Category Archives: Sports

Sports

2020 Football Playoff Brackets Released

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684 High School Football Teams prepare for first round of playoffs October 9th and 10th. (See schedule involving local teams below)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the regional brackets for the football playoffs Thursday, which currently include 648 schools that will take part in the 2020 postseason. 

The brackets and other playoff information are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2020/2020-OHSAA-Football-Playoffs-Coverage

In a normal season, 224 schools qualify for the playoffs, with eight schools from each of 28 regions earning a bid through the OHSAA’s Harbin computer ratings system, which will not be used this season. However, this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the playoffs will begin in Week 7 (Oct. 9-10) and all teams could opt in.

TICKETING PROCESS

The OHSAA will send playoff ticketing guidelines and information to schools on Friday and will meet virtually with all playoff schools on Monday morning to discuss. According the latest order from the Ohio Department of Health and the Governor, only 15 percent of the stadium’s permanent seating capacity are permitted to attend games, unless the site has been approved for a variance by the Ohio Department of Health. Note that the home team can have its band in attendance for its games, while both teams can have cheerleaders.

All playoff tickets will be sold online through www.OHSAA.org/tickets and will be available starting Tuesday, October 6.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

Earlier this week, the head coaches in each region voted to determine the seeding in their region. On Thursday, the OHSAA placed teams on brackets according to the seeds. Many of the higher seeds will have a first-round bye in most regions.

Divisions, I, II, III and VII will play on Friday nights. Divisions IV, V and VI will play on Saturday nights. All games kick off at 7 p.m.

For each game through at least the regional semifinals, the higher seeded team will have the first opportunity to host the game. If the higher seeded team cannot host, the other team will host the game. The OHSAA will determine sites for the regional finals, state semifinals and state championships. If a team is unable to play a playoff game on the assigned day according to the bracket, its opponent will advance on the bracket. 

Schools eliminated from the OHSAA playoffs or that chose not to enter the playoffs have the option to schedule additional regular season contests through Saturday, November 14 (maximum of 10 regular season contests permitted).

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

The Division I state championship game will be played Friday, November 13. The specific dates and times for the state championship games in Divisions II through VII will be announced at a later date, but will be played within the November 19-22 date range. Sites will be announced at a later date, as well, but it is unlikely that all seven games will be played at the same venue. There will be no state championship games that happen simultaneously, as each game will have its own time slot.

Football Playoff Games for Local Teams, All kickoffs, 7pm:

Friday October 9th

DII

Region 8:

Briggs at Teays Valley, winner travels to play Cincinnati Anderson 10/16

DIII

Region 11:

Miami Trace at Chillicothe, winner travels to play London 10/16

Saturday October 10th

DIV

Region 15:

Circleville at New Concord John Glenn, winner plays winner of Warren vs Columbus East 10/17

Union Local vs Vinton County, winner travels to Gallia Academy 10/17

Lakewood at Logan Elm, winner travels to Licking Valley 10/17

Region 16:

Thurgood Marshall at Washington CH, winner travels to Clinton-Massie 10/17

Hillsboro at Unioto, winner travels to Cincinnati McNicholas 10/17

McClain at Milton-Union, winner travels to Valley View 10/17

Shroder at Norwood, winner travels to Waverly 10/17

DV

Region 19:

Westfall at New Lexington, winner travels to Ironton 10/17

South Point at Wellston, winner plays winner of Johnstown-Monroe vs Utica 10/17

Zane Trace at Coshocton, winner travels to Columbus Academy 10/17

Piketon at Minford, winner travels to Harvest Prep 10/17

Meigs at Oak Hill, winner travels to Ridgewood 10/17

Morgan at Amanda Clearcreek, winner travels to Liberty Union 10/17

Chesapeake at Portsmouth West, winner travels to Wheelersburg 10/17

Portsmouth at Northwest, winner travels to Columbus Ready 10/17

Region 23:

Northridge at Lucasville Valley, winner travels to Worthington Christian 10/17

Southeastern at Symmes Valley, winner travels to Nelsonville-York 10/17  

Region 24:

Jamestown Greenview at Paint Valley 10/17

Parkway at Elmwood Place, winner travels to Adena 10/17

DVI

Region 27:

Zanesville Rosecrans at Berne Union, winner travels to Eastern Pike 10/17

Sports

Litter Media Game of the Week: Smith Leads Cavs to 44-3 Win Over Miami Trace

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Click to watch Kam Smith’s 56-yard TD run.

Chillicothe’s Kam Smith ran wild including a dazzling scramble for a 56-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Cavs earned a 44-3 win over Miami Trace Friday.

The victory was Chillicothe’s fourth straight win and sets up Frontier Athletic Conference championship game with the Jackson Ironmen October 2nd.

“Their defense played well and frustrated us” said Cavs Coach Doug Pryor. “We just had to figure things out and once we did, things really started to click. Just really happy for these guys.”

Smith finished the contest with 207 yards on 14 carries and a TD, he added 4-of-6 passing for 94 yards and a TD.

But Smith wasn’t the only bright spot for Chillicothe Friday. Taylin Scales averaged 10 yards per carry, with just over 100 yards on the ground with a score. Joel Barnes had a TD reception and Logan Snowden scooted 64-yards down the home sideline to score on a punt return.

While thing went well for Chillicothe, Miami Trace was trying to bounce back from a physical contest with Jackson last week, which saw their best running back Jayden LeBeau and best receiver Josh Gilmore on the injured list. Jerry Williams Panthers had a number of young kids in the battle. “We limped into this when we came here and we knew we’d have to find points and looked for someone to step up and it just didn’t happen” said Williams. “We have a bunch of young kids and they fought hard and they just have to learn how to persevere through some of these things and learn from these defeats like this in order to get better.”

Chillicothe’s Max Lee punched in from two yards out with 1:41 left in the first quarter. The Cavs followed with the spectacular run by Smith for a 14-0 lead.

The Panthers got on the board when Zack Warnock hit a 22-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-3.

After that, it was all Cavaliers. Smith connected with Joel Barnes on a 61-yard bomb to go up 21-3 with 11.6 seconds remaining in the first half. Scales scored on a 7-yard run. Despite a bobbled snap resulting in a missed PAT, Jacob Coffland hit a 30-yard field goal for a 30-3 lead. Logan Snowden’s punt return made extended the lead to 37-3 and Oscar Morgan closed out scoring with a 1-yard run for the 44-3 final.

“You gotta give Miami Trace credit” said Pryor noting the Panthers were without some of their regulars in the lineup. “I know those guys woulda made a difference.”

Jackson (5-0/4-0 FAC) was a 48-7 victor over Hillsboro (0-5/0-4 FAC) to set up the FAC championship showdown Friday at Chillicothe’s Obadiah Harris Family Athletic Complex.

Miami Trace (3-2/3-1 FAC) will travel to Washington CH (2-3/2-2 FAC) Friday. The Blue Lions were 46-9 winners over McClain (0-5/0-4 FAC).

Chillicothe’s Tylin Scales rushed for just over 100 yards and a touchdown in Chillicothe’s 44-3 win over Miami Trace.
Sports

OHSAA Announces New Football Regions and Playoff Information

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced new regional alignments for the upcoming football playoffs after 664 schools opted in for the postseason. In a normal season, 224 schools qualify for the playoffs, with eight schools from each of 28 regions earning a bid through the OHSAA’s Harbin computer ratings system, which will not be used this season.

The new regions are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2020

Originally, there were 709 schools that indicated they planned to contend for a playoff bid this season playing 11-man football, but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some schools to start their seasons later or end early. Based on the recommendation from Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health, the OHSAA shortened the football season.

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

On September 29 and 30, the head coaches in each region will vote to seed the teams in their region. The OHSAA will then place teams on brackets on October 1. With various numbers of schools in each region, many of the higher seeds will have a first-round bye in most regions.

Once the brackets are set, the top team on the bracket of the specific game will have the first opportunity to host the game throughout the regional playoffs. If the top team on the bracket cannot host, the other team will host the game. The OHSAA will determine sites for the state semifinals and state championships.

If a team is unable to play a playoff game on the assigned day according to the bracket, its opponent will advance on the bracket.

Playoff games will be held on Friday and Saturday nights beginning October 9-10. Divisions, I, II, III and VII will play on Friday nights. Divisions IV, V and VI will play on Saturday nights. 

As a reminder, schools eliminated from the OHSAA playoffs or that choose not to enter the OHSAA playoffs have the option to schedule additional regular season contests through Saturday, November 14 (maximum of 10 regular season contests permitted).

BROADCASTS

Spectrum News 1 is the official television partner of the OHSAA and will select several playoff games each weekend to televise live. Only Spectrum can provide live television coverage of OHSAA football playoff games. All other television broadcasts can start at 10:00 p.m. the same day as the game, with rights fees determined by the OHSAA. Live video streaming will be permitted for games not selected by Spectrum News 1 at rates set by the OHSAA, which will be announced later in September.

SEASON SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

Please see the OHSAA’s press release from August 24 regarding changes to the season schedule and format, game management changes, suggested public address announcements and spectator limitations due to COVID-19: https://ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/noting-the-start-of-the-ohsaa-football-season

The August 24 release also included important dates for the 2021 season, which will start a week early due to the expanded playoff field, as announced May 22: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports/News/ohsaa-to-expand-football-playoffs-in-2021

OHSAA COVID-19 GUIDANCE CENTER

All sports in Ohio – at all levels – are under the direction of the latest Ohio Department of Health order signed August 19 by Governor DeWine. The order and additional guidance from the ODH and OHSAA are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/Home/OHSAA-COVID-19-Correspondence

Spectator capacity limits will be in place for the OHSAA football playoffs for each game. Details will be announced soon.

Sports

Paint Valley Pulls Away From Unioto in 55-29 Win

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Paint Valley’s Tramel Byrd (15) rushed for 167 yards in the Bearcats’ 55-29 win at Unioto. photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media

Tramel Byrd and Cavin Cooper combined for three 3rd quarter touchdowns to power Paint Valley to a 55-29 win at Unioto Friday.

Byrd had 13 lugs for 167 yards to lead the Bearcat attack, which rushed for 365 yards.

The Shermans took the opening drive and scored on a Lucas Hanes field goal to take the early 3-0 lead on homecoming night. Paint Valley answered when Cooper found Beau Blankenship on a TD pass to close out the 1st quarter with a 7-3 margin.

Cordell Grubb rumbled 58 yards for a score and followed with a TD catch from Cooper to put the Bearcats ahead 21-3.

Unioto closed the gap to 21-9 just before halftime on Isaac Little’s pass to Byrd Green with 8.9 seconds left in the half. But Paint Valley came out of the intermission hitting on all cylinders.

Byrd capped a drive to start the second half with the first of his two TDs in the 3rd, a 20-yard run to give the Bearcats a 27-9 lead less than a minute into the quarter.

Unioto answered with a 42yard strike from Little to Maddox Fox to give the Shermans some life. However, the Bearcats had other plans. Cooper picked off a pass for and returned it for a touchdown and Byrd slipped away on a 67-yard run to the Shermans’ five-yard line and then punched it in on the next play to boost the Paint Valley lead to 41-15.

Cooper added touchdown runs of 30 and 40 yards the 4th quarter to put the game out of reach.

The Shermans Newton Hoops hit Fox on a 30-yard TD pass and Cameron Lohnes had a TD run to close out the scoring for the night. 55-29 the final.

Paint Valley improves to 3-1 and Unioto slips to 2-2. The Bearcats will host Zane Trace next Friday. Zane Trace earned a 36-22 win over Southeastern who will head to Unioto next week.

Unioto’s Maddox Fox races toward the end zone just before halftime to cut Paint Valley’s lead to 21-9. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media
Hear what Coaches Corey Dye and Matt Hoops had to say after the game
Sports

Unioto Hosts Paint Valley in Litter Media Game of the Week Friday

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The Litter Media Game of the Week is a Scioto Valley Conference affair as Paint Valley (2-1) heads to Unioto (2-1) Friday night.

The 2020 season is the first time in more than a quarter century Pete Hollon’s been absent from the sidelines in Paint Valley Black-and-Yellow.

Corey Dye is the new man with the whistle for the Bearcats. He says it’s been a pretty smooth transition and the Bainbridge community has been welcoming.

“You always worry about that transition whenever you start a new job” Dye told Litter Media. “You wonder of the kids are gonna accept you right off the bat, but it’s just been really great and I’m blessed to be here.”

Dye has learned a lot about his kids the last three weeks. The summer workouts presented their own brand of uniqueness due to the pandemic restrictions. And once live game action began, the cream began to rises to the top.

“I knew after doing workouts with them, the short time we did get to do workouts, and then we were cut short, of course, for obviously because of COVID… I knew that I had a group of kids that were really tough and resilient” said Dye. “They’ve been able to prove that to me the last three weeks. We played a really good opponent the first week (Adena) and they never gave up.”

Dye says that’s a credit to his predecessor, the assistant coaches who have been part of the PVF tradition before his arrival and the seniors class. “It’s not easy having a new coach, especially going into your last year. The group of kids that I have, have just done a tremendous job of leading this team and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Hollon and the graduating class, went 19-4 their last two seasons, including an SVC Gold Ball in 2018 and a 1-2 record in back-to-back playoff appearances.

“The graduating class that just left here, is probably gonna go down as one of the best classes to come through here in a long time. They were able to put up some unbelievable numbers, stat-wise and won quite a few games in their tenure here.”

Dye says the classes which moved up through the PV chain as juniors and sophomores got valuable experience thanks to the Class of 2020. “They’re basically carrying on the torch and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

Quarterback Cavan Cooper experienced baptism by fire as a freshman when Bryce Newland’s season ended abruptly due to a broken leg.

“The way Cavan was able to step in there last year and the job that he did is really admirable, it’s remarkable because it’s really hard for a freshman to play against a team of seniors, juniors, even sophomores… and he was able to do that at a high level.”  

Unioto has had two thrilling last-moment finishes this season, the opening week at Piketon (44-38) and last Friday at Zane Trace (23-18).

While first year varsity head coach Matt Hoops is happy with the wins, he’d like to see them decided a bit sooner than later. “We knew coming into the season we were going to be really inexperienced in a lot of different spots, but we have a lot of good athletes, we have a lot of kids who are competitive. They’ve put us in position two of our first three games.”

Hoops has been at the helm of the Shermans’ Boys Basketball program for several years and all the while has been a coach in the football program. When Jeff Metzler stepped down after last season, Hoops jumped at the opportunity to fill the vacancy. It was a chance to do something he’d always wanted to do.

Hoops is familiar with the football kids from coaching them at lower levels in the program over the years. And so far, it’s been like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes.

“I know a lot of these guys” said Hops. “Almost everyone on our roster I’ve coached before in some aspect. I’m pretty familiar with a lot of the guys coming in, so that’s helped the transition be as smooth as it could’ve been.”    

His quarterback, Isaac Little also drives the ship for his basketball team. Their positive working relationship in the gym has transferred over to the gridiron also.  

“They asked him to play quarterback last year, something he had never done before” said Hoops. “Obviously the reason they did that was because of just what makes him who he is… a supreme competitor, a really good athlete, a very smart individual, academically on the field and the court. Isaac’s the type of kid you want with the ball in his hands. He’s gonna make plays for ya, and he’s gonna get you out of some bad plays because of his IQ.”

The Bearcats dealt Unioto a 41-7 loss at UHS in 2019. Our Litter Media cameras will return for the rematch Friday. Watch for score updates during the game on the Litter Media Facebook Page, photos and Litter Media Extras over the weekend and a highlight video of the game early next week.

To see the video of the 2019 game, WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/2Mh9j1Luc-I

To see the video of the 2018 game, WATCH HERE: https://youtu.be/TSRoNHWGMeg

Sports

Waverly Takes Valley 56-10 in Litter Media Game of the Week

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Waverly’s Haydn’ Shanks and Will Futhey proved to be an unstoppable combination Friday in the Tigers’ 56-10 victory at Lucasville Valley.

Shanks completed 28-of-38 passes for 366 yards and 5 TDs, each to Futhey who wracked up 167 yards on 9 catches. Shanks also ran for a 1-yard touchdown to get the game started.

Valley answered with George Arnett returning the ensuing kickoff inside the Waverly five yard line. Chase Ruby hit a 22 yard field goal to get the Indians on the board at 6-3.

Just a second into the 2nd Quarter, Shanks hit Futhey for the first of their five scoring plays. Zeke Brown caught the two-point conversion and Waverly pushed ahead 14-3. Three minutes later Shanks connected with Futhey from 34 yards out for a 21-3 Tigers’ lead.

Arnett scored on a 5-yard run to complete a 9-play drive to pull the Indians within 21-10.

On the next possession, Shanks found Futhey a third time tacking on another TD just before halftime for a 28-10 score at the intermission.

Peyton Harris scored on a 5 yard run with 2:29 remaining in the 3rd Quarter to put the game out of each at 35-10.

In the 4th, Shanks and Futhey combined for TDs of 18 and 38 yards each and with less than 4 minute to play, Tanner Nichols intercepted a Valley pass, returning it inside the 10. Jaxon Poe plunged in the end zone on a 6-yard run for the game’s final score, 56-10.

Poe had 112-yards on 14 carries for Waverly’s ground attack which tallied 215 yards.

The Tigers had 581 total yards while holding Valley to 106 total yards offense.

Valley (1-2) heads to Portsmouth West September 18th while Waverly (3-0) returns home to host Wheelersburg (3-0) in a battle for the SOC lead.

Sports

Doug Ute Named OHSAA Executive Director

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Doug Ute, new Executive Director of the Columbus based Ohio High School Athletic Association. Photo courtesy OHSAA

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors has announced the selection of Doug Ute as the OHSAA’s next Executive Director, making the former coach, teacher, athletic administrator, principal and superintendent the OHSAA’s 11th leader in its 113-year history.

Ute (pronounced “yoot”) is taking the OHSAA post after spending the last 20 years as a school superintendent, including nine years at Marion Elgin Local Schools and the last 11 years at Newark City Schools. He also coached and taught at Noble Local Schools in eastern Ohio and Buckeye Central High School, which is near his hometown of Bellville in north central Ohio.

Last spring, Ute announced that he was stepping down from his post at Newark to become Deputy Director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA), which is the state’s superintendent’s association. Instead of serving Ohio schools at BASA, he will be doing so from the OHSAA. He takes over for Interim Executive Director Bob Goldring, who is the OHSAA’s Senior Director of Operations.

“I have always thought like a former coach and athletic director, and the OHSAA is where I want to be,” said Ute. “I am humbled to be selected by the Board of Directors for this position and join a great team at the OHSAA office. We are all aware of the uncertainties that are before us due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I know that together we can and will be stronger together. My focus has always been on helping students become better people, and athletics are such an important part in that. That is true now more than ever. I can’t wait to get started and help lead our member schools.”

At Newark, Ute helped create the Social, Emotional and Academic Success (SEAS) program that includes counselors, teachers and staff to discuss ways to help students succeed in life. While at Newark, a district of 6,500 students, he expanded the free lunch program, made free breakfast available to all students, and put a strong emphasis on student and family social and emotional health. The school district responded with its highest-ever graduation rate and a renewed sense of pride in the city and school district. 

“We are excited to have someone lead our organization with Doug’s experience, both in working with student-athletes and with his experience in the workings of the OHSAA,” said Jeff Cassella, President of the OHSAA Board of Directors and Athletic Director at Mentor High School. “The Board of Directors is confident that Doug’s leadership style and experience is a great fit to lead the OHSAA through this unique year.”

Ute began his career in 1988 as a basketball coach and part-time business teacher at Noble Local Schools (Shenandoah High School) in Sarahsville in eastern Ohio. He then went to Buckeye Central in New Washington as a teacher and coach, while also serving as the athletic administrator. In 1996 he became the principal at Marion Elgin and then took over as superintendent in 2000 at Elgin, a district of 1,500 students. Ute became superintendent in Newark in 2009. He served on the OHSAA’s Central District Athletic Board in 2008-09 and has been the Central District’s secretary since the 2011-12 school year.

Ute was a standout student-athlete at Clear Fork High School, graduating in 1980, and played basketball at Ashland University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. He would later return to Ashland to earn a master’s degree in school administration, a graduate teaching degree in business, a principal’s license and a superintendent’s license.

Ute and his wife, Kory, have four children and eight grandchildren.

Sports

Cartwright Pick-6 Seals Southeastern Win At Huntington

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Southeastern’s Brandon Maldonado snags Huntington’s Darius Brown in the second quarter of the Panthers’ 44-28 victory. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media

RJ Cartwright’s 50-yard interception return snuffed a Huntington rally and secured a 44-28 victory for Southeastern Friday night.

Trailing 36-28, the Huntsmen recovered a Southeastern fumble with under three minutes to play and give Huntington a chance to tie the game. On second down, Nick Marion’s pass slipped through the hands of Alan Smith and Cartwright was in the right spot and returned the ball to the end zone. Mikey Nusser tacked on a two-point conversion for the final.

“Tough people win” said Garrett Blair as his Panthers earned their first win of the season. “You’re gonna hit an edge and we made our own edge a bunch of times… Like I told them (his team) When the goin’ got tough, the tough got goin’. When it counted we made plays and that’s what counts.”

Southeastern jumped ahead 16-0 on touchdown runs by Clay Morgan and Jarrett McWhorter. The Huntsmen answered with a scoring strike by Marion to Darius Brown to cut the lead with 2:33 remaining in the 1st quarter.

McWhorter scored again to give the Panthers a 22-6 lead at the break.

Nusser rolled for a TD run extending the margin to 30-6 before the Huntsmen answered on a Seth McCloskey run and a two-point conversion pulled Huntington back to 30-14.

Southeastern looked to put the game out of reach on an 8-yard run by Nusser for a 36-14 lead at 5:43 of the 3rd quarter. But the Huntsmen weren’t about to go away quietly.

Marion connected again with Brown at 7:39 in the 4th on a 53-yard scoring pass and a two-point conversion cutting the lead to 36-22. Less than two minutes later, Marion hit Emery Woods in stride and Huntington was within a touchdown.

The Huntsmen defense stopped Southeastern to take possession near midfield with just minutes remaining. After an incompletion on first down, Cartwright turned the momentum back to the Panthers with his pick-6.

“I told them after the game, you give us that same type of energy and that same type of passion and play as physical and as smart as you did in the second half, we’re gonna be fine” said Huntington’s Scott Keller. “We made some adjustments and they went out and they executed… in the past, these kids were so young, that game would’ve ended up 50 or 55 to 6 and that woulda been ballgame. But you can tell they’ve matured a lot. They’re growin’ up and starting to understand, starting to see it.”

Southeastern’s rushing attack cranked out 400-plus yards on the ground while the Huntsmen did their damage through the air. Marion completed 20-of-35 passes for 256 yards and three TDs with four interceptions. Woods caught 9 balls for 133 yards and a TD with Brown tallying 74 yards on 4 catches and two touchdowns. Smith had 5 receptions for 42 yards. Dalton Haubeil managed 107 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

Southeastern (1-1) hosts Piketon (0-2) in Week 3. The Redstreaks fell to Paint Valley 56-19 Friday.

Huntington (0-2) is home with Paint Valley (1-1) Friday.

Watch for a highlight package of the Panthers and Huntsmen this Tuesday on the Litter Media YouTube channel.

Sports

Panthers and Huntsmen Tango in Litter Media Game of the Week

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Southeastern travels to Huntington in the Litter Media Game of the Week Friday night.

Both teams went scoreless in their season openers last weekend, Southeastern was blanked by Westfall 20-0, while Huntington fell to Zane Trace 25-0.

Four Scioto Valley Conference football teams have new leadership heading into this summer. One of them, Garrett Blair, took over the reins of the defending SVC champion Panthers.

Blair is no stranger to the program. He’s a 2014 Southeastern alumnus and played for the Panthers and he’s very familiar with the winning tradition his senior class has been a part of.

“This senior class has lost only three regular season games in their career” said Blair… “until last Friday

Blair has kept the offensive scheme Southeastern has been using, double tight ends and misdirection. “It’s not the exact same. We’ve applied terminology to what they did… maybe change some formations, a little different in that aspect, but the offense is still primarily the same. We want to run the football, we’re gonna play Southeastern Football.” That means a steady diet of running back Mikey Nusser and Jarrett McWhorter who’s calling signals for the Panthers.

Mikey Nusser communicates with Jarrett McWhorter in a battle at Adena in 2019. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media

Scott Keller returned to his alma mater Huntington four seasons ago. He’s one of the many coaches happy to know SVC Player of the Year Lane Ruby graduated last spring.

“Just because Lane’s gone, which… Hallelujah. Thank goodness” Keller chuckled. “That was enough to deal with the past four seasons. They still have weapons. And the thing with them, they have experience. They’ve been in big games. Those kids… they’ve been there. They know what to expect. They know what that kind of pressure feels like.”

The value of experience isn’t lost on Keller, who returns a team that was made up mostly of freshmen and sophomores in 2019. The Huntsmen were toughened up while earning a lone victory last season. Keller says his team is still in the growing pain stages, but likes what he’s seen so far. The defense is ahead of the offense which is being led by Junior quarterback Nick Marion who saw his first live action last week.

Watch the Litter Media Facebook Page for score updates Friday night, photos and Litter Media Extras and a highlight package Tuesday on the Litter Media YouTube channel.  

Sports

Getting Ready For the OHSAA Football Season

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SEE THE UPDATED SCHEDULE OF FOOTBALL GAMES HERE

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With the high school football regular-season set to begin this week, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has provided details and reminders regarding team protocols, game management changes and the new playoff format. 

There were 709 member schools originally planning to play 11-man football in Ohio this fall, but approximately 60 schools have either paused or cancelled football due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 18, Governor Mike DeWine asked the OHSAA to create participation opportunity for those schools that don’t play sports this fall, but it is unlikely that additional tournaments would be held in the spring for fall sports.

“Our schools are so excited to get the season started and they are taking ownership of the new safety guidelines so they can have a season,” said Beau Rugg, OHSAA Senior Director of Sport Management and Officiating. “As we saw in the spring, sports can be shut down due to COVID-19 spread, so our schools, coaches and student-athletes want to do everything they can to play as many games this fall as possible. Teams must continue to follow the safety protocols that have been put in place, including wearing a facial covering, staying 6-feet apart and washing their hands.”

OHSAA COVID-19 GUIDANCE CENTER

All sports in Ohio – at all levels – are under the direction of the latest Ohio Department of Health order signed August 19 by Governor DeWine. Read the order & additional ODH/OHSAA guidance

The new ODH order permits contact sports, including the fall sports of field hockey, soccer and football, to move forward with gamesagainst other schools. The Governor confirmed support for Ohio’s coaches to inspire their student-athletes to continue following safety precautions so that all sports can be played. See the full release. 

SEASON SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

At the recommendation of the Governor’s Office, the OHSAA announced on August 7 that the season would end earlier than previously scheduled and that every team could enter the playoffs, which will begin October 9-10. The Harbin computer ratings will not be used this season. See the full release  

GAME MANAGEMENT CHANGES

•  Up to 60 players may dress for games.

•  The team box on the sideline has been extended from the 10-yard line to the opposite 10-yard line so that coaches and players can adhere to social distancing guidelines. 

•  All coaches, players, medical staff, game workers, media and spectators must wear a facial covering at all times, other than the 22 players on the field of play.

•  The OHSAA recommends that halftimes be shortened to 10 minutes (plus three minutes for warm-up) and that team members be kept socially distanced outside their locker room. The host school will determine the specific length of halftime.

•  Timeouts may be extended to two minutes in length

•  Officials will have limited contact with the ball. The players on the offensive team will handle the ball and take it with them to their huddle. The umpire will place an orange bean bag at the spot where the ball will be snapped.

•  Each player should have his/her own water bottle.

•  Players and coaches from the visiting team should not use a locker room, therefore they should arrive already fully or partially dressed in their game uniform.

•  Pregame handshakes (captains and officials) and postgame handshakes lines are not permitted. 

PLAYOFF FORMAT

•  Schools must inform the OHSAA of their intention to participate in the playoffs by September 17.

•  New playoff regions will be drawn on September 18. Divisional assignments will not change.

•  Schools may withdraw from the playoffs without penalty until September 24.

•  Playoff regional seeding will be determined by a vote of the coaches in each region during the week of September 28. Depending on the number of teams in each bracket, it is possible that the top seed(s) may have a first-round bye.

•  All playoff contests through the regional semifinals (and possibly the regional finals) will be hosted by the higher seeded team.

•  Playoff games will be held on Friday and Saturday nights beginning October 9-10. Divisions, I, II, III and VII will play on Friday nights. Divisions IV, V and VI will play on Saturday nights. 

•  The number of playoff rounds will be dependent upon the number of schools entering the playoffs in each division. It is expected that the state championship games will be held November 13-14 and/or November 20-21.

•  Schools eliminated from the OHSAA playoffs or that choose not to enter the OHSAA playoffs have the option to schedule additional regular season contests through Saturday, November 14 (maximum of 10 regular season contests permitted).

BROADCASTS

Spectrum News 1 will continue with its OHSAA Friday Night Lights Game of the Week live telecasts, which includes scholarship contributions to a male and female student-athlete from the host school (or two males if the school is all-male).

On August 4, the OHSAA announced that the host school now makes the decision on all requests for live video of regular-season games, including media. See the full release  

SPECTATORS

By order of the Ohio Department of Health, only 15 percent of the stadium’s permanent seating capacity may be admitted into the game. Players, coaches, officials, cheerleaders, band members, game workers and media do not count toward that 15 percent capacity.

INSPECTORS TO ATTEND GAMES

Governor DeWine has asked the OHSAA to assemble a large team of inspectors who will attend games to ensure that all safety protocols are being followed. The inspectors, which will be paid by the Governor’s Office, will work with the host site’s compliance officer and/or Athletic Director and utilize a checklist of items. The intent of the inspector program is to educate those at the game regarding proper safety protocols, but the OHSAA may enact penalties through Bylaw 11 if necessary.

2021 SCHEDULE NOTES

On May 22, the OHSAA announced that the 2021 season will start a week earlier and the playoffs will be expanded to include 12 teams from each region, and thus span six rounds. The top four seeds in each region will have a first-round bye. See the full release

     Practice Start Date: August 1 (additional details TBA)

     Scrimmage Dates: August 6-14

     Season Begins: Week of August 16

     Regular-Season Ends: Saturday, October 23

     First Round of Playoffs: October 29-30

     Regional Quarterfinals: November 5-6

     Regional Semifinals: November 12-13

     Regional Finals: November 19-20

     State Semifinals: November 26-27

     State Finals: December 2-4