H.S. Football Notebook: Big-time matchup between Bloom-Carroll-Logan Elm headlines Week 7

LANCASTER — As we head into Week 7 of the high school football season, each game takes on a new meaning as teams fight to get into the postseason.

There is none bigger than the one that will occur Friday at Bloom-Carroll’s Carl Fell Stadium when the Bulldogs host Logan Elm in a Mid-State League-Buckeye Division showdown. Both teams are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the league.

The Bulldogs are the only area team with a winning record. Amanda-Clearcreek is 3-3 and the Aces, like several other teams, control their destiny when it comes to making the playoffs. With 16 teams qualifying for the playoffs, these last four regular season games matter more than ever.

Bloom-Carroll is ranked No. 7 and the Aces are ranked No. 8.

Seven of the area teams have two wins, and of those seven, if the playoffs would start today, five would qualify for the 16-team playoffs.

In their respective regions, Lancaster is 15 ^th , Fairfield Union is 12 ^th , Fisher Catholic is 16 ^th , Fairfield Union is 12 ^th , and Fisher Catholic is 16 ^th .

Here is a closer look at last week and a look ahead to Week 7.

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Clash of the Titans

The Bulldogs and the Braves have been on a collision course since the first week of the season and are the cream of the crop regarding the best two teams in the league.

A year ago, Bloom-Carroll, Logan Elm and Hamilton Township tied for the league title, and with Teays Valley leaving the league to join the Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division, there are only six league games, so the winner of this game will have a one-game lead with only two MSL games remaining.

Bloom-Carroll has done most of its damage through the air, led by senior quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong, who has passed for more than 1,200 yards this season. The Braves have done most of their damage on the ground, led by running back Michael Block, who rushed for 282 yards and six touchdowns on 38 carries in a 41-21 win over Liberty Union last week.

Both teams have high-powered offenses. The Bulldogs have scored 219 points and are averaging 35.3 points per game, and since their Week 2 loss against Teays Valley, they have outscored their opponents 171-37.

Logan Elm has scored 212 points and is averaging 35.2 points per game. The Bulldogs have limited their six opponents to 65 total points, including two shutouts, while the Braves have given up 148 points through six games.

As always, in big games, limiting turnovers will be key. In Bloom-Carroll’s lone loss, the Vikings returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns, which proved to be too much to overcome in a 28-10 loss.

This Week’s Games

Friday

Lancaster (2-4) at Logan (1-5)

Logan Elm (5-1) at Bloom-Carroll (5-1)

Amanda-Clearcreek (3-3) at Lucas (3-3)

Fairfield Union (2-4) at Liberty Union (2-4)

Berne Union (2-4) at Martins Ferry (5-1)

Miller (4-2) Fisher Catholic (2-4)

Zanesville Rosecrans (3-3) at Fairfield Christian Academy (2-4)

Grove City Christian (5-1) at Millersport (2-4)

Last Week’s Results

Pickerington Central 42, Lancaster 7; Bloom-Carroll 35, Fairfield Union 0; Berne Union 48, Millersport 0; Zanesville Rosecrans 35, Fisher Catholic 18; Martins Ferry 48, Fairfield Christian Academy 0; Hamilton Township 25, Amanda-Clearcreeek 24 ; Logan Elm 41, Liberty Union 21.

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: Big-time matchup between Bloom-Carroll-Logan Elm headlines Week 7