’t going the way that they had dreamed of it going.  They've kept battling and they've been playing for four quarters,” he said.

 

Published 10/16/24

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St. Paul Has to Contain Hauler

 

          Norwalk St. Paul, a game behind Monroeville in the Firelands Conference standings, will be at South Central in a conference game on Friday night.

          They rallied with less than 30 seconds to play when Grant Kuhnle found Landon Fries with a TD and the Flyers beat Crestview 16-15 in a conference game last Saturday.

          Coach Chris Doughty says they were poised on that final drive.  “Crestview started the game off strong getting a touchdown on a short field early in the game.  It was 7-0 at halftime.  We talked to the kids just coming out and being tougher. being more physical, being more aggressive in the second half and we did a nice job of doing that.  We had a couple nice long drives, I think one of the drives was about 18 plays ended up coming away with a field goal on that but it ended up putting us up.  Gave up a touchdown late and then scored in the two minute offense with about 26 seconds left.  So, I was really, really happy with the way the kids continued to battle the entire game.  When you get the ball back down a touchdown with 1:11 to go it's kind of a dire situation.  So, just to see the kids not hanging their heads and ready to attack the moment.  They had a lot of confidence going into it and drove down the field so I'm really proud of the effort,” said Doughty.

          Doughty adds that is a game these kids will never forget.  “That was our senior night.  That's our last guaranteed home game.  So, we talked a lot about making it a memorable night and one way or another.  I'd say that that game is about as memorable as it gets coming down to the wire like that,” he said.

          Norwalk St. Paul (4-4,4-1) will be at South Central (1-7,1-4) on Friday night.  The Trojans are coming off a (41-15) loss to Western Reserve last week.

          Doughty says the South Central quarterback is a tremendous player.  “South Central, their record hasn’t been really good this year, but they've got some kids that are working real hard.  Their team runs through Aaron Hauler and both sides of the ball.  He's a heck of a football player.  It doesn't matter what team South Central is playing Aaron Hauler is going to be one of the top players, top performers on the field,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “He plays quarterback for them.  They do a lot of running with him out of the backfield as well.  He’s a big, strong, physical back.  The reality is they were up 15-12 on Western Reserve last week in the third quarter, so they are capable of doing some damage.  It's going to be important that we come out and win the line of scrimmage again both sides of the ball.  It's really going to come down to stopping Aaron Hauler and making sure that we can be sound against the pass game and then still be stopping the run.”

 

Published 10/16/24

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Crawford to Play Athletic Upper

 

          Colonel Crawford tries to bounce back as they host the Upper Sandusky Rams in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          Both schools trail the conference tri-leaders by just a game.

          Crawford (6-2,3-2) lost last week (19-10) to Carey, but remained just a game back because Upper beat Mohawk (13-6) giving the Warriors their first conference loss.

          The Eagles also stand 11th in their region in division VI and they could pretty much guarantee they qualify if they win this week.

          Coach Jake Bruner says Carey made more of the crucial plays than they did.  “We were disappointed not coming out with the victory, but our kids played really hard.  Give credit to Carey they have got a nice football team and they're playing really well at the end of the year.  We just made some mistakes, both as players and coaches.  Those five or 10 plays that happen in a big game have to go your way and not all of them went our way,” he said.

          Upper Sandusky (4-4,3-2) has won three of its last four and Bruner says hey are playing some good football and they are very confident right now.  “I just see a team that's really hot right now.  Not only did they upset Mohawk last week, but a couple weeks before that they almost beat Seneca East, I think it as 14-7 and Seneca East is a heck of a football team too. They've got a lot of talent on that football team.  Their quarterback is playing really well.  They have got two really, really good receivers.  They have got a great running back, a couple great linebackers, and a great nose guard.  I see a lot of talent.  I see some good size.  They're a scary team right now.  They're playing with a lot of confidence.  You can see that earlier in the year they didn't have that same confidence and now they've got it going.  It's going to be a heck of a football game here Friday night,” said Bruner.

          Bruner says Upper has been a big play team on offense because they have a lot of speed on the perimeter.  “They are a big tip play team, number one because they're both of their receivers are really fast.  From that perspective they kind of remind you of Seneca East and the Young kid because the (Kaleb) Francis kid and the (Max) Martinez kid really can really scoot.  They're fast and they have got a lot of catches,” he told Swakononsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “The quarterback is a first year player, first year starter at quarterback, but he just seems to get more and more confidence.  He throws the ball really well.  He's got a nice arm.  Their running back, who is also their inside linebacker, he's one of the leading tacklers in league and he's a heck of a football player.  He seems like he's been there for years, he’s pretty good.  They're big, they're big up front, so it's going to be a tall task for these guys.”

 

Published 10/16/24

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Upper Beginning to Peak

 

          Upper Sandusky, fresh off a big win last week, will be at Colonel Crawford to challenge the Eagles Friday night in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          Last week, the Rams handed Mohawk their first “N10” loss (13-6) on Friday.

          Coach Russell Hall says they had a good week of preparation and they were plus three in the turnover margin.  “I'm proud of the kids preparation, their effort, their focus, their discipline on special teams, offense, and defense.  We won the turnover margin three to none protecting the ball and getting turnovers that was definitely an asset for us.  It's a big win, it's hard to go to Mohawk and win, so I was very, very pleased,” he said.

          Upper has won three of its last four games, their only loss in that period was (14-7) to conference tri-leader Seneca East.

          Hall says they have focused on improving every week.  “I feel we've improved every week you know and as a coaching staff that's kind of our goal is to next week be better than we were the week before because that's what good teams do.  They find a way to keep getting better to improve their game.  It goes back to our players and their attitude in practice,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Today is the most important day because it's the day we get to work on stuff to get better to be in a situation to win on Friday.  So, that's kind of been the theme all year is find a way to get better today and put yourself in position to win on Friday today whether it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.”

          Upper (4-4,3-2) is at Colonel Crawford (6-2,3-2) on Friday night.  Crawford lost (19-10) to Carey last week.  Both schools are just a game back in the conference standings.

          Crawford’s Conner McMichael is the leading rusher in the “N10” and Hall expects the Eagles to feature their power run game.  “A ton of physicality.  They have very physical lineman, hardnosed running backs, the (Conner) McMichael kid, it's hard to believe he's only a junior, he’s pretty good.  The (Dominic) Dean kid transferred over from Buckeye Central last year also a junior, plays some running back, tight end, linebacker is very physical.  It’s a traditional Colonel Crawford team of physicality.  They're going to run the ball and they're going to be very physical on defense and sound on special teams,” said Hall.

 

Published 10/16/24

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Hillsdale Must Stop Run

 

          Hillsdale, the co-leader in the Wayne County Athletic League, plays at Rittman in a league game on Friday night.

          The Falcons (8-0,5-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, plays Norwayne next week.

          Last week, they routed Northwestern (36-6) in league play.

          Coach Trevor Cline feels played especially well the first two quarters of the game.  “Last week against Northwestern, I thought we took care of business, especially in the first half,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We got off to a good start were able to put them away early.  In the second half there we started rotating guys in and we didn't play as well as what I would have liked in the second half, but I felt in first half we played really well.”

          Rittman (4-4,1-4) lost (42-13) to Smithville in a league game last week.

          Cline calls the Indians dangerous.  “Rittman was picked at the beginning of the year to be one of the top teams in the league, so they are a team that we have got to show up and be ready to go because if not it’s going to put us in a position where it's going to end up being a battle.  I expect it to be a good game on Friday night and we need to get off to a good start against these guys,” said Cline.

          Cline says Rittman is really going to want to run the ball and they have to be ready to defend that.  “They have a running back that I know at the beginning of the year they were talking about he was closing in on 6,000 yards for his career.  I know earlier this year he rushed for 400 yards in the game, so he's a very good running back.  We're going to have to be disciplined and make him have to bounce plays instead of running downhill on us,” he said.

 

Published 10/16/24

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Highland Has to Want it

 

          Highland is at home for Clear Fork in a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, things got away from the Fighting Scots in the second half and they lost (38-14) to River Valley in a “MOAC” game.

          Coach Ty Stover says they were unable to respond when River Valley scored in the second half.  “I thought we played really well in the first half last week.  Second half it was just a few deep balls got us.  We had great coverage they made a better play than we did and put a few points on the board there late in the third and that was pretty much it.  Our offense kind of sputtered there in the third and had a few penalties that were some drive killers for us.  They got out to a 10-point lead on us and we just couldn't recover,” said Stover.

          Highland (3-5,2-3) entertains Clear Fork (2-6,1-4) on Friday night.  The Colts lost (34-7) to unbeaten Shelby last week.  However, the game was tied at seven with just over three minutes to play in the third quarter.

          Stover says Clear Fork is a team that’s getting better.  “They are a physical group.  65/35 run as far as run-pass.  They were in it, 7-7 in the middle of the third quarter then they just kind of like us, made a few mistakes and couldn't put the ball in the end zone.  When you play a team like Shelby it goes south pretty quick,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Coach (Aaron) Brokaw always does a nice job with those guys.  They're playing better, as I watched the films they play better every week.  We have our hands full and it should be a great game.  It’s going to be who's going to run the ball and who's going to be able to stop them on defense.”

          Stover says on Friday night they have to be the team that wants the win the most and play like it.  “We have not had the season that we wanted.  We've had kids that have had great attitudes, we've had great parents, nothing has been negative.  It's almost like who's going to be edgy enough that still has a little bit of a mean streak in them that's, pardon my French, a little pissed off about the way things have gone in the last several weeks and wants to get the “W,” he said.

 

Published 10/16/24

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Columbian Must be Ready to Adapt

 

          Tiffin Columbian will entertain Norwalk in a game in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference on Friday night.

          The Tornadoes beat Bellevue (28-14) in a crossover game last week.

          Coach Judd Lutz says they did a lot of good things, especially in the first half.  “I thought offensively we were explosive early and did some really good things.  I thought we played some pretty good complementary football in swinging the field and making them drive the field long distances really every drive except for two.  Defensively, came up big on some fourth down stops and that was really the difference.  So, we have got to put it together and obviously have that translate to this week,” he said.

          Lutz says they hope to be able to take some momentum form last week into the game with Norwalk on Friday.  “Winning just tastes better than losing, there's no way around it.  It's good to get that bad taste out of our mouth and create some momentum and now we have got to build on it.  We have played a lot of young guys last couple weeks and they will continue to play and continue to evolve.  Kind of put them in positions to make plays and be successful against whoever we're playing.  Norwalk is a worthy opponent and has some great players on that side of the ball that we have to account for and take care of or else they're going to find more success than we do,” said Lutz.

          Columbian (3-5,0-2) is at Norwalk (2-6,0-2) on Friday night.  The Truckers were blanked (49-0) by Perkins last week.  The Truckers have not scored since week four of the season.

          Lutz says they expect the unexpected from Norwalk.  “They've had a couple games, a couple key guys, I think playmakers for them on the offensive side have been out and that shows by their scores you know struggling to really create explosive plays.  Get some consistent positive plays to stay in front of the sticks make.  They're playing kind of behind the sticks too often is what they're probably thinking,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “We're expecting them to play their best football late in the season.  They've kind of had now some consistency as far as who is playing out there the last couple weeks a little bit, so we have got to prepare for that offensively and defensively.  They do a pretty good job defensively and keeping you guessing on the number of blitzes and kind of attacking each opponent a little bit differently.  So, we can forecast it, but we really won't know until you know the first couple of drives happen on our offense and what they're going to do and kind of what their game plan is.  So, it's definitely a big week of game prep and have to have tremendous amount of focus.”

 

Published 10/16/24

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Madison Excited to Play Lexington

 

          Madison will be across town to face Lexington in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game on Friday night.

          They lost (35-3) to future “OCC” member Dover last week.

          Coach Brent Besancon says playing Lexington, and then Mansfield Senior next week, has the players attention.  “We've only got one win on the season, but the kids have been really good so far this week in practice and it holds their interest when they're going against some league opponents that you'd consider rivals,” he said.

          Madison (1-7,1-3) is at Lexington (4-4,3-1) on Friday night.  The Minutemen fell out of a share of first place in the “OCC” last week when they lost (29-13) at New Philadelphia.

          Besancon is really impressed with Lexington quarterback Joe Caudill.  “Things run through their quarterback.  This guy, he's a good football player, just all around good football player, offensively, defensively throws the ball and gets yards after contact, he’s just a tough kid,” he told swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “You can't just worry about him because they some division one athletes out there running around.  Those things really pose a challenge this week.”

          With their playmakers on offense, the Lexington defense doesn’t get a lot of attention, but Besancon says they are really good.  “They are really sound.  Their quarterback plays an outside linebacker and they're just really sound on the both the front end and the back end of that defense.  They force you to throw the ball and have got some athletic DB's.  To me that defense really looks tough on film,” said Besancon.

 

Published 10/16/24

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Ontario Preparing For Explosive Shelby Offense

 

          It’s the battle of the unbeatens on Friday night as Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference co-leaders Ontario and Shelby lock horns at Shelby.

          Ontario remained undefeated with a (45-14) win over Marion Harding last week.

          Coach Aaron Eckert says after a turnover early they got busy.  “The game couldn't have started any better for us.  They get the ball first and we get a pick on our third play.  Our first offensive play we score from about 30 yards out and it gets called back because of penalty and then we turn the ball over and then they go down to score.  Then I think we put up 45 points or something.  They scored late in the fourth, middle of the fourth or somewhere.  Regardless, our kids did a great job just kind of staying focused and staying the course and it's kind of been a theme for us all year,” he said.

          Warrior quarterback Bodpegn Miller had 451 yards of total offense last week.

          Ontario (8-0,5-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, is at Shelby (8-0,5-0), #2 in our poll, on Friday night for all the marbles.

          Shelby junior quarterback Brayden DeVito is the passing efficiency leader in the “MOAC”.

          Eckert says he is just very dangerous.  “It's kind of everything and what I mean by that is he doesn't really have a weakness in terms of being a quarterback.  He's got a really strong arm.  He can throw it probably 50-60 yards down the field in the air.  He's got great, uncanny ability to get out of bad spots.  You can have three guys around him and just kind of figures away to get away from you.  Then he does a great job throwing with anticipation.  He's probably the best I've seen at the high school level in my 14 years of coaching high school football of just throwing into space and just letting his guys just go get it.  I think that just makes him really special in that position,” said Eckert.

          Senior Nic Eyster is really the only skill position player for Shelby other than DeVito that had much varsity experience going into the season.

          Eckert says those other kids have done an excellent job of filling shoes.  “Their supporting cast around and is really solid.  A lot of juniors, a couple senior guys that played some reserve roles last year.  Eyster was a big part of the team last year.  That's what you have when you have a successful program.  Shelby football has been a long standing tradition,” he told Swamkonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “You have a really good JV team.  They haven’t lost a JV game in three years or four years or however long it's been.  When you have those guys and when you lose guys and the next guys kind of step up and take the role.  They're used to winning and then doing things the right way.  They kind of just step into that next role which they have.  They've done a great job filling the shoes of some really talented players that played there for a long time.”

          Sophomore Brady Bowman is their leading receiver this year.

          Both teams are solid in the trenches.  Eckert says the Whippets do some different things too.  “I think they're pretty good.  I think they've got one guy that goes both ways.  They've got a bunch of big hosses up there that move people.  They do a bunch of different stuff in terms of putting an extra lineman on one side and then bringing the tight end down.  Overall, those guys play one side of the ball and they do a pretty good job of moving you and giving DeVito time to make plays,” he said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Shelby Must Make Explosive Plays

 

          It’s finally here, as Shelby hosts Ontario Friday night in a game between the unbeaten co-leaders of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

          The Whippets (8-0,5-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, rallied to beat Clear Fork (34-7) last week.

          They found themselves in a tie ballgame late in the third quarter, but coach Robert Mahaney was proud of the way they took control of the game.  “Yeah, I thought it was really good job of responding to the situation.  Clear Fork makes a big, explosive play and it ties the game.  Give a lot of credit to coach (Aaron) Brokaw and Clear Fork.  They are tough and physical and have gotten better every week and you can definitely see that when you play them.  Fortunately, our kids after taking their best shot, we're able to kind of play with the next play mentality and come out and make some explosive plays offensively through the pass game.  We had some big plays, but our big thing is we didn't finish drives.  I thought we did a really good job with that down the stretch of the game to score some points and put it away.  It's good I think to have some adversity like that and I think Clear Fork is a well coached and a football team on the rise.  I thought it was really good for our kids to respond like they did in third and fourth quarter,” he said.

          Ontario (8-0,5-0), #3 in our poll, smoked Marion Harding (45-14) last week.

          They have not given up more than two scores in any league games this season and some of those have been in garbage time.

          Mahaney says that Warrior defense is big and it’s talented.  “I think Ontario, first of all they're extremely well coached, I think coach (Aaron) Eckert does a great job and his staff are putting kids in really good positions to make plays.  I think when you look at their defense, I think it starts up front.  I think their two interior defensive linemen are two of the best interior lineman we have played all year.  They're very good, they're returners, they gave us fits last year and they give us fits again on Friday night,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “They're really good football players.  Their ends are big and strong, they're middle linebacker flies around and they're outside linebackers are fast and strong.  Their front seven is totally without a doubt combined size and strength the biggest that we've played this year.  I think that's a big strength for them.  Then they cover it up with their secondary with some really athletic kids.  Whether Miller plays back there or not they have other kids too that can fly around in Foltz and Mahon and all those kind of kids that you know cover up a lot of space back there.  So, I think from front to back they're extremely solid and they play really sound defensive football.”

          Mahaney says Ontario has not given up a lot big plays, but they have to find some.  “I think that's extremely hard for a lot of high school football teams to do.  We have struggled with it throughout the season.  The ability to sustain drives is what separates good teams from great teams.  I think there's two things that we have got to do to try to be successful and one is try to find ways to create explosive plays.  Our kids have got to execute and all of those kind of things.  Then secondly, we have got to sustain drives.  We can't hurt ourselves with penalties or negative plays.  We have got to try to continue move the ball forward and not put ourselves behind the sticks or make a lot of penalties that cost us.  So for us, that's a really big focus this week is trying to make sure we don't beat ourselves offensively and then also trying to find ways to make explosive plays, whether it's breaking tackles or whatever we can do to try to make some big plays, because we know that they explosive play battle is a thing that normally decides a lot of football games, so we try to do our best to win that,” said Mahaney.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Ashland Can Earn a Share

 

          Ashland can get no less than a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference football title with a win at Wooster on Friday night.

          They lead Lexington by a game with two to play.  They play Lex on week 10.

          They hammered West Holmes (56-28) in an “OCC” game last Friday.

          Coach Scott Valentine says they took care of business.  “The thing is we told them every game here out is very important championship wise.  If we want to win the championship, we have got to keep winning.  So, I thought we had a good week of practice and focused in and then we were able to make some plays some on Friday night,” said Valentine.

          Against West Holmes, Arrow quarterback Nathan Bernhart accounted for eight touchdowns on the night.  Valentine says he is just very good.  “Those type of guys make you look like a good coach.  He had a great night,” he said.

          Ashland (8-0,4-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, is at Wooster (2-6,1-5).  The Generals are coming off their first “OCC” win of the season, (42-24) over Mansfield Senior last week.

          Valentine says they are going to be aggressive on defense.  “They have got some guys on offense that will make plays and score points.  Defensively, that's going to have to be our focus.  They give you a lot of different looks, so we're going to have to be able to adjust to different looks and try to contain them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “Offensively, we've got to attack their defense.  They're similar to the last two teams we have played.  They're going to bring some pressure and so we'll have to handle that.”

          Last week, Wooster’s Julius Franklin ran for 203 yards and two scores against Mansfield.

          Valentine says they have to be good tacklers, which has been an issue for them at times.  “We've talked about that, we've got to keep getting better at tackling.  We missed some tackles the other night that we can't miss.  He’s a guy that will make you pay,” he said.

          There has already been some talk about the matchup with Lexington next week, but Valentine says their focus has to be on Wooster.  “I told our kids on Saturday morning, they are fortunate they put themselves in a position, but this week about getting the conference championship.  If you don't win this one, you can't win it outright.  So, this is one you want to get at least a share this week.  So, there better be a lot of focus this week for us to get the job done on Friday,” said Valentine.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Carey to Clash with Mohawk

 

          Two of the three co-leaders in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference square off this week as Carey is down the road at Mohawk on Friday night.

          Seneca East, meanwhile, plays winless Bucyrus.

          The Blue Devils came up with a big win last week as they knocked off Colonel Crawford (19-10) last Friday in “N10” action.

          Coach Jonathan Mershman says they played very good complementary football.  “I thought overall our team played excellent in all three phases.  The offense did enough, the defense played really well, and we got some really good plays from our special teams making two field goals and blocking a punt.  So, I was really excited about way everything came together Friday night,” said Mershman.

          Carey (4-4,4-1) is at Mohawk (6-2,4-1) on Friday night.  The Warriors slipped back into a tie for the lead after a (13-6) loss to Upper Sandusky last week.

          Mershman says Mohawk is a seasoned team.  “They’re a very good team.  Last year, they took their lumps a little bit, but they were young and you can see that this year that they learned from those mistakes last year and they are playing at a high level,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “I know they took a little step back on Friday against Upper, but this is rivalry game in Wyandot County and they're going to come ready to play.  It's going to be a physical match up.

          With a lot riding on the game, plus the rivalry aspect, emotions are going to be running high.  Mershman says really they need to focus more on just executing their game plan.  “Sometimes you have got to calm it down a little bit and just play within yourself and make sure you're doing your job.  You don't really have to get them too fired up because they're already going to be at that high level.  It's more kind of hey take a deep breath, calm down a little bit, make the plays you know how to make,” he said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Monroeville Can Take Next Step

 

          Monroeville will earn no less than a share of the Firelands Conference title this week with a win at Plymouth.

          They lead Norwalk St. Paul and Western Reserve by a game in the conference standings.  Of course, they have their normal week 10 clash with St. Paul next week.

          They smoked Mapleton (49-0) last week as quarterback Even Benfer ran for three scores.

          Coach Tylor Nester says again they got off to a good start.  “It was a really good start offensively and defensively.  I think we scored a couple touchdowns real quick right there in the first quarter.  Our defensive did its job getting off the field and forcing Mapleton out of their system,” said Nester.

          Monroeville (8-0,5-0) has not allowed a single point in the last month.

          Nester says their defense has been fundamental and they have been getting great pursuit.  “That's a testament to the kids and our defensive coordinator coach (Don) Clark gets them fired up and he's got them believing in all 11 to the ball every single play.  Then most important importantly is doing your job and knowing your role in any given situation.  So, we're doing a really good job,” he said.

          Plymouth (2-6,1-4) broke a six game losing streak with a (40-12) win over New London in conference play last week.

          Nester says Plymouth will try and play physical football.  “They run that different double tight, double wing kind of formation similar to Lucas and some teams down that way.  They're big upfront and physical.  They get another one of their running backs this week,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They are dynamic in the backfield.  We talked about a little bit ago, if you're not disciplined and you're trying to fly here or there without reading your keys and knowing what your role they can do some damage.”

          When it comes to getting a piece of the title.  Nester says they want to be process driven.  “Like we talked last week one rung at a time and this week it’s Plymouth.  If we take care of that business and then we can look forward.  Plymouth presents some problems with us that we have to take care of this week,” he said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Fredericktown to Face Physical Danville

 

          Fredericktown will be down at Danville against the Blue Devils on Friday night in action in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

          They are coming off a tremendous performance last wee in blanking Wast Knox (31-0) in a conference game.  They remain a game behind “KMAC” leader Northmor.

          Coach Will Hartley says a couple of big plays by the defense gave them momentum.  “The ball definitely bounced our way, especially early in the first half.  We were able to take advantage of some great defensive plays.  We had a scoop and score touchdown on a on a sack fumble.  Then right there before the end of the half, under a minute left in the half, and East Knox is driving.  We had a great play by our safety who knocked the ball away from their receiver in the middle of the field and then our corner came across and made a great pick and he took that to the house.  I think was about an 85, 90 yard return for a touchdown.  So, those two really solid defensive plays just really gave us a tremendous amount of momentum.  The lead was 25-0 at the half.  We were getting the ball in the second half.  We had a nice drive at the beginning of the third, scored, played great defense all night, and had running clock for most of the third and fourth quarter,” said Hartley.

          Fredericktown (5-3,4-1) is at Danville (6-2,4-1) on Friday night.  Danville shutout Centerburg (12-0) last week.

          Hartley says they are good in the trenches and some athletes to go with that.  “They're very good defensively.  They did graduate a lot of talent from last year, but they got a lot of contributors from last year still on the squad.  Their defensive front is probably the strength of their defense.  They just really stand kids up.  Teams do not get much movement at all of them and then that allows their linebackers to flow over the top and flow to the football and make plays,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “Offensively, they changed things up.  They're more of a ground and pound team this year. Again, I think it kind of starts up front.  Their offensive line is solid and gets good movement.  They’ve got a nice group of backs and skill guys and the quarterback, he's a running threat and also a passing threat.  They're nice, athletic kids, big up front, so it will be a real test for us.”

          Hartley says they don’t need any extra incentive when they play Danville.  “It doesn’t take much for us to get fired up for Danville and the same can be said when we play Centerburg week 10.  These are big county rivalries and a lot of history between all of these schools.  We haven't beat Danville in quite some time and we feel that this year should be pretty good matchup.  We have got a good chance as any this year.  So, I think all of those types of things in the short term are really what the kids are looking towards and hopefully we can put together good game plan and come out and have a solid night down at Danville,” he said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Pleasant Ready for the Tournament

 

          Marion Pleasant is the top seed in their division VI district as the girls’ volleyball tournament begins this week.

          They will host Grandview Heights in their opening match on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Spartans (19-3) finished third in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference a game behind co-winners Highland and Shelby.

          Coach Kory Ute says having faced some off the court tragedies before the season started, she is very proud of what they have already accomplished.  “Well, for how it started we were pretty pleased with how we did.  We had kind of a rough start.  We had some family tragedies in the beginning of August, so we lost our middle hitter for a couple weeks.  We lost our assistant coach back in May,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Getting together the girls trying to establish life without those two in the gym it was pretty tough.  We were pretty pleased that we ended up with our second game losing to Highland, but we played them tough.  Then we kind of got on a roll and took off and we were very pleasantly pleased.”

          They lost a four set match to Shelby last week where a win would have gotten them a share of the title.

          Ute says they have to move on.  “We had a rough spot against Shelby last week.  We were pretty upset about that at the time, but I tried to tell the girls one game doesn't define us.  Did we think we're going to be in that spot at the beginning of year?  Heck no we didn't and Shelby's a good team.  They got a first seed in their tournament, as did Highland, so we had three teams in one league get a first seed in their respective division.  So, you can't be upset with that.  We just have to go out and play a little bit harder and work a little bit harder and I think we'll be okay,” said Ute.

          With the expanded divisions this season, Ute says it gave her some hard work.  “It's very different and quite frankly I had to kind of do my homework a little bit more often with the teams that I don't normally see.  It's a little bit more homework and that's good for an old coach like me to do because it kind of keeps me on my toes.  Honestly, they don't know my players either, so I think it can be beneficial in a couple different ways,” she said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Bellevue Doing it the Right Way

 

          Bellevue will host Port Clinton on Friday night in a game in the Bay Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Last week, the Redmen fell (28-14) to Tiffin Columbian in a “SBC” crossover game.

          Coach Ed Nasonti feels like it was as well as they have played this year.  “I was proud of our kids.  I thought they battled.  I think it was probably one of the best games that we played this year.  We had ourselves in position to possibly win the game.  I know we gave up like three big touchdown passes or big plays with passes that their receivers got behind our guys.  We also fumbled punt that led to a short field that put them on the board.  It was a 28-14 game at halftime and that's the way it ended,” he told Swankponsports.com on Monday evening, “We played them tough the second half and never gave up another score.  I thought our kids never quit.  I've told you all year, we like our kids.  We're proud of our kids because they don't quit.  I think there's something to be said for that.  They've been practicing well, they've been sticking together and I know that we're going to play hard this week against Port Clinton.”

          Nasonti was they clearly still have goals that they can achieve.  “We have got two games left and we still have something to play for.  We're hoping that if we can get these last two games that can give us a favorable position maybe in the playoffs and who knows what happens.  We have a lot of young kids playing.  I think when you look at the number of kids on our team.  We have you know 44 underclassmen on our team.  So, those guys are getting a lot of experience and they're trying to step up and be leaders also as we come into the last two games,” said Nasonti.

          Bellevue (2-6,0-2) plays at home against Port Clinton (2-6,0-2) on Friday night.  The Redskins were throttled (41-7) by unbeaten Edison in a division game last week.

          Nasonti says they have some guys that can make plays.  “They have a really good quarterback that that makes plays, his name is (Wyatt) Yarborough, he's good size, he's like 6’2”, he throws the ball very well.  They have a running back named (Malakii) Pinkleton that is explosive and can make some plays.  It's going to be at our place and we're looking forward to it.  I'm sure that they feel in their minds they have a chance to get a “W”.  It's going to be senior night for us.  It will be our last home game for our seniors.  So, we're looking forward to sending those guys off in the right way,” he said.

 

Published 10/15/24

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Ashland Defense Will be Stressed

 

          Ohio Cardinal Conference leader Ashland will be down at West Holmes against the Knights in a big “OCC” game on Friday night.

          Right now, Ashland shares the conference lead with Lexington.  West Holmes is just a game back.  Lexington plays at New Philadelphia on Friday night.

          Last week, the Arrows (7-0,3-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, walloped Mansfield Senior (35-3) in “OCC” play.

          Veteran coach Scott Valentine says they made a lot of plays all over the field.  “I think we definitely played well on in all three phases because they're explosive on offense and even special teams they can make big plays.  We were able to contain them there.  Then offensively we were able to handle they started bringing some pressure and we were able to handle pressure and make some big plays.  So, we executed on all three phases,” said Valentine.

          West Holmes (4-3,3-1) fell out of a share of the “OCC” lead when Lexington scored with less than a minute to play last week and beat them (19-13) on Friday.

          Valentine says they are going to be aggressive on defense.  “They are similar to Mansfield Senior, they like to bring a lot of pressure, so we're going to have to be ready to handle pressure again this week.  Their quarterback does a great job of moving the ball around,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Their staff does a good job of giving you a lot of different problems for formation wise, so defensively we have got to be able to see the different formations and then then read our keys and make plays.”

          Knights quarterback Morgan Smith is a playmaker and Valentine says they must contain him.  He says they can’t give him running lanes or he’ll burn them.  “Anytime you face somebody like that, that's always a concern.  You have just got to make sure you stay in your lanes and then react to where he's at.  He's going to make some plays you just got to try to hopefully keep him from making a lot of big ones,” he said.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Perkins Working on Being Better

 

          Sandusky Perkins is ready to make amends for its first loss of the season last week as they at Norwalk in a game in the Lake Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          The Pirates (6-1,1-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com coaches poll in the large school division, lost (15-14) to Edison last week in a crossover game.

          Coach Jalen Santoro says they made a lot of mistakes.  “That wasn't the outcome we wanted.  I think there's a lot of plays in that game we'd like to have back.  If we make one, it’s a different result.  That's a hard lesson to teach your kids until you get into a situation where you lose on of those type of games.  We had one earlier this year with Harvest Prep where we fortunate to win it. Some of our deficiencies showed in that game.  It's one of those things where the message is heard, but I don't know if the message was understood after you win a game.  Now, I think the message is understood.  The loss we had last Friday was a good game.  They're a heck of a team.  They executed their game plan perfectly.  We just do enough to win the game.  So, it's just take it as a learning experience, humble yourself a little bit, get back to work, back to the basics, and move on from it,” he said.

          Santoro says there was a different kind of attitude in practice this week.  “I think players and coaches I think everybody could wait to get back out to practice on Monday just get that taste out your mouth and move on from it.  It was a physical week of practice and that's kind of the example we wanted.  I thought looking back on the film, we just didn't tackle well and that's a big thing when you lose a tight game.  You really go back and look at the basics did you block well, did you tackle well, were you assignment sharp, were you playing with effort,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “I think a lot of those things we were lacking in last Friday.  A lot of things that we addressed with the guys on Saturday and coming back out this past Monday and it was like we're going back to the basics here.  Had some live tackling periods of practice and just really working on where we thought we didn’t play well last week.  The level of practice was raised this week and I think the guys stepped up and lead when we need lead and like I said the physicality was we want to see and I think it was there.”

          Norwalk (2-5,0-1) has not scored since week four of the season.

          Santoro says they have to know where Ben Rothhaar is at all times.  “They're different in what they do every week and that presents its own problems because we have got to be super sharp with what you're trying to accomplish on defense.  You have got to understand that essentially who they will get the ball to.  Rothharr is a great player.  They try utilize him in different ways whether getting the ball downfield, get him the ball in backfield with jet sweeps.  He's a division I football player going to a Big Ten school.  You have got to know where he's at and be able to key on him as much as possible and try to make them play left handed.  Again, he is a really good player, so we have got to do a good job of understanding where the ball is going to be then and then do the job trying to tackle as well.  That’s what we lacked last week, so I think our guys will be excited for the challenge this week,” said Santoro.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Monroeville to Meet Mapleton

 

          Firelands Conference leader Monroeville will be at Mapleton for a conference game on Friday night.

          The Eagles (7-0,4-0) grabbed first place to themselves with a (48-0) destruction of Western Reserve last week.

          Coach Tylor Nester says they played well against a very good team.  “It was a nice team effort for us and all the three phases of the game.  It was nice to be able to put that together, especially after the previous weeks where we were kind of turning the ball over and making some mental errors.  To come out that way against a well coached coach (Ty) Stevenson team was really nice,” said Nester.

          Nester adds that they were able to control the point of attack.  “We kind of talked to our team about the keys to the game were and we controlled that line of scrimmage offensively and defensively.  They kind of set the tone for our skill guys and our secondary and backers,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “They just continue to feed off each other and kept that momentum throughout the game.”

          Mapleton (3-4,2-2) edged South Central (29-27) in a league game last week.

          Nester says they must be ready to defend that wing-T.  “They run kind of the old school Black River wing-T offense that coach (Al) Young over there, him and his dad, kind of hailed from Black River.  They've got that tough, we're going to punch you in the mouth kind of mindset in there and their players play with that edge,” he said.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Seneca East Battling Adversity

 

          Seneca East, a game back in the race in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, will be down at Buckeye Central in a conference game this week.

          It’s a trophy game, “The Battle for the Paddle”.

          Last week, the Tigers (4-3,3-1) lost their first “N10” of the season when Colonel Crawford scored near the end to beat then (21-20) last Friday night.

          Coach Ed Phillips says they have responded emotionally from that loss.  “We talk about if you handle failure correctly that that it can make you better than you ever were before.  We did that once this year and we feel like that's part of the process of being good at whatever you're doing is handling what comes at you,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “The kids have handled it and I think that we're better than ever.  We would rather go without that, but that's life.  Moving forward you know the kids have done a great job and are ready to roll this week.”

          Phillips says they have had good practices this week and he is not surprised by that fact.  “I've got a great team, coaches and kids.  They know how to handle things and we talk about having events and responding and then they respond the way you expect a great group of people to do it,” he said.

          Buckeye Central (2-5,1-3) lost (56-7) to Carey last week.

          Phillips says they do some good things.  “They've got some good playmakers.  They like to throw the ball around and they do it pretty well.  They don't throw a lot of formations at you.  They try to get their guys in space a lot like we do and they do a good job of improvising at times.  So, there's something to be dealt with,” said Phillips.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Tiffin and Bellevue Similar

 

          Two traditional powers, Tiffin Columbian and Bellevue, play in a Sandusky Bay Conference crossover game at Bellevue on Friday night.

          It probably feels like a broken record, but again last week Columbian played a very good team tough for a half, but didn’t play well in the second half.  They lost (33-14) to Clyde in a Lake Division game.

          Coach Judd Lutz says they didn’t make enough plays.  “We played two pretty good quarters of football in the first half.  Played really well defensively.  We some big stops, gave them a short field a couple of times and managed to hold them really to three points, but then gave up a punt block that was returned touchdown and kind of a back breaker.  Still kept it to 10-7 in the first half and then just couldn't get it going offensively in the second half. They made a couple of big plays at key times and kind of separated late.  Our kids played hard just again we're on the wrong side of the scoreboard,” he said.

          Tiffin (2-5) is at Bellevue (2-5) on Friday night.  The Redmen lost (19-7) to Huron in a Bay Division game last week.

          Lutz says these teams are a lot alike.  “Similar in a lot of ways to us.  Two teams who have got similar records and have played good football against really good football teams.  Not all 2-5 teams in the State of Ohio are the same by any means and created equal.  I think that's kind of what we are.  We're two good football teams who played really talented teams, played them tough, but just haven't been able to find a number of wins we probably could have.  So, both teams playing a lot of young guys who now at this point this season have a lot of experience underneath their belt, but they're still young.  We need them to play up and I think you're going to find a really, really competitive and good game that's we're forecasting,” said Lutz.

          Lutz says Bellevue is going to try and do what they always have done.  “Coach (Ed) Nasonti didn’t become a bad football coach overnight and obviously he's been doing a great job for a number of years.  They're going to lean on their strengths and what they do year in and year out.  There's a lot of similarities schematically in what they're asking their kids to do and then they're really good at it.  They take care of the football when they're carrying it.  They're going to put it in their best athlete’s hands as many times they can and that’s their quarterback right now,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “He's got some young, good talent around him.  Then they play really well defensively.  You look at their scores.  They've held a lot of good teams under their averages and have had some low scoring games.  Just haven't been able to really be explosive and put up some points up at times on offense.  We see the same thing from them a year in year out.  They see the same thing from us year in and year out in a lot of ways.  When we play each other it's competitive and the rivalry aspect of it.  We're going to know each other a lot what they like to do and you have got to find a way to still impose your will at times and then have a couple wrinkles ready as well.”

 

Published 10/11/24

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Hillsdale Looking for Improvement

 

          Hillsdale, the co-leader of the Wayne County Athletic League, will host rival Northwestern in a league game on Friday night.

          The Falcons (7-0,4-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, share the lead with Norwayne.  They play the Bobcats in two weeks.

          They pulled away in the second half last week to beat Waynedale (34-14) in “WCAL” play.

          Coach Trevor Cline says it was not their best performance.  “We played well in the second half, especially towards the end of the third quarter, but we still didn't play as well as we are expecting.  That's sort of been how it's been the last two weeks for some reason.  We just haven't executed the way that we have been, but we're looking to bounce back this week against Northwestern,” said Cline.

          Cline says this week they have got to play better football.  “I want to see our players play to our potential.  I feel over the last couple of weeks we haven't been able to do that.  Sometimes we get into some situations where you just don't execute the way that you expect.  So, we've had a good week of practice so we're looking forward to getting the opportunity to show that on Friday night,” he said.

          Northwester (1-6,0-4) was buried (44-20) by Smithville in a league game.

          Cline says they have to be disciplined on defense or they will get burned in the pass game.  “Northwestern has multiple guys that can make plays.  I've been impressed with their quarterback.  He has a good arm and he finds ways to extend the play.  If we don't cover well they're going to get behind us because they do have athletes that he is throwing too,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “We have got to do a good job of putting pressure on him and when we get an opportunity to take him down in the backfield make sure we're doing that because he has ability to extend the play.  If he does that, they're going to get some big plays on us.  So, we just need to be disciplined to make sure that we're staying on the guy that our defensive back is supposed to be covering and staying in our zones because if he does escape pressure, we have those guys covered that he's going to chuck it deep to.”

 

Published 10/11/24

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Freddies to Face East Knox

 

          Fredericktown hosts East Knox in a game in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Both trail unbeaten Northmor by a game, but both have already lost to the Golden Knights.

          The Freddies (4-3,3-1) smoked Loudonville (39-14) last week in conference play.

          Coach Will Hartley says they were able to take care of business.  “We did what we needed to do.  Loudonville is young and the numbers are a little down, young team.  The biggest thing was to jump on them early, get upby some scores, be productive offensively and just get out of there with a nice clean win.  We played well throughout the first half.  Loudonville did rally right before halftime and got a score on the board.  We came out in the second half our first two drives in the second half we went right down the field again and scored.  That allowed us to in the fourth quarter play some of our younger guys and kind of relax and enjoy the win and start looking ahead to this week,” said Hartley.

          East Knox (4-3,3-1) was hammered (42-0) by Northmor last week.  They have posted two shutouts against league opponents this fall in Loudonville and Mt. Gilead.

          Hartley judges that they are good on both sides of the ball.  “They're really solid and stout on defense.  Of course, they ran into a buzz saw last week going against Northmor.  Northmor really hurt them with their passing game.  Other than that they've been really solid.  They're tough to score points on,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “They're not very fancy offensively, but they're very sound and what they do.  Their lineman, you can just tell that they're really well coached.  They have got it probably the best running back in the league with Blake Elliott.  They have a really nice quarterback that does a good job managing the offense and making plays where he has to and also very accurate passing the ball.”

          Right now, Fredericktown is 15th in their division V region and East Knox is 17th in the same region.  The top 16 get in.

          Hartley says this game is big for a number of reasons.  “In the league hunt you have got a whole mess of teams that just have one league loss.  Plus, us and East Knox are in the same region with a couple other local schools kind of battling it out for those last couple spots in the playoffs.  So, yeah it's a big night, it’s our senior night as well.  This will be our last home game.  Hopefully, we can send the seniors off the win,” he said.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Still About Consistency for Wynford

 

          Wynford makes the very short trip to Bucyrus to take on the Redmen in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Again, last week, the Royals played a good first half but were beaten (31-13) by conference leader Mohawk.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they do not play consistently.  “I tell the kids this every week.  I feel like I keep beating into their head trying to tell them and then preaching to them, we have to play a full four quarters.  You can't just show up the first quarter and second quarter we're going to do decent and then after halftime we just kind of dry out and stop and not be able to move the ball and be inconsistent and have penalties,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “You can't do that.  You have got to be consistent from the start of the game till the end of the game.  I'm hoping that doing that from week to week and telling the kids and preaching that to them from me, all the other coaches, the seniors, the leaders of the team, say that they're looking at Monday through Thursday as a full week and trying to put in a full consistent week of practice.  I'm hoping (Friday) that that really shows.”

          Wynford (1-6.0-4) is at Bucyrus (0-7,0-4) on Friday night.  The Redmen were demolished (56-12) by Upper Sandusky last week.

          Skidmore says these are two teams with a lot of same concerns.  “The Redmen have had their struggles.  It's the same as us.  We've had struggles, they've had struggles.  Looking at some of their athletes.  They're able to throw the ball.  They’ve got two receivers that come to mind that we got to keep our eye on.  They're able to get the ball in space and make big plays happen.  They've done that these past couple games.  They're in the same boat as us.  They've been kind of inconsistent, we've been kind of inconsistent.  I think this game is going to come down to who can really win it trenches and be the more physical team (Friday) night,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says this is for the “Copper Kettle” and that means something to both sides.  “This is their Super Bowl, this is our Super Bowl, that's how we look at it.  They're going to want to win, same for us.  So, we got to be ready to go from start to finish,” he said.

 

Published 10/11/24

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Ontario Ready for This Week

 

          Ontario, the co-leader in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, will host Marion Harding in a conference game on Friday night.

          Right now, the Warriors are tied for the lead with Shelby.  The two schools shared the title last season.

          Ontario (7-0,4-0), #4 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, handled Marion Pleasant (35-14) last week.

          Coach Aaron Eckert says they just kept plugging away.  “Pleasant was probably the most physical team we've played all year.  Really happy after a slow start for us getting the lead at halftime then was able to extend that lead in the third quarter.  I thought our kids did a great job and just kind of battling through everything that was happening in the game.  Hats off to Pleasant, they're a tough football team with big kids and that are gritty and tough.  Fortunately for us, we were able to pull that one out,” said Eckert.

          Warriors quarterback Bodpegn Miller leads the conference in rushing yards this season with 996.

          Harding (1-6,0-4) fell in the final minutes to Clear Fork last week (14-13) in conference play.

          Eckert says the Presidents have that home run ability.  “The first thing that jumps off the page is their ability to score anywhere on the field.  They've got athletes for days and they've got kids that have scored from all over the field.  It just takes one play for them to score.  So, we really got to limit their big plays and play good, sound Ontario football,” he said.

          With Shelby looming on the schedule next week, Eckert says they have to keep their heads out of the headlines.  “You can only do what you can do one week at a time.  We don't get the opportunity to play anybody else this week other than Marion Harding and so our effort energy have got to be devoted to Marion Harding,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “In this league anybody can really upset anybody else.  You look at year’s past where Marion Harding upset River Valley last year in the game that everyone probably would have picked the River Valley in but Marion Harding came in shut it down and won the game.  So, you really can't overlook anybody in this conference.”

 

Published 10/10/24

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West Holmes Must Take What’s Given

 

          West Holmes must have a win on Friday night as they host unbeaten Ashland in a game in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

          The Knights (4-3,3-1) trail Ashland and Lexington by a game in the conference standings.

          They lost (19-13) to Lexington in an “OCC” game last week.

          Coach Keaton says they played well, but left too many plays on the table.  “It was a great game to sit back and watch.  It was two of the top tier teams in the conference battling it out.  We came out on the wrong end of it.  Defensively, really proud of how our guys played going against probably one of the better skilled groups we faced all year between (Brayden) Fogal, Seven (Allen) and the running back and quarterback.  So, we're really proud of how the defense played.  Liked to have seen us in a few critical spots either way get a turnover, make a stop or force a field goal instead of giving up the touchdown.  Really proud of our how our defense has grown,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon,
“Offensively it came down to we had a couple dropped balls here and there and just a little bit of lack of execution across the board.  We had a critical special teams error there that led to a touchdown.  It's one of those things where it's even more bitter to swallow when you didn't play your best game, you didn't play four quarters of really good complementary football.  There was a lot of things to learn from, there's a lot of positives to take away from it.  We're moving on figuring out how we can do better get ready for Ashland this week.”

          Ashland (7-0,3-0), #5 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, hammered Mansfield Senior (35-3) in “OCC” play last week.

          Leppla says the Ashland offense can make a lot of big plays.  “Coach (Scott) Valentine's did a great job in his first stint and this is second stint back.  You can see in year two it's got him written all over it.  They're five wide, they do a good job getting creative in the running game to open up their pass game.  They throw the ball really well.  They’ve got a bunch of receivers who have got pretty good speed and watching on film they've all got pretty good hands.  Then they have got a quarterback who's a division I recruit who's getting all the big looks.  He's a big kid and he throws the ball really well.  So, offensively they're dangerous,” said Leppla.

          Leppla says Ashland will show them a lot of looks on defense and they must identify what they are seeing.  “Defensively they're probably the most complex defense we'll see all year.  They run a bunch of different coverages, they give a bunch of different looks up front.  So, we have got to really communicate and identify what we're seeing up front.  It's a big week for a quarterback to identify what coverage he's getting and deliver the ball where the holes are in their defense.  So, it's going to be a tall task, but it should be another really competitive game as again two of the top tier conference teams battle it out,” he said.

 

Published 10/10/24

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St. Paul Needs a Win to Stay in

 

          Norwalk St. Paul plays host to Crestview in another one of those conference elimination games on Saturday night, this one in the Firelands Conference.

          Both schools are (3-4,3-1) on the season and trail Monroeville by a game.

          St. Paul coach Chris Doughty says they are in a very similar situation.  “Honestly, I talked to the kids a lot about that this week and we're in very similar situations.  A tough schedule to start the season and taking some losses.  We hoped we could compete a little bit better.  The reality is I think we're both better football teams than what our record is showing at this point.  They've had their own versions of adversity as well.  We're both in real similar situations this season,” he said.

          Crestview has eon three straight games and Doughty says they have kids that can make plays.  “They have some really nice athletes.  Liam Kuhn at quarterback.  He is a big kid. He is 6’4’, 175.  He does a nice job spreading the ball around out of the backfield they have the (Gavin) Barker kid and (Ayden) Reymer and they both have done a really nice job this season as well.  They're both explosive athletes for them.  Then Tyson Ringler at wingback, their wide receiver position.  He's a big target for them at 6’3” also.  They're a little bit younger on the offensive line then they've been in the past, but they do a nice job of coming off the ball and then get some movement.  They definitely present some challenges,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Defensively, their defensive line is similar to their offensive line some of the same guys out there.  Jack Stevens and Bronson Rose and they do a nice job turn out with flat backs and things to control the line of scrimmage.  So, it's going to be a battle up front like any other football game.  We both run similar types of offenses with the double tight sets and things and like to control the clock and get some first downs and put some drives together.  So, in that regard again similar situations.  They run their four front on defense real similar to how we run ours.  Their linebacker play has been real good as well.  You get Gavin Barker at middle linebacker for them does a real nice job filling in the middle.”

          In terms of the conference, Doughty says this game is really important.  “It comes down to that one week at a time mentality.  Before we're getting Crestview we had to get through New London.  It wasn't just a matter of beating New London it was a matter of taking that next step forward and improving across the board offense, defense, and special teams to get ready for this game.  I think this game again this is another situation where you want to keep working towards your goal of a Firelands Conference championship.  The reality is we control our own destiny, but in order to get there against Monroeville first we have to beat Crestview.  You get through Crestview and then you have got South Central.  So, we've still got a couple steps to go before we get to that point obviously.  There's no bigger step than this game right now.  We have to do a good job taking care of business and battling through any adversity this might show up throughout the game and just making sure we're attacking things the right way,” said Doughty.

 

Published 10/10/24

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It’s All on the Line for Carey

 

          For Carey to win a fourth straight Northern 10 Athletic Conference title this year they must win at Colonel Crawford on Friday night.

          Both teams trail Mohawk by a game in the “N10” standings.

          The Blue Devils (3-4,3-1) cruised past Buckeye Central (56-7) last week.

          Coach Jonathan Mershman says they were good in all areas.  “I thought we played really well in all three phases.  We controlled the ball, was able to not have any turnovers that cost us.  Basically, didn't shoot ourselves in the foot.  We just played fairly clean football,” he said.

          Colonel Crawford (5-1,3-1) scored in the final minutes to beat Seneca East (21-20) last week to stay in the race.

          Mershman says the running game is going to be key for both teams.  “Well, there are really talented team.  They're nice sized.  They're like us, they want to run the ball and they want to stop the run.  They had a really good game with Seneca East.  They pulled it out at the end where we fell short they were able to pick it up,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We're both 3-1 in the “N10” and like I've been telling my squad, we're going to find out who the pretenders and the contenders are this week.”

          In a lot of ways this is an elimination game for both teams, plus a win would put either in a more solid position in terms of the playoffs.

          Mershman says it’s a must win for them.  “Like I told our crew we have everything in front of us.  Everything we want to do this season is still in front of us, we just don't have any mulligans left.  So, we have got to win now to get what we want where Crawford's in a little bit different situation with that they're 5-1, so they got some games they can fall back on, but if you want to win the “N10” you can't lose this game,” said Mershman.

 

Published 10/10/24

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Dalton Has to Win up Front

 

          Dalton will be at home for archrival Norwayne in a game in the Wayne County Athletic League on Friday night.

          The Bulldogs trail Norwayne and Hillsdale by a game in the league standings.

          Dalton beat Rittman (54-14) last week.

          Coach Ray Leek says they won the point of attack and they are going to have to do that again this week.  “It starts up front first and foremost.  Our guys took care of business up front and controlled the line of scrimmage.  I think that's going to be another big key on Friday night whoever can control the line of scrimmage and play on their side or our side and that's who will win the game and probably have the upper hand there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We're going to make sure we're disciplined up front and make sure that we control the line of scrimmage and pick up their blitzes.  On the defensive side of the ball, we've got to play in their backfield.”

          Dalton (5-2,3-1) hosts Norwayne (6-1,4-0) on Friday night.  The Bobcats whipped Chippewa (49-7) last week.

          This rivalry had produced a lot of very tight, competitive games and Leek expects that to be the case on Friday night.  “I wouldn't expect anything less than that.  Again, it's going to come down to the guys up front.  How disciplined we can play all night.  Then you know fourth quarter comes it’s who is in better shape.  There's some key factors.  Of course, the turnover battle there.  Make sure that we control the ball and we execute on offense and when we're in the red zone we have got to be able to punch it in,” said Leek.

          Leek says these are the kinds of games you get excited to be part of.  “This is why you play the game right for Friday nights like this.  A lot on the line, a rivalry game.  This one gets you jacked up on Friday night,” he said.

 

Published 10/10/24

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Madison Has to Stay in Game

 

          Madison will entertain the Dover Tornadoes in a game in the non conference play on Friday night.

          Dover will soon be a member of the member of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, but they aren’t yet.  They have played West Holmes and Wooster this year too.  They will play rival New Philadelphia on week 10.

          Last week, Madison lost (35-21) to New Philadelphia.

          Coach Brent Besancon says it was their start that got them into trouble.  “I don't think that we were ready to play when we got there.  We had a slow start.  They are the type of team they get a little momentum.  They are quick guys and they just kept us challenged all night long.  Amazingly that score was closer than what the game actually was,” said Besancon.

          Dover (5-2) hammered Wooster (48-28) last week.

          Besancon says the Tornadoes remind him a lot of New Philly.  “They're very similar to New Philadelphia.  They seem to have a lot of team speed, especially on the defensive side of the football.  A quarterback that takes care of the ball and is really accurate with his passing.  Coach (Dan) Ifft been down there quite a while.  I have kind of followed him from a distance.  Just overall looks like a solid program and solid group of kids.  It's going to be a real challenge for us,” he said.

          Besancon says they can’t afford to get off to a start like they did last week.  “We haven't had a lot of wins over the years.  Things turned bad quick and it takes a lot to overcome it mentally for us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We've held off and done some good things this this year overall, but it just seemed like once they got up a little bit it just kind of poured from there.  Even though we get some small momentum we could never make it stand.”

 

Published 10/10/24

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Huron to Face Explosive Vermilion

 

          Huron is at Vermilion on Friday night in a battle between two of the leaders in the Bay Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference.

          Huron is (2-0) in the division, Vermilion, along with Edison, is (1-0) so far.

          Last week, the Tigers got past Bellevue (19-7) in a division game.

          Coach Sam Hohler says the kicking game was huge them.  “Glad to get the win.  Bellevue is always a tough team, well coached and well prepared.  For us, I thought our defense played well.  Our special teams were exceptional.  We had a punt return for a touchdown, great field position all day, and made four field goals.  I would have liked to punch the ball in the end zone offensively more, but we'll take the points and take the win,” said Hohler.

          Huron (6-1,2-0) is at Vermilion (6-1,1-0) on Friday night.  The Sailors outscored Port Clinton (36-27) in their first division game last week.

          Hohler says Vermilion has a lot experience and those kids are ready to succeed.  “Vermilion's got a lot of experience.  A lot of those kids have taken their lumps over the years and stuck together.  The coaching staff has done a good job of putting them in position to be successful,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “They are a physical football team.  We got to go over to their place.  So, by no means will this be easy.  I expect this to be a very tough matchup for us on Friday.”

          The Sailors average 30 points per contest and Hohler says they have got to keep the ball out of their hands.  “Part of it is when we have the ball kind of limit their opportunities, limit their possessions.  We've done a good job this year of getting turnovers, so we're kind of hoping that that plays in our favor as well,” he said.

 

Published 10/10/24

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Highland Must Defend Pass

 

          Highland takes its act to River Valley to take on the Vikings in a game in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          They beat Galion (24-21) in a conference game last week.

          Coach Ty Stover says they gave great effort and were able to overcome some mistakes.  “A great effort, great rebound after the week before, proud of the kids effort.  We still made too many mistakes mentally wise as far as penalties, it was a high penalized game on both sides of the football for both teams.  We had some mistakes there on the punt team that gave them I believe 14 points, or at least 10, I can't remember exactly.  Made the game tighter than we would like to have it.  We made another big play on our defense and got the “W”, which is always great,” said Stover.

          Highland (3-4,2-2) visits River Valley (4-3,2-2) on Friday night.  The Vikings were blasted (55-21) by unbeaten Shelby last week.

          Stover says they are going to have to be able to defend the pass.  “They're going to be in the empty formation.  No back in the backfield there at least probably 80 to 85% of the time.  He's throwing on an average of 43 times a game the last four last four games.  They've got some skilled kids.  They’ve got Eli Snyder out there on the edge, he's their top receiver in receptions, touchdowns and yards,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “The quarterback is a nice looking kid.  He makes plays on the scramble, but also can pocket pass.  So, we have got to be ready to defend.  The best way to defend sometimes is keeping the ball out of their hands and that's when the offense comes into factor.”

          Chase Ebert has thrown for 1,739 yards and 16 touchdowns this year for River Valley.

          Stover says they are going to show him a lot of things.  “You have to be fundamental.  You just have got to pick your poison.  What do you want to stop and try to stop it the best you can, then adjust on the other end of the spectrum that is maybe hurting you a little bit.  We'll do some things that we traditionally do and we'll do some things that we don't traditionally do.  See if we can get him a little bit off balance, but that's easier said than done,” he said.

 

Published 10/10/24

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Galion Looking For Answers

 

          Galion will be at home for Pleasant in a game in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          The Tigers (4-3,1-3) are on a three game losing streak after a (24-21) setback to Highland in a “MOAC” play last week.

          Coach Matt Dick says just couldn’t quite get it done.  “I thought our defense really played great and our special teams, we had two blocked punts, but we just couldn't find a way to get that one last touchdown to recover from a really bad start in the first quarter.  We had two turnovers are really kind of put us in a hole and Highland did a good job of capitalizing on them.  I thought it was a heck of a football game.  It came down to the fourth quarter.  We had a ball and a chance to win.  As a competitor what more do you want.  I just wish we would have got it done.  The good news is Pleasant I think falls into a pretty similar category where it's going to be a very tight football game where we have a chance to grow and get back on the winning ways,” he said.

          Pleasant (4-3,2-2) fell to unbeaten Ontario (35-14) last week.

          Dick says they are solid and well coached.  “Almost every team in our league I could say this about, but their quarterback has been there a while.  I don't know if he’s been a two or three-year starter.  He does a lot of good stuff on offense with the ball in his hands.  I love their center, he is a great blocker.  They have plenty of skilled athletes to spread it around.  Defensively, they play a 4-4 cover 3 but they're just so fundamentally sound.  I think you know a lot of teams try to do it a lot of different ways, but I really respect the team that kind of lines up in about the same alignment.  It's just their kids play hard and they play with good fundamentals.  They’re very gap sound.  Because they are a 4-4, cover 3 they give you some stuff in the passing that helps you out a little, but at the same note they're going to do their job every time.  I think it's a different challenge this week, but it'll be a fun challenge,” said Dick.

          Right now, Galion is 12th in their computer region.

          Dick says they are trying to find a way to get back on the beam.  “For us it’s about going 1-0 every week.  We've been trying this is basically a fourth week of practice after a loss, so trying to find different ways to do that has been creative.  We tried a different way this week and some good news a couple kids are going to hopefully come back and be healthy and that might help us out,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “A lot of guys like Braxton Stuckman.  He was playing mic linebacker and running back basically the whole game on both sides of the ball.  That's a lot to ask for any kid and a lot of pounding.  He played great, but I'm hoping that maybe we can get him off one side of the ball for let's say 20 or 30 plays and then he just gets that much better.  Man is he a load when he runs the ball and playing linebacker boy had a great week.  It's little things like that, just a little bit of rest here or there. I think it really makes the team that much better and we're hoping to do that at a lot of positions.  At least some good ideas and some good plans for this week and hopefully it works out to get over the hump.”

 

Published 10/10/24

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Clear Fork Wants to Hang Around

 

          Clear Fork plays host to Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference co-leader Shelby in a conference game on Friday night at the Colt Corral.

          They won their first “MOAC” game of the year on Friday night when they beat Marion Harding (14-13) with some big plays late in the game.

          Coach Aaron Brokaw says they were very good on defense all night.  “Defensively, we played really well.  I think we held them to like something around 120 yards of offense for the game.  Offensively, we opened up the game with a score and then after that kind of got stuck in neutral for quite a while.  We got an explosive play out of Mason Sansom and then we were able to convert in a clutch situation on fourth down for the go ahead touchdown.  Then Ethan Beck got the extra point to give us the advantage.  Defensively, we held on for the win,” said Brokaw.

          Quarterback Marcus Hoeflich found Devyn Oswalt with the TD pass that tied the game.

          Brokaw says the win injected some confidence into the team.  “We talked to the guys after the game.  There were plenty of things that that we could improve on, especially on the offensive side of the ball from Friday night, but end of the day it's either a win or it's a loss.  So, it's always a lot better feeling and you get the kids attention a little bit more following a win.  We've had some pretty solid practices so far this week,” he said.

          Clear Fork (2-5,1-3) entertains Shelby (7-0,4-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, on Friday night.  The Whippets blew out River Valley (55-21) last week.

          Brokaw says they are outstanding on both sides of the ball.  “The (Brayden) DeVito kid at quarterback is a really, really solid passer and really, really dynamic runner as well.  The back that they're using out of the backfield most of this year is not quite the power back that they had last year, they had a bigger, thicker kid, this kid has got pretty decent speed as well.  They're big up front and they've got some young guys on the perimeter they're stepping up and making plays for them offensively,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Defensively, they're well coached solid unit.  They try to keep things in front of them and try not to give up the big plays and so far, they've been very successful in doing that this season.”

          Brokaw says the game plan is to get the fourth quarter and have the game still be up for grabs.  “That's been the message to our guys this whole year.  We want to be around in the in the fourth quarter with the opportunity to win football games.  That's where we found ourselves last week and to the kids credit, they stepped up and guys made plays when they needed to and we came away with the win. So, it's not like we're under any impression we're going to go out there and walk all over anybody on a Friday night.  We want to play hard football for four quarters and be in a position to win a game at the end,” said Brokaw.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Shelby is Process Driven

 

          Shelby, the co-leader of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, plays down at Clear Fork against the Colts in a conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, quarterback Brayden DeVito accounted for seven touchdowns the Whippets destroyed River Valley (55-21) to stay unbeaten.

          Coach Robert Mahaney says they really played an excellent football game.  “I thought our kids did a really good job offensively.  It was our best game this season with the way that we executed scoring every possession in the first half.  I thought our kids did a really good job offensively executing and limiting penalties and zero turnovers and all those kinds of things.  So, couple that with the defense that played really well.  They had three really big plays against us and beyond that I thought we played really well defensively.  With what River Valley does and the challenges that they presented, I thought our kids played an extremely well executed football game,” said Mahaney.

          Shelby (7-0,4-0), #2 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the large school division, visits Clear Fork (2-5,1-3) on Friday night.  The Colts edged Marion Harding (14-13) in “MOAC” action last week.

          Mahaney says the Colts are becoming a good team.  “I think Clear Fork is a good football team.  Their non conference schedule is extremely difficult.  They got into our league and have been getting better every week and you know and then had a big win last week.  So, I think they’re a team that's gotten better every single week.  Defensively, I think they're really good with what they present with 3-3 stack and how they run to the football.  I think their defense is really good,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Offensively, they're going to line up in some different formations and kind of come right at you.  So, you have got to be ready for that physical style and I think when you combine that with a team that likes to run the ball and play good defense I think it's a good combination.  We have got to be ready for that challenge.  Always going to Clear Fork, it's a challenge within itself.”

          Shelby shares first place in the conference with Ontario and they play the Warriors next week.

          Mahaney says they are not thinking ahead.  “We haven't talked about that game at all.  Our focus is to be a great football team and great football teams get better every single week.  Good football teams kind of ride the emotions of the season.  We want to be a great football team that continues to get better every day at practice and continues to be better every week.  We want to be a better football team than we were last week this week and every week through the rest of the season.  If we can do that hopefully we can be a great football team by the time it's all over,” he said.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Shelby Beats Pleasant; Shares “MOAC” Title

 

          Shelby beat Pleasant in four sets on Tuesday night and the Lady Whippets will share the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title with Highland.

          The Lady Whippets edged Pleasant (25-17, 23-25, 25-22, and 25-15) at Pleasant.  Highland beat Ontario in three straight (25-21, 25-20, and 25-18) on Tuesday.

          Shelby coach Katelyn Olewiler, in her second year as head coach, says this is team that knew what they wanted.  “I am just so proud of the girls.  They had a goal in their mind.  We set this goal together at the beginning of the season and they were determined to make it happen,” said Olewiler.

          The Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference is an excellent volleyball conference.  Pleasant would have shared the title if they had won on Tuesday night.  Galion is good too.

          Olewiler says dating back to last year she knew the Lady Whippets had great potential.  “I knew from last year that these girls had a lot of potential and coming back we were just bigger, better, stronger, so I knew from the beginning of the season that this was a very special group,” she said.

          When it comes to the win over Pleasant, Olewiler says they executed the game plan very well.  “I think we came in with a game plan.  The girls were able to stay focused and level headed even in that environment,” she told Swankonsports.com after the win on Tuesday night, “We knew going into it that it was going to be an intense environment, but we welcome that challenge and they really took it head on.”

 

Published 10/09/24

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Mohawk Expects Challenge from Upper

 

          Northern 10 Athletic Conference leader Mohawk will host rival Upper Sandusky in a conference game on Friday night.

          The Warriors (6-1,4-0) lead Carey, Colonel Crawford and Seneca East by a game.

          Last week, they beat Wynford (31-13) in “N10” play.

          Coach Eric Daniel likes what they did late in the game.  “It was a good game, probably much closer than what people realize.  I mean 24-13 and they had the ball on the fourth quarter there, early in the fourth quarter.  So, it was not a blowout I can assure you that.  Like I said, our you needed it.  I like the fact that we drove down the field there to end the game and scored, that was a really good character drive for our kids, so we appreciated that and loved seeing that as well,” he said.

          Upper Sandusky (3-4,2-2) belted Bucyrus (56-12) last week.

          Daniel says their film review and scouting report calls the Rams a solid team.  “I think they're better than even last year.  I think they're much better than last year. I think they're better up front.  I think their record can be very deceiving.  You go play Northmor, Galion, Carey, and Seneca East and I guarantee you a lot of records would look like that.  We're certainly not underestimating.  All we had to do was turn on the film for our kids and they see what kind of team they are.  They're very well coached, they're very athletic, they're massive up front and they've got one of the best middle linebackers and running backs at the conference.  So, they're an extremely dangerous team,” said Daniel.

          With Carey and Seneca East weeks nine and 10 this could be a trap game, but Daniel says they have too much respect for Upper for that.  “I don't think our kids are overlooking them.  They took Seneca East to the ringer.  We know what they're capable of and they're a very good football team.  We told our kids anticipate a four quarter battle, anticipate it being one score game because you can bet your sweet behind that's what you're going to be looking at, especially if we don't do all the right things all the little things right,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “I don't even look at it like a trap game to be honest with because I have got a lot of respect for Upper and (coach) Russell (Hall) and I know how much better they are even this year than last year and last year they beat us.”

 

Published 10/09/24

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Lexington to Play Tough New Philadelphia

 

          Lexington, the Ohio Cardinal Conference co-leader, plays on the road at New Philadelphia on Friday night.

          The Minutemen share the lead with Ashland and will play the Arrows on week 10.

          They picked up maybe their biggest win of the season last week when they beat West Holmes (19-13), handing the Knights their first “OCC” loss of the season.

          Coach Andew Saris says it was a good win.  “It was nice win on homecoming.  Anytime you can beat a tough “OCC” opponent like West Holmes it's always a good thing for your team,” said Saris.

          Saris says they had to make some big plays late to win it.  “We didn't make it easy.  We scored a go ahead touchdown with 58 seconds left and defense came back out and did the job to finish it out,” he said.

          Quarterback Joe Caudill scored on a short touchdown run.

          Lexington (4-3,3-0) plays over at New Philadelphia (4-3,2-2) on Friday night.  The Quakers beat Madison (35-21) last week in “OCC” action.

          Saris says New Philadelphia just plays solid football on both sides of the ball.  “Just a great overall, solid football team.  They're not going to wow you with anything too fancy, but they run the ball extremely well.  They have a nice screen game and the quarterback throws the ball downfield when he needs to,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Defensively, they're really sound.  They tackle very, very well.  They have a couple linebackers that come downhill in the and they'll come and get you.  So, we've got to be able to make plays when we need to.  Defensively, we have got to keep them in the second and long.  We can't let them just kind of grind us down the field.”

          Last week was the first time the Quakers allowed more than three scores in four quarters in the “OCC” this season.  Saris says they have to score when they get down close.  “Especially in that red zone.  Getting down there it's extremely important that you come away with points and not only that, but we want to be in the end zone and get us those touchdowns,” he said.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Crestview to be Tested

 

          Crestview enters this weekend just a game behind Firelands Conference leader Monroeville and will play at defending champion Norwalk St. Paul on Saturday night.

          After a (34-0) win over Plymouth last Friday, the Cougars have put together a three game winning streak after losing to Monroeville in their conference opener.

          Coach Steve Haverdill says they did what they had to do.  “I think so, I think we've taken care of teams that we should take care of and that's always a plus because sometimes that doesn't always happen, you can ask Alabama about that one.  We were able to take care of the teams that we did.  We've been working on our technique and working on things and now the next week here coming up here with St. Paul will allow us to show what we've gotten better at and against an opponent that's equal or better than us,” said Haverdill.

          Crestview (3-4,3-1) plays at St. Paul (3-4,3-1) on Saturday night.  The Flyers blanked New London (55-0) last week.

          Haverdill says the Flyers are giving them a few more things to defend this year.  “It's the same St. Paul.  I mean coach (Chris) Doughty, he's doing a great job of still implementing stuff that coach (John) Livengood did and yet has his little twist on things.  They’re a little bit more balanced than they've been in the past.  They will throw it, so you've got to be ready to go.  You’ve got to read your keys.  You're not just going to get run right at you, you're going to get a whole bunch of different things,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “Inside off tackle, outside, short intermediate routes and deep balls, so we have got to be ready on that end.  Defensively, they're still flying around doing a great job of tackling in open space.  So, we've got our work cut out for us there's no doubt.”

          Haverdill says they know it’s a must win in terms of the conference, but they are treating it the same way they did the previous games.  “It's the biggest game on our schedule.  We treat them all the same.  We needed the ones before last three weeks as well to stay where we're at, so this is no different than what we've been dealing with the last three weeks and we're approaching it the same way,” he said.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Lucas in Must Win Situation

 

          Lucas has been a fixture in the postseason playoffs, but if they are going to make it in division VII this year they need to probably win out.

          That process begins by entertaining North Central on Friday night.  They stand in the very last qualifying sport this week in division VII, region 25.

          They lost (24-6) to Amanda-Clearcreek last week.

          However, coach Jim Sweat says there were some positive signs in that game.  “We're not one for moral victories, but I'll tell we didn't see the result on the scoreboard that we wanted to see, but I thought we took a big step forward last week,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “The kids played four quarters, played hard for us four quarters, still got a lot of things need to clean up, but the effort was definitely improved from the week before.  We went toe to toe with a really good football team and came out on the on the wrong end, but again I'm happy for the effort that we got last week and the step forward we took.”

          North Central (2-5) lost (48-7) to Summerfield, Michigan last week.

          Sweat says they are going to show them a lot of things on offense.  “They like to throw the ball all over the place and a lot of misdirection and option, so we'll have to be disciplined this week on the defense side.  Offensively, they have some good size up front.  We're going to be physical and do what we do and get after a little bit this week,” said Sweat.

          North Central couldn’t be much farther from Lucas and still be in Ohio.  The school is located in Williams County, which is the farthest Northwest of any county in the state.

          Sweat says the Cubs (3-4) are in a must win situation this week when it comes to the playoffs.  “That goes without question.  We're taking the mindset that we need to win out to get to where we want to be.  Every week is an opportunity to get better and we need to keep getting better right now,” he said.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Bellevue Getting Better

 

          Bellevue will be at home for Tiffin Columbian in a crossover game in the Sandusky Bay Conference on Friday night.

          In a Bay Division game last week, Huron beat the Redmen (19-7) last Friday.

          Coach Ed Nasonti says they gave themselves a chance.  “I think when you take a look at the teams that we've lost to I think that the their record is like 31-4 of the teams that have beaten us, the five teams that have beaten us.  So, we have played a really good schedule.  We played some really good football teams and at times like I told you before we've played some pretty good football.  You look at last week's game, we don't give up a touchdown.  They hit a got a punt return on us and they have a really good kicker that kicked four field goals.  We got stopped down inside the 10 yard line twice,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “If you can score three touchdowns you can win a game we were happy with our defense.  Our defense didn't give up the score.  We're getting better, but we're taking those baby steps with our kids.  You look at our team, we have got four sophomores that are playing both ways for us.  So, in a lot of ways we're proud of our kids and then there's some ways that we're disappointed.  We're disappointed because we haven't been able to get in the win column.”:

          Nasonti, a coach for over 40 years, the defense has shown them a lot of good things.  “We think that we've played some solid games here in the last couple weeks here.  We went up against a really good Edison team gave up three touchdowns, didn't give up a touchdown last week at all, so we're still hoping we could put it together.  The kids have practiced well.  I think our coaches are doing a good job.  I tell you that every week.  I'm proud of way that our kids are staying the course, staying positive and practicing hard every day and each week we hope we can continue to get better,” said Nasonti.

          Bellevue (2-5) is at home for Tiffin Columbian (2-5) on Friday night.  The Tornadoes lost (33-14) to Clyde in a Lake Division game last week.

          Nasonti believes the teams are similar and expects a good game on Friday.  “Tiffin’s record is deceiving too, a lot like ours.  They have played some really good football teams.  They played Bishop Waterson, they played Chardon.  They have some really big offensive lineman, three guys up over 280 pounds.  They've played some good football and came up on the short end of the stick a lot like us.  So, we got them here at home and we're looking forward to it and hoping that it's a good football game,” he said.

 

Published 10/09/24

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Clear Fork Claims Outright “MOAC” Title

 

          With a (12-0) win over River Valley on Monday night, the Clear Fork Lady Colts have earned an outright Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference girls’ soccer title.

          It’s their first since 2018.

          Coach Brittany Bechtel says they knew the potential was there.  “It was a long time in the making.  I'm excited for the girls and the team, they worked really hard.  I was trying to calculate how many girls returned from last year's team.  We graduated eight, seven who were starters and only had about 13 total on the team last year and then we went we had swingers go between the teams knowing where we would be this year in this position just to give them a little experience.  Those roles that were in the swing position last year didn't play like in major minutes.  So, this was a year that we knew that we were capable of doing great things, but we knew it was going to take a lot of hard work.  It had been a long time since we had captured the “MOAC” title, let alone did it solely.  So, I'm really excited for them.  It's been a lot of hard work for these girls and they put their year on that banner and that's forever,” said Bechtel.

          Conference titles are to be cherished and Bechtel says they are definitely going to do that in the valley.  “It is something you want to embrace and enjoy in the moment (Tuesday).  I feel like that celebration's been like kind of coming.  We knew when we beat Ontario, that's been usually what has taken care of the “MOAC” title since both of us I think have entered into the “MOAC”.  We knew that we had to take care of business here on out,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday night after the win, “I think we could have maybe possibly shared it if something would have happened in regards to losing the game.  It wasn't like Ontario was (Monday’s) game.  I think like that celebration would look maybe a little different.  In the moment of doing something special, even though we knew back then when we had won that game it was something that would lead us to where we (were Monday). We definitely want to make sure that we the girls enjoyed and embraced this moment.  It's not something that has happened very often for us in the “MOAC.”

          Addie Blakley and Binley Barnett both had three goals Monday night.  Mel Blubaugh had five assists in the win.

          Blubaugh, headed to Mt. Vernon Nazarene to play basketball next year, leads Clear Fork with 63 points.  Barnett has 38.

          Faith Smith has 64 saves this year.  River Valley had no shots on goal Monday night.

          The postseason tournament starts in a couple of weeks for the Lady Colts, who got the top seed in their division IV district.

          Bechtel hopes they can continue to play with confidence.  “It's something hopefully that will build their confidence moving forward into the tournament play.  (Sunday) we had our tournament draw where I took the bye on the bracket for the sectional win.  So, I said how many times can you say you won a sectional title before you won your conference title.  Well, we just did it back-to-back, the sectional came (Sunday) night in the draw and then (Monday) for the “MOAC”. So, we've had two good days in a row and we're hoping that moving forward we continue taking this confidence and building it forward to something bigger later,” she said.

          Clear Fork (10-4-2), ranked 15th in the state in division IV by Max Preps.

          The Lady Colts in reality won the “MOAC” title game when they beat Ontario (3-0) on September 4.

          However, Bechtel says they had to keep grinding and win their final four conference matches.  “We knew moving forward that we had to be cautious to not get ahead of ourselves and we had to take care of business.  Not only we want to win each of those games moving forward, but we had a goal of making sure that we didn't get scored on either.  So, we did accomplish that as well.  We finished outright champs and in the “MOAC” never had a goal scored on this year.  So, that was another goal moving forward after Ontario being able to keep them to zero on goals that was something that was you know important for us moving forward,” she said.

          Bechtel says she was proud she was able to get so many players into games this fall.  “Then to be able to play with 23 on our roster.  Getting 23 in (Monday) and getting 23 girls in most of our “MOAC” games.  It was nice for them all to get to a piece of that (Monday) as well to all be on that field and get a good amount of minutes and all capture the win together and then come off and feel like it was done as a unit,” she told Swankonsports.com, “Even though we do talk a lot about if you don't make it on the field everybody's role is super important in the success, but to be able to get them all out (Monday) and have them all play, that was obviously a goal that I wanted.  That really comes down to how they play and how they finish.  We had a slow start (Monday).  We didn’t come out like we should have.  We just played Granville on Saturday, a pretty tough game.  We didn’t play our best coming out.  They eventually got together and did what we needed to do.”

 

Published 10/08/24

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Colonel Crawford to Play Confident Carey

 

          It’s a big game Friday night in North Robinson as Colonel Crawford hosts Carey.

          The winner stays in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference race, the loser likely does not.

          Last week, Crawford rallied in the final minutes to beat Seneca East (21-20) in a “N10” game.

          Coach Jake Bruner says it was a big win for them.  “It was a big win for our kids on the road against a really good opponent.  Seneca East is having a really good year.  They have won a lot of games and will probably go pretty deep in the playoffs.  So, excited that our kids were able to go up there and win.  Our consolation prize is turn around and play the three time “N10” champs.  At least we're at home against a great Carey Blue Devil team,” he said.

          Sophomore Parker Weithman picked off a pass deep in Seneca East territory and junior Connor McMichael punched it in for a late touchdown.

          Bruner says when big plays are to be made, you have to make them.  “There are usually five to 10 plays a game that kind of determine those factors, those big plays, either a turnover, a big play, or limiting a big play, or a big tackle.  It really comes down to those tight ones that come down to those big plays or those fourth and ones or those third and twos.  We were able to come away with more of those then Seneca East, but credit Seneca East, that's a great football team and they're very well coached,” said Bruner.

          Colonel Crawford (6-1,3-1) plays at home against Carey (3-4,3-1) on Friday night.  The Blue Devils smoked Buckeye Central (56-7) last week.

          Bruner says he is impressed with consistency of the Carey football program.  “In our society we do not recognize consistency.  Carey is consistent.  They have a really tough non league schedule and they just seem to get better every game, every year and that's a credit to their coaches and their kids.  They just do a great job the kids are physical, they run to the ball and they're fundamental.  They're just doing a great job over there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “I hate playing them this time of the season because it seems like they just keep getting better and better.  Wish we could play a more like week one.  So, they just seem to get better and better and more confident.  We're going against an awful good running back, receiver, a great defense.  So, we're going to have our work cut out for us.”

          Bruner says Carey is big and they are athletic too.  “They always have great size.  With that size they get a push, they've got big backs and their backs are not only big, but they're fast.  They run a little option.  They have got a couple nice receivers and they do a great job with play action.  On defense, they just do a great job running to the ball, taking away your best plays, playing great run defense and they let their athletes make plays behind them.  So, there's just so many factors to them and they just do a great job.  That's why they've been so good over the years just consistently.  Whenever you play Carey you know they're going to be physical, they're going run the ball, they love football and it's always a great game,” said Bruner.

 

Published 10/08/24

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