JEROMESVILLE — The offense has put up video game numbers, but if Hillsdale is to make a run at a Wayne County Athletic League title it will be because of its defense.
The early returns have been favorable.
The Falcons limited a rugged Lucas rushing attack to 159 yards in last week’s 26-8 victory. Hillsdale is giving up 194.5 yards and 10 points a game through the first two weeks.
“We’ve been telling our guys we have to be physical,” Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline said after last week’s win at Bob Wine Field. “What I have been most impressed with about these guys is how team-first they have been so far. You can tell they care more about what the scoreboard says than what their individual stats are.”
Linebackers Brady Heller and Aiden Hoffman have led the charge through the first two weeks, registering 22 and 20 tackles, respectively. Fellow linebacker Jesse Trevathan has 18 stops and an interception.
The Falcons will visit backyard rival Loudonville on Friday. It’s one of Ashland’s County’s marquee matchups in Week 3.
Hillsdale at Loudonville
Hillsdale quarterback Kael Lewis has completed 20-of-29 passes for 421 yards and eight touchdowns. His favorite target is Holland Young, who has seven receptions for 155 yards and three TDs. Hayden McFadden has six grabs for 147 yards and two TDs and carried the ball once for a 50-yard TD. Owen Sloan leads the ground game with 184 rushing yards on 19 carries, including an 80-yard touchdown last week against Lucas.
The Redbirds couldn’t get anything going in last week’s 42-7 loss at Worthington Christian. Quarterback Dilan Wade completed 9-of-18 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown in Loudonville’s opener against Mapleton. Josiah Hershberger had six catches for 106 yards against the Mounties.
Linsly (WV) at Ashland
The Arrows are averaging 47 points a game after last week’s resounding 53-29 win at Marion Harding. Quarterback Nathan Bernhard completed 15-of-23 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns last week and is 38-for-56 for 567 yards and seven TDs without an interception in two games. Gabe Baith has 17 catches for 160 yards, while Killian O’Brien has eight catches for a team-leading 171 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Franz has rushed for 129 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Defensively, junior linebacker Gunner Lacey leads the way with 25 tackles and an interception. Tyler Sauder has made 20 stops and Gavin Hoffman has a pair of interceptions.
Linsly opened its season with a 52-0 loss at Westinghouse (Pa.). The Cadets managed just 17 rushing yards and Westinghouse picked off four passes. Quarterback Braden Wade completed 7-of-21 passes for 85 yards, while Brody Cottrill rushed for 24 yards on five carries. Ramello Derr caught four passes for 25 yards and ran for 23 yards on four carries.
Crestview at Keystone
The Cougars will try to rebound from last week’s 42-6 loss to defending Division VI state champ Kirtland. Crestview found some success on the ground in the second half as Marcus Chacey scored on a 10 yard run to avoid the shutout. Chacey carried the ball six times for 33 yards, while Bransen Hider rushed for 88 yards and nine attempts. Liam Kuhn completed six passes for 81 yards, while Tyson Ringler had three catches for 51 yards.
The Wildcats couldn’t stay out of their own way in last week’s 21-14 loss to Cloverleaf. Keystone committed five turnovers, losing fumbles on three straight possessions in the first quarter. Quarterback Zach Shackelford completed 15-of-23 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown and ran for 52 yards on 10 carries. Kaleb Scott caught four passes for 116 yards.