COLUMBUS, Ohio – The high school football playoff picture is still a little fuzzy around Ohio, but thanks to these incredible performances, there is some clarity on the horizon.
Let’s check out this week’s big-time performers with the Week 9 edition of the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association High School Football Notebook.
} Clear Fork’s Victor Skoog accounted for five touchdowns during the Colts 61-19 win over Shelby in Week 9. Skoog ran for 193 yards on just 10 attempts with four rushing touchdowns while also throwing for 119 yards on 6-of-11 attempts. He also had a 22-yard pick-6 on defense as the Colts improved to 9-1 and will play Highland for the outright MOAC championship in Week 10. Pawie Ault also ran for 100 yards and a touchdown.
} The Crestview Cougars picked up their 20th-consecutive regular-season win with a 26-7 victory over St. Paul to claim at least a share of their third straight Firelands Conference championship. The win was highlighted by a 42-yard fake punt pass from Owen Barker to Shawn Bailey midway through the fourth quarter to ice the victory. It was Crestview’s first win at St. Paul since 2002 and first time beating the Flyers in back-to-back years since 2001-02. The Cougars will look to clinch the outright FC title on Friday at home against Mapleton.
} The Mansfield Senior Tygers held Mount Vernon to just 35 rushing yards on 32 carries during their 35-0 win over the Yellow Jackets as the defense continued to shine. The Tygers allowed just 92 yards of total offense while scoring 35 unanswered points in the running-clock win.
} The Lexington Minutemen needed just 36 total plays to pile up 316 yards and a 28-10 win over Madison Comprehensive in Week 8. The Minutemen collected 147 passing yards and 169 rushing yards for a balanced offensive attack led by freshman wide receiver Brayden Fogle with three catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns.
} The Ontario Warriors duo of Chase Studer and Drew Yetter combined for 257 rushing yards on 31 attempts with four touchdowns as Studer ran for 145 and two scores and Yetter added 112 and a pair of TDs as the Warriors beat Harding 38-6. The Ontario defense had eight tackles for loss including a sack in their second straight MOAC win.
} With his 135-yard rushing performance against Ross on Friday night, Edgewood senior Tavionne Crosby crossed over the 1,000-yard threshold for the second straight season. Crosby scored twice in leading the Cougars to a 30-7 win over the Rams bringing his season totals to 1,005 yards and 16 touchdowns. Edgewood has won eight straight games now since losing the season-opener at Milford and is one win away (at Harrison) from claiming its second Southwest Ohio Conference title in a row.
} Mitch Bolden accounted for all five Lakota West touchdowns as the Firebirds continued their undefeated campaign with a 33-7 win over Middletown on Friday. Bolden completed 14-of-22 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns, and also ran for 65 yards and two more scores. His touchdown passes went to three different receivers – Trent Lloyd (4 receptions, 75 yards), Brennan Remy (3 receptions, 24 yards) and Jiovionni Wilson (1 reception, 10 yards).
} On Friday, Oct. 7, Eastern Pike junior quarterback Dylan Morton broke the school single game passing record in the Eagles’ 35-28 loss to Portsmouth Notre Dame. Morton completed 17-of-28 passes for 320 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore receiver Tucker Leist caught nine of those for 210 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, breaking a school record for receptions in a game and receiving yards. On Friday, Oct. 14, Morton showcased his leg, booting a 33-yard field goal that ultimately sealed a 23-21 victory for the Eagles at Northwest. It was the first made field goal in program history. Morton also completed 10-of-21 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, and added four carries for 14 yards.
} The Xenia Bucs continued to show why they are one of the top teams in the state as they plowed past West Carrollton 64-20. Behind the stout running game of Trei’Shaun Sanders, Elijah Johnson and Ramon Browder and the passing game led by Gavin Mcmanus (9-11, 3 TD’s) the Bucs jumped out 50-0 and never looked back. Trammel Wright caught 3 TD passes in the win. Logan Cloyd threw for 265 and 2 TD’s in the loss.
} Tipp City’s Liam Poronski had a game to remember as he threw for 3 TD’s and ran for 2 more and the Red Devils pounded the Skyhawks 63-27. Evan Liette caught 4 passes for 162 yards and 3 TD’s in the big win. Fairborn WR Caelan Bush caught 10 passes for 98 yards and 2 TD’s in the loss. Tipp moves to 7-1 on the season and are still in the hunt for a share of the MVL Championship.
} Piqua once again shut out another opponent as they defeated Butler 24-0 to run its record to 7-2 on the season. Butler was held to under 100 yards of total offense and RB Ky Warner had another huge night on the ground. TE-LB Colton Beougher was the star of the game with a TD catch and an interception while Devin Finley (14 total tackles, 1 sack), LB Sam Schmiesing (12 Total tackles) and DL Anson Cox (3 sacks) did work on defense.
} The Troy Trojans used a 33-point 2nd quarter to knock off Greenville 61-13 and solidify themselves as a playoff contender and maybe host a first-round game. The Trojans ran over, around, and through the Green Wave for over 450 yards rushing, led by Jahari Ward (17 carries, 159 yds, 2TDs’) and Nick Kawecki (12 carries, 92 yds, 2 TD’s) and Dakota Manson (4 carries, 74 yds, TD). With the win Troy moves to 6-3 on the season, and firmly in the upper half of the OHSAA regional playoff standings. RB Brock Short would run for 74 yards and a TD, while Ryan Crampton amassed 20 total tackles in the loss for Greenville.
} Stebbins used a big win to propel themselves back into playoff contention as star RB-WR Adrian Norton returned to give the Indians a boost on senior night, upending the Yellow Jackets and moving to 4-4 on the season while Sidney fell to 4-5. Norton ran for 166 yards and 3 TD’s as the Indians grabbed a much-needed win. Norton, a D-1 commit, missed the last 2 games for Stebbins, but came back with a vengeance.
} The Springfield Wildcats were able to shut down Action Jackson McGohan, and with it came a convincing victory for the 4th ranked team in OHSAA D-1 State Rankings. McGohan only caught one pass, as he was heavily covered by the vaunted defense, specifically Aaron Scott Jr, who took on the task of guarding McGohan, who killed the Cats last season in the upset win. This season, no chance as the offense rolled behind rising star QB Bryce Schondelmyer and the electrifying offense. Dashawn Martin (8 catches, 115 yds, 2 TD) Daylen Bradley (6 catches, 85 yds, TD) and Anthony Brown (5 catches, 99 yards, TD) were too much for the Burg to handle. Springfield moves to 7-1 on the season while Miamisburg falls to 4-5 on the season.
} Nic Bruder caught a TD pass from Braylon Newcomb as the Elks avoided a 2-game losing streak to shut down the vaunted rushing offense of Fairmont and win 7-0. The Elks would hold the Firebirds to under 100 yards of rushing en route to a gritty win. Centerville moves to 7-2 while Fairmont falls to 6-3 on the season.
} Wayne rode its 2 key offensive players to a big comeback win over Springboro and helped them solidify a possible home game if they can win in week 10. R.J. Mukes III had a huge kickoff return for a TD to cut it to a 13-10 lead before Tyrell Lewis ran a 99-yard TD to seal the deal and push Wayne to 6-3 on the season, while Springboro lost its second straight game to fall to 6-3 overall. Star RB-WR Willezhaun Yates ran for 2 TDs in the loss for the Boro.
} The Northmont Thunderbolts greatly strengthened their chances to get into the playoffs with a big win over the Beavercreek Beavers last weekend. Rising junior QB Cahke Cortner threw for 241 yards and a TD while RB Noah McClure did the heavy lifting with 104 yards on 18 carries and 3 TDs as the Bolts won 42-0. Sophomore DL Cedric Works snatched an interception and had 6 tackles to lead Northmont defensively. With the win Northmont now sits at 5-4 while Beavercreek falls to 2-8 after the loss.
} The Dunbar Wolverines kept their hold on the City League lead after a 60-36 win over Thurgood Marshall as the offense and defense would show up big time in the win. With the win the Wolverines now move to 3-0 in the city and keep its slim playoff hopes alive. QB Jayvian Graves led the offensive attack while star LB Dai’vontay Young provided the leadership and energy to help the Wolverines hold off star RB Amare Lattimore and the Cougars offense.
} The Trotwood Rams have hit a hot streak and it’s coming at the right time, as they shut down the Meadowdale Lions on Friday night at home to run their winning streak to 4 and their record to 5-4 with one game remaining. The win solidifies the Rams for the playoffs barring some sort of catastrophic scenario which the Rams are not headed for. Senior QB Tim Carpenter led the Rams balanced offensive attack with 2 passing and 2 rushing TDs in the 44-0 win. Meadowdale falls to 3-6 after the loss.
} The Ponitz Golden Panthers have come back to life, and with it sets up an interesting ending to the season, as they toppled Belmont 20-7. With the win it pushes the Panthers record to 2-1, sitting only a game behind Dunbar and readying for a huge Week 10 matchup against Meadowdale. Stourm White ran for 151 yards on 20 carries and Dayjuan Anderson came off a ankle injury to score and help lead the Panthers to the win. QB-DB Dre’onne McComb threw for a TD and ran for a TD as well. Dylan Wilder scored for Belmont, while Victor Fleming ran for 52 yards in the loss.
} The Chaminade Eagles was able to roll past McNicholas 36-29 and with it comes a big game against the Alter Knights. But this game might have sealed the Eagles fate as far as getting into the playoffs. Josiah Payne (28 carries, 234 yards) was the workhorse, leading a powerful ground game that amassed 414 yards of offense, with TDs coming from Donaven Cummings (2) and QB Ryan Peltier (3). Cummings also had 13 total tackles and DB Jeffrey Wall, Jr had a night with 9 tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass defended and a big interception as well. Chaminade now sits at 5-4 heading into the final week.
} The Alter Knights stopped the Carroll Patriots 22-21 as Alter scored on a 2-point conversion to seal the deal and keep their playoff hopes alive. With that win, it improves the Knights to 5-4 and sitting in a much better position than a loss would have put them. It also sets up the storied rivalry between the Knights and the Eagles. Gavin Conner and Michael Russ led the Knights offense.
} Hamilton Badin continued its winning ways with a 14-6 win over a strong defense in Middletown Fenwick. Fenwick would score in the 2nd quarter, but Badin would shut out Fenwick and score twice of its own in the big win. With the win Badin will stay in the top 3 of the OHSAA State poll.
} Wheelersburg senior Eric Lattimore rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries, and caught three passes for 37 yards, in the Pirates’ 35-14 victory over Lucasville Valley.
} Tyrell Lewis passed for 239 yards and R.J. Mukes caught 13 passes for 99 yards and both players made the biggest plays of the game in the second half to lead Huber Heights Wayne to a 17-13 win over Springboro. Wayne trailed 13-0 but rallied on Mukes’ 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half and Lewis’ 1-yard touchdown run with 2:19 left to take the lead.
} Bryce Schondelmyer surpassed 2,500 passing yards with 353 yards and three touchdowns to lead Springfield to a 39-0 victory over Miamisburg, avenging the Wildcats’ only regular season loss last season.
} Waynesville’s Blaise Sizer passed for 479 yards, five touchdowns, three interceptions and completed 33 of 70 passes in a 39-37 loss to Franklin.
} Moeller linebacker Joe Ginnetti had 15 tackles and a tackle for loss in their Saturday 6-0 loss to Lakewood St. Edward.
} Coldwater overcame losing their starting quarterback Marcel Blasingame to injury in the first half to defeat Versailles 35-34 in overtime to remain unbeaten to set up a winner-take-all game for the Midwest Athletic Conference title this Friday at Cavalier stadium against Marion Local. Wide Receiver Braylen Harlamert, who had not regularly played quarterback since junior high, passed for 163 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 76 yards and two more scores. Coldwater rallied to tie the game at 28-all with 1:48 remaining in the fourth quarter and scored first in the overtime. Versailles scored a touchdown on its OT possession, but Coldwater stuffed the two-point conversion attempt to end the game.
} St. Marys got all 475 of its total yards of offense on the ground in defeating Lima Bath 35-7. Aiden Hinkle rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns and Colton Mabry added 123 yards and two scores in the victory.
} It seems like such a long time since the season finales last year in Ohio high school football. Kirtland had its 55 game win streak stopped in the title game, but this season, under coach Tiger LaVerde, the Hornets are using the same tools, with a couple sharp additions to the blend, to get ready for another long winning streak, including a possible state title again. The last two weeks, against Perry and Lakeside, they dominated the second halves with ball control, power in the running game, and most importantly , taking away at least one major weapon of their opponents. Friday night against Chagrin Valley Conference foe Edgewood, which has had a great passing game all season to reach a positive record on the year but has a tougher time running the ball, the logical thing for Kirtland to focus on this week was the passing game. Did they ever. After recovering a fumble in Edgewood territory on the opening kickoff, Kirtland scored in two plays. They did it again after a punt, and two more touchdowns in the second quarter set up a 37 yard field goal to end the first half and set up a running clock. Two fourth period scores from Will Beers ended he point production for the night in a 44-0 Hornet win as Kirtland goes to 9-0 on the season with a return to the state title game in their sights again.
} Elder receiver Justin Re had three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns in their 21-16 win over Bishop Chatard (Indiana)
} Princeton receiver/running back Riley Woods had 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns plus two receptions for 25 yards and another score as the Vikings beat Sycamore 42-7.
} Mason running back Nick Sailers had 154 yards and three touchdowns as the Comets beat Fairfield 30-7. Mason’s Sean Krueckeberg had a pair of interceptions in their 30-7 victory over Fairfield.
} Wyoming running back C.J. Hester had 228 yards and seven touchdowns as the Cowboys plowed Finneytown 65-0.
} Mariemont receiver Max Autry had four catches for 67 yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs blanked Taylor 37-0.
} Clark Montessori’s Jahkiren Oliver ran for 290 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars shut out MVCA 60-0.
} Northwest quarterback Diego Yun was 16-for-23 passing for 258 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights beat Harrison 54-42. He also added 71 rushing yards and a score.
} Kings quarterback Will Kocher was 10-for-15 passing for 226 yards and three touchdowns as the Knights beat Little Miami 37-7.
} Anderson quarterback Griffin Scalf was 22-for-24 passing for 396 yards and five touchdowns in their 62-20 win over Turpin.
} Anderson receiver Mike Smith had 11 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns as the Raptors beat Turpin 62-20.
} Western Brown quarterback Drew Novak was 27-for-33 passing for 472 yards and three scores in the Broncos 32-14 win over Wilmington. He also ran for 38 yards.
