JEROMESVILLE — His team is 0-2 for the first time in the better part of two decades, but Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline isn’t ready to panic just yet.
In Cline’s estimation, the Falcons will be fine — once they get healthy.
Hillsdale played last week without senior quarterback Cole Sinnett, who was injured in a Week 1 loss at Ravenna Southeast. Junior Jake Hoverstock filled in admirably in Sinnett’s absence, completing 6 of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown and rushing for another score in a 14-12 loss to small-school heavyweight Lucas.
“Jake Hoverstock has played quarterback all of his life. He’s a really smart kid,” Cline said. “He made the correct reads in our running game and then he did a good job of reading the coverage and knowing who to throw to in the passing game.”
What’s more, the Falcons were without record-setting receiver and kicker Justin Zeigler against Lucas. The senior is dealing with a lingering lower body injury.
“He could run short routes, but he couldn’t do anything over the top,” Cline said. “We’ve got to get him healthy because he’s our kicker, too.”
Hillsdale hasn’t started a season 0-2 since 2002, but Cline was encouraged after last week’s loss. A week earlier, Hillsdale surrendered 27 points in the second quarter of the 40-14 loss at Southeast.
“I liked what our guys showed us tonight,” Cline said after the loss to Lucas. “In that first game, we didn’t play to the standard that we expect. Tonight we did.
“Obviously, we were hoping to come out on top but we saw a lot of positives.”
Here are capsule looks at some games involving Ashland County schools in week three:
Loudonville (0-2) at Hillsdale (0-2): Like the Falcons, the Redbirds are still searching for their first win of the season after last week’s disheartening 7-6 loss at Sharpsville (Pa.). Loudonville quarterback Matt Sprang scored on a 4 yard run with 4:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the PAT was blocked. Sharpsville scored on a fourth-down pass with 1:08 to play. Loudonville drove to the Sharpsville 15 yard line before running out of time. The Redbirds were much better defensively against the Blue Devils after surrendering 45 points in a season opening loss to Crestview.
Hillsdale is hoping for the return of both Sinnett and Zeigler this week. Hoverstock did a nice job in Sinnett’s absence and receiver Carter Brightbill had a big night with three catches for 61 yards, including a 20 yard touchdown. The Falcons were much better defensively against Lucas. Max Vesper had 11 tackles and an interception, while Mark Abel picked off a pass and recovered a fumble. Ethan Goodwin had 10 tackles, while Jax Rogers made nine stops and Lyle Carnegie recorded a sack.
Teays Valley (2-0) at Ashland (0-2): Teays Valley didn’t waste any time in jumping on top of Logan in last week’s 49-6 win. The Vikings scored barely a minute into the game when junior linebacker Camden McDanel recovered a fumble in the end zone. Sophomore Harrison Payne had first-half touchdown receptions of 17 and 28 yards from senior quarterback Tyler Love and senior running back Peyton Weiler ran for a score as the Viking built a 28-0 halftime advantage.
The Arrows suffered through a nightmarish first quarter during last week’s 34-0 at Clyde, falling behind 27-0. Ashland’s normally potent offense was limited to 68 yards and four first downs. Meanwhile, Clyde piled up 398 yards of total offense against the Arrows. Ashland quarterback Landon McFrederick completed 11 of 17 passes for 56 yards. Receiver Jonathan Metzger had six catches for 46 yards. Navy recruit Kadin Schmitz returned from injury and intercepted a pass.
East Knox (2-0) at Crestview (2-0) Saturday at Ashland Community Stadium: The Bulldogs and Cougars met in Region 22 quarterfinals in 2019 with East Knox holding on for a 21-20 win en route to the regional championship. East Knox improved to 2-0 with a 37-6 win over Utica. Quarterback Peyton Lester leads the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference with 451 yards and six touchdowns on 26 of 36 passing and has scored six touchdowns. Carson Steinmetz has eight catches for 111 yards, while Shane Knepp has seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs have picked off five passes through the first two weeks. Knepp has a pair of interceptions and leads the team with 14.5 tackles.
The Cougars encountered little resistance in last week’s 54-7 win over Bucyrus. Quarterback Hayden Kuhn completed 5 of 8 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns and is 11-19 for 332 yards and five TDs on the season. Running back Connor Morse rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries against Bucyrus. Wide receiver Adison Reymer has four catches for 150 yards and three TDs. Defensive end Owen Barker leads the way with 20 tackles, including four sacks. Defensive lineman Mason Ringler has 19 stops and three sacks.
