LANCASTER – It was a rough first week of the high school football season for area teams, as only two teams – Lancaster and Bloom-Carroll – picked up opening night wins.
The Golden Gales and Bulldogs looked impressive as they both came away with blowout wins, while seven other area teams struggled. They all will get a chance to redeem themselves and will look to get on track Friday and Saturday night.
Here is a closer look at last week and ahead of Week 2.
More: High School Football Preview: A Closer Look at the Lancaster Golden Gales
More: In total command: Chillicothe has no answer for Bloom-Carroll's big plays
Gales keep them guessing
Long known for running the ball out of its Wing-T offense, Lancaster changed things up a bit in its opener against Akron North, thanks to a balanced attack.
The Gales finished with 316 total yards as they raced out to a big lead, and in the process, passed for 165 yards and rushed for 151. After jumping out to a 13-0 first-quarter lead, Lancaster piled up 25 points in the second quarter to take a 38-0 halftime lead and coasted in the second half.
Junior quarterback Brody Burke, who started every game last season as a sophomore, was efficient as he completed 8 of 10 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns, a 56-yarder to Kaleb Santini and connected with Andrew Whitlach on a 25-yard scoring strike.
Caiel Woody led Lancaster’s rushing attack by scoring three touchdowns on 16, 1, and 1 yards and finished with 68 yards on 14 carries out of his fullback position. Isaiah Sweatte added a 12-yard touchdown run.
Lancaster’s defense was outstanding, as well. The Gales limited the Vikings to only 39 yards rushing on 23 carries and forced three turnovers, two fumbles, and an interception by Landon Knoch.
Knights score 48, but it wasn’t enough
Usually, when you score 48 points you expect to win, but for Fairfield Christian Academy, that was not the case in their opening-season loss at Portsmouth Notre Dame.
FCA fell behind but continued to fight throughout the game, which saw both teams run a combined 121 offensive plays – 62 by the Titans and 61 by the Knights, who finished with 348 total yards.
Parker Couch had an outstanding game at quarterback as he completed 14 of 26 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was T.J. Blair, who caught all three scoring tosses from 46, 16 and 15 yards. Blair finished with five catches for 88 yards. Couch also rushed for 76 yards on 15 carries and scored on a 12-yard run.
Senior running back Danny Blair rushed for 121 yards on 17 carries and scored the Knights’ first touchdown on a 56-yard run, and then with FCA trailing 20-7, Blair returned a kickoff 49 yards for a score. He also caught three passes for 30 yards.
Bulldogs have playmakers all over the field
In the past few years, Bloom-Carroll’s offense has been pound and ground behind a huge offensive line and a solid core of running backs, but this season, the Bulldogs are airing it out.
Senior quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong, who started his 30 th career game during last week’s 38-0 win over Chillicothe, looked sharp against the Cavaliers. His experience showed as he was able to survey the field, and when things broke down, he was able to extend the play with his feet until found an open receiver.
Thanthanavong completed 12 of 17 passes for 217 yards and threw three touchdown passes of 48 yards to Evan Cardenas, 76 yards to Rusty Hutchinson, and 23 yards to Kelton Kirkpatrick. All three passes were on the money as each receiver never broke stride.
The Bulldogs’ special teams were outstanding, as well. Senior Beau Sherman returned two punts in the second quarter for touchdowns. The first one was for 44 yards and the second one was a 76-yard return. He showed his elusiveness as he weaved his way in and out and then outran the defense.
Senior kicker Treyton McKee also proved to be a weapon as he opened the scoring with a 38-yard field goal, and he had five touchbacks on six kickoffs.
This week’s games
Friday
Wayne Valley (NJ) (0-0) at Lancaster (1-0)
Teays Valley (0-0) at Bloom-Carroll (1-0)
Meigs (1-0) at Fairfield Union (1-0)
Unioto (1-0) at Amanda-Clearcreek (0-1)
North Union (0-1) at Liberty Union (0-1)
Trimble (0-1) at Berne Union (1-0)
Fairfield Christian Academy (0-1) at Oak Hill (0-1)
Vanlue (0-1) at Millersport (0-1)
Saturday
Tuscarawas Central Catholic (0-1) at Fisher Catholic (0-1)
Last week’s results
Lancaster 38, Akron North 8
Bloom-Carroll 38, Chillicothe 0
New Lexington 49, Fairfield Union 7
Portsmouth Notre Dame 60, Fairfield Christian Academy 48
Crooksville 36, Fisher Catholic 0
Linden-McKinley 21, Amanda-Clearcreek 18
Newcomerstown 42, Berne Union 7
New London 34, Millersport 20
Heath 50, Liberty Union 7
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Football Notebook: Lancaster and Bloom-Carroll answer the bell on opening night
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