ASHLAND — Ashland’s defense will have to be on point again Friday.
The Arrows are 2-0 for the first time since 2020 thanks largely to a defense that has surrendered just 26 points through the first two weeks.
The defense was especially stingy in last week’s 14-6 win over upstart Marion Harding. The Presidents were held scoreless in the first half despite starting three drives in Ashland territory in the second quarter.
“It’s a team game for a reason, and each night you don’t know who’s going to carry you,” Ashland coach Scott Valentine said afterward. “Tonight, definitely the defense carried us.”
Buckeye Valley is 0-2, but the Barons can score in bunches. BV is averaging 31.5 points a game through the first two weeks in losses to Division I Delaware Hayes (2-0) and Division IV Jonathan Alder (2-0).
Ashland (2-0) at Buckeye Valley (0-2): The Arrows were held scoreless in the first half of last week’s 14-6 win over Marion Harding. Quarterback Nathan Bernhard completed 7-of-24 passes for 45 yards, including a 20-yard scoring strike to Michael Franz. Senior running back Cayden Spotts rushed for 73 hard-earned yards on 18 carries and scored on a 2-yard blast midway through the fourth quarter. Cooper Smith had a big day defensively against Harding. He had a sack to short-circuit one drive and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter.
Buckeye Valley surrendered more than 500 yards and turned the ball over three times in last week’s 56-35 loss at Jonathan Alder. The game was tied 21-21 in the second quarter before the Barons gave up a pair of scores late in the first half. BV’s defense has surrendered 115 points in two games.
Loudonville (1-1) at Hillsdale (2-0): The Redbirds took one on the chin last week, falling 49-7 at Utica. Loudonville quarterback Matt Sprang continues to be one of the top rushers and passers in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference. Sprang has rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries and completed 26-of-36 passes for 272 yards and three TDs, completing a KMAC-high 72% of his attempts. Loudonville boasts three of the top four receivers in the KMAC. Josiah Hershberger has 10 catches for 127 yards, while Baylor Weiser has eight grabs for 110 yards and Camdyn Beachy has seven receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Weiser ranks second in the KMAC with 23 tackles and two sacks.
The Falcons rallied for a 21-17 win over Lucas behind three rushing TDs by quarterback Jack Fickes. The senior has rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries and completed 9-of-16 passes for 84 yards and two TDs. Running back Owen Sloan has rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns, but left last week’s game against Lucas late in the first half with a hip injury and didn’t return. Braylen Jarvis does a little bit of everything for Hillsdale. The senior has rushed for 89 yards on 17 carries, caught three passes for 31 yards and ranks among team leaders with 20 tackles. Sophomore linebacker Brady Heller has a team-high 21 stops while sophomore defensive back Hayden McFadden intercepted a pass to seal last week’s win.
Crestview (1-1) at Highland (2-0): The Cougars bounced back from a season-opening loss at Seneca East with a hard-fought 20-14 win over East Knox last week. Sophomore Liam Kuhn is beginning to settle in at quarterback. He has completed 17-of-29 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns. Tyson Ringler is Kuhn’s favorite target with eight receptions for 198 yards and a TD. Both of Keith Abshire’s catches have gone for scores. Running back Ayden Reymer has carried the ball 46 times for 223 yards. Defensively, Caleb Cunningham has 16 tackles and eight tackles for loss while anchoring both the defensive and offensive lines. Ringler has a team-best 17 tackles.
Highland boasts one of the top running backs in the state in Dane Nauman, Ohio’s reigning Division V Offensive Player of the Year. Nauman has rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries. Quarterback Kolton Stover has completed 23-of-40 passes for 370 yards and four TDs, while receiver Kaden Reichenbach has a pair of TD catches among his seven receptions. The Fighting Scots have given up just seven points in two games. Ladon Hayes leads the defense with 16.5 tackles. Nauman has 12.5 stops.