Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
Here’s a brief look at 10 area high school football games:
Unioto (1-1) at Waverly (2-0), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Waverly beat Unioto, 37-7.
Last five years: Tigers lead series 4-0 (did not play in 2014) and have outscored Shermans, 117-50.
Last week’s results: Waverly beat Zane Trace 49-14, Unioto lost to Amanda-Clearcreek 32-14.
Outlook: If a playoff berth is still a goal for Unioto, this is a must win game. After last week’s loss to Amanda, the Shermans have just one game remaining on their schedule against a Division IV program or higher, and that’s against Waverly. That means a win is absolutely imperative in terms of any postseason aspirations. The Tigers, however, will certainly have something to say about that. Waverly is riding a two-game streak where its outscored its opponents, 79-41. During that time, tailback Payton Shoemaker has stolen the limelight with 40 carries for 401 yards and seven touchdowns. Corralling Shoemaker should be at the top of the Tanks’ game plan. But that’s not the only weapon Waverly possesses. If need be, quarterback Haydn’ Shanks can fling the ball around. The junior has completed 23-of-47 attempts this season for 395 yards. Unioto’s defense did cause four turnovers last week. It’ll have to have a repeat performance, and rely on its offense to score more than 14 points, if a win is in store.
CREDIT: Jenny Campbell/SOSA
Washington (2-0) at Adena (2-0), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last five years: N/A
Last week’s results: Washington beat Circleville 48-14, Adena won by forfeit.
Outlook: In a battle of unbeatens, Washington makes a short trip to Frankort, and brings along quarterback Ethan Rogers-Wright, who has completed 29-of-53 attempts for 357 yards and eight touchdowns. Make no mistake about it: the Warriors’ secondary will be tested. Washington’s Jameson McCane is also likely to make a significant impact as he’s amassed 168 rushing yards on 33 carries so far. On the other sideline, Adena boasts a solid quarterback-tailback combo of its own in Preston Sykes, Dalton Metzger and Nate Throckmorton. Sykes was 7-of-9 for 151 yards and a score in Week 1 while all three combined for 232 rushing yards. It’s important to remember that Adena hasn’t played in two weeks now, thanks to last week’s forfeit win over Marion Elgin. That means the Warriors should be well-rested and healthy for their home opener.
McClain (0-2) at Zane Trace (0-2), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Zane Trace beat McClain, 39-21.
Last five years: Pioneers lead series 5-0 and have outscored Tigers, 219-63.
Last week’s results: McClain lost to Northwest 35-7, Zane Trace lost to Waverly 49-14.
Outlook: To be blunt, neither team has played in a close game this year. The Tigers have been outscored 76-21 while the Pioneers have been outdone 94-28. But there is good news: one or the other will walk away with their first win Friday. Zane Trace hung right with Waverly for three-plus quarters last week until the Tigers switched into second gear. Running back Cougar Stauffer rushed for 127 yards last week while quarterback Gabe Shanton was 8-of-12 passing for 112 yards. Meanwhile, the Tigers were outplayed on all fronts in a 28-point loss to Northwest … one where the team lost three fumbles and racked up just 144 yards of offense.
Northwest (1-1) at Huntington (1-1), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Huntington beat Northwest, 30-7.
Last five years: Huntsmen lead series 4-1 and have outscored Mohawks, 167-96.
Last week’s results: Northwest beat McClain 35-7, Huntington beat Eastern Pike 52-46.
Outlook: With both Northwest and Huntington coming off wins, this week’s matchup in the hills could be quite interesting. Northwest relied on a three-headed monster attack in the backfield last week as Brayden Campbell, Wyatt Brackman and Nathan Rivers combined for 347 yards on the ground. Campbell had 182 rushing yards and three touchdowns to himself. The Huntsmen earned a shootout win over Eastern as quarterback Seth Beeler accounted for six total touchdowns, throwing for four and rushing for two. He’ll be enemy No. 1 on the Mohawks’ game plan.
MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE
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See our staff’s Week 3 high school football picks
Chillicothe (1-1) at Watkins Memorial (1-1), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Chillicothe beat Watkins Memorial, 27-6.
Last five years: Cavaliers lead series 1-0 (2018 was only meeting between the two) and have outscored Warriors, 27-6.
Last week’s results: Chillicothe beat Mifflin 27-14, Watkins Memorial lost to Walnut Ridge 24-13.
Outlook: After nailing down the first win under the Doug Pryor Jr. coaching regime, Chillicothe looks to make it two in a row this week. In last week’s 27-14 win, running back Hunter Thomas was a man possessed, rushing for 165 yards on 29 carries. Chances are, he’ll get another heavy workload against Watkins Memorial. However, the Warriors may have a neutralizer in their own running back, Jeffrey Hessler. In the team’s first win of the season, a 38-19 final over Whetstone, Hessler racked up 175 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns. So far, Chillicothe’s defense has risen to the occasion, allowing 28 points in two games. In recent history, Watkins Memorial hasn’t had much success, posting an overall record of 10-20 over the past three seasons. If the Cavaliers’ defense comes to play, all the offense has to do is not beat itself.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Logan (0-2) at Jackson (2-0), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last five years: Ironmen lead series 3-0 (2014-2016) and have outscored Chieftains, 128-42.
Last week’s results: Logan lost to Teays Valley 10-7, Jackson beat Athens 31-26.
Outlook: Not too long ago, this matchup would draw a huge crowd. When Logan was a football powerhouse, in the days of the SEOAL, a bout with Jackson would look like a battle of the titans. But those days are gone. The Ironmen have dominated the Chieftains in recent times and are coming off a 31-26 win over a talented Athens team. This season, Jackson has scored 54 points and has the athletes to put up those types of numbers consistently. Jared Icenhower, Brice Graham and Tristan Prater can all hurt the opposing defense in their own unique ways. Logan, on the other hand, has had trouble scoring. In two losses, the Chieftains have scored two touchdowns. That doesn’t bode well against a battle-tested Jackson team. A rout could be imminent.
Logan Elm (1-1) at Miami Trace (1-1), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Miami Trace beat Logan Elm, 22-9.
Last five years: Braves lead series 3-2 and have outscored Panthers, 128-125.
Last week’s results: Logan Elm lost to Westfall 38-20, Miami Trace lost to Wilmington 35-14.
Outlook: In Week 1, Logan Elm dismantled Zane Trace by a 45-14 … only to turn around and, peculiarly, fall to Westfall by a 38-20. So, which version of the Braves will decide to show up on Friday night? Miami Trace is led by quarterback Dalton Mayer and tailback Jayden LeBeau. Mayer threw for 97 yards and rushed for 106 in a Week 1 win while LeBeau totaled 131 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. With those two touching the football, the Panthers have the chance to score at anytime. When you consider the fact that Logan Elm allowed 38 points last week, that isn’t a good sign. If it matters at all, Miami Trace beat Westfall 27-7 in the two’s final tuneup before the start of the regular season. Logan Elm may have its hands full.
Ashland Blazer, Ky. (3-0) at Wheelersburg (0-2), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last five years: N/A
Last week’s results: Ashland Blazer beat George Washington (W. Va.) 49-16, Wheelersburg lost to Bishop Hartley 44-6.
Outlook: You read Wheelersburg’s record correctly. Yes, the Pirates are 0-2 … for the first time since 2010. And, there’s more bad news, Ashland Blazer is really, really good. The Tomcats sit at 3-0 after outscoring their opponents 123-36 this season. In last week’s 49-16 win over George Washington, a team out of Charleston, W. Va., running back Blake Hester rushed for 179 yards and two scores while quarterback Jake Gregg threw for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Hester has been the go-to player with a total of 488 rushing yards in three games. The Pirates’ offense has been non-existent against Ironton and Bishop Hartley, two good football teams to their credit. They’re not going to have it any easier in Week 3 against the Tomcats. In Kentucky’s Class 3A AP poll, Ashland has been voted as the No. 4 team in the state.
Minford (2-0) at Greenup County, Ky. (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Last year’s result: Did not play.
Last five years: N/A
Last week’s results: Minford beat Chesapeake 54-21, Greenup County beat Montgomery County 54-12.
Outlook: In its only loss this season, Greenup County still looked tough to beat. Since that 17-14 season-opening loss, the Musketeers have scored 94 points in 40-36 and 54-12 victories. Quarterback Eli Sammons has led that charge while Bryce Burgess has been impressive out of the backfield. Sammons, a dual threat signal caller that’s committed to Marshall, has totaled 533 passing and 284 rushing yards while Burgess has rushed for another 260. However, the Falcons have quite the pair of talents in their backfield as well. Quarterback Elijah Vogelsong has been brilliant while running back Ty Wiget has made a bid to be one of the best running backs in all of Southern Ohio. Wiget rushed for 311 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win, following a 121-yard, two-touchdown day in Week 1. No matter how you look at the matchup, if it lives up to its billing, offense should reign supreme.
CREDIT: Joey Shupert Photography
West (1-1) at Coal Grove (1-1), 7 p.m.
Last year’s result: West beat Coal Grove, 21-14.
Last five years: Senators lead series 3-1 (did not play in 2014) and have outscored Hornets, 66-40.
Last week’s results: West lost to Portsmouth 48-28, Coal Grove lost to Valley 34-19.
Outlook: After the Senators’ Week 1 win over KIPP Columbus by a 41-8 final, you might’ve thought their defense was top-notch. Then, in Week 2, that unit gave up 439 yards, 252 of which came on the ground, in a 48-28 loss to Portsmouth. To be fair, Trojans running back Talyn Parker lined up against West last week. We all know how special of a talent he is. But the fact still remains that Portsmouth exploited a weakness. Coal Grove managed just 131 rushing yards last week in a 34-19 loss to Valley, which presents an interesting matchup in Friday’s contest. Coal Grove quarterback Cory Borders and running back Austin Stapleton have provided a decent 1-2 punch for the Hornets while West has gotten its lift from running back William Journey, who’s now rushed for 290 yards in his first two contests.
LIVE UPDATES
Follow Southern Ohio Sports Authority’s live game updates from Southeastern at Eastern (@mikeknightrider), Newark Catholic at Paint Valley (@CoconutWallpapa) and Unioto at Waverly (@ClayArcher3) Friday on Twitter at hashtag #SOSA.
Then be sure to visit sohiosa.com Friday night and Saturday morning for complete Week 3 coverage.
OTHER AREA CONTESTS
- Circleville (0-2) at Westfall (1-1), 7 p.m.
- Piketon (1-1) at Valley (1-1), 7 p.m.
- Hillsboro (1-1) at East Clinton (1-1), 7 p.m.
- Green (1-1) at Manchester (0-2), 7 p.m.
- Chesapeake (1-1) at Symmes Valley (2-0), 7 p.m.
- Rock Hill (0-2) at Oak Hill (0-2), 7 p.m.
- Notre Dame (0-2) at Fisher Catholic (2-0), Saturday at 7 p.m.
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