It was an outstanding Week 1 of high school football for Tuscarawas County teams, as six of the nine schools in the county posted season-opening wins.
Those teams will be looking to continue that momentum heading into some intriguing Week 2 matchups.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s games. Kickoff is 7 p.m. unless noted:
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Friday’s games
Canton South at Dover
Last season: Canton South 50, Dover 40
Dover (1-0) will be riding a wave of momentum when it entertains Canton South (0-1) Friday evening at the Brick House. The Tornadoes are coming off a thrilling 28-24 win over Federal League member Green last Friday at Crater Stadium.
“We had a really nice game in the fourth quarter, we didn’t play very well in the third, but played well in the fourth,” Dover’s Hall of Fame head coach Dan Ifft said. “(The Bulldogs) were pretty big and strong, so we were fortunate to come out of there with the win.”
The Tornadoes had a number of outstanding efforts in their late come-from-behind win last week, led by junior quarterback Jack Judkins, who threw for 277 yards and a pair of scores.
Dover also played strong defense and got some crucial stops against a talented Green team.
“We made them (the Bulldogs) earn a lot of things,” Ifft said. “At times, they were chunking us, but we were able to keep them out of the end zone for the most part.”
On offense, the Tornadoes were successful in utilizing their outstanding speed against Green and will be looking to do the same against Canton South. The Wildcats, who reached the D-IV state semifinal last season, lost several outstanding players to graduation, including first-team All-Ohio quarterback Poochie Snyder who was named the Ohio co-D-IV Offensive Player of the Year.
Canton South went on the road in Week 1 and sustained a 43-7 drubbing at the hands of a very talented Cleveland Benedictine team last week.
“What people fail to realize is (the Wildcats) played a heck of an opponent in Week 1,” he said. “Some people did not — they did. They played a team that is probably talent-wise better than anybody they’re going to play all year, and they played them up there. That’s one way to get your kids to mature real fast.”
Ifft said his team better be ready for a four-quarter game on Friday.
“Every game is going to be a scratch and claw for us,” he said. “We’re very limited in depth, and we don’t have a lot of size. We do have some athletes, and we’ve got to get the ball to them, and then we can compete with people, but when you don’t get the ball to those kids and give them the opportunities to make plays, it’s going to be scratch and claw.”
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Steubenville at New Philadelphia
Last season: Steubenville 29, New Philadelphia 14
A large crowd is expected when New Philadelphia (1-0) entertains Steubenville (1-0) in its home opener Friday night at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium.
“It’s going to be a great turnout, the home opener at New Philly is always a big deal, and Steubenville travels great,” fourth-year New Philadelphia head coach Mike Johnson said. “It’s been a good battle between two teams for a lot of years, and to bring them to town, we'll see what we’re made of.”
The Quakers combined an outstanding defensive performance along with a two-score offensive effort by senior third-year starting quarterback Keaton Fausel (116 yards rushing) to gain a 12-7 season-opening win at Louisville last Friday.
The Quakers’ defense was stellar against the Leopards, holding Louisville to less than 100 yards of offense.
“We held them to three first downs and 93 total yards,” Johnson said. “Our kids did a wonderful job. The way we played defense was amazing, especially over there (at Louisville).
“(Defensive tackle) Boston Crowell played a great game,” he said. “He was incredible and disrupted a lot, and I thought our linebackers did a wonderful job. Brody Gilland played a nice game at outside linebacker, and I think Vincent Migoni was our leading tackler, and Caleb Crowthers did a wonderful job and Jackson Korns on the defensive line played great.”
Meanwhile, Steubenville survived an 18-16 challenge from a talented Cincinnati McNicholas team last weekend at Harding Stadium.
One of Big Red’s top offensive weapons against McNicholas was first-year starting quarterback Aiden Davis, who completed 18-of-22 passes for 225 yards.
“They do such a good job with different formations and motions and shifts,” Johnson said of Big Red’s offense under HOF head coach Reno Saccoccia. “This new quarterback, I didn’t realize it, but he threw for over 200 yards last week. They are so good at getting chunk plays, a chunk of yards here and then a bigger chunk. That’s what we really have to try to eliminate and force them to drive the ball — 2, 3 or 4 yards. You can’t give up those 30-yard gains, because those are really what allows those other teams to score.”
Friday marks the last time New Philadelphia and Steubenville are scheduled to meet, at least in the near future. The Quakers have picked up West Branch in Week 2 starting next season.
Waynedale at Garaway
Last season: Garaway 40, Waynedale 12
Garaway, which finished 14-1 and reached the D-VI state semifinals last season , picked right up where it left off by cruising to a 56-0 shutout win over an overmatched River View team in its season opener last week.
“Overall, against River View it was nice to be back out on the field and get the taste of last season’s Final 4 loss out of our mouths,” said Garaway head coach Jason Wallick. “We have a lot of things to work on and lots of room to grow. Hopefully, we will see growth in our performance from Week 1 to Week 2.”
As usual, Garaway’s defense was outstanding in shutting down the Black Bears’ offense, while offensively the Pirates rolled up 42 points by halftime. It provided a chance for Garaway to play some backups and improve its depth in the second half.
“We were fortunate to get a lot of guys some varsity experience and come out healthy,” Wallick said.
Meanwhile, Waynedale lost a 41-35 shootout with Tusky Valley in its season opener.
“We have to stop the run and be disciplined in the secondary to stop their play-action game,” Wallick said. “We will continue to rotate guys until we find the combinations that will allow us to be most successful for the long haul.”
Claymont at Smithville
Last season: Teams didn’t play
Claymont enters Week 2 with an 0-1 record after dropping a 28-13 decision to the Harrison Central Huskies in its season opener in Uhrichsville last weekend.
Smithville, a new opponent on the Mustangs' schedule, is 1-0 on the campaign as the Smithies blanked the Tuslaw Mustangs in their season-opening contest last Friday.
Claymont will be looking to tighten up its defense after giving up 350 yards against Harrison Central.
Indian Valley at Meadowbrook
Last season: Indian Valley 47, Meadowbrook 16
Indian Valley, which sports one of the top rushing attacks in the area, kicked off the season last Friday with a 51-8 romp over the Akron Ellet Orangemen at Braves Stadium.
In that game, Indian Valley’s star junior running back Grady Kinsey rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns, Jaxon Burcher added two scores, and sophomore quarterback Ryker Williams tossed a touchdown pass.
Meadowbrook is 0-1 after being routed 43-12 by the Tri-Valley Scotties last Friday evening.
Steubenville Catholic Central at Strasburg
Last season: Steubenville Catholic Central 30, Strasburg 0
The Tigers enter the game with an 0-1 record after dropping a 35-22 home setback to the Rittman Indians last week. Strasburg had a solid effort on the ground, rushing for 200 yards in that contest. The Tigers trailed 29-22 at intermission but were blanked in the second half.
Meanwhile, Steubenville Catholic Central, which was 9-2 last season, posted a 20-6 win over visiting Wellsville last Saturday night at Harding Stadium in its 2024 season opener.
Beallsville at Newcomerstown
Last season: Newcomerstown 27, Beallsville 0
Newcomerstown, who return a veteran team this season, were impressive in their season opener as they made the long trip to Berne Union and smashed the Rockets, 42-7. The Trojans’ defense held the Rockets to under 100 yards offense in that contest, while Newcomerstown’s offense piled up 360 yards, including 225 on the ground.
Meanwhile, Beallsville had a difficult time getting its offense going in its opener as the Blue Devils were blanked 42-0 in a home defeat to Bishop Rosecrans.
Tusky Valley at Fairless
Last season: Tusky Valley 45, Fairless 14
Tusky Valley got off to a great start and provided Jeremy Taylor with his first head coaching win when the Trojans posted a 41-35 home win over the Waynedale Golden Bears last Friday. The Trojans racked up 370 yards of offense, including 225 through the air.
Meanwhile, Fairless opened the campaign with a 21-14 win over Sandy Valley last Thursday evening on the road.
Sandy Valley at Manchester
Last season: Sandy Valley 49, Manchester 13
The Cardinals (0-1) dropped a tough 21-14 decision to an improved Fairless Falcons team last Thursday. Returning All-Ohio wideout Lukas Gilland had 83 yards receiving and a touchdown for the Cardinals against Fairless and quarterback Drew Graybill threw for 253 yards and an aerial score.
Meanwhile, Manchester opened its season with a 41-0 thrashing of the Coventry Comets last week.
Triway at Carrollton
Last season: Teams didn’t play
Carrollton carries a 1-0 record into Friday night’s home game. The Warriors went on the road and posted an impressive 20-13 win over East Liverpool last Friday evening at Patterson Field. In particular, the Warriors’ defense was air-tight, holding the Potters scoreless in the second half. The Warriors snuffed out one East Liverpool drive in the first half with an interception in the Carrollton end zone.
Offensively, the Warriors were led by running back Levi Kiko who rushed for 112 yards.
Triway opened its season with an impressive 17-7 win over the West Holmes Knights.
River View at Ridgewood
Last season: Ridgewood 57, River View 6
Ridgewood, which is looking at a big season, especially after dropping from Division V to Division VI, was strong on both sides of the football, rolling to a 42-2 win over rival Coshocton in its season opener last Friday. River View struggled in a 56-0 shutout loss to Garaway.
Malvern at Conotton Valley
Last season: Malvern 28, Conotton Valley 0
Malvern, which features one of the top air games in the area, opened its season with a 36-16 triumph over a very strong Youngstown Valley Christian team last weekend. The Hornets are led by returning All-Ohio quarterback Jared Witherow.
Conotton Valley opened its season with a victory as the Rockets defeated the Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saints 39-6 in a road game last Saturday.
Coshocton at Johnstown
Last season: Johnstown, 50, Coshocton 36
Coshocton, which is 0-1, will be looking to get its offense going after sustaining a 42-2 loss to Ridgewood in its season opener. Meanwhile, Johnstown checks into Week 2 with a 1-0 record after blanking the Zanesville Blue Devils 38-0 on the road last week.
West Holmes at Orrville
Last season: West Holmes 35, Orrville 31
Old Wayne County rivals West Holmes and Orrville will clash in their annual rivalry game on the Red Riders’ home turf. West Holmes, which was 10-3 a year ago, suffered a 17-7 setback to the Triway Titans in Week 1 and will be looking to get its perennially explosive offense going this week.
Meanwhile, talented Orrville enters Week 2 with a 1-0 record after rolling past arch-rival Wooster 41-18 on the road in Week 1.
Saturday’s game
Tuscarawas Central Catholic at Lancaster Fisher Catholic
Last season: Fisher Catholic 35, Tuscarawas Central Catholic 6
Tuscarawas Central Catholic will make the long journey to Lancaster Saturday to face the Fisher Catholic Irish in an independent battle at 7 p.m. The Saints, who are rebuilding the program, had trouble scoring points last season but did score a touchdown in a 39-6 season-opening loss to Conotton Valley last week.
Fisher Catholic is 0-1 on the season after the Irish dropped a 36-0 season-opening decision to the Crooksville Ceramics.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Week 2 preview: Dover, New Phila bring wave of momentum into Friday home games
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