Week 2 Preview: Fast, physical tests await Tri-Valley, Sheridan

It was a mixed bag for area teams in Week 1, and several face tough non-league challenges in Week 2.

Tri-Valley (0-1) aims to rebound from a last-minute loss to Columbus DeSales against visiting Licking Heights, which held off Johnstown 26-22, while Sheridan (1-0) heads to Watkins Memorial, a 21-0 winner over Worthington Kilbourne, to highlight the Big School action.

Morgan (1-0) opened strong last week with a shutout of River View and opens its new stadium by hosting Warren (1-0), which beat Belpre 66-6.

Crooksville (1-0) welcomes Racine Southern (0-1), John Glenn (1-0) hosts Cambridge (0-1), New Lex (1-0) heads to Maysville (0-1), Philo (1-0) entertains Carrollton (1-0), Marietta (0-1) visits West Muskingum (1-0), Zanesville (0-1) hosts Louisville (0-1), Rosecrans (0-1) heads to Reedsville Eastern (1-0), Johnstown (0-1) heads to Coshocton (0-1) and Ridgewood (1-0) plays at River View (0-1) to round out Friday's slate.

The Tri-Valley-Licking Heights game will kick off at 8 p.m., Coshocton-Johnstown is slated for 7:30 p.m., and all other games as of now are set to start at 7 p.m.

Tri-Valley-Licking Heights

The loss to DeSales was deflating, admitted coach Cam West, yet it provided a good learning experience for coaches and players.

"We were the better team for 3 1/2 quarters, and no one was happy with the result. We all felt the same," he said. "We talked to the players about learning from their mistakes, but it also falls on the coaches. We could have done some things better, and our players know they left some plays out there. We have to learn so we can take that next step."

One area starts with practice. West admitted Monday's lacked energy, but hopes the Scotties can build on the positives from the opener.

"This group brought a lot of physicality, and we beat DeSales at the point of attack," West said. "Our effort was there, and even after they took (a 14-10 lead), we drove down and answered to go back in front.

"We need to do those little things to win games like that," he added. "That's been our challenge to our players, like practicing better and doing the small things. Those things will make us better down the road."

The Hornets come to Dresden after Tri-Valley took last year's matchup 27-21. They raced out to a 26-8 lead over Johnstown before holding on for the win.

Licking Heights leaned on the ground game, thanks to TD runs from Michael Landry, Reggie Crawford and Jake Lopinto. Landry completed 10 of 13 passes for 173 yards, Lopinto had eight carries for 73 yards and four catches for 99 yards and Crawford chipped in four carries for 46 yards.

That trio highlights the challenge ahead for Tri-Valley.

"They usually have a size advantage on us, and they're faster," West noted. "Our guys know what they're seeing and know our situation. I want them to remember what last week felt like. We also know where we can be better and we have to find a way to bounce back."

Sheridan-Watkins Memorial

There is also a rematch in Pataskala, as the Generals and Warriors meet after the Warriors won 27-24 a year ago.

Watkins displayed its defensive prowess, holding Kilbourne to 170 total yards, while Sheridan limited Licking Valley to 269 total yards, including 98 on 26 carries.

Drew Samsal, making his first varsity start, was 17 for 28 with 196 yards passing, including touchdowns to Andrew Kirk and Jaeden Ricketts to pace the Watkins offense. John Apel had four catches four times for 89 yards, and Gerald Banks boosted the running game with 101 yards off 15 carries.

Sheridan coach Paul Culver III noted the Warriors will test his Generals on both sides.

"Their offensive line is huge. Our nose guard weighs 180, and one of our defense ends weighs 165. They have at least three guys that are faster than anyone we have," he said. "Their quarterback does a great job moving the pocket and extending plays. Their tailback is very, very hard to tackle, very elusive.

"But their defense is lights out. Across the board, they are so physical and aggressive. If we weren't playing them, I would really enjoy watching them fly to the ball."

Sheridan will counter with a balanced offense led by quarterback Caden Sheridan. He had more than 220 total yards, including a touchdown pass, while A.J. Winders hauled in seven passes for 98 yards with a score and Zach Hines and Justin Munyan combined for 150 yards on the ground.

That unit had an answer out of the second half after Licking Valley hit a big play to tie the game at 14 right before the break.

"We could have had a bit a of panic, especially after they scored right before the half, on that big play. But our guys trusted each other and the staff," Culver III said. "We didn't get overly anxious, which is always a possibility in Week 1, especially when you graduated 20 seniors the year before. We didn't make any major adjustments at halftime, we just trusted the game plan and executed."

Limiting chunk plays and mistakes are crucial if the Generals want to reach 2-0.

"We have to eliminate almost all mistakes to beat a team like Watkins. They are big, fast and physical. We can't give up busted plays for big yards like last week, and we can't have back-breaking penalties, especially the unforced kind," Culver III said. "We have to be balanced on offense, able to run and pass. We have to get off blocks and make tackles the first chance we get on defense.

"They make people miss a lot so we need to stay focused. We need to trust the game plan and each other, make plays when we really need someone to step up, and enjoy the opportunity to play on a big stage."

Morgan-Warren

Since the Morgan administration announced the stadium project, the community has anticipated the new facility. The Raiders now get to show off their new digs.

"There’s definitely a buzz around the community for this year’s team and the new stadium. There’s no doubt it will be an awesome atmosphere on Friday night," Morgan coach Chase Bowman said. "We still need to prepare just like any other game, though. If we allow outside noise to get our attention, then we may not execute as well, so our mindset going into the game is the same as any other Friday."

Warren will present a tough challenger than River View. Jacob Sealey had nearly 300 yards of total offense, including four TD passes, while Tanner Pepper led the Warrior receivers with 175 yards on seven receptions and Eric Carr ran for 208 yards on 13 carries.

"Warren has an explosive offense and has pretty good size up front," Bowman said. "Defensively, we need to remain sound and be confident to make plays. Offensively, it’s about finding the matchups we like, getting the ball in the hands of our playmakers and executing really well."

Bowman saw positives from the opener. Along with Logan Niceswanger's five total touchdowns, several other players came up with big plays like Arlis Ponchak, Hayden Bankes and Adam Cooper on offense.

Yet, there are still areas to sure up for the Raiders.

"I thought we executed well on both sides of the ball against River View. We made very few mistakes offensively and defensively," Bowman recalled. "We need to be sharper on special teams. We only made 4/8 PATs and almost had a kickoff returned on us. That phase of the game needs to be improved."

bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Week 2 Preview: Big School tests ahead for Tri-Valley, Sheridan