Week 10: Countdown to one of the most storied high school football rivalries in Ohio
Dover vs. New Philadelphia.
Say the name of those two high schools and you know you’re talking about one of the storied rivalries in the history of Ohio high school football.
And on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Crater Stadium, the two archrivals will meet for the 120th time in their rich history. It’s one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the Buckeye State.
“(The rivalry) is awesome,” said New Philadelphia head football coach Mike Johnson, who has the unique perspective of being a former player and now coach in the game for the Quakers. “There’s so much that goes on for our community, and Dover’s community. We had the sportsmanship breakfast the other day and I know on Thursday both schools have their big pep rallies and there’s community stuff Wednesday and then you’ve got the spirit activities through both schools, which is awesome.”
Dover head coach Dan Ifft, who will be coaching in his 30th Dover-New Philadelphia clash, echoed Johnson’s sentiments.
“It’s a really exciting event for both towns and actually the county,” Ifft said. “I always tell people It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting, you can take a look at the stands and the people and stuff, and it gives us a little bit of reprieve from the stuff that’s going on (in the world).”
The Crimson Tornadoes lead the all-time series with the Quakers, 58-52-9.
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Need an indication of how hotly-contested the Dover vs. New Philadelphia matchup has been? In the past decade alone, the teams have split their 10 meetings, and it took overtime sessions to decide the outcome in four of those contests.
New Philadelphia won last year’s classic matchup with the Tornadoes by a 21-20 final in — you guessed it — overtime.
And, as usual, much is riding on the outcome of Friday night’s showdown, which is expected to be played before another standing-room-only crowd.
Dover enters the game with a 5-4 record and is riding a three-game winning streak, including a 42-21 triumph over the Linsly Cadets at the “Brick House” last Friday night.
The Tornadoes are currently ranked 15th in the Division III Region 9 computer ratings and likely need to win Friday to secure a postseason playoff berth.
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New Philadelphia is 6-3 and is currently 14th in the D3 Region 9 computer ratings. Like Dover, the Quakers are viewing this game as a must-win for their playoff hopes, although it’s likely New Philadelphia will make it to Week 11, regardless of Friday’s outcome.
Johnson and Ifft know what’s at stake Friday.
“There’s a lot going on this week, so we need to make sure that when we go out there, we’re focused on football,” said Johnson, “because there are a lot of distractions this week that are all worthwhile, but at the end of the day, what makes this the biggest week in both of these towns all year is the football game on Friday night." For me, it really comes down to making sure we’re focused and we’re dialed in to playing great football.”
Ifft agrees.
“It is (special),” said Ifft of the game. “There’s a lot of stuff during the week and you spend most of your time trying to keep your kids focused and not get too caught up in the hype and make it bigger than what it is, because if you do that, I think you have a tendency not to play your best, and our whole objective is to play our best. I learned a long time ago that defusing a lot of pressure in this (Dover-New Philadelphia) week is what I end up doing. We need to play our best game, and that’s what we’re focused on.”
New Philadelphia is coming off a heartbreaking 9-8 Ohio Cardinal Conference loss to West Holmes last Friday, dropping the contest on the last play of the game. However, the Quakers had won three straight games prior to last week’s setback.
Both coaches take special pride in leading their teams into what should be another classic Dover vs. New Philadelphia game come Friday night.
“This will be my 30th (Dover-New Philadelphia game),” Ifft said. “They all stand out in their own respect because we’ve won some tight ones and we’ve lost some tight ones. The ones you lose are the ones that stick sorely because you don’t want to lose any of them.”
“It’s special,” said Johnson of the big game. “It’s very humbling because you know how big of a deal this is for both communities. It’s the biggest week of the year, and it’s humbling when you look across the river and you’ve got a guy like Dan Ifft, who has been there since 1995, so you’re going against an Ohio football coaching legend, so it’s really neat to have all of that stuff going on and to be a part of it. I consider myself very fortunate for that. Living around here, you know what it (the rivalry) means to people. We’re excited for it.”
Claymont at Indian Valley
Inter Valley Conference South rivals Indian Valley and Claymont will clash Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Braves Stadium.
Indian Valley, which has already clinched a Division IV playoff spot, enters the regular-season finale with a 6-3 ledger and 3-1 in the IVC South.
The Braves are coming off a 51-6 IVC South romp over the Tusky Valley Trojans.
The Indian Valley offense is led by sophomore running back Grady Kinsey, who is averaging nearly 100 yards per game on the ground. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Sam Carter is averaging 117 yards per-game passing. The top receiving threat is Kolton Thomas, who is also a standout on defense.
Claymont checks in to Week 10 with a 3-6 record and is coming off a 32-13 IVC South setback to the Ridgewood Generals. The Mustangs are 1-3 in the IVC South Division.
The Mustangs are averaging 26.5 points-per-game on offense and giving up 29.4 ppg.
Indian Valley won last year’s meeting with the Mustangs by a 38-14 final.
Claymont leads the all-time series with the Braves by an 18-16 tally.
Garaway at Ridgewood
Two teams that have already locked up playoff spots but will be looking for bragging rights will meet Friday night at 7 p.m. when Garaway plays an IVC South game at Ridgewood.
Garaway, which has already captured a piece of the Inter Valley Conference South title, is 9-0 overall and leads the IVC South standings with a 4-0 record.
The Pirates, who have locked up a Division 6 playoff spot, are coming off their closest game of the season when they turned back the Sandy Valley Cardinals 14-10 last Friday.
Garaway’s top offensive threats include running back Dillon Soehnlen who is averaging over 100 yards per contest, as well as quarterback Brady Geibel, who is averaging 200 yards passing per contest and receiver Jenson Garber, who leads the team in receptions.
Ridgewood is 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference. The Generals would share a piece of the IVC South title if they beat the Pirates Friday night. Ridgewood defeated Claymont 32-13 in IVC South action last Friday night.
Garaway has featured the best defense statistically in the area this fall. It has given up just 62 points all season, an average of 7.55 points-per-game. Meanwhile, the Pirates’ offense is scoring 37.7 points-per-game.
By comparison, Ridgewood is also strong defensively, surrendering 15.2 points-per-game while averaging 28.4 ppg.
Garaway defeated Ridgewood 29-0 last season.
Sandy Valley at Tusky Valley
IVC South rivals Sandy Valley and Tusky Valley will collide Friday night in Zoarville at 7 p.m.
Sandy Valley, which has already clinched a Division 5 playoff spot, carries a 5-4 overall and 1-3 IVC South ledger into the battle against the Trojans, who are 4-5 overall and 0-4 in IVC South action and are trying to grab a playoff spot with a win.
Sandy Valley is averaging 30.7 points-per-game while yielding 21.3 points-per-game.
The Cardinals’ offense is led by standout senior quarterback Nick Petro, who is a talented runner and passer. He has thrown for just under 1,700 yards and 19 touchdowns this season and rushed for over 900 yards and eight touchdowns. The top receiver is Jason Morris with 28 receptions.
Tusky Valley, which is led by quarterback Cole Clements, who is averaging 160 yards passing per game, is scoring at a 23.6 points-per-game clip and surrendering 26.8 ppg.
Sandy Valley won last year’s meeting with the Trojans by a 43-13 final.
Strasburg at Tuscarawas Central Catholic
Strasburg and Tuscarawas Central Catholic will close out the season Saturday at 1 p.m. when the Tigers and rival Saints meet in an Inter Valley Conference North contest at TCC.
Strasburg checks into the season finale with a 2-7 overall record to go along with a 1-3 mark in IVC North play.
Meanwhile, Tuscarawas Central Catholic is 0-9 overall and 0-4 in the IVC North.
Strasburg is averaging 10.6 points-per-outing and giving up 32 ppg.
By comparison, the Saints are averaging 4.4 points-per-game and yielding 41.3 ppg.
The Tigers won last year’s game with the Saints by a 24-16 final.
Buckeye Trail at Newcomerstown
Newcomerstown will host Buckeye Trail in an Inter Valley Conference North contest Friday night at 7 p.m.
The Trojans are 6-3 on the season and 3-1 in the IVC North and would likely lock up a playoff berth with a win against Buckeye Trail which is 3-6 on the season and 3-1 in the IVC North.
Newcomerstown is fresh off a 41-18 IVC North win over Strasburg, while Buckeye Trail rolled to a 45-14 IVC North triumph over the East Canton Hornets last Friday.
Newcomerstown, which is in the thick of the hunt for a playoff spot, is averaging 32.5 points-per-game, while Buckeye Trail is scoring 26.2 points-per-game and giving up 23.3 ppg.
The Trojans defeated the Warriors, 38-35 last season.
Newcomerstown leads the series with Buckeye Trail, 10-4.
Malvern at East Canton
Malvern, which has already locked up a D7 playoff spot, travels to East Canton for an Inter Valley Conference North game Friday evening at 7 p.m.
The Hornets, who are 8-1 overall and 4-0 in the IVC North, secured at least a piece of the IVC North title last weekend following their 63-0 win over Tuscarawas Central Catholic.
Malvern quarterback Jared Witherow has thrown for 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead the Hornets, while his top receiver has been Dylan Phillips with 57 receptions for 800 yards and eight touchdowns.
East Canton is 2-7 overall and is 1-3 in IVC North play.
Malvern is averaging 30.1 points-per-game and giving up just 11.8 points-per-outing on defense.
East Canton is scoring 17.5 points-per-game on offense and yielding 31.4 ppg.
Malvern defeated East Canton 28-12 in last season’s meeting.
Conotton Valley at Weirton Madonna
Conotton Valley has a key out-of-state game in terms of qualifying for a possible postseason berth when it travels to Weirton Madonna Saturday night at 7 p.m. to play the Blue Dons.
The Rockets enter the game with a 4-5 record and have a chance to make the OHSAA playoffs with a win. Weirton Madonna is 4-3 on the campaign.
Conotton Valley is coming off a 44-20 loss to unbeaten Steubenville Catholic Central, while Weirton Madonna defeated Richwood (WVa.) 62-6 in its most recent game.
Conotton Valley is averaging 21.6 points-per-contest and surrendering 31.5 ppg.
Weirton Madonna is averaging 27.7 points-per-outing and giving up 16.7 ppg.
The Rockets defeated Madonna 44-19 last season and have four wins and a tie against the Blue Dons in their past five meetings.
Conotton Valley leads the overall series with Weirton Madonna, 9-5-1.
Carrollton at Minerva
Carrollton, which must win and get help to reach the Division IV playoffs, will travel to rival Minerva Friday night for an Eastern Buckeye Conference game with the Lions. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Warriors are coming off a 49-14 loss to four-time Eastern Buckeye Conference champion West Branch.
Minerva was defeated by Alliance 61-0 last Friday evening.
The Warriors are averaging 22.6 points-per-game and giving up 27 points-per-game on the defensive side of the ball.
Minerva, which has been shut out three times this season, is averaging 6.8 points-per-game while allowing 48.2 ppg.
The Warriors are 5-4 overall and 3-1 in the EBC, while Minerva is 0-9 overall and 0-4 in league action.
The Warriors defeated the Lions, 63-7 last autumn.
Tuslaw at Fairless
Fairless will host the Tuslaw Mustangs in a PAC game Friday night at Brideweser Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Falcons are 3-6 on the season, while the Mustangs are 2-7.
Fairless hopes to secure a playoff berth with a win.
The Falcons are coming off a 19-9 PAC win over the Manchester Panthers, while Tuslaw sustained a 34-3 PAC loss to the unbeaten 9-0 Canton South Wildcats 34-3 last Friday.
Fairless is averaging 24.3 points-per-game and giving up 31.5 ppg.
Tuslaw is averaging 13.6 points-per-outing and giving up 23.5 ppg.
Fairless defeated the Mustangs 41-14 last fall.
Coshocton at River View
Coshocton, which has been playing very well in the second half of the season, will travel to River View for its rivalry game with the Black Bears Friday night at 7 p.m.
Coshocton began the season 0-6 but has won two of its last three games and carries a 2-7 overall record into the game, while River View is 0-9 on the season.
Coshocton is coming off a narrow one-point 57-56 loss to an 8-1 West Muskingum team last Friday, while River View was defeated 56-0 by Maysville.
Coshocton enters Week 10 averaging 30 points-per-contest on offense and giving up 33 ppg.
River View, which has been shut out six times this fall, is averaging 2.0 points-per-game on offense and giving up 55.3 ppg.
The Redskins defeated the Black Bears 41-12 last season.
Coshocton leads the all-time series with River View, 23-8.
Mount Vernon at West Holmes
West Holmes, which has already qualified for the Division IV playoffs, will host the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets in an Ohio Cardinal Conference game Friday evening at 7 p.m.
The Knights are 7-2 overall and dropped a 9-8 OCC win over New Philadelphia last weekend. West Holmes is 5-1 in OCC play and trails league-leading Mansfield Senior which has already locked up a piece of the OCC crown with a 6-0 league mark.
The Knights are averaging 36.5 points-per-game and surrendering 25.8 ppg.
Mount Vernon is 2-7 overall and 1-5 in OCC action. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 16.5 points-per-game and giving up 32.3 ppg.
West Holmes rolled past Mount Vernon 49-14 last year.
The Knights lead the overall series with the Yellow Jackets, 4-2.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Dover-New Philadelphia a storied rivalry in Ohio football history
