Huskies host Triway in first home playoff game
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CADIZ -- Harrison Central capped its best regular season since 2015 with an impressive 49-7 triumph against rival Buckeye Local in the battle for the V.A.L.E.S. Trophy.
The Huskies finished 8-2, just as they did back in 2015, but that season, Harrison finished fifth in the Division V, Region 17 standings -- forced to go the road for an eventual narrow 13-10 defeat to No. 4 Ridgewood.
There will be no such road trip this Friday. The Huskies earned the school's first home playoff football game, expanded playoffs or not, as the Buckeye win placed head coach Anthony Hayes' charges at No. 4 in Region 17.
"Our kids have worked hard for this," Hayes said. "It's been in their sites for four years and they looked and worked for this opportunity as underclassmen and earned it and hopefully we can make good on it."
Now to work toward picking up that first home playoff victory.
Harrison will need to knock off the high flying aerials of No. 13 Triway (5-5) in order to do so. Based out of Wooster, the Titans feature a pass-heavy offense and are coming off their third-straight win, a nail-biting 35-34 win against Orville (4-6) that vaulted head coach Cody Kelly's team into Week 11.
Safe to say, this team passes a bit more than what Harrison is used to seeing.
"They certainly hang their hat on the pass," Hayes admitted. "They are very pass heavy, over 80 percent of their plays, but they do have a good rushing attack with a nice back. He's about 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds and they will mix it up a bit for a change of pace to catch you off-guard."
The Titans are led by sophomore quarterback Brayden Holt, who took over as the starter only four games ago but has thrown for 1,350 yards and 17 TDs against seven picks. Since replacing injured starter Luke Snowbarger, the Titans are 3-1 and averaging nearly 300 yards passing during that stretch.
In the team's win against Orville, Holt threw for 450 yards and five TDs on 33 of 51 passing.
While Holt possesses the athleticism to run, what impresses Hayes most about Triway's QB is his poise in the pocket.
"With young quarterbacks, they are more apt to run of the pocket under pressure and try to make plays with their legs," Hayes said. "He stays in the pocket and will wait an wait, and take the hit to deliver a catchable ball.
"He does a nice job under pressure of keeping call and looking downfield for an opening."
The Titans boast some receiving talent, with players with at least 20 catches and three with 38 or more. Brody Snyder and Cale Drown lead the way with 49 receptions and seven touchdowns apiece. Snyder has 467 yards while Drown, a sizable target at 6-2, leads the Titans with 55.
Hayes knows against this time of offense, the Huskies' defense is going to give up some yards. The trick will be keeping those yards from turning into points.
"We understand that when you pass 80 percent of the time, you're going to give up some yards, but the important part is we don't give up scores," Hayes said. "At the end of the game, no matter the stat line, it's on the upside of the score where you want to be. You don't win games with stats, but points."
One thing Harrison will need to account for in that bend-but-don't-break philosophy is Triway's other weapon -- senior kicker Drew Bishko.
Bishko is a perfect 26-for-26 on PATs, but more importantly here, is his 7-of-11 rating on field goals, including a 43 and 45 yard field goal.
Harrison can give up yards, but it best keep Triway outside of the 30-yard-line to be safe.
"He's a very good kicker and can hit anywhere from 45 yards in," Hayes said. "He has a strong leg and does a nice job."