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Football Playoffs Start This Week in Ohio

WHEELILNG — This is the moment that every student who signed up to play high school football in Ohio has been waiting for.

School hallways will be decorated with school spirit, pep rallies will motivate the fans and butterflies and pre-game jitters will be felt by everyone moments before kickoff. It’s playoff football.

On Friday and Saturday night, numerous local teams will begin what they hope is a deep postseason run.

Here’s a look at what lies ahead for this weekend’s opening round.

Division III, Region 9

Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 1 New Philadelphia (9-1) vs.

No. 8 Chagrin Falls Kenston (8-2)

A perfect season fell just out of the reach of New Philadelphia as they dropped the season finale to Dover.

A year that was highlighted with an upset of Ohio Valley powerhouse Steubenville has landed the Quakers the top seed in Division III, Region 9 where they will host Chagrin Falls Kenston.

It is possible that the Quakers will see Dover in a rematch for the regional final.

Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Aurora (10-0)

vs. No. 5 Steubenville (6-3)

Big Red dropped three games this season but against top quality opponents. That rigourous schedule during the regular season is why Steubenville is always built for postseason success.

This year in the first round, Big Red will hit the road to take on an undefeated Aurora squad.

A win could possibly setup a rematch with New Philadelphia in Round 2.

Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 Dover (7-3)

vs. No. 6 Chardon (8-2)

After a hot 3-0 start to the season, Dover lost three of its next four games, including a 42-20 setback to Big Red, before righting the ship and capping the season on a three-game winning streak.

The final burst toward the end of the season awarded Dover with a home game in its opening round against Chardon.

Division IV, Region 13

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 Indian Creek (9-1)

vs. No. 6 Hubbard (6-4)

Running back Trevor Fante, quarterback Sam Mazar and linebacker Tyler Smarrella have helped lead Indian Creek to its second straight OVAC 5A Championship this year.

The lone loss for the Redskins was a 1-point setback to a 9-1 Indian Valley squad, which is postseason bound. Brandon Hiles delivered a key moment in the season with a game-winning field goal to defeat St. Clairsville.

Now, the Redskins will welcome Hubbard into their home as they look to advance in the playoffs.

Division IV, Region 15

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 4 John Glenn (8-2)

vs. No. 5 St. Clairsville (8-2)

The Red Devils put the finishing touches on another strong season with an impressive win over West Virginia defending champion Wheeling Central last week.

St. Clairsville will now turn its focus on making a run at perhaps its own title as it hits the road in Round 1 to take on John Glenn.

Division V, Region 17

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Canfield South Range (7-3) vs. No. 5 Bellaire (7-3)

The Big Reds enter the playoffs coming off a tough loss to rival Martins Ferry with SPARKY on the line.

Bellaire will be hungry and looking to get back in the win column as it visits Canfield South Range in its postseason opener.

Division VI, Region 21

Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Glouster Trimble (10-0) vs. Southern Local (10-0)

Perfection! Southern Local improved on its already impressive 9-1 campaign a season ago.

The Indians also locked down their first OVAC 2A title in school history.

Now, Southern will look to make more history as it treks to Glouster Trimble in a battle of unbeaten teams for its playoff opener.

Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 Fort Frye (10-0) vs. No. 6 Dalton (9-1)

After capturing its second straight OVAC 3A title and its second in school history, Fort Frye puts its perfect record to the test as it welcomes Dalton for a postseason showdown.

Division VII, Region 25

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 Toronto (8-2) vs. No. 6 Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas (6-3)

Quarterback Caleb Leasure and talents such as Garrett Dozier and JoJo Savage have helped lead Toronto to another postseason appearance.

The Red Knights earned a home playoff game as they will host Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas.

Division VII, Region 27

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 4 Waterford (8-2) vs. No. 5 Shenandoah (7-2)

The Zeps’ only losses on the season came at the hands of playoff bound Fort Frye and Shadyside.

Shenandoah will look to continue its impressive campaign as it travels to Waterford in Round 1.

Saturday, 7 p.m.

No. 3 Shadyside (7-3) vs. No. 6 Willow Wood Symmes Valley (9-1)

Shadyside football coach Mark Holenka always has his team prepared and it has showed all season long.

Shadyside will be buzzing this weekend as the Tigers play host to Willow Wood Symmes Valley in their postseason opener.

Offensive Player of the Week

Wyatt Reiman, Shadyside

Reiman ran for 142 yards and four touchdowns, while hauling in six passes for 132 yards and two more touchdowns for the Tigers.

Defensive Player of the Week

Carl Nyh, Linsly

Nyh charted 22 tackles and one for a loss in a battle with Ohio powerhouse Steubenville.

Ground Gainers

∫ Alex Burton, John Marshall: In a JM victory, Burton raced for 119 yards on 22 carries.

∫ Caden Lake, Barnesville: Tailback ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns as the Shamrocks beat the Jets to win the Milk Bucket.

∫ Trevor Fante, Indian Creek: The talented running back raced for 173 yards and two touchdowns as Indian Creek finished the regular season strong.

∫Jacob Visnic, Shadyside: Ran for 112 yards on 12 carries and found the end zone for a touchdown.

∫ Alex Kilburn, Monroe Central: Ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Devin Gaines, Parkersburg South: Ran for 121 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns.

∫ Tyler Tonkovich, Jacob Jordan, Aaron Jordan, St. Clairsville: Tonkovich gained 108 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground, Jacob Jordan accumulated 162 yards and two touchdowns and Aaron Jordan added 110 and a score as the Red Devils downed Wheeling Central.

∫ Timmy Ferguson, Meadowbrook: Colts tailback was good for 169 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Cambridge.

∫ Carter Dennis, Michael Johnson, River: Dennis ran for 220 yards and three touchdowns and Johnson recorded 116 yards and two scores for the Pilots.

∫ Tyler Fisher, Fort Frye: Ran for 185 yards and four touchdowns as Fort Frye trounced Magnolia.

Aerial Attack

∫ Justin Frohnapfel, John Marshall: Monarchs’ quarterback threw for 160 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 13 of 23 passes in a victory over Warren Local.

∫ Alex Dunlevy, Wheeling Park: Kennedy Award hopeful chalked up 225 yards passing and three touchdowns with a QB rating of 100.3 on 18 of 35 passing as Park handed Parkersburg South its first loss of the season.

∫ Hunter Kelley, Linsly: Cadets signalcaller delivered 22 of his 30 passes for completions and threw for 280 yards and a touchdown.

∫ Carter Blake, Union Local: Jets signalcaller threw for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Backyard Rivalry against Barnesville.

∫ Rhys Francis, Shadyside: Tigers QB went for 159 yards and two touchdown passes.

∫ Malachi Rose-Burton, Monroe Central: Seminoles quarterback completed 13 of 24 passes for 103 yards.

∫ Jake Probst, Martins Ferry: Purple Riders QB threw for 139 yards and two touchdowns as Ferry won the SPARKY Trophy.

∫ Ethan Cross, Paden City: Wildcats quarterback threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns as he went over 1,000 yards passing on the season.

∫ Davis Singleton, Meadowbrook: Colts signalcaller threw for 89 yards and two touchdowns in a rivalry win over Cambridge.

∫ Stone Thompson, River: Pilots QB threw for 100 yards to lead the Pilots to victory.

∫ JD Schmidt, Frontier: Cougars quarterback threw for 211 yards and a touchdown against the Pilots.

Mr. Everything

∫ Jace Boggs, John Marshall: Boggs tallied 82 yards on the ground on 17 carries and found the end zone once. He also delivered eight tackles on defense, including one for a loss.

∫ Alex Meade, Barnesville: Quarterback ran for 70 yards and a touchdown, while making six tackles and deflecting two passes.

∫ Brandon Penn, Parkersburg South: Threw for 228 yards and a touchdown, while running for 138 and a score and adding nine tackles on defense.

∫ Cody Olsen, Martins Ferry: The kicker drilled two extra points and put the game on ice with a 21-yard boot with less than a minute to go. He also hauled in five passes for 113 yards and recorded an interception on defense.

∫ Dakota Phillips, Beallsville: Blue Devils QB was good for 284 yards passing and three touchdowns, while running for 126 yards and a score as they defeated Paden City.

Good Hands Team

∫ Zach Bishop, John Marshall: Wide out hauled in nine passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

∫ Shaheed Jackson, Wheeling Park: Wide receiver collected 83 yards receiving and a touchdown as Park downed previously unbeaten Parkersburg South.

∫ Trevin Tush, Linsly: Cadets wide out hauled in 11 passes for 116 yards.

∫ Caleb McWhorter, Union Local: Caught six passes for 133 yards.

∫ Levi Rice, Parkersburg South: Hauled in five passes for 110 yards and a score.

∫ Wyatt Brown, James Schnegg, Beallsville: Brown caught five passes for 126 yards and a score in a victory and Schnegg added three receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

∫ Brock Hoff, Frontier: Caught two touchdowns and charted 93 yards.

Wrecking Crew

∫ Reid Wiley, John Marshall: Picked off a pair of passes to help John Marshall pull out the victory.

∫ Owen Oliver, Cameron Woods, Barnesville: Oliver turned in 11 tackles (2 TFL) and Woods applied six stops (1 TFL), three pass deflections and one interception.

∫ Hunter Nixon, Colton Thomas, Nate Shelek, Dustin Vansickle, Wheeling Park: Nixon racked up 12 tackles (3 TFL), Thomas accounted for 11 stops, Shelek accumulated 10 tackles and Vansickle provided nine stops (2 TFL).

∫ Steven Felton, Spencer Knight, Linsly: Felton amassed 14 stops and Knight added 14 (3 TFL).

∫ Ayden Smolira, Sawyer Moore, Union Local: Smolira garnered 10 tackles (1 TFL) and Moore delivered 9.5 stops and an interception for the Jets.

∫ Brandon Hiles, Tyler Smarrella, Indian Creek: Hiles charted 11 tackles, two sackes, caused a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, while Smarrella delivered nine stops (1 TFL).

∫ Brent Parkhurst, Parkersburg South: Supplied 10 tackles (1.5 TFL).

∫ Cody Albaugh, Andrew Colenich, Bellaire: Albaugh produced 13 tackles and Colenich charted 12 (1 TFL).

∫ Reese Skaggs, Will Balgo, St. Clairsville: Skaggs collected 10 tackles (2 TFL) and two sacks and Balgo delivered 13 stops (1 TFL).

∫ Brady McManaway, Bradly Hlad, Meadowbrook: McManaway charted nine tackles (1 TFL) and Hlad added nine stops.

∫ Case Landis, Tyler Consolidated: Led the Tyler defense with 10 tackles (1 TFL).

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