JEROMESVILLE — The Falcons will find out where they stand Friday night.
Hillsdale welcomes defending Division VII state runner-up Dalton to Community Stadium for a showdown rife with Wayne County Athletic League and postseason implications.
The Bulldogs have won seven of the past 10 meetings against the Falcons, including last year’s 50-7 victory in Week 6. Dalton fell to defending Division VI state champ and small-school powerhouse Kirtland 55-34 in the season opener. The 34 points were the most allowed by the Hornets since the 2020 season.
Meanwhile, Hillsdale has thundered through the first four weeks. The Falcons have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 175-27, including a 63-0 over Chippewa last week. The 63 points were the most by a Hillsdale team since the 2009 season.
Dalton (3-1, 1-0) at Hillsdale (4-0, 1-0)
The Bulldogs thumped previously unbeaten Smithville 46-7 last week. Sophomore quarterback Carter Hignight completed 15-of-20 passes for 328 yards and five touchdowns and is 57-for-89 for 734 yards and 12 TDs through the first four weeks. Senior receiver Brady Hignight had a pair of TD receptions last week, while All-Ohio running back Sammy Tomlinson returned from a shoulder injury to catch two passes for 105 yards, including a 62-yard TD. Running back Jaxon Ryder rushed for 227 yards in a 34-0 win over perennial small-school heavyweight Mogadore in Week 3. Junior linebacker Conner Mori is the leader of a defense that has allowed just seven points the past two weeks.
Hillsdale running back Owen Sloan rushed for 98 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 63-0 win at Chippewa. The junior has rushed for 448 yards and eight TDs on 47 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. Sophomore quarterback Kael Lewis has completed 38-of-58 passes for 646 yards and 10 TDs. Wideout Holland Young has 13 catches for 284 yards and five touchdowns, while Hayden McFadden has 10 receptions for 183 yards and two scores and a 50-yard TD run. Brock Bower has eight grabs for 167 yards and three TDs. Linebackers Brady Heller and Aiden Hoffman lead the defense with 39 and 35 tackles, respectively, while linebacker Jesse Trevathan has 30 stops.
Maple Heights (3-1) at Ashland (4-0)
The Mustangs fell to Youngstown Boardman 29-20 last week after three straight wins to open the season. Quarterback Luke Anzlovar threw three touchdown passes, while Kindall Brown had four catches for 146 yards, including a 43-yard TD midway through the fourth. Taylor Cannon had a 39-yard TD reception late in the fourth to cut Boardman’s lead to 27-20. Maple Heights got the ball back late, but a safety sealed Boardman’s win.
The Arrows opened OCC play with a 17-14 win over New Philadelphia. Michael Franz rushed for a touchdown and caught a 9-yard TD pass from Nathan Bernhard. Bernhard completed 14-of-24 passes for 150 yards and is now 58-for-95 for 860 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. Franz has rushed for 225 yards and four scores on 31 carries. Gabe Baith has a team-high 23 catches for 244 yards, while Killian O’Brien has a team-best four touchdown receptions. Gunner Lacey leads the defense with 45 stops.