Brock Netter, Staff Writer
CHILLICOTHE — It’s very possible that Week 2 could essentially crown a champion inside of the Scioto Valley Conference.
All summer, those inside of the SVC have talked about Adena, Unioto and Piketon as the top three teams in the league, based upon returning experience, coaching and total team talent.
Now that Unioto has ousted Piketon to put itself ahead of the race, with a 44-38 win in the last seconds, it has the chance to take a firm hold on the conference lead.
Meanwhile, Adena would like nothing more than to create distance between itself and the rest of its conference counterparts.
Although Unioto has won three of the last four matchups against the Warriors, the Shermans did fall by a 28-21 final last season.
Get ready for this one. Here’s a preview of SOSA’s Game of the Week:
| ADENA | UNIOTO | |
| 8-3 | 2019 Record | 6-4 |
| 6 | Playoff Appearances | 3 |
| 0-6 | All-Time Postseason Record | 0-3 |
| 2-3 (91-151) | Last five years’ results | 3-2 (151-91) |
| 28 | Last year’s score | 21 |
ADENA WARRIORS (1-0)
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Preston Sykes (QB), Logan Bennett (WR), Eric Hurtt (DT)
Adena took Paint Valley’s best shot, and despite a small scare for a couple of minutes, the Warriors came out on the other side unscathed.
Preston Sykes totaled six touchdowns, one of those to the 6-foot-4 Logan Bennett, who surely should see his fair share of passes in jump ball situations.
Sykes also had a touchdown defensively, and it’s his play and ability to make things happen on that side of the ball that could make a difference. Don’t forget, he was second team All-Ohio selection as a defensive back.
That effort, led by tackle Eric Hurtt must dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides. But it’s much more important defensively since the running game is going to be at the center of Unioto’s attack.
Keep Tanks quarterback Isaac Little boxed in and a win is more likely. If he gets out in the open field, the Warriors fold their hand.
UNIOTO SHERMANS (1-0)
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Isaac Little (QB), Maddox Fox (WR), Lucas Hanes (K)
The SVC is officially on notice that Unioto has a secret weapon in the form of Lucas Hanes. I told you last week that every point would count, and he had eight of them in a six-point win. Little details add up.
Little ran the ball 29 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns, and threw for 180 yards with a score. I’ll throw one more name in to watch in Quinlan Netter. He added two more scores on the ground. Despite being a freshman, he showed poise and gained trust in a big spot last week.
While his 47-yard touchdown catch at the buzzer is the one everyone remembers, don’t forget that Fox also had five catches before the final one.
That duo is developing trust with one another, and who could blame Little, considering that Fox is a mismatch at 6-foot-4.
Although the passing game may not be featured as much in this one, that doesn’t mean Fox can’t or won’t impact the game in some way, shape or form.
BOTTOM LINE …
It doesn’t get any bigger, or better, than this one.
Despite both teams putting up 40-plus points last week, don’t expect a high scoring game this time around with so much on the line. Think more knockdown, drag out, 27-21 type of game.
First to 20 wins.