Previewing Zane Trace and Paint Valley's Week 12 football playoff games
CHILLICOTHE − Week 12 of the high school football season is just around the corner.
A week of playoffs has left just two area teams left standing. Zane Trace stunted Madison at home and held out for a 10-point win in Week 11. Paint Valley sprinted ahead of Parkway and punched its ticket to the regional quarterfinals without much trouble.
But the road doesn't get easier from here. Both the Pioneers and Bearcats take on Miami Valley Conference teams that won their respective divisions this year.
Before both teams take on their respective regional quarterfinals opponents, here's a breakdown of their Week 12 games and what to expect Friday:
Zane Trace vs. Madison: Zane Trace fends off rally by Madison to advance to Division V regional quarterfinals
Week 11 High School Football Roundup: Paint Valley roughs up Parkway to advance to regional quarterfinals
No. 5 Purcell Marian at No. 4 Zane Trace
Classification: Division V, Region 20
Records: Zane Trace 8-3, 6-1 Scioto Valley Conference; Purcell Marian 9-2, 5-0 Miami Valley Conference Scarlet
The Pioneers advanced after shutting down a second-half rally by Madison, which scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives thanks to onside kicks. Zane Trace found some insurance thanks to a touchdown by Aaden Dunn in the fourth quarter.
Friday will present a different challenge. Purcell Marian won't have the same trouble finding an offensive rhythm. It scored 55 points against No. 12 seed Madeira, which knocked Zane Trace out of the playoffs last season. Plus, it allows just under 15 points per game and hasn't given up more than 17 points since Week 3.
Can Zane Trace pull it out? It won't be easy. If its running backs – headed by Carter Langley, Blake Phillips and Riley Hartsaugh – can find a rhythm, then it might be able to crack Purcell Marian's defense. Langley's also made some key passes to his receiving corps throughout the season, which might come in handy should the rushing offense hit a wall.
No. 6 Paint Valley at No. 3 Cincinnati Country Day
Classification: Division VI, Region 24
Records: No. 6 Paint Valley 8-3, 5-2 Scioto Valley; Cincinnati Country Day 11-0, 5-0 Miami Valley Gray
The SVC and the MVC are getting their money's worth of matchups this week. Paint Valley had a strong outing last week after outpacing Parkway, which had more under the hood than its record indicated.
The Nighthawks, however, are as good as their record indicates. Only four of their opponents have even scored a touchdown against them this season. Their first-round playoff opponent, Dayton Christian, is the only team to crack double digits.
Needless to say, the Bearcats are facing perhaps their toughest challenge. Their offense is known to break out for big nights, but also has been stumped. It was held to just seven points by Unioto, and Western Brown held it to 13 points back in Week 2.
Still, Paint Valley can't be counted out. It has a knack for comebacks, such as its win over Piketon and its close loss to Zane Trace in Week 10. Plus, it just showed how potent its offense could be in the playoffs last week.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: OHSAA football playoffs: Zane Trace and Paint Valley Week 12 previews
