ASHLAND — Their Week 10 showdown with Wooster won’t decide an Ohio Cardinal Conference championship, but the Ashland Arrows still have plenty to play for Friday at Community Stadium.
Ashland is currently in 17th place in the Division III, Region 10 computer ratings. The top 16 teams in each region make the playoffs.
A win over a four-win Division II team would likely be enough to vault Ashland into the top 16. The Generals, meanwhile, are 15th in Region 7 of Division II and need a win to have a chance to earn a postseason berth.
“That’s what we told the kids. The OCC (championship) is out now, but I still think if we beat Wooster we are probably in,” Ashland coach Sean Seder said after last week’s 28-7 loss to West Holmes. “We told the kids the team that shows up next week and wants it more is probably going to win the football game.”
Wooster (4-5, 2-2) at Ashland (3-6, 3-2): The Generals are coming off a 31-0 loss to Massillon. The Generals trailed 14-0 before the Tigers ever took an offensive snap as Wooster gave up a punt return touchdowns on their first two possessions. Wooster quarterback Drew Becker was sacked four times and the Generals managed just one rushing yard for the game. Wooster had 189 yards of total offense and trailed 31-0 early in the second quarter.
The Arrows are led by dual-threat quarterback Landon McFrederick, who has thrown for 1,665 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 632 yards and three TDs. Sophomore running back Cayden Spotts has rushed for 574 yards and five touchdowns on 124 carries and caught 26 passes for 273 yards and three TDs. Jonathan Metzger continues to lead the receiving corps with 50 catches for 714 yards and five scores despite playing with a cast on his injured right arm. Grayson Steury has 18 catches for 361 yards and five TDs. Kadin Schmitz leads the defense with 104 tackles, while Braylen Hider has 86 stops, two fumble recoveries and an interception return for a touchdown. Metzger has three interceptions.
Crestview (9-0, 5-0) at Mapleton (3-5, 2-3): The Cougars secured at least a share of their second consecutive Firelands Conference title with last week’s impressive 28-7 win over longtime nemesis Norwalk St. Paul and can win the crown outright for the first time since 2011 with a win Friday. Running back Connor Morse had another big night against the Flyers, running for 186 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries. The senior has rushed for 1,465 yards and 26 TDs on 214 carries. Junior quarterback Hayden Kuhn has completed 62 of 87 passes for 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing just one interception. Gabe Smedley has 24 catches for 371 yards and six TDs while Adison Reymer has 18 grabs for 400 yards and four scores. Defensively, Morse leads the way with 97 tackles. Defensive end Owen Barker has 10 sacks.
The Mounties have won two in a row and can secure a Division VII, Region 25 playoff bid with a win Friday. Mapleton beat Monroeville 34-20 last week. The game was tied 14-14 early in the fourth quarter before Mapleton scored back-to-back touchdowns to make it 28-14. Monroeville cut the deficit to 28-20 but the Mounties iced it with a late TD.
Hillsdale (5-4, 4-2) at Northwestern (3-6, 2-3): The Falcons secured a playoff spot with last week’s 31-20 win over Waynedale. Quarterback Jake Hoverstock ran for three touchdowns and connected with Caden Fickes on a 57 yard scoring strike early in the third quarter to break a 14-14 tie. Hoverstock completed 6 of 10 passes for 91 yards and is 53-for-87 on the season for 568 yards and eight TDs. The junior has also rushed for a team-high 528 yards and seven scores on 83 carries. Presley Lewis has rushed for 432 yards on 96 carries, while Max Vesper has 361 yards on 56 carries. Justin Zeigler leads a balanced receiving corps with 13 catches for 176 yards. Vesper and Cole Sinnett each have 12 catches, while Fickes has eight grabs for 125 yards and three TDs. Vesper leads the way with 66 tackles and five interceptions. Ethan Goodwin has 62 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss.
Northwestern kept its playoff hopes alive with a 13-7 win over Smithville. The Huskies are 16th in Division V, Region 18. Northwestern is giving up more than 30 points a game.
