Week 10 Preview: John Glenn looks to build momentum for OHSAA playoff run

NEW CONCORD—John Glenn needed to take care of business last Friday.

The Little Muskies faced a “control your own destiny” opportunity against Philo and head coach Matt Edwards' charges did just that.

Playing again without injured starting quarterback Noah Winland, John Glenn took care of the Electrics, 37-12, at home to clinch a postseason berth.

The Muskies are currently ninth in Division III, Region 11, one spot away from hosting a game in Week 11. A win Friday could have the Muskies finishing anywhere from fifth to ninth in the region. A loss and John Glenn won't fall any further than No. 10.

Regardless, it's nice to have some of the “are we in or not” pressure taken off their backs noted Edwards.

“It's nice to feel that you've qualified, regardless of Friday's outcome,” Edwards said. “We're in, and there's still a chance to win part of the league title too, so there's a lot at stake.

“To be able to say there's still so much to play for this late in the season, only a few around the state can make that claim.”

Standing in the way of both those goals are the 7-2 Tri-Valley Scotties and quarterback Max Lyall.

Yes, a home game and a share of the Muskingum Valley League Big School title are still up for grabs.

These Scotties certainly have bite. Just ask Sheridan, which suffered its first defeat of the season last Friday in Thornville, 28-17. It's the first time all season the Generals yielded more than 19 points and Tri-Valley broke a string of four straight shutouts.

That string started with a 14-0 shutout of John Glenn back on Sept. 15.

That's why, if John Glenn takes down Tri-Valley, there will be a share of the league crown.

It's a tall task given the Scotties are led by one of the area's top arms in the 6-foot-3 Lyall.

“He's a special player,” Edwards said. “I think his weapons around him have gotten even better than the year before, and now, they've added a running game, which makes their (offense) even more dangerous.

“You can't just try to stop the pass, you have to focus on the running game as well.”

Then there's Ashton Senisbaugh, the Scotties' leading receiver and Lyall's favorite target the last few seasons. Lyall put up major numbers as a sophomore starter in 2022, a big reason for that is Sensibaugh totaling well over 1,000 yards receiving.

He's not the Scotties' only capable receiver, but he's certainly their most dangerous.

“He's also a special player and while it starts with him, he's not the only weapon they have,” Edwards said. “Lyall does a nice job of working with what the defense gives him, which makes him hard to defend.”

Look for Jake Johnson or Owen Edwards to take the snaps for John Glenn. Either way, count on a steady dose of the Muskies' 1-2 punch of Lincoln Gilcher and Ryder Rock.

The tandem helped fuel a John Glenn ground game that produced 303 yards and four TDs against the Electrics.

The run game, plus a defense that picked off three passes and recovered three fumbles, helped ensure a Muskies win against Philo.

They will need equal performances on both sides of the ball Friday in Dresden.

So You're Saying There's a Chance

Buckeye Trail's 45-14 romp against East Canton gave head coach Donnie Kerns' club its second win in a row and third in its last four.

Trail is playing its best football right now, and it'll need to do so on the road Friday if it hopes to keep its win streak, and postseason hopes alive, at Newcomerstown.

BT is currently No. 23 in Division VI, Region 23, but still alive for the postseason, thanks to Week 10 opponent Newcomerstown's 6-3 record.

Don't expect the Trojans to rest on their laurels, however. Necomerstown is No. 10 in the region and controls its own destiny. A win and they are finishing anywhere from 5 through 14. But with a loss, the Trojans could finish at No. 8, or out of the Top 16.

Newcomerstown is led by the rushing tandem of Dom Singer and Carter McConnell. The two combine for more than 150 yards per game while quarterback Clayton Fish averages just above 52. The Trojans passing attack, used sparingly, averages less than three completions per game.

Tanner Smith has made the most of his 14 receptions, totaling 311 yards and six TDs.

Trail's top weapon, senior Koen Eagon, celebrated eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in the win against the Hornets.

Bobcats to End Season at St. Clairsville

Cambridge is down to its final game and safe to say getting a win at Red Devils Stadium, with or without Garrett Carpenter, won't be easy.

Carpenter, the area's leading passer, missed last Friday's road defeat to Beaver Local, with an injury.

In his stead, Keaton Kyser passed for 119 yards with two TDs and picks, apiece, against the Beavers in a lopsided loss.

That didn't stop Devin Ogle from adding to his lore as the senior established marks in both career receiving yards and single-season receptions.

Ogle now has 75 catches for 1,281 yards and 12 TDs on the season.

Stopping St. C. will require slowing down running back Dino Burk. The junior is a yardage and scoring machine with 1,378 yards and 22 TDs on the ground, an average of 153.1 yards per game.

QB Brady Schafer checks in at 102.6 yards per game with nine TDs as the main beneficiary of the Devils' passing attack is Cole Thoburn. The senior owns 23 catches for 362 yards and four scores.

Saying There's a Chance, Part II

Like Trail, Meadowbrook and its 4-5 record are still alive in the postseason hunt.

Also like Trail, the Colts have a tough road ahead if they want to quality.

MHS is currently No. 21 in Division V, Region 19 coming off a humbling home loss to Morgan (5-4), 69-26.

Despite the team's four-game losing streak after a solid 4-1 start, the Colts have a glimmer of hope. That's because this week's opponent, West Muskingum, is a bonus points buffet should the Colts manage to pull off what only one other team could do this season — beat West M.

That lone loss for the Tornadoes came in Week 3, 28-0, to a Garaway team that's been hammering opponents all season.

West M is coming off a near upset last week when the Tornadoes headed to Coshocton and left with a narrow 57-56 shootout victory against the Red & Black.

Against Coshocton, quarterback Jake Anton threw for 219 yards on 13 of 15 passing while rushing for 94 yards and a touchdown.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Buckeye Trail, Meadowbrook still alive for OHSAA playoff spot entering Week 10