JEROMESVILLE — Hillsdale will try to get the monkey off its back Friday night.
The Falcons travel to Creston to tangle with Wayne County Athletic League heavyweight Norwayne. Both teams bring unblemished 3-0 records into the WCAL opener.
The Falcons have dropped eight straight to the Bobcats. Hillsdale’s last win in the series came in 2014.
Hillsdale is 3-0 for the first time since winning five straight to open the 2019 season, but the Falcons can’t afford to rest on their laurels, coach Trevor Cline said.
“We didn’t sign up to play football to be 3-0,” Cline said after last week’s 31-3 win over backyard rival Loudonville. “We have higher goals than that, so we have to just continue to find a way to keep working hard and find ways to get better.
“We’re looking forward to that game against Norwayne.”
Hillsdale (3-0) at Norwayne (3-0): Hillsdale quarterback Jack Fickes triggers an offense averaging 28.7 points a game. The senior has completed 28-of-42 passes for 348 yards and six touchdowns and run for a team-best 208 yards and four TDs on 27 carries. Braylen Jarvis has 30 carries for 169 yards and nine receptions for 90 yards and two scores. Hayden McFadden has a team-best 12 catches for 216 yards and three TDs. Brady Heller has a team-high 32 tackles, while Jarvis has made 25 stops.
The Bobcats knocked off Heath 38-25 last week, racing out to a 28-0 halftime lead. Norwayne forced five turnovers, intercepting four passes. Quarterback Jaxon Siegenthaler threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, while Dylan Smith had six catches for 146 yards and a score. Lucas Dudte caught a TD pass and ran for a score.
St. Paul (0-3) at Mapleton (2-1): The Flyers are 0-3 for the first time since 1991 after last week’s 35-25 loss to Tiffin Calvert. St. Paul quarterback Drew Kuhnle completed 8-of-13 passes for 123 yards, while Ben Burger rushed for 113 yards on 21 carries.
Mapleton has won two in a row after last week’s 40-33 victory over Northmor. Quarterback Kollin Cline rushed for 296 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries against the Golden Knights and has 520 yards and five scores on 61 attempts on the year. Luke Pryor has rushed for 353 yards and six TDs on 54 carries.
Ashland (2-1, 0-0) at New Philadelphia (3-1, 1-0): The Arrows suffered their first loss of the season, falling 27-23 to Buckeye Valley. Quarterback Nathan Bernhard completed 24-of-34 passes for 198 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Michael Franz caught nine passes for 92 yards and a RTD, while Gabe Baith had 10 catches for 54 yards and ran for a TD. Cayden Spotts rushed for 150 yards on 17 carries, while Tyler Sauder caught a TD pass.
The Quakers opened OCC play with a 22-13 win over Wooster. Quarterback Keaton Fausel rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown and completed 9-of-18 passes for 121 yards. Etnie Richardson rushed for 125 yards and a TD. Jaiden Boltz made 14 tackles, while Aiden Matthews intercepted a pass.