Week 9: New Philadelphia, West Holmes face off in crucial OCC clash

Two football teams trying to stay on the heels of league-leading Mansfield Senior will clash Friday night when New Philadelphia entertains West Holmes in a key Ohio Cardinal Conference showdown at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Quakers check into the battle at 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, and they are in second place in the conference. New Philadelphia is also ranked 13th in the rugged Division III Region 9 computer rankings with two weeks to go in the regular season. The top 16 teams following Week 10 qualify for the postseason.

“A lot of that stuff (playoff talk) really just takes care of itself,” said New Philadelphia head coach Mike Johnson. “If you’re able to play well enough down the stretch, it really takes care of itself.”

West Holmes is also 6-2 on the campaign and 4-1 in OCC, having played one fewer league game thus far than New Philadelphia. West Holmes posted a 20-6 OCC win over the Ashland Arrows last weekend.

Meanwhile, the Quakers are coming off a clutch 21-14 OCC road win at Lexington last Friday night.

“I thought our kids being able to come back (was key),” Johnson said. “(After it was tied 14-14) they were able to drive down and score a game-winning touchdown through a little adversity, which was huge. It was a credit to our kids and who they are as athletes and competitors.”

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New Philadelphia continues to be led by senior running back Etnie Richardson, who is averaging 136 yards-per-game with nine rushing scores and three touchdowns receiving, and quarterback Keaton Fausel. The junior signal-caller is averaging 141 yards-per-contest through the air with 12 touchdowns to go along with six rushing six-pointers. The Quakers’ top pass-catcher is junior Pete Didonato, who has 31 receptions and two touchdowns.

“Our receivers, Carson Long and Pete Didonato, both went over 100 yards (last week),” Johnson said. “To have two go over 100 yards is really impressive, and I’m really proud of those guys.”

On defense, Zach Rothrock continues to lead the Quakers from his middle linebacker spot, averaging 11.3 tackles-per-game.

West Holmes is paced by 6-2 junior dual threat quarterback Morgan Smith, who passed for 177 yards and rushed for 170 yards in the Knights’ win over Ashland. Meanwhile, Kyle Maltarich is the top receiving threat. He caught six passes in the Ashland game.

“It all starts with that quarterback, because he’s so good,” said Johnson. “He (Smith) has been running the ball unbelievably well. He’s been consistently good and they are running the ball really well with him. They can do that because on the outside you’ve got Maltarich, who is a heck of a player. You’ve got a receiver out there who runs sweeps and I’ve seen him run a reverse, a jet sweep and a toss and he catches the ball well downfield. He is so fluid when he runs, that makes him a problem (for defenses).”

Both the Quakers and Knights have been two teams on a roll. The Quakers have won three straight games, while West Holmes has rattled off four straight triumphs.

The Quakers are averaging 24.6 points-per-game and giving up just 16.5 points-per game, one of the top defensive marks in the OCC.

West Holmes is scoring at a 40-points-per-game clip but is giving up 28.1 points-per-game on defense.

West Holmes won last year’s meeting with the Quakers, 60-7, but New Philadelphia, which leads the all-time series with the Knights, 10-2, had won six straight meetings prior to last season.

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Johnson didn’t hesitate when asked about a big key to winning Friday night.

“We need to make sure we make the most of our possessions because they (the Knights) can score, and they can score in bunches,” said the New Philadelphia coach.

Linsly (W.Va.) at Dover

Dover, which is riding a two-game winning streak and has averaged 43 points-per-game during those contests, will be looking to maintain that momentum when it entertains the Linsly (W.Va.) Cadets Friday night at 7 p.m. at Crater Stadium.

“It’s going to be a real test for us, a real physical ballgame,” said Dover head coach Dan Ifft of the matchup with the Cadets, who are 3-3 on the season, and like Dover, play a very demanding schedule. “We’re going to have to match their physicality, and the energy is going to have to come through as well.”

The Crimson Tornadoes are 4-4 overall on the season and are coming off a 48-21 romp over the Boardman Spartans last Friday evening.

In that game, Dover quarterback Jonah Marks, subbing for starter Jack Judkins who was out with an illness (strep throat), threw for three scores, Justice Hughes had a 96-yard touchdown run and speedster JJ Barton scored four total touchdowns, both receiving and on the ground, including a 46-yard touchdown run. Barton also had a big game on defense. Daylen Clark had an interception on defense.

“Offensively I thought our kids blocked well, and we had a lot of athletes make plays for us in space,” Ifft said. “(Barton and Hughes) had exceptional games for us, no question, and Jonah (Marks) did well, and I was really excited for him, he’s a great team player.”

Ifft said that Judkins has recovered from strep throat and will be back under center this week.

Linsly, a former military-turned-college-prep school based in Wheeling, West Virginia, has lost three of its last four games to Columbus DeSales (30-17), Steubenville (27-19) and Newark Licking Valley (35-28) last weekend. Their wins this season occurred against 1-6 Richmond Heights ( 42-0) in their season opener, 2-6 Cleveland Holy Name (42-21) in Week 2 and 6-2 Fort Frye (41-0) in Week 4.

Linsly is led by senior dual threat quarterback Atley Cowan.

“With the Cowan kid and the other kid, they’ve got two real good quarterbacks, but I think we’ll probably see the starter, Cowan, start the game out,” said the Dover head coach. “He’s a good thrower and can run, too. He’s about 6-4. They also bring a couple 290 pound kids in and they run isolation and when you have two 290 pound kids in, that’s difficult, so that’s a concerning formation for me.”

Dover, which went to a spread offense in Week 2 of the season, is averaging 26.6 points-per-game, while allowing 21.3 ppg. By comparison, Linsly is averaging 33.1 points-per-contest and giving up 18.3 ppg.

Ifft likes the progress the Tornadoes have made since Week 1.

“Every week is a new week and every opponent is a new opponent with different defensive looks and things of that nature, but nonetheless we’re really pleased with the kids and their development,” Ifft said.

Friday night marks the third-ever meeting between Dover and Linsly in football. The series is tied at 1-1, with Dover winning 42-0 at home in 2021 and Linsly nipping the Tornadoes 21-20 last fall.

Ifft loves the energy the Tornadoes have shown in recent games and knows that will be needed again this week.

“We’re playing with a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm, which is critical,” he said. “I think for whatever reason, we didn’t play with that early on. It seems these seniors are pulling (enthusiasm) out of everybody, and that’s the key — It’s a physical, violent, controlled kind of game and you’ve got to play with energy.”

Sandy Valley at Garaway

Sandy Valley travels to face Inter Valley Conference leader Garaway Friday night in an IVC South battle in Sugarcreek. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Pirates are 8-0 overall and lead the IVC South standings at 3-0. Garaway hasn’t had a close game all season and its defense has posted two shutouts, including last week’s 58-0 IVC South romp over Tusky Valley.

Garaway sports the top defensive average in the area and is surrendering just 6.5 points-per-game, while its offense is scoring at a 40.7 points-per-game clip.

The Pirates continue to be paced by junior quarterback Brady Geibel who is averaging 160 yards passing per contest, while running back Dillon Soehnlen leads the ground assault, averaging 100 yards-per-game. The top receiver is senior Jensen Garber who is averaging five receptions-per-game.

On defense, linebacker Ethan Kimble leads the Pirates in tackles averaging six stops per-game.

Sandy Valley is 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the IVC South.

The Cardinals dropped a 48-19 decision to Ridgewood last week.

Sandy Valley is led by its talented dual threat quarterback Nick Petro who is averaging 200 yards passing  and 100 yards rushing-per-contest. He has scored 24 touchdowns, including 18 through the airways.

Garaway won last year’s meeting with the Cardinals, 33-7.

Indian Valley at Tusky Valley

The Indian Valley Braves will play an Inter Valley Conference North game Friday night at 7 p.m. at Tusky Valley.

Indian Valley is 5-3 overall on the season and 2-1 in the IVC South, while Tusky Valley is 4-4 overall and 0-3 in IVC South action.

The Braves are led by a trio of standouts in sophomore running back Grady Kinsey, who is averaging 83.1 yards-per-game. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Sam Carter is averaging over 100 yards-per-game passing and senior Kolton Thomas leads the team in receiving, averaging seven receptions per game.

On defense, Indian Valley’s top tackler is Kinsey who is averaging 10 tackles per contest.

Tusky Valley is led by running back Logan McKinney who is averaging 100 yards-per-game on the ground.

The Braves are coming off an impressive 34-12 win over a 6-2 Ridgewood team, while Tusky Valley fell 58-0 to unbeaten 8-0 Garaway in an IVC South contest last week.

Indian Valley captured last year’s meeting with the Trojans by a 42-0 final.

Ridgewood at Claymont

Ridgewood will travel to Uhrichsville Friday night for an IVC South matchup with Claymont. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Generals enter the contest with a 6-2 overall and 2-1 IVC South ledger, while Claymont is 3-5 overall and 1-2 in IVC South play.

Ridgewood is coming off a rare loss after dropping a 34-12 decision to Indian Valley last week.

Claymont also lost an IVC South game last Friday, falling to Sandy Valley, 48-19.

Ridgewood is averaging 28 points-per-game and surrendering just 15.5 points-per-contest, one of the top defensive averages in the area.

The Generals won last year’s meeting with the Mustangs by a 40-7 final.

Ridgewood leads the all-time series with Claymont, 5-1.

Newcomerstown at Strasburg

Newcomerstown travels to Strasburg in IVC North play Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Trojans carry a 5-3 overall and 2-1 IVC North mark into the battle. By comparison, Strasburg is 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the IVC North.

Newcomerstown sustained a 21-7 IVC North setback to league-leading Malvern last Friday, while Strasburg lost 40-6 to Buckeye Trail.

The Trojans are averaging 31.5 points-per-game and giving up 18 ppg.

Strasburg is averaging 9.75 points-per-game and giving up 30.8 ppg.

Newcomerstown defeated Strasburg 44-14 last season.

The Trojans lead the all-time series against the Tigers, 33-21-1.

Tuscarawas Central Catholic at Malvern

Tuscarawas Central Catholic faces a big challenge Friday night when the Saints play an IVC North game at once-beaten Malvern.

TCC enters the game 0-8 overall and 0-3 in the IVC North, while Malvern is 7-1 overall and leads the IVC North at 3-0.

The Saints sustained a 41-0 IVC North loss to East Canton last Friday, while Malvern bested Newcomerstown, 21-7.

The Hornets are led by junior quarterback Jared Witherow who has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and receiver Dylan Phillips and Rodney Smith who have teamed up for nearly 1,300 receiving yards.

Malvern, which leads its Division 7 Region 25 computer region, is averaging 25 points-per- game, while Tuscarawas Central Catholic is averaging 5.0 points-per-game and allowing  45.1 ppg.

Malvern defeated the Saints 21-7 last season.

Steubenville Catholic Central at Conotton Valley

Conotton Valley faces one of the strongest teams on its schedule Friday night when the unbeaten Steubenville Catholic Central Crusaders visit Bowerston for an independent contest. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Conotton Valley checks into the game with a 4-4 overall record, while Steubenville Catholic Central is a perfect 8-0 on the season.

The Rockets are coming off a 48-0 loss to the Toronto Red Knights last Friday, while the Crusaders pounded the Bridgeport Bulldogs 35-0 in their most recent game.

The Crusaders have an outstanding defense which has recorded four shutouts this season and has given up just 36 points all season, an average of just 4.5 ppg.

Carrollton at West Branch

The Eastern Buckeye Conference title will be on the line for the winner when Carrollton visits West Branch’s Clinton Heacock Stadium Friday night in a battle of Warriors. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Carrollton Warriors are 5-3 overall and 3-0 in the EBC, while the West Branch Warriors are 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the EBC.

The winner of the game is guaranteed at least a piece of the conference crown.

Carrollton’s ground-oriented attack is led by senior Ryan Kiko with 571 yards rushing, an average of five yards per carry, and junior quarterback Jacob Whitmore with 417 yards, an average of four yards per carry. Through the air, Whitmore has completed 33-of-68 passes for 477 yards and seven touchdowns.

West Branch is one of the top scoring teams in Ohio, averaging 45.1 points-per-game and surrendering 20.5 points-per-game on defense.

West Branch, which runs the Air Raid offense, is led by its 6-6 senior quarterback Beau Alazaus who has passed for 2,200 yards, 25 touchdowns with four interceptions this season.

Carrollton is averaging 24 points-per-game and allowing 24.25 ppg.

West Branch has won the past 12 straight meetings with Carrollton, including last year’s 42-20 decision at Community Field.

West Branch leads the overall series with Carrollton, 35-9.

West Muskingum at Coshocton

Coshocton, which is on a two-game winning streak, will host West Muskingum Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m.

The Redskins are 2-6 on the season but are coming off back-to-back wins over Meadowbrook (55-22) and Crooksville (41-14) last weekend.

Coshocton is averaging 26.7 points-per-game on offense and giving up 30 ppg.

West Muskingum is 7-1 on the season and is coming off a 42-13 win over the Morgan Raiders.

The Tornadoes are averaging 38.3 points-per-game on offense and yielding 14.3 ppg.

West Muskingum won last year’s game against the Redskins, 46-21.

Coshocton leads the series with West Muskingum, 3-1.

River View at Maysville

Still searching for its first win of the season, River View will travel to Maysville Friday evening to meet the Panthers at 7 p.m.

The Black Bears are 0-8 on the campaign, while Maysville is 2-6.

River View is coming off a 63-0 loss to the John Glenn Little Muskies.

Maysville is also coming off a shutout setback as the Panthers dropped a 49-0 decision to unbeaten Sheridan last Friday.

River View is averaging just 2.2 points-per-game on offense and giving up 47.3 ppg.

Maysville is averaging 14.3 points-per-ballgame and yielding 25.5 ppg.

The Panthers defeated River View 21-13 last season and leads the series, 24-11-1.

Manchester at Fairless

Two teams looking for more wins and late-season momentum will vie Friday night at 7 p.m. when Manchester travels to Fairless for a PAC-7 meeting.

The Falcons are 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the PAC-7, while the Panthers are 1-7 overall and 1-4 in league action.

Fairless was blanked 28-0 by league-leading and unbeaten Canton South last weekend, while Manchester was edged 24-21 in a league setback to the Triway Titans.

The game matches two teams trying to improve on defense. Fairless is surrendering 34.3 points-per-game, while Manchester is yielding 32.8 points-per-contest.

Fairless is scoring 25 points-per-game on offense, while Manchester is scoring 19.6 ppg.

Fairless rolled to a 40-14 win over the Panthers last autumn.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: New Philadelphia football, West Holmes face off in crucial OCC clash