CHILLICOTHE − After 10 weeks, the high school football regular season has finally reached its end.
Five local teams from around the area have locked in their spots in the postseason amid a final week of excitement. Unioto won its first Gold Ball trophy in over four decades. Zane Trace held out to pick up a win over Paint Valley. Westfall toppled Piketon in an offensive shootout, and Adena ran its way to its second win of the season.
There was plenty of excitement to follow in Week 10 of the regular season. As the regular season concludes, here are the final power rankings of all 10 Chillicothe area football teams following the conclusion of the regular season.
Zane Trace vs. Paint Valley Football: Zane Trace storms ahead and holds stout to outlast Paint Valley in SVC shootout
Week 10 Roundup: Unioto wins Gold Ball with win over Southeastern, Westfall sticks out win over Piketon
Unioto Shermans (9-1, 7-0 Scioto Valley Conference)
Seven straight weeks of dominance through the SVC came to a head last week as the Shermans earned their first Gold Ball in four decades with a win over Southeastern. Every facet of their formula for success was working to a tee. The Shermans’ ninth win of the year couldn’t have come any smoother.
Now, Unioto has a high seeding and a chance to make a significant run in the playoffs this season. Their passing game only improved during a tenuous stretch toward the end of conference play, and the defense has been the deciding factor in its wins over Zane Trace and Paint Valley. Will it make a difference in the playoff picture? Signs are pointing to yes.
Zane Trace Pioneers (7-3, 6-1 SVC)
The Pioneers defense had to play damage control in the second half against Paint Valley, but it held on long enough to inch out a three-point win and secure second place in the SVC standings. Friday was a good showing overall, including five turnovers against the Bearcats that gave the Pioneers the boost necessary to find an early lead.
Zane Trace’s offense lives and breathes by its run game, and it’s worked to great effect in conference play. Its effectiveness has yet to be seen in the postseason, but their first opponent in Madison has lost its last six games and hasn’t had much success in stopping opposing run games. The rushing trio of Carter Langley, Blake Phillips and Riley Hartsaugh are bound to find some success.
Paint Valley Bearcats (7-3, 5-2 SVC)
The Bearcats almost had another comeback win on their hands after scoring 18 unanswered points in the second half against the Pioneers last week. Braylon Robertson, as always, plowed his way to over 200 rushing yards and scoring all but one of the Bearcats’ touchdowns himself. Preston Fauber also showed off his rushing capabilities, as well as making a handful of key passes to Carson Free.
The biggest issue that set Paint Valley back, barring the early turnovers, was three failed two-point conversion attempts. Does it drag the Bearcats’ ability to find the end zone? No, but it is something to watch out for come playoff time. With a little clean up, the Bearcats won’t have to worry.
Waverly Tigers (6-4, 4-2 Southern Ohio Conference)
The Tigers had a tough test in Week 10 when facing a high-powered Fighting Owls offense, and as such failed to shut down quarterback Jahmeir Spain’s passing game. They gave up 366 passing yards, while also being giving up two turnovers while on offense.
It’s a tough loss, but the Tigers have a week to rebound and pick themselves up before they travel to face Shawnee in Week 11. If they can fix the issues that hampered them in Week 10, then they might be able to crack a Braves defense that’s allowed just over 8.1 points per game this season.
Chillicothe Cavaliers (1-9, 0-5 Frontier Athletic Conference)
Taking down Jackson is a tall order for any team in the FAC at the moment, and Chillicothe was no exception. Shawn Smith managed to find some success in the second half after scoring the Cavaliers’ lone touchdown, but the rest of the offense struggled to break through the Ironmen’s defense.
The Cavaliers were in for a challenge in Week 10 no matter how the matchup was lined up. Jackson is a beast of its own, and it’s offense was too much for any conference opponent to stack up against. It’s now how the Cavaliers wanted to end their season, but they’ll have to dust themselves off and carry on.
Westfall Mustangs (6-4, 4-3 SVC)
The Mustangs aren’t done just yet. They’ve locked in their first appearance in the playoffs since 2020, as well as their best record in the regular season since 2012.
They’ve made marked progress this season under coach Logan Stepp, and their win over Piketon solidified that fact. The receiving corps led by Trent Walters did much of the heavy lifting, while Joey Wright and quarterback Bryce Wickline each had over 100 rushing yards.
The playoff picture will bring another challenge as the Mustangs secured the No. 16 seed, but they’ve been able to trade with some heavy hitters like Unioto and Paint Valley. If it can follow through for four quarters, it might be able to stack up again in the first round of the playoffs.
Piketon Redstreaks (6-4, 3-4 SVC)
The Redstreaks were outlasted in an offensive shootout with the Mustangs last week, but they still managed to put up a strong performance despite allowing 56 points. Buddy Wilson rushed for 260 yards while averaging over 10 yards per carry, and Brent McGuire put up another three touchdown receptions − and his 10 on the season remains the best in the SVC.
Is it how Piketon wanted its season to end? No, but there’s solace to be found. The Redstreaks have plenty of young talent that’s gotten good reps throughout the season, and they still managed to keep in the picture as one of the teams to beat in the SVC throughout the year. Week 10 may not have gone its way, but Piketon has plenty to look forward to.
Adena Warriors (2-8, 2-5 SVC)
It’s always good to end the season on a high note. Austin Magill and Nate Dreitzler each rushed for over 100 yards and combined for four touchdowns, while Magill and Lucas King each totaled 10 tackles by the end of the game. The Warriors got the second victory that they’ve been searching for, and it sent out their season with a win.
Plus, there’s some optimism to look forward to after this season. The Warriors are a young roster, and even then they’ve been able to run up the score against plenty of SVC opponents. That might spell another step of progress come next season.
Huntington Huntsmen (1-9, 1-6 SVC)
The Huntsmen were held back by the Warriors last week, and as such they were stopped short of their potential second win of the season. They did manage to put up a pair of scores and keep themselves away from another shutout, but the Warriors’ potent offense was too much to handle.
Huntington entered this season in a state of change, and as such it had to contend with a somewhat new system while also having to contend with perennial conference title contenders and working with a bottom-heavy roster. Give them a bit of time to grow, and the Huntsmen will be able to take a step forward.
Southeastern Panthers (1-9, 0-7 SVC)
Southeastern was the final SVC team to have a crack at Unioto last week, but it was held to just eight points while giving up 56 points along the way. The Shermans have carved their way through their SVC schedule this year, and the Panthers were staring down a tough task in Week 10.
Still, there’s plenty to take away from last week. Gage Cheadle broke the program record for total receptions in a season after recording his 61st catch of the year and totaling over 650 receiving yards. Coleton Baxter recorded a sack, while Joey Pfeifer and Tyler Cutright connected for the Panthers’ lone touchdown of the game.
2023-10-24 09:27:10
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