NANKIN — Mapleton doesn’t have time to feel sorry for itself after last week’s disheartening loss to St. Paul.
Another stern test awaits the Mounties on Friday.
Mapleton will hit the road for a Firelands Conference showdown against unbeaten Western Reserve. The Roughriders are averaging 38 points a game thanks to a rugged rushing attack.
“It doesn’t get any easier for us,” Mapleton coach Matt Stafford said after surrendering 433 rushing yards in last week’s 49-30 loss to previously winless St. Paul.
“Western Reserve is running the ball well. We’ve got to figure out how to stop the run.”
Mapleton (2-2, 0-1) at Western Reserve (4-0, 1-0): Mapleton quarterback Kollin Cline rushed for 196 yards on 27 carries and completed 5-for-7 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, both to Logan Conroy. For the season, Cline has rushed for 716 yards and five TDs on 88 yards and completed 15-of-26 passes for 265 yards and two scores. Running back Luke Pryor has run for 387 yards and seven TDs on 63 carries. Defensively, Colton Wittman had a team-high eight tackles against the Flyers and has 25.5 stops on the season.
Western Reserve roughed up Plymouth 47-14 last week. The Roughriders raced out to a 21-0 first-quarter advantage and led 41-6 at the half. Running back Conner Dawson rushed for 215 yards and four touchdowns on just 11 carries, averaging 19.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Hayden Keith added 68 rushing yards and three scores on 11 carries while completing 6-of-9 passes for 65 yards.
Lucas (2-2) at Crestview (1-3): The Cubs have won two in a row after last week’s resounding 49-14 victory over Division IV Warrensville Heights. Logan Toms rushed for 210 yards and four touchdowns and, for the second week in a row, Lucas didn’t attempt a pass. Graysen Jackson returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, one of four INTs for the Cubs. Toms, Zach Diehl and Aidan Culler had the other picks.
The Cougars dropped a 46-34 heartbreaker to Monroeville. Crestview running back Ayden Reymer ran for a pair of scores and has rushed for 348 yards on 87 carries. Quarterback Liam Kuhn has completed 42-of-72 passes for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. Tyson Ringler has a team-best 17 catches for 278 yards and a touchdown and returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown last week. Karter Goon has 16 receptions for 265 yards and three TDs. Defensively, Ringler leads the way with 37 tackles.
Ashland (2-2, 0-1) at Mount Vernon (1-3, 0-1): The Arrows couldn’t get anything going offensively in last week’s 28-0 loss at New Philadelphia, Ashland’s first Ohio Cardinal Conference shutout since 2008. The Arrows managed just 161 yards of total offense. Quarterback Nathan Bernhard completed 15-of-25 passes for 105 yards. Running back Cayden Spotts accounted for 66 yards, while Austin Downing hauled in a 21-yard reception. Ashland’s defense forced four turnovers as Tyler Sauder came away with a pair of interceptions.
The Yellow Jackets let a double-digit lead slip away in the second half of last week’s 31-17 loss to Lexington. Jonny Askew rushed for 141 yards. His 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Mount Vernon a 10-0 lead. Quarterback Mason Reynolds added a 2-yard TD run. Defensively, Hunter Looney picked off a pass.
Loudonville (2-2, 1-0) at Centerburg (1-3, 0-1): Loudonville snapped a two-game skid with a 27-20 win over Mount Gilead. Dual-threat quarterback Matt Sprang has completed 44-of-76 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 330 yards and two TDs on 75 carries. Sprang has a trio of sure-handed receivers at his disposal in Josiah Hershberger, Baylor Weiser and Camdyn Beachy. Hershberger had 13 receptions for 131 yards, while Weiser and Beachy have 11 catches apiece. Weiser lead the defense with 47 tackles while Dilan Wade has 35 stops. Trevor Breneman and Dakota Berry each have three tackles for loss.
Centerburg has dropped three straight after last week’s 35-0 loss to East Knox. Quarterback Jesse Rings has completed 32-of-69 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Trevan Harris ranks among Knox Morrow Athletic Conference leaders with 10 receptions for 97 yards. Rings has a pair of interceptions on defense, while Cam Alloway has a pair of sacks.