Trending
CADIZ -- Week 10 of the high school football season is full of rivalry games. One of those takes place in Cadiz on Friday night when Harrison Central hosts Buckeye Local.
For the eighth time, the teams will be playing for the V.A.L.E.S. (Veterans, Athletics, Legionnaires, Education and Sportsmanship) Trophy, which is more than just the standard award, created to honor veterans organizations in the adjoining districts.
"It is absolutely a special way to end the season," Harrison Central coach Anthony Hayes said. "We talk about it a lot with our kids, and I know that coach (Roger) Herbert discusses it a lot with his kids. We try to keep it common knowledge how important this is."
It is something that means a lot to Buckeye Local coach Roger Herbert as well.
"It is real exciting for our kids, and for Harrison's," he said. "It is nice to have something like this at the end of the year. Neither of our teams are going to the playoffs, but it gives the kids some added incentive to go out and try to bring that trophy home. It is a good tradition, and it is something we want to continue to be a part of. It would mean a lot to us to win it and get to keep it on display for a year."
The Huskies (3-6) average 315.7 yards and 20.7 points per game, and are winners of the last two games. Leading the way is Kobe Mitchell, who became the top passer in the Herald-Star/Daily Times coverage area last week, with 1,598 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Dynamic senior Tyler West leads both the rushing and receiving categories for the Huskies. He has compiled 591 rushing yards and six scores on the ground, while hauling in a second-best in the area 31 passes for 628 yards and 11 scores, both of which tops the area. The Huskies allow 367.9 yards and 31.7 points on defense.
The Panthers continue to look to end the losing streak, going in averaging 139.4 yards and 9.4 points per game. Seth Richardson has 862 yards passing with six scores and 12 picks. Shayne Christain leads the team with 26 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns, while Brian Palmer has made 22 catches for 210 yards and a score. Buckeye Local allows an average of 351.2 yards and 37.9 points per game.
Herbert wants to send a dedicated group of seniors out with the elusive W.
"We have told our seniors every week that they've got five left, or four left," Herbert said. "I hate to tell them this week they only have one left. They have 48 more minutes, and this is it for them. We want to send these guys off with a win. It would mean a lot to us and we want nothing more than to do that for them."
Wellsville at Toronto
TORONTO -- Toronto coach Josh Franke has a simple message for his team with it still clinging to Division VII playoff hopes and a rivalry game with Wellsville looming -- control what it can control.
"We have to take care of our business first," he said. "Nothing can happen if we don't. It is one of those things we talked about after last week. We've got to go out and take care of our job by beating Wellsville. Then, the chips will fall where they may."
The Red Knights enter at 3-6, sitting 10th in Region 25. They need to win then get some help to have a Week 11.
The rivalry with the Tigers (2-7) adds something as well.
"Our two schools are relatively close, and it has been a rivalry for as long as I can remember," Franke said. "There is a trophy involved, and we want to get that back in Toronto. It is important to our kids, our school and our community. It is senior night for us, too."
Nate Karaffa returned from injury a couple of weeks ago. In last week's loss, he set the school's passing yards record. He has 421 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in three games, adding another 246 yards and three scores on the ground. Kobe Herrick leads the way running the ball, with 392 yards and four touchdowns. Zack Stackhouse leads the receiving group, with 25 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
The Toronto offense averages 250.2 yards and 18.9 points per game, facing a Wellsville defense that allows an average of 27.4 points. The Red Knights' defense allows 294.1 yards and 26 points per game on average, while the Tigers put up an average of 16.8 points.
Beaver Local
at Oak Glen
NEW MANCHESTER -- For the second consecutive week, Oak Glen faces a team with a coach that has ties to Herald-Star/Daily Times coverage area. This time, it is at home against Mike McKenzie, formerly of Edison, and his Beaver Local squad.
"I have coached with Mike and against Mike for years," Oak Glen coach Ted Arneault said. "I am very familiar with his coaching style."
The Golden Bears have a chance to secure a winning season for the first time since 2011 with a victory over the 3-6 Beavers.
Arneault expects the battle to be up front.
"They are physical and have a nice-sized line," Arneault said. "They are one of the more physical teams on our schedule. I think they are going to run the ball and do it in different ways and different formations. Defensively, I am expecting to see some pressure and blitzing. They are going to win the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball."
Nick Chaney has 1,576 passing yards, an area-best 21 touchdowns and 12 picks. Leading the rushing attack is speedy Gage Patterson, with 507 yards and four scores. Paxton Shuman is the power back, with 432 yards and two scores. Hunter Patterson leads the area with 36 catches for 378 yards and four touchdowns.
The Oak Glen offense averages 332.8 yards and 29 points to rank fourth in the area, facing a Beavers defense that allows 25.6 points per game. The Golden Bears defense allows an average of 295.1 yards and 28.3 points per game, while Beaver Local's offense scores an average of 13.8 points.