We're on the backside of the regular season schedule and things are beginning to heat up in terms of league title races and playoff bids.
Here in the coming week, we'll be diving into the playoffs and possible projections for area teams.
But in the meantime, here's a few tidbits of information from around the Ohio high school football scene that you might be interested in knowing.
When Lucasville Valley kicker Jaylen Bender drilled a 46-yard field goal as time expired on Friday, not only did his kick give the Indians their first win of the season, but it also broke the school record. Who held the record previously? Why it was Jaylen Bender.
This coming Friday night's showdown against Fairland and Portsmouth will showcase two teams that are on hot-streaks on both sides of the ball. Through their first three OVC games, the Trojans have outscored their opponents 126 to 8 and the Dragons have outscored the opposition 125-21. A betting man would lay his money down on an offensive explosion at the Trojan Coliseum.
In what was probably the biggest game across Division V this past Friday night, the South Range Raiders defeated the Poland Seminary Bulldogs 38-30 in a possible preview of the Region 17 title game. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 14-0 with two rushing scores. However, South Range stormed back with 38-straight points, thanks to 3 rushing scores by Aidan Dominguez and 2 more by Tristan Toy. But Poland rallied in the fourth quarter, behind two touchdown passes by Vito Komara to Oliver McCully. Despite the Bulldogs out gaining South Range 424 to 240 in total yards, time ran out on the comeback bid and the Rangers secured a big win in the region.
One of the eye-opening score of the weekend was Versailles losing to Marion Local 48-0. Flyer quarterback Justin Knouff had a banner day in the rain, throwing 3 touchdown passes and even broke off an 87-yard run for a score in the second quarter in the rout. Teammate Ethan Heitkamp scored 3 rushing touchdowns in the win. Marion Local owns the longest active winning streak in Ohio and are now 4 wins away from breaking the record of 57 games set by Delphos St. John's from 1996 to 2001.
Bella's Paw-gnostications Results
Bella got a little reckless with their picks last week, only getting her Ashland pick correct. She's still got a winning record of 16-14 through six weeks, but will need to pick things up in this week.
Check out last week's picks here: https://www.tristatesportspage.com/post/high-school-football-week-6-1
Helmet Sticker Performances:
1-Sticker: Shaun Terry (Ironton) Offense: 56 rushing yards. Special Teams: Punt return for touchdown, 3 total returns for 115 yards.
2-Stickers: (tie) Kaden Murphy (Coal Grove) Offense: 13 carries for 232 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns.
Jack Hayden (Fairland) Offense: Jack Hayden 8 carries for 172 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns.
3-Stickers: Anthony Stamper (Rock Hill) Offense: 7 carries for 149 yards rushing, 53 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns. Defense: interception.
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