October 25, 2024 • 92 mins
Another recap of the week with Coaches Matt Burgbocker, and Maruice Holden as well as another aditon for the Ladies With Khelie Braxton with the High school Blitz coming up with Todd Walker.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the press box with Marty Banister, the latest
on all local sports from Wright State to the Dayton Flyers,
from the Reds and Buckeyes to the Bengals and Browns.
Called Marty now at nine three seven by three, one six,
one seven zero the press Box on Fox Sports nine
(00:20):
eighty WNE.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Not our best football in the area.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
We've been obviously a great, great, great test ahead of us,
but we're excited to move forward.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
That is Nebraska head coach Matt Rule his Cournhuskers will
be in Columbus tomorrow to face the Ohio State buck Eyes.
Welcome to the press box, Fox Sports nine eighty w
any have Marty banners? We're so good ahead with us
here on this football Friday. It's also a baseball Friday.
Hard to believe. Yeah, the World Series starts tonight or
not so that anyone would notice, it's been a week
(00:53):
since a baseball game. Yankees and Dodgers get the World
Series underway. You gonna be with you here today. We
have a lot to get into on the program, as
we always do on Friday. Sea Bass for Kelly b
She will be along with her for the ladies segment
a little bit later on, as you heard the top
of the hour, the Cincinnati Bengals getting a word out
that T. Higgins is now questionable for the game on
Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles due to a quad injury.
(01:15):
Showed up on the injury report list today. Now that
is questionable, doubtful until it says out then that's when
you really look at it. Questionable just simply is in
the uncertain if the player will play. It's what that
means game status wise, limited in practice today with that
quad injuries will probably giving you a chance just to
(01:38):
rest and get better. Everybody else, Orlando Brown Junior is
good to go, Gino Stone is good to go. They
both left the Browns game on Sunday with injuries. So
we'll keep an update we get anything more on that
before we go off the air today. We will certainly
let you know about that because that would change a
lot of Cincinnati's offense because obviously, with Higgins healthy, he
(01:58):
and Jamar Chase are just so dynamic at that White
House spot. And that's the one thing too that's funny.
You go back and look T Higgins, I mean obviously
wants money, he wants to be paid. He's certainly one
of the best wide receivers in national football. Guy just
can't stay healthy. And if it's not one thing, it
seemingly it's another with Higgins, and I wonder if that
I don't think that will scare teams away from him.
But same time, it's kind of an interesting aspect of
(02:21):
it when you think about t Higgins so at any
rate listed as questionable right now. For the game with
the Eagles on Sunday, Cincinnati with a win, goes to
four and four. Browns have the Baltimore Ravens in on Sunday.
Jamis Winston gets the start at quarterback for the Browns.
The other big change for Cleveland going into that game,
(02:41):
Kevin Stefanski has given up play calling duties, will hand
those over to Ken Dorsey, So we'll see if that
makes any difference at all. The only thing that's interesting
about the Ravens going into that game to me is
coming off of a short week, they go to Tampa
and there was a lot of build up to that
game because Tampa's having a very good season, and the
just basically thumped them. I mean, it ended up being
(03:03):
a ten point game, but I mean you never really
felt the Ravens were any kind of trouble in that
game when they pulled ahead, and with the Browns being
the mess that they are, well, who knows what you're
going to get on Sunday. But it is still a
game that where the Ravens should come away with a
victory on Sunday. So that both those games kicked by
the way at one o'clock on Sunday, Bengals and the Eagles,
(03:25):
Ravens and the Browns. So that is a Sunday Ohio
State Nebraska that's tomorrow. It's a noontime kick over in
Columbus for that one. The Buckeyes after a bye week,
get back into action and as you heard, we talked
about this great deal yesterday about Ryan Day's comments, I'm
(03:45):
not happy about anything right now. Well, I think they're
going to be okay tomorrow. Nebraska just got flattened by
Indiana last Saturday, and the corn Huskers are well and
again I can't it's hard to kind of get a
handle on just how good Indiana really is. But nonetheless,
(04:07):
to lose fifty six to seven in Bloomington and then
have to get ready to play State, sorry about your luck, Matt,
but that'll be tomorrow in Columbus. We have Miami football
for you Tomorrow. The RedHawks have Eastern Michigan tomorrow Central Michigan.
I'm sorry tomorrow and we'll have that one for you
with the voice of the Redhawk Steve Baker, he and
Terry Bridge. I have all the action for you. Udi
(04:28):
Flyers have an exhibition game tomorrow night. They'll take on
the Ashland Eagles at the UD Arena. That one will
tip at six o'clock tomorrow night. And yes, it's an
exhibition game, but I will tell you this about John
ellen Wood's Ashland team in his program, that's a very
very good program. They have an Ohio State transfer, Javid Etzler,
who will be a part of their starting lineup tomorrow night.
(04:49):
A year and a year out. Ellen Wood brings in great,
great talent, and that'll be a good test with the
Flyers tomorrow night. Again an exhibition game, the Ashland's Division
two school, but ellen Wood as a great program at Ashland,
and that one I think will be kind of interesting
to see tomorrow what the Flyers do with Ashton after
taking that thumping last Sunday night from Xavier in their
first exhibition game. Regular season starts a week from Monday
(05:12):
in college basketball on Monday night, November four, And I
know we're still a week, but have you thought for
a moment and kind of looked ahead to that week yet?
That Monday night in November fourth, that's election Eve. Then
on Tuesday night, of course the election, there are college
football games all across the board that night, hopefully to
take our mind off of all the chaos we're going
(05:33):
to see on Tuesday night. But it's just such a
I don't know if calm before the storm is the
phrase to use, but there's just such a different feel
going to that week because after Tuesday there will be
college football games on that Wednesday night. Heck, I'll be
calling one that Wednesday night. Ohio will be at Kent
(05:54):
State that night. And it's just such an odd feeling,
maybe the only one that feels that. I don't know,
but it's just such an odd feeling thinking about what
could possibly happen. You hope what could possibly happen doesn't happen.
So many different ways to look at it, but it's
just gonna be a weird, weird three days. And so
(06:16):
we'll see how that kind of plays itself. Out a
week from Monday, as the clock works down towards that big,
big night of high school football. It's week number ten
all across the area, huge huge games. I think we've
done a pretty good job this week of previewing them
for you. Coming up on the program today, we'll hear
from the head coaches of the game they's getting the
most attention in our area. It's the Miami Valley League
(06:39):
Championship de facto championship game, if you will, between Xenia
and Tip, taking place at Xenia tonight. We will hear
from both head coaches. We had them both on with
us early in the week. We're gonna let you hear
from them again as they get their teams ready for
tonight's matchups. Tonight's matchup should be a lot of fun tonight,
of course. A little further to the north is the
Merriam Local Cold Water Game. It looks like the weather's
(06:59):
gonna hold up. Earlier today, rain moved through the Eric
kind of may not be the best night in the
world for high school football, but there is still a
slight chance of some rain throughout the area. But I
think for the most part, we're gonna be okay, and
I think it's gonna be a lot of fun tonight
for all these great, great high school football games all
across the region and all across the state. Week number
(07:20):
ten playoffs start next week. Yeah, to the playoffs next week.
We will have our iHeart Football Radio blitz for you
coming up next hour at about four fifteen or so
as we get you ready for all the games across
the state of Ohio and look ahead to all the big,
big action around the state as well too. So that's
pretty much what is going on in the world of sports. Again.
T Higgins listed is questionable for Sunday for the Bengals
(07:43):
and the Eagles. We'll get an official word on that.
I'm sure closing in on game time wouldn't surprise me though.
If he does go a question of quiet injury again,
give it a couple of days to rest, and I
think it's just being cautious, are the folks with the Bengals.
So that's kind of the biggest news coming out of
that part of things, all right, three on nine in
the time, we're gonna step aside for a time out.
When we come back, we're gonna dive headfirst into Week
(08:05):
number ten. Of the high school football season. We'll hear
from Xenia head coach Maurice Holden. Still to come, Tip
head coach Matt Burkbaker. We have all that coming up
for you three on nine A time in the press
box with you here on this football Friday, Fox Sports
nine eighty w.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
E get on the press box called Marty now at
nine to three, seven by three, one, six, one seven
zero the press box on Fox Sports nine eighty WN eighty.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Welcome back to the press box Fox Sports nine eighty
W one. It's a big week of high school football,
week number ten, which is hard to believe in his
own right, and we head towards the big game in
our area, certainly Friday night takes place at Xenia, where
unbeaten Xenia and Tip gather for the really the championship
of the Miami Valley League. Both are a top of
their respective divisions. Both are unbeaten visiting with us right
(08:56):
now as Xenia head coach Maurice holding coach. First of all,
I appreciate your time time. What has this week been
like for you and your coaching staff and your players
getting ready to play a game of this magnitude.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Well, I think we have just tried to do the
best job we can of just trying to make it.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
A normal week.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
We're obviously excited, we obviously know what's at stake. We
obviously understand what opportunity we have to play in front of.
Speaker 6 (09:22):
Our home crowd at Senior night.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
You know, you've got two unbeaten teams, two really good
football teams going head to head. We're super excited about
the the opportunity, but we are trying to just prepare
for like a normal week.
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Is it possible to make it too big?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (09:39):
I do, Uh, I definitely think so, because you know,
you know, we we still got some some weeks that
we want to play. We're not we're not playing just
for Week ten. We're we're trying to finish our season,
you know, and can like everybody else is. So we
you know, we want to just try to keep it
in perspective. You know, Uh, Tips are really good Foo
(10:00):
ball team and coach Burbaker got a lot of love
and respect for that guy.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Does a really good job.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
Over there with his kids and his program. So we
just are trying our best to just stay as focused
as we can.
Speaker 6 (10:13):
Uh As we.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Move forward, I think that's a great point about you know,
there's you want to you want to keep playing obviously,
and you will be playing after this week with the
playoffs coming around, but you want to go, you want
to make that type of run. Does but does this
still almost kind of feel like a playoff game?
Speaker 7 (10:29):
Almost?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Definitely, most definitely, especially with the with the with the talent,
and with the talent, and and with the you know,
the hype and what comes with the game. I definitely
think that it's going to feel like a playoff atmosphere.
Like I said, this place is gonna be rocking on Friday,
So I definitely would say so for sure.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Obviously there's a lot of attention focused on your offense,
and rightfully so with the numbers of Dante White has
put up this season. But I want to start out
our conversation about that side of the ball with your coach,
about your core. I mean, he's been a four year starter,
if I'm correct, that that is such an advantage to have,
especially isn't it in playing a game like this on
a Friday night?
Speaker 5 (11:09):
Absolutely, because no moment is too big for him. He's
he's been at all of them. You know, I made
that decision as when he was a fourteen year old
to kind of lead our program. And he's done everything
exceptional from start to finish, coming to every meeting that
we meet on Sundays, coming to game plan meetings, putting
(11:31):
time in after practice, learning our scheme and having a
great understanding of what we do and how we do
it just makes him so much better and gives me
the confidence and like I said, he's going to make
the right decisions and he's going to do the things
that are needed.
Speaker 7 (11:46):
For us to be successful.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
Gavin mcmattus is throwing fifteen touchdown passes this year in
just one interception. Obviously, the next question centers on his
decision making. The numbers say it's very good coach, but
that is a strength of his is.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Absolutely Our offense is very quarterback driven, so for him
to be able to go out there and make decisions
and kind of kind of be like a coach on
the field essentially with the things that we do offensively,
with our run, pass options and things of that nature.
A lot of that stuff is post snap, meaning like
(12:23):
it happens after the snap happens. Stuff's not predetermined. He
has to make choices to where to put the ball,
when to give it, when to throw it, where to
throw it to, you know, and that's a lot of
responsibility for somebody. So the fact that he's been able
to do that do it at a high level. I
think it's completion percentage. It's like seventy eight percent right now,
close to eighty percent. So when you have that kind
(12:45):
of completion percentage, you're limiting the amount of turnovers that
you have. That always gives you a great opportunity and
a great chance to win.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Spending some time with Zenia had football coach Mauric's holding
here in the press box. Big game on Friday night
is Xenia and Tip for the Miami Valley League championship.
There they're both unbeaten and both a toop their respective
divisions in the MVL. Coach, going into the season, you
knew you had a lot of talent coming back. I
always like to ask coaches this thought when you get
to this point of a season. But was there one
(13:14):
game during the season where you went, you know what,
we're pretty darn good.
Speaker 6 (13:19):
I think the game that.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
Gave me that thought process and then where I was
super proud of my team's resilience and ability to fight
through adversity. Was Butler. The Butler was Week five. Butler
last year beat US twenty eight to twenty one. We
were winning that game twenty one to twenty seven, and
(13:42):
we end up, like I said, dropping that game, and
we weren't able to kind of finish right that game.
That's kind of where this year's mantra came from. Is
you know last year's seasons, seven out of the eleven games,
we were leading at halftime and we just didn't finish.
So that was our whole thought process as we came
(14:03):
into this season, was finished the fight, which is our mantra.
We got to finish fighting for four quarters. You may
be up at halftime, but you still got to play,
You still got to execute, You still have to do
things at a high level until the clock isystem triple zero.
So that's just been our mantra as we've moved forward,
and Butler was the game that I really saw us
(14:24):
have to fight and scratch and claw to get to
where we want to be.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
You know, we were losing that game at halftime.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
You know it was ten to four, it was ten
to fourteen going in a half. They end up coming
down the field kicking a field goal, making the game
seventeen to ten. We get the ball back, we drive
down the field, we tie it up, we get a stop,
we score again.
Speaker 6 (14:48):
We fumbled the pat.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
And then he ends up running in for a touchdown
to make it twenty five seventeen. Two really really big stops.
So on defense, work downsack to win the game.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
You know that.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Just let me know that the kids that we had
were resilient. The kids that we had, you know, like
I said, we're going to buy into our mantra and
buy into what we wanted to do, and that that's
all you want as a coach. You want the kids
to believe in the vision, support what you what you're
preaching and teaching every day, and if they can carry
that out, then you're in great shape. So I would
(15:24):
say that that's the game that that I really felt
like this is a special group of young men that
that want to be successful and want to finish every game.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Coach of that mindset help you in the chory game
as well to a game he won by three points.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Oh absolutely, when you can When you can do that, uh,
and you know it's eight forty one on the clock
and you hold the ball for eight minutes forty one seconds, uh,
to finish, to finish the game. That's that's that's definitely
finished in the fight. That's definitely find a way to
(15:57):
grind it out, find a way.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
To put us through.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
And and and be successful through some adverse situations.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
All right, let's talk obviously now we have to talk
about about your running back of it almost sixteen hundred
yards for Dante White. What does it make him so special? Coach?
Speaker 8 (16:14):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (16:15):
He plays and he brings the style of football that
we want to that we want to play. That's how
he runs physical like we will. We want to play
a physical brand of football on the defensive line and
the offensive line because we are firm believer that's how
you win football games as being in the trenches. And
he brings that element of what we want being physical.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
He wears on you.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
You know, that's why he gets and the carries that
he gets.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
You know, you're talking thirty eight carries, twenty carries, twenty
five carries.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
Uh, and and and that weighs on a defense.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
So shouts out to him, shouts out to that offensive line.
You know, we got a you know, a couple of
older older guys you know junior Tommy ersam are our
captain and leader, Gunner Stephan who's our center, senior A. J. Anderson,
our other, our other tackle, Kaden robers Won. We had
a freshman playing sometimes to Max Green.
Speaker 6 (17:12):
CJ. Johnson's the other.
Speaker 7 (17:13):
Guard who's a junior.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
So you had a veteran group, uh, and a group
that takes a lot of pride and being physical.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And I think that they they all buy into that.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
And you have that along with number twenty four who's
running that rock and you know, taking that approach that
he wants to come downhill on things. You know that
that helps, That helps with the situation.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I would imagine to coach he does what all good
running backs do and say and will say, Uh, that's
where the props go for him, isn't it that offensive line?
Speaker 6 (17:42):
Absolutely? Absolutely, Yeah. Every every time he's.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Had a big game and uh he's been able to
have success, you know, he always goes back to saying,
you know, it's it's it's the offensive.
Speaker 6 (17:53):
Line, and and and and.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Like I said, we take a lot of pride and
running God's favorite play, which is power. That's who we are,
our identity, that's what.
Speaker 6 (18:01):
We believe in and that's just what we hang our
hat on.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
It's being physical and being able to dominate to a
lot of scrimmagey.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Is that the same mindset your defense as coach?
Speaker 6 (18:12):
Absolutely, being physical and being sound?
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (18:17):
You know, Coach Snyder is our defensive coordinator.
Speaker 6 (18:19):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
And he has a quote that he that he's coined
himself that he always tells people to snap it again.
Speaker 6 (18:25):
I think people snap it again, and.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
That just goes back to make it make being disciplined,
allowing them to do the things that they need to do.
Speaker 7 (18:35):
No.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
I just I think it's just making them snap it again.
Being physical upfront and being sound. Those are his two things.
He always says, if we can make them snap it again,
people will easily make mistakes, and if we stay sound
in our technique and discipline will be in good shape.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Coach, I'll ask you about tip here in a moment
or so, but I want to get your thoughts on
a week like this. You've been down this road before. Obviously,
we're a week ten game means alive with the playoffs
on the on the line, and so many other aspects
of a game like this. But how much fun is
a week like this for a football coach, for a
program like Xenia, for the success you've had in the past,
that this is a special week, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (19:13):
Oh yeah, most definitely. I think you, uh, you got
to kind of embrace the moment a little bit. You know,
like you're obviously there's some nerves and you know, you're
you're you're trying to make sure you know things are ready,
but you also have to enjoy the process, enjoy.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
Everything that's going on, you know. And like I said,
this this isn't says it.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
My first rodeo.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
As far as being able to be in this position,
I've been fortunate enough and blessed enough to have this
opportunity before.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
I remember I was uber nervous and you.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Know, thinking about this, thinking about that and trying to
keep myself together.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
Uh. And I really didn't enjoy just a moment in
the process.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
So I think moving into it now, I'm just happy to.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
To be out here. I'm happy to be able to
have this opportunity.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
And I'm happy for.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Our boys and our community to uh to share this
moment and it should be a really great night.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
All right, Let's get your thoughts on the team you'll
face on Friday. Just like you, they roll in unbeaten.
I think a lot of similarities in the mindset and
the things that you do. What impresses you about this
Tip team you'll see on Friday.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
They don't make mistakes. They don't make mistakes. That's a
good football team.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
You know, they got to talk more quarterbacks who's tossing
it all over the yard. And they got a receiver
number six who's very dynamics on a perimeter. Defensively, they're
extremely sound and what they do, their kids play extremely hard.
They do all the little things the right way. So
(20:50):
you add all that together, man, you give yourself a
recipe for success.
Speaker 7 (20:53):
That's why they've been so good.
Speaker 9 (20:55):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (20:55):
It's because of that.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Is being able to have guys offense they can make
big plays, and then guys defensively they just play hard. Uh,
you know, read their keys, saying their gaps, uh, and
play extremely hard.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
So it should be a fun one on Friday night
at Xenia. Xenia plays host to Tip, the Miami Valley
League championship up for grabs. Coach Hold, I certainly appreciate
your time. Thank you for giving me some time to
talk about your team and talk about your program. Should
be a fun one on Friday. Best of luck and
hopefully we'll get a chance to talk again here soon.
Speaker 7 (21:27):
Yes, sir, appreciation coach holding with.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
The Xenia Buccaneers. They have the Tip dread Devils on
Friday night in a Miami Valley League showdown for the lead.
Stay with us more than the press box still to
come on Fox Sports nine eighty w willan.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Get on the press box called Marty now at nine
to three seven buy three one six one seven zero
the press box on Fox Sports nine eighty w on.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Welcome back to the press box here on Fox Sports
nine eighty w O n E. We are closing in
on a big Friday of high school football week number
ten of the high school football season. Hard to believe
in the big game in our area coming up on
Friday night takes place in the Miami Valley League where
Xenia and Tip get together with the championship in the
Miami Valley League on the line and with us right
(22:14):
now as the head coach a Tip Matt burg Baker.
His team has run the table to this juncture of
the season and they get said to take on equally
unbeaten Xenia coach. I'll talk to you about Xenia and
all that surrounds this game coming up on Friday, first
of all, but I appreciate your time. What has this
season been like to reach week number ten unbeaten? What
has been like for you for your program?
Speaker 7 (22:33):
I'll tell you it's huge for our program. I mean,
we graduated twenty two seniors the last two years, so
we've had a lot of turnover here. But I think
what we have seen is the culture of our program
where each senior class they don't want to be the
one that lets it down. They want to keep this
moving in the right direction. We started the season with
(22:54):
so many question marks. We started new eleven new guys. Defensively,
we had to replay our quarterback. We had to replace
three offensive linemen, we had to find a new running back,
we had to find some new receivers. And these kids
have answered every question that we've had and they have
done an outstanding job. And the best thing about it
right now, we're playing our best football right now. So
(23:15):
we're going into Week ten. We're a little banged up,
but what team isn't banged up come Week ten? But
you know what, We've had some injuries throughout the year,
and it's next man up philosophy, and that's what these
guys came in with. Again. We had a ton of
questions at the beginning of the year, but all those
questions have been answered, and our kids are They're exciting
to watch, they're fun to watch. We play hard. Teams
(23:37):
are going to be a lot bigger than we are
when we step out on the fields. That's irrelevant, that's indifferent.
The one thing you do notice about us is our
kids play hard and they leave it all out on
the field. When you do that, you got a chance.
And we've had our chances.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
Absolutely. Coach, you mentioned a moment ago the culture, and
I think sometimes people look at that and they say, well,
that's coach speak, but it's not, isn't. I mean, there's
a lot to that, and you just said it. When
you lose a type of seniors that you lost them
last year, here you are the year after that, Week
ten playing for an unbeaten regular season, that league championship.
That does mean a lot, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
It does?
Speaker 7 (24:10):
And I know you're right it is coach speak, but
our kids live it. It's what you do. And how
you do it. That's our culture, and our kids understand
what it takes to be successful here. Again, we're not
the biggest team on the field on Friday nights, but
we will be the hardest playing team. How do you
do that. It's that preparation from Saturday to Thursday that's
(24:32):
going to give you that opportunity, and it's the off
season workouts. It's just how we do things. Our kids
are completely bought into what we do and when you
got everybody on the same page, you've got a really
good chance of being successful. But then again, too, your
culture has got to be led by the seniors. And
again these seniors this year, as sophomores, we were in
(24:55):
the state semi finals. As juniors we're in the state
regional semi They've they've seen success. They know what it
takes and what it took to get to those points.
But then again, now you know where we're at. The
regional semi finals isn't good enough around here anymore. They
want they want to be practicing on Thanksgiving, they want
(25:17):
to be practicing the week after, and we know what
that would be. But again, those are our goals. But
these guys have done a great job of what do
you have to do today to get to those goals?
And three are you disciplined to do those things to
get to our goals? And those guys have been able
to answer two and three with a yes, and we
(25:39):
can do this.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
And it's not like it puts any extra pressure on
a head coach.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Does it.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
Expectations around the program? It makes.
Speaker 7 (25:50):
It absolutely does. And it's great when you're in the
locker room and our our varsity teams in the same
locker room as a freshman. And it's great when you
hear of our the kid come up when a freshman
does something and they say, hey, we don't do that here.
That's not how we do it. Man, that's music to
my ears because they get it. And you know, they're
(26:12):
not ridiculing the freshmen. They're not you know, pointing them out.
They're just letting them know, hey, this isn't how we
do it here. These guys that are seniors now we're
in the same boat. When they were freshmen and sophomores,
you know, they did some of those things that you're
just not supposed to do and they got corrected and
now it's their turn to step into those shoes, and
these guys have done an outstanding job with it. And
(26:35):
again we've got we've got twenty one seniors this year.
You know, it's just we're gonna lose another great class.
But again it's just it's hard to build it, but
it's even harder to keep it there. But when you
have kids like we have here, it makes that harder
a lot more enjoyable.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
He's the head coach at Typiccanoe, Matt Burke Baker visiting
with us here. His team gets set to take on
Zenia on Friday night, with the Mimi Holly Champ being
ship up for grabs. Tip leads the Miami Division, Xenia
leads the Valley Division. Both are unbeaten. Coach, when you
went into the season, you talked about the type of
losses that you had personnel wives from last year. Was
there a game early on where you kind of went,
all right, we might be able to do what we
(27:14):
thought we could do going into this season.
Speaker 7 (27:17):
Yeah. Week one, we opened, we opened with Belbrook. We
don't we don't have the philosophy of scheduling a Week
one game that we know we're gonna win. We played
Belbrook ten times and we go five and five. Hey,
we're happy with that because they are a very good
football team. Week one, we came out and again we
(27:37):
had all those questions. We were able to win twenty
eight to seven, and us coaches we come back here
in the locker room and we're sitting in the coach's
office afterwards, and we're all kind of looking at each
other like did that just happen? Like did we just
do what we did? You know for those two and
a half hours, and then you know, we it's just
kind of snowballed from there. And again it all goes
(28:00):
back to the preparation. You know, I always I've got
the quote, you know, the Bear Bryant quote. It's not
the will to win that matters, everybody's got that, But
it's the will to prepare to win that matters. And
these guys are doing a great job with preparing and
each week they've just gotten better. Like I said, we
started eleven new guys on defense. Now, some of those
(28:22):
starters did get quite a bit of time last year,
but they technically weren't starters. But you know, when you
get into that role where there's that not that guy
in front of you, and then you get to come
in now you are the guy. These guys are. These
guys have been ready to do that. And then offensively,
like I said, it all starts up front, and we
had to replace three offensive linemen, and our offensive lines
(28:44):
played outstanding. I think we've given up two or three
quarterback sacks and nine games. You know, that's and we
throw We've thrown the ball one hundred and ninety two times.
It's not like we don't throw the ball. We throw
the ball a lot. And and again, another huge question
mark was our quarterback. We've lost a senior quarterback the
last two years, so we have the sophomore quarterback Clark
(29:05):
and Thomas that right now in nine games has twenty
nine touchdown passes. You know, obviously that's a question mark
coming into your season when you when you lose you know,
starters from the last two years and you're gonna you're
gonna go with the sophomore. But Larkin's done an outstanding
job of managing games and just taking what teams that
(29:26):
are giving him and shoot. His stats speak for themselves.
He's throwing for almost nineteen hundred yards twenty nine touchdowns.
Obviously he's making some great decision back there. But he
wouldn't be able to do that if he didn't have
the time, and then two if he didn't have the
receivers out there to do it. Plus we've got a
pretty good running game too, So it's kind of pick
(29:47):
your poison. Are are you going to stop our run
game or are you going to stop our passing game?
And then you know, if this happens, then we're going
to do this. If this happens, then we're going to
do that. So we've got to have an answer to
what teams teams are able to do to us and
then boom, we can we can go do what we
want to do.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
And obviously, on the defensive side of the ball, you
have done that this year. I mean, only two teams
have scored in double figures against you. You've had one
to two shutouts. You've been dominant on that side of
the football. And you talked about the type of guys
you have coming back. Is that your best side of
the ball or are you pretty balance football team?
Speaker 7 (30:22):
We're a balanced football team. And yeah, our defense puts
our offense in some great situations, but then again, our
offense puts our defense in some great situations. When when
we are able to get a two or three touchdown lead,
we can maybe be a little more aggressive, or we
can get back into our bend don't break defense. So
obviously those two things work hand in hand. But I'm
(30:45):
also gonna you know, I guess I'm the special teams
coordinator too, so I got to give props to our
special teams. Our special teams has been outstanding. We've had
a couple of blocks on ponts and field goals. We've
we've been able to on kickoffs cover six or seven
kickoffs for on fumbles. Our kickoff team does a great
(31:05):
job getting downfield. Our punt team, we've only punted nine
times in nine games, So I guess I don't know
if our punt team's really good or if they're really
bad because we've don't done it nine times. But still
that's fine with me. I don't want to find out.
We can we can find out next year or something
where I want to be able to keep doing so.
Our special teams has put our offense in great positions.
(31:29):
Our special teams has covered up some maybe some deficiencies
we've had with our defense because they've played some great
special teams. So again, all of them work hand in hand.
We're not so dependent on our defense to where we're
just going to play at conservative offensively because we know
our defense is going to stop them. No, we're going
to be aggressive. There's gonna be some series where we
(31:50):
take forty seconds off the clock and our defense has
to go back out there because we want to play
with tempo, we want to play fast. But then again,
there's going to be some other times, you know, but
our defense knows we may only get a rest for
two minutes and then we got to go play defense again.
Or you know, we get a rest for this long
because our offense is you know, has the ball for
(32:10):
fifteen minutes. So again, they all work hand in hand,
and it's just you know, we have a turnover. Okay,
what a great opportunity for us to have a little
adversity and go out there and play. It's all, you know,
you've got to have a perspective, got to you've got
to have a mindset. You don't like your perspective then changing.
You don't like your mindset, well you control it changing.
And our kids are again, our kids have done a
(32:30):
great job with that.
Speaker 4 (32:32):
On the defensive side of things, going to Friday Night
against maybe one of the top running backs, certainly in
our area, maybe in the state of Ohio, and Dante White,
the type of numbers he's put up this season leads
the way for Xenia. Is this your biggest challenge for
your defense that you face this season on Friday?
Speaker 7 (32:46):
Oh? Absolutely, because Xenia, Xenia is so well coached and
they just you know, obviously they're running backs probably the best.
And not that I'm going to say he's one of
the best in the state. I haven't seen that everybody,
but I'm gonna go ahead and declare that. So they've
got that, But then they run these stink and RPOs
and you know, it's just they're just hard to defend.
(33:09):
We've got to the key to Friday Night. We have
to win first down. We got to win first down.
Saying that we've got to we've got to hold him
to less than three yards on first down because then
I've been an offensive coordinator before. You know, second and eight,
second and nine is a whole heck of a lot
harder to call than second and five, second and four
because then you still got your whole playbook. So we
(33:31):
got to win first down and then we've got to
change our mindset and go win second down. We've got
to get them and positions they don't want to be.
They don't want to be in third and long. They
don't want because their offense is based off that run game.
So obviously we're focused on the run game. But then
you look and they've got a four year starter at
quarterback that's going to have the ball in his hands
(33:53):
every play. And he's not a four year starter because
they don't have any other quarterbacks. He's a four year
starter because he's a damn good quarterback. And they've they've
got the threats outside to throw the ball. So it's
not like we're going to be able to put nine
guys in the box and just say, hey, you two
go play man on those wide receivers. No, they can
throw the ball. They're effective throwing the ball. So now
(34:14):
that's where we got to put them in those situations
where they're third and long and hey, we can go
drop a few extra guys back in coverage because we
know they're going to throw the ball and we don't
have to stack the box. So first down is going
to be huge for.
Speaker 4 (34:27):
Us, absolutely, Coach, we wrap up our conversation, These type
of weeks were fun me As you said, you've been
deep into the playoffs. You know what that's like. You
know you're going to the playoffs again this year. You
know there's a week eleven and probably more than that
for your football team. But is there a way to
put into perspective what this is like for a coaching staff,
for the kids, for the community. It's a fun week
(34:47):
to be involved in high school football, isn't it?
Speaker 7 (34:50):
Oh, this is this is a blast. I'll tell you
our coaches we meet Sunday morning and do our scouting report.
And this was the longest meeting we've had all year.
The meetings seemed like it took twenty minutes. And then
after the meeting's over with just you know, texting back
and forth when something comes up when we're watching film
or something. These these weeks are so and then it's like,
(35:12):
you can't wait till Monday afternoon to do our scatting
reports because you can't. That's when we start the preparation.
And it is fun because we've had some weeks that
you know exactly what's going to happen on Friday night.
You know the result that's going to happen on Friday night.
And it's those you try not to, you know, you
(35:34):
try not to take it all that stuff, because you
want we're habits. There are creatures of habits, so we
want to stay in our routines and all that stuff.
But this week, man, like just the last two days
at practice, just the energy we've had and the focus,
and then you know, Monday's practice was a little rough
because we're getting the game plan on Tuesdays. Today's it
(35:55):
was a good practice. It was a really good practice.
So obviously we got to keep building up to Friday.
But no, these these weeks are fun because the problem
is at school, you know, with me being a teacher
and walking the hallways and all that stuff, everybody wants
to talk about the game.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
You can't him, you can't hide from no.
Speaker 7 (36:14):
But then you know, I also got to teach, and
I also got a lot of other things on my
mind too, So there's not a whole lot of down.
But I've been at the other end too, when you know,
my first year when I was at Troy, we struggled
a little bit, and heck, nobody wanted to talk to
you at all. Kinds of time to yourself because you know,
but then all of a sudden, you start winning and
everybody wants so it's it's not a bad thing. I'll
(36:37):
take this over over the alternative of nobody wanted to
talk to me, He said, no, it is exciting. It's
exciting for the community. You know, even though the game's
not at home, it doesn't matter. We played there two
years ago, Week five, both teams for four and zero,
and it was a fabulous atmosphere and it was a
game that they won with thirty seconds left in the game.
But that was one of the best high school games
(36:57):
I've been been had the privilege to coaching. So we're
expecting that same thing this week. And that's the exciting
part because you know it's going to be a forty
eight minute football game.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
I would think so, coach. I appreciate your time on
a busy week talking to us about about a big
game coming up in the area and Friday night, I'll
best of luck to you against Xenia and hopefully we'll
get a chance to talk to you down the road.
I appreciate your time.
Speaker 7 (37:19):
All right, thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (37:21):
Matt Burdbacker, the head football coach of Typical Now his
team gets set to take on Zenia Friday night in
one of the top games, certainly in our area and
across the state of Ohio. There aren't too many games
involving a couple of unbeaten teams squaring off in week
number ten. That shows you the importance of this one.
Stay with us more than press blocks still to come.
Fox Sports nine eighty w in.
Speaker 10 (37:37):
A welcome back before the Ladies where we dive into
(37:59):
women's sports both local and abroad.
Speaker 11 (38:02):
The WNBA Finals happened, and they were not without controversy.
The Liberty were able to win out in the fifth
and final game, and while a lot of it came
down to some calls and no calls, in the final minutes,
Sabrina Ionescu and Brianna Stewart put the team on their
backs and carried them to the finish line. The FISA
(38:23):
Collier of the Minnesota Links posted to Instagram after the
game some interesting photos from the game that included some
shots of those calls and no calls I mentioned earlier,
but ultimately vowed to be back to that spot for
the fans. Links coach Cheryl Reeve, however, said very plainly
in her postgame press conference that the game was stolen
(38:44):
from her team. You be the judge, check out the
replay of the game if you get a chance. But
as Marty likes to say, if you just score more points,
it won't be left up to the officials. Also, in
the WNBA, the players have opted out of their CBA,
so the current collective bargaining agreement will expire at the
(39:04):
end of the twenty twenty five season. We saw earlier
this year that the National Women's Soccer League had a
new CBA signed and included higher salaries and revenue sharing.
As the WNBA has grown exponentially, players hope their paychecks
and perks can do the same. In related noise, the
(39:25):
PWHL has also been eyeing another look at their current
restrictive CBA. Speaking of the PWHL, the Pro Women's Hockey League,
their schedules are out and the first game of the
season as Toronto taking on last year's runner up Boston
in Canada on November thirtieth. The preseason ramps up November twentieth,
(39:48):
and the reigning champs, the Minnesota Now Frost, opened their
season December first at Excel Energy Center and really quickly.
Back to the WNBA, The mill Walkee Bucks ownership group
have put in a bid for a WNBA expansion team.
The league is really on the rise. Locally.
Speaker 10 (40:09):
Wright State Basketball is ranked sixth in their preseason poll
the Coach's Poll, which is not bad considering that more
than half the team are new faces, which include six
transfers and three freshmen. The Flyers ranked eleventh in the
preseason poll, one spot higher than last year. This will
be a friend of the program Tamika william Jeter's third
(40:32):
season leading the team as the head coach. In her
second season, Dayton won five more games than her first
season coaching, so I'm sure she's hoping for another leap
in the program.
Speaker 11 (40:44):
And the Miami.
Speaker 10 (40:45):
RedHawks are tied for sixth in the preseason MAC Pole
with Northern Illinois. A lot of great women's college basketball
on the way. Stay tuned anyway, Thanks for a check
looking out for the ladies on the press box on
Fox Sports nine eighty w n E will be back
(41:06):
next week.
Speaker 1 (41:17):
Get on the press box called Marty now at nine
three seven by three one six one seven zero the
press box on Fox Sports nine eighty wn.
Speaker 4 (41:29):
Enter back with you in the program three fifty five
at the time. As we start to wrap up our number
one still to come. Next hour, we will hear from
the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Matt Ruhle, will
get his thoughts on his football team. They come to
Columbus tomorrow to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. It's the
Big Noon game on Fox and it will kick well.
I write at twelve noon hen Big Noon. Ohio State's
(41:49):
five and one. Nebraska is five and two, Buckeyes ranked
fourth in the nation. The corn Huskers are unranked at
five and two. Blue Jackets are in action tomorrow night.
National High Kague will be in Nashville to face the Predators,
and of course, updating you on the latest injury news
out of the NFL comes out of Cincinnati, where T
Higgins is now listed as questionable for the game with
(42:11):
the Eagles on Sunday, suffering from a quad injury. So
still I think that's still it's not one percent certain
that he will play, but I think it's more of
a positive than doubtful, which is the way those things
kind of work when you start looking at injuries and
things along those lines and what it means when the
(42:32):
player shows up on a injury report. We heard a
little bit earlier from the head football coaches at Xena
and Tip as they get ready for their big showdouts tonight.
There are truckload of other games around the area and
again the next hour of the iHeart High School Football
radio Blitz for Friday night, we'll be with you starting
in about four to twenty or so. But across the area.
The Greater Western Ohio Conference championships up for grabs tonight.
(42:54):
Fairmont and Centreville share the lead. Fairmont plays host of
Beaver Creek, Centerville host Wayne. I saw something earlier today.
If Fairmont wins tonight, it will be a share of
their first GWOC crown since two thousand, which is pretty
impressive because that's a good program. Fairmont's always been a
very good program, and it shows you how good that
league is. Centerver Old hosts and this is a big one.
(43:15):
They host Wayne tonight. That'll be a very good game.
In the Southwestern Buckeye League, they are in divisions. The
Buckeye Division finds Valley View and Waynesville meeting at valley
View both their five and oh The Southwestern Division Belbrook
has the lead and they can win the title if
they knock off second place Ross and Sonia wins the
Ohio The Western Ohio Athletic Conference il right with a
(43:36):
win at Mississinawa Valley and the gcl CO ed Hamilton,
Baden and McNicholas meet to decide the title there. That
game is at mcnick Tonight. The Three Rivers Conference features
a showdown for the championship tonight. Two six and O
teams Layman, Catholic and north Ridge meet at Northridge. Meadowdale
clinch the Dayton City League title with that victory Belmonte.
(43:56):
Earlier in the week twenty two to two in the
Central Bluck Eye Car Conference, London will clinch the Kenton
Trail Division title they knock off Urbana Tonight. Indian Lake
takes the mad River Division crown with a victory over
visiting North Union. In the Ohio Heritage Conference, the North
Division title goes to the winner of the meeting between
the five and oero teams West Liberty, Salem and Fairbanks.
The South Division title goes to Greenview if they managed
(44:19):
to pick up a win at Cedarville. In the Cincinnati area,
the Greater Miami conference that kind of moves to our
aria just a little bit. I mean, there's not much
difference between from a mileage depth between our Area South
and the Lakotas, which are members of the Greater Miami Conference.
Princeton and Lakota West share the lead going to tonight.
(44:42):
Princeton hosts windless coal Rain while Lakota West travels masin
what has happened to coal rain for years. They were
a power and winless right now. And if I don't
know what kind of shot they have tonight against Princeton,
but I think they went winless last year and the
year before that, I think they might have won one game. Well,
(45:03):
It's amazing sometimes how some of these great, great programs
that have had a lot of success kind of tumble
into the abyss a little bit. The Cincinnati Hills I
want to mention this real fast, undefeated Wyoming which has
lost just one Cincinnati Hills League game since twenty fifteen.
It goes for another title tonight. If they're able to
not call Finneytown, that's pretty remarkable right there. Of course,
(45:24):
Marion Local Cold Water meet tonight for the Midwest of
that conference championship and bragging rights and so much more
involved than what happens in the Midwest. When we come back,
we will hear from Nebraska and football coach Matt Rule.
It's the breast box Flock Sports nine eighty w O Navy.
Speaker 12 (46:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Time now for another Dragons download. I'm Marty Banister. As
we continue to talk Dayton Dragons baseball. It is the
off season, but still many many things going on surrounding
our Dayton Dragons brand. To get all visiting with us today,
and the Veterans Salute is something that the Dragons are
so very proud to be a part of brand, and
I know it's a an event and a thing that
the Dragons love to be a part of, and it
means so much to so many people, doesn't it.
Speaker 13 (46:23):
It's it certainly does you know? Again, being right here
near right Patterson Air Force Base, this is a huge
deal and our fans are always looking forward to these
five veterans that we highlight through the course of a
season each and every year. And so currently what we're
doing is trying to just get the word out about
this amazing program called Veterans Salute, presented by care Source
(46:43):
Military Veterans to get those five people. So we have
a lot of nominations, we need some more to pick from,
and I know there's no shortage of amazing veterans in
the Miami Valley, so please don't hesitate to check us
out online at Dayton Dragons dot com, slash bet salute
and nominate your friendly veteran.
Speaker 4 (47:01):
Let's also talk about again, as we are here nearing
the end of the year, it's still time to think
ahead to twenty twenty five, and that means tickets. That
means group outings, that means hospitality spaces, that means so
many things that are still available for fans that they
want to come out and see a baseball game.
Speaker 13 (47:16):
That's correct, Marty, I know we just got done and
it feels like man, that weather is starting to transition
to that cooler temperature. But it's always a good time
to think about presence for the holiday season. And what
better present than Dragons tickets for twenty twenty five when
that weather is warmer again. So you can become a
season ticket holder, or you can purchase a deck or
(47:38):
a suite or something like that to host your family
and friends in a special occasion. Now is the time,
believe it or not, because we do sell out pretty
quickly on all those hospitality spaces, So check us out
at Dayton Dragons dot com or give us an email
at Dragons at Dayton Dragons dot com and we would
love to help you.
Speaker 4 (47:55):
Brandy, always a pleasure. I appreciate your time.
Speaker 9 (47:57):
Thanks so much.
Speaker 4 (47:58):
That's today's Dragons Down.
Speaker 1 (48:00):
Welcome to the press Box with Marty Banister, the latest
on all local sports from Wright State to the Dayton Flyers,
from the Reds and Buckeyes to the Bengals and Browns.
Called Marty now at nine to three, seven by three
one six ' one seven zero the press box on
Fox Sports nine eighty WNE.
Speaker 4 (48:22):
And I'm not how I'm not happy with anything right now.
It's the coach's job to make sure that we put
our players in a situation environment to be successful. So
that's the first thing we got to look at. That's
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. His Buckeye is getting
ready for the corn Huskers of Nebraska tomorrow at Ohio State.
And welcome back to the press box Fox Sports nine
eighty w ow any. I'm Marty Banister, SeaBASS producing the
(48:42):
program this afternoon doing his usual fine job. Kelly B.
Off today. She'll be back with us on Monday for
over Reaction Monday, as we look back at everything that
will have happened over this past weekend and all of
the well, I mean, there's so much going on with
football right now. Someone said the other day, you guys
(49:03):
talk a lot about football, and yeah, I agree, we do.
But when it's the dominant sport in this country and
it dominates, I mean, we're not the only ones. I mean,
you listen to just about every talk show, and what
are they talking about. I think the thing that we do, though,
(49:23):
I think a little differently, is from a overall standpoint. Yeah,
we do talk a lot of football. Sure, I don't
argue that point at all, but we try to keep
it mainly within the confines of the state of Ohio,
which I think, again is kind of what separates this
program from any others you may listen to. I don't
(49:44):
think a lot of you want to sit around and
talk about the NBA right now. I don't think a
lot of you want to sit around and talk about
the New York Jets. I don't think a lot of
you going to sit around and talk about the Dallas Cowboys.
I mean, I think you want to talk about the Bengals,
you want to talk about the Browns, you want to
talk about the black Eyes, you want to talk about
what's going on in area high school football all across
the state of Ohio. I just if I'm one hundred
(50:04):
percent wrong on that, then so be it. But I
just when we started this program, that was the direction
we wanted to go with it. We wanted to stay
as local as we possibly could, because you can turn
to dial anywhere and hear people rambling on and on
and on about why Dak Prescott is not a good quarterback,
or why Aaron Rodgers is this, or Aaron Rodgers is that.
I just don't want anybody here really outside of a
(50:25):
few people. And if you want it, then that's fine,
you know where to turn to find that. But I
just think that keeping it local is a lost part
of broadcasting these days because talking nationally is easy. Really
digging up and getting your local stuff on the air
that takes a little bit of effort sometimes. That's what
(50:47):
I just just just my thoughts on it, And if
you would disagree, I can't help you there. But I'm
just telling you that's why we do what we do
with this program. I like to put in some effort, Marty,
I'll know I don't put enough in. I think sometimes
I could really use a nap right now. Anyway, it'll
happen to get older. He started thinking about, it's time
(51:07):
for a nap right now. Then it's time for Jeopardy,
then it's time for Wheel of fort. No, I know,
not that bad yet. So tomorrow Columbus Nebraska comes calling.
The corn Huskers will be taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes,
and they come to Columbus on the heels of basically
just getting pounded at Indiana last week. They were beaten
fifty six to seven by really what I think is
(51:30):
probably fair to say the surprise team in college football
is to this junction of the schedule, the Indiana Hoosiers.
They're seven to zero. No one I think thought they
would be as impressive as they have been through their
first seven games. But when Matt Rule started his summation
of what happened on Saturday and his look ahead to
the Ohio State game, he was pretty blunt about where
(51:51):
his football team is and where it will be tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (51:56):
Obviously, this swinging day on Saturday, you know, I had
a chance to go back and watch the tape and
look at all that happened, and uh A, a lot
of a lot of credit to Indiana for playing really
really a clean football game and b you know, just
not our best football in any area. So disappointing is
kind of an opportunity for us to kind of get back,
to get back today and get to work and try
(52:19):
to improve that. We've obviously a great, great, great test
ahead of us, but we're excited to move forward. So
with that, I'll take all your guys questions.
Speaker 1 (52:29):
Watched what what were your main takeaways about why you
struggled on defense?
Speaker 3 (52:37):
Yeah, we struggled at the corner position, you know, so
you know, they they isolated some one on one throws
and one all those were fifty to fifty balls, as
you know, so you should come out, you should win
fifty percent of the time. And they they won, most
of them had a little maybe a little bit more
off and they took a lot of free access. But
(52:58):
really the game came down Sip to me, to to
the run game. You know, we were not able to
stop the run and really in some in some cases
and some like as I said the other day, like
some inexplicable, like we're blitzing into the run and there's
an un block defender and we just just didn't tackle,
didn't play well, you know in the second half.
Speaker 2 (53:18):
You know, I mean go back for that game. Now
it's it's.
Speaker 3 (53:20):
Fourteen to seven with four minutes left in the in
the first half, and we call that the middle eight,
you know, last.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
Four or the first four.
Speaker 3 (53:26):
You know, we've we've we've been historically very good in
that area, and you know we weren't. We weren't good,
and uh, you know, you as a head coach, I
think always have to start with like what do I regret?
What do I not regret? You know, coming out in
the second half, it's twenty eight to seven, we drive
the ball down there, it's fourth and eight, fourth and nine.
(53:47):
You know, probably should have kicked the field go there.
You know, the analytics say no, the analytics say go
for it. And there's a big part of me that
like does wants to show the guys that you're you're
always playing to win. And it felt like a lot
of times in the game we were playing not to lose.
And I think defensively, the minute you lose that edge,
if I'm playing to win, where you're trying not to lose.
(54:07):
A really good defense becomes very average very quickly. And
so but I put them in harm's way in the
second half. But you know, going from fourth down trying
to get back in the game, you know, at the
same time, I probably should have done it. I don't
know that I regret it, if that makes sense, Like
I kept saying a gift on the silence, Hey, I
just can't. I can't. I can't wave the white flag.
I can't not try to get back in this game.
(54:27):
But to answer your question, so I think that's what
made the score so bad. But you know, we from
the very beginning, we were not tackling at the level
we're capable of.
Speaker 2 (54:36):
We were not.
Speaker 3 (54:37):
We were not at first, fourth, third, and one. You know,
if an unblock defender there doesn't.
Speaker 2 (54:42):
Make the play. So we just just was bad, bad
all around.
Speaker 7 (54:46):
Mentioned after the game, like the bubble screens were going
for none and they were getting them for twenty.
Speaker 14 (54:52):
How would you size up just the perimeter blocking and
where that's at right now?
Speaker 3 (54:56):
Our permitter blocking has been a deficiency for us the
entire year and continues to you know, like even on
the first drive with the second drive of the game.
You think about the game, right, we start with a
ball in the one yard line, we get a couple
first downs, we punt the ball. Then the next drive,
we drive the ball all the way down to the
fifteen yard line. We fumble, but you know there's a
(55:17):
they blitzed the they blitze off the edge. We have
a bubble screen out there, should get thrown out there,
doesn't get thrown out there. Okay, whatever, Well, on the
first drive of the second half, we kick it out
there and Jacory just gets tackled because we don't block
the safety. You know, there's an execution component of all
this that I hate when coaches say, well, we just
didn't execute right, Like that's to me, that's like a
cop out. But what I don't like is missed assignments.
(55:40):
What I don't like is, you know, not not knowing
what to do. And so in many areas things happened
fast in that game. They pressured us. We kicked the
ball out and either we ran you know, we run
into the defender, or we don't you know, we don't
make the block.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
So that that whole.
Speaker 3 (55:53):
Component of our game was lacking. And it's something that
they did. They did, you know, on the goal and
they did at a high level. They did a couple
of times, you know, they they took advantage of their RPOs.
Speaker 2 (56:03):
So it's an area that we have to be better at.
Speaker 5 (56:04):
What's your challenge to your assistant coaches is they take
the players through both the fundamental.
Speaker 12 (56:09):
Drills and just the preparation this week for how they
can get the players better in a short amount of time.
Speaker 3 (56:15):
Yeah, you know, you know, Keith, you know I do
a good job in season just thing very locked in
and not not reading stuff and listening to stuff. But
you know, Keith kind of said, like, hey, he said
to me, say, you know your your statement of I
didn't see this coming gain traction, to which I would say.
Speaker 2 (56:29):
It's gonna get your point. If if I saw this coming,
then you guys should all be very nervous.
Speaker 3 (56:33):
Like I thought we were gonna play well, and I
thought we had a great bye week and we literally
legitimately say I'm telling you, we legitimately like worked on
these things over and over.
Speaker 7 (56:41):
No.
Speaker 3 (56:42):
Sometimes, I mean, no one's gonna want to hear this.
Sometimes maybe maybe they'll show up this week, Maybe we'll
show up the next week, but like these are not like,
these are not things we haven't done all year, all spring.
You know, we got to that moment and you know,
we just didn't do the things I know we're capable
of doing. And so I hate when coaches walking after
games say, hey, that on me, Like, but I really
felt that way because like, I know what we're capable
(57:04):
of doing, and we didn't do it. Like we just
weren't ready for that moment. We weren't ready for that game.
We weren't ready for And it felt like that all
the way up, even in pregame.
Speaker 2 (57:12):
It felt awesome.
Speaker 3 (57:13):
So to your point, I think there's I think there's
a challenge sent to the coaches. There's also a challenge
sent to the players. These are grown then, Like you're
supposed to block that guy, block them, like block them.
There's a couple of players and it spins out of
one and if the guy would have blocked the safety
on the backside, he'd gone for a touchdow. I just
show the guys as a team how much we all
affect each other.
Speaker 6 (57:32):
You know.
Speaker 3 (57:33):
A missed block on a bubble screen leads to a
fourth and eight pick, which leads to the ball going
all the way down to the twenty, which leads to
a touchdown. Like, everyone's got to do their job and
do it at a high level. So you know, to me,
this happened to us. We allowed it to happen. It's stunk,
it hurt. We'll find out a lot about ourselves moving forward,
you know. We'll find out about the coaches, We'll find
(57:53):
out about the players, We'll find out about me.
Speaker 2 (57:55):
The last thing I do. I'm going to do is
sit around and be victims.
Speaker 4 (57:58):
You know.
Speaker 3 (57:58):
So so yeah, you know, there's there's areas that we
we struggled into that game. But at the same time,
we haven't struggled tackling like like we did in that game.
Like we haven' struggled getting off blocks like we haven't
struggled like guys, we haven't done that. And so we
did it in that game. So I think we'd take
a today. We took a deep step back, and then
we'll attack the week.
Speaker 4 (58:17):
Matt role pretty upfront and personal with his football team
about what happened to them last weekend in Bloomington. Yeah,
and he was right on the money. They just they
were bad and Indiana again is on a roll right now.
But as I said, what they run into tomorrow and
Columbus will if they thought that was bad, it could
(58:38):
be could be a little worse tomorrow in Columbus because
you get an Ohio State team that comes into the
game still bitter from what happened to them the week
before on their by game or in their bye week
when they had lost to Oregon the week before. You
have your head football coach saying he's not happy with
anything that's going on right now with his football team
and trying to kind of remind him body that they
(59:00):
are still what they feel that they are and that's
the best team talent wise in the country. And well,
here comes Nebraska rolling in off of that loss and
obviously questioning themselves, and it's it's just a almost a
perfect storm type situation that Nebraska's walking into tomorrow over
(59:21):
at Ohio Stadium and Ohio State and Nebraska going noon tomorrow,
so that one, yeah, could be a long, long Saturday
afternoon in Lincoln for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Last night, pitt
beat Syracuse forty one to thirteen. Kyle McCord threw three
pick sixes in the game. The former Ohio State quarterback
who's now Syracuse. I've seen a lot of people online
(59:43):
lighting him up and saying, now you know why Ohio
got him, got rid of him and ran him out, YadA, YadA, yadah. Well,
I mean, come on, kym accord, He's still a pretty
good quarterback. He's not the first quarterback to throw three
pick sixes in the game. He probably won't be the last.
But to say, well, told you, told you he stinks, No,
he doesn't stinks. Hees a Division one quarterback and he's
(01:00:06):
a good one. I mean, I don't know too many
of us that would go out and try and throw
uh passes in a game and not get picked off
three times. I mean, come on, right, let's be serious.
Let's be serious here. It was a bad night, no
question about it. But he's still a good quarterback. And
all of that Ohio State chatter about the Michigan game
(01:00:26):
last year where he threw that interception at the end
of that game, Well, I mean that wasn't why Ohio
State lost that game. Did you forget the Blake Korum
touchdown run? Did you forget their inability to stop Michigan
when they had to stop them? Those are the reasons
why they lost the game, and there's no guarantee that
even if he does complete the past to Marvin Harrison Junior,
(01:00:47):
they let the go ahead and score. I mean, it's
just some of that stuff just drives you crazy sometimes.
And I don't blame comm Accord one iota for getting
out of Dodge that kind of reaction from those people.
Go someplace else where you're liked. And yeah, that was
a tough one last night, no no mistake about it.
But yeah they lost forty one thirteen. There are three
(01:01:12):
games tonight, Louisville's at Boston College, Boise States at UNLV,
and boy, this will be a fun one. Keep the
wife and kids up for this ONEm eleven o'clock tonight,
Rutgers in USC this evening at eleven o'clock from Los Angeles.
USC and UCLO, by the way, are tied for the
seventeenth spot in the Big Ten standings at one and four.
(01:01:33):
Welcome to the league, kids, Welcome to the league. I'll
do it for today's edition is the program. We're back
with you on Monday for Overreaction Monday Enjoy Week. Number
ten in the high school football season World Series is
tonight Dodgers Yankees a little bit after eight o'clock this evening.
There's a lot going on. Enjoy tonight, Enjoy your sports weekend.
We're back with you on Monday thanks to Sea Bass
producing program Kelly B. Back with us on Monday, and
(01:01:53):
we'll be back with you as well. Three to five
the press Box Flock Sports nine eighty WNA.
Speaker 1 (01:02:19):
This is the Friday Night Blitz from iHeartRadio. A preview
of tonight's action across the Buckeye State. Now your host,
Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:02:30):
Ready or not, It's week ten for high school football.
Todd Walker with you with the Friday Night Blitz. We're
going to head around the state before the show's over,
tell you about all the big games. Of course, some
conference championships are on the line, and in my area
around Liman, West Central Ohio, we have two premier matchups
on eleven fifty WYMA tonight. It's a nine to zero
(01:02:51):
matchup in the Northwest Conference with Columbus Grove at Bluffton.
Grove is rated number two in the state and Division seven.
Lufton has rated number four in Division Columbus Grove has
won eighteen Street Conference games.
Speaker 4 (01:03:04):
Last year.
Speaker 15 (01:03:04):
These teams met in the season finale with Bluff to
nine and Oh Columbus Grove beat them and then beat
them in the regional final as well. Of course, no
chance for a rematch this year as they are in
different divisions. Both Bluffed and Columbus Grove have already secured
two home games for the upcoming playoffs in the Mighty MAC.
It's nine and OH Marion Local looking to break the
(01:03:26):
state record with their fifty eighth straight win taking on Coldwater,
who is also undefeated. The Cavaliers are rated number one
in the Division six pole. The Flyers are rated number
one in the Division seven pole. Both teams have already
also wrapped up two home games for the upcoming playoffs.
Marion Local has won the last five meetings between these powerhouses,
(01:03:49):
and they have won or shared eight straight MAC titles.
They'll need to win tonight to keep that streak going
as well. The Cavaliers hoped to pull the upset tonight
for veteran coach Chip Hotton, and he knows in order
to dent that Marion Local defense, it's all about beating
the Blitz and scoring in the red zone.
Speaker 16 (01:04:07):
We moved the ball decent last year. The thing is
the hard part is finishing the drives and sustaining the
drives and getting some touchdowns and getting some points on
the board. You know they're gonna blitz a lot, but
it's gotta make them pay, which is hard to do.
So that's what we worked on all week, not getting
sacked and not giving up big losses.
Speaker 15 (01:04:26):
Maryon Local beat Minster last week twenty one to nothing,
and have outscored their opponents four hundred and twenty eight
to twenty two on the season. Back to the Northwest Conference,
LCC is home for Crestview tonight. The t Birds are
already in the playoffs, but with a win tonight they
would earn a home game next week. And the WBL
it's all settled. Wappak is outright champs already, but they
(01:04:48):
look to complete a perfect regular season tonight at Salina.
A win for Wapak would secure two home games in
the playoffs. Also in the WBL, tonight, Saint Mary's at
Bath the winner gets a home game next week. They're
both already in the postseason as well. Meanwhile, Limas Senior
will look to complete its first ever ten and oh
season as they visit Toledo's Start tonight. Both teams are
(01:05:10):
five and zero in the Toledo City League. Lima senior
rated number twelve in the latest Division two Pole will
earn a home game for next week if they get
the win in the nwccusv beat Harden Northern last week
to clinch at least a tie for the league title.
They'll try to complete a perfect league campaign tonight when
they host North Baltimore, and in the BVC Liberty Benton
(01:05:31):
will be looking to do the same as they host
Van Buren. Time to take our first time out here
on the Friday Night Blitz. When we come back, we'll
head to Northwest Ohio and Eastern Ohio as we continue
on Irradio.
Speaker 1 (01:05:45):
Now for a look around the state and tonight's biggest matchups.
It's the Friday Night Blitz with Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:05:51):
The final day of the season for some, but a
lot of teams will move on to the playoffs next week.
This is the Friday Night Blitz Todd Walker here. Time
to head to Northwest Ohio and check in with Dave Kleck.
Speaker 17 (01:06:03):
The quest for playoff spots rolls to week number ten
in Northwest Ohio, and conference titles are up for grams
as well. Liberty Center already has a share of the
NWOAL title. They'll try and lock up their third straight
perfect ten and zero when they take on the wasse
On Indians. Patrick Henry still has a shot at sharing
the title if Liberty Centers should stumble. The Patriots are
(01:06:25):
on the road at Swanton. Elsewhere in the NWOAL, Brian's
at Archbold and Deld at Evergreen. Checking the Green Metals Conference,
Tonora already has a share of the title. They're gunning
for a seventh straight win when they host Edgerton, one
of the highest scoring teams in the conference. Fairview is
number two in the GMC. If Tenora should fall, Fairview
(01:06:47):
could get a piece with a win on the road
at Hicksville. The Defiance Bulldogs and Outawa Landorf Titans both
are fighting for a home birth in the playoffs. They'll
battle head to head in five and four. Records are
on the line. In the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, the
title up for grabs. Unbeaten Eden Bluebombers at nine and
oh take on the Ottawa Hills Green Bears at seven
(01:07:10):
and one. In the NLL, the title in the Buckeye
Division on the line. Anthony Wayne and beaten at nine
and oh, but a Perrysburg win could forge a three
way tie with Whittner getting involved. That's all on the
line at Anthony Wayne Saturday. The Northern eight eight Mallon
Football League has its title matchup for the regular season
(01:07:31):
seven and OH Toledo Christian taking on seven and OH
Sandusky Saint Mary's from northwest Ohio. Let's head eastbound to
check in with Bob Gavalier.
Speaker 9 (01:07:41):
We begin Week ten of the high school football season
in the Suburban League as nine and OH Medina Highland
plays at nine.
Speaker 4 (01:07:48):
And OH Aurora.
Speaker 9 (01:07:49):
The winner will win the league, as both teams come
in with four and oho records. In the Chagrin Valley
Schagrin Division, we have another league title championship as eight
and one Gatesville Hawken plays at eight to one Perry.
Both come in with four and zero records in the
Chagrin Division. In the Chagrin Valley Valley Division six and
three Chagrin Falls plays at six and three Burton Berkshire.
(01:08:09):
Sugrin Falls comes into the game sitting at number eight
and Berkshire comes in at number ten. In Division five
Region seventeen, the All American Conference has two rivalry games
first six and three. Warren Harding plays at seven and
two Austin not Fitch. Fitch is number four and Harding
is number nine in Division two Region five and the
other game has five and four Boardman playing at four
(01:08:31):
and four Canfield. Campfield needs a win to move up
in Division three Region nine, they are at number fifteen,
while Boordman is looking to secure a home game. They
are number eight in Division two Region five. In the
Mahoning Valley Athletic Scarlet Tier six and three, Lowville goes
to seven to two Springfield. Springfield will win the mo
Honing Valley Scarlet Teer with a win, and in the
(01:08:52):
Gray Tier seven to two Cresview plays at seven and
two Libray. Both teams are hoping to secure a home game.
Librae is at number eight in Division six Agent twenty
one and Cresview is number nine a Division five Region seventeen.
In the Northeast eight, a backyard rivalry game has seven
to two Poland going at eight and win Struthers bo
teams hoping to get into the top four with a win.
(01:09:13):
Poland is number five in Division five Region seventeen and
Struthers is number five in Division four Region thirteen other
games has nine to zero men Or Lake Catholic playing
at five and four Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. Lake Catholic
is looking to secure the number one spot in Division
four Region thirteen, while Notre Dame Cathedral Latin is looking
to hang on. They come in at number twelve in
(01:09:34):
Division four Region thirteen, and finally in Jefferson County, a
big matchup seven to two Edison plays at seven to
two Indian Creek.
Speaker 15 (01:09:42):
Thank you, Bob, and thanks to Dave Klek for his
report on this segment of the Friday Night Blitz. Next,
we're headed to Mansfield, also Southeast Ohio, Central Ohio, and
Southwest Ohio. As we continue on this final Friday night
of the regular season on iHeartRadio, off.
Speaker 1 (01:10:03):
Is coming up. Let's look around the state and find
tonight's key matchups. Here's Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:10:08):
Man, the adrenaline is pumping. It's week ten and so
many games means so much. Todd Walker here, Glad to
have you on board for the Friday Night Blitz. We
continue to go around the state. Time now to head
over to Mansfield and Ashland with Aaron Hines.
Speaker 18 (01:10:22):
Thanks Todd on this final Friday of the regular season.
We have the Ohio Cardinal Conference Championship game tonight here
on wma in as the Ashland Arrows play host to
the Lexington Minute Man.
Speaker 4 (01:10:33):
It's real simple.
Speaker 18 (01:10:34):
Ashland, who's nine to oh if they win their Outright
League champs If Lexington wins, the two teams share at
the conference crown. Ashland going for their first Outright League
title since twenty eleven. It would be just their second
ever ten tozer regular season in school history. The Arros
have already locked up a home playoff game in the
first round next week. The minute Men, who started the
year zero to three, They've won five of their last
(01:10:55):
six games. They're five and four overall, and for lex
they controlled their own destiny in term of the postseason
in the midd Ohio Athletic Conference shall be one last
week's showdown with Ontario to Clintcher's share of the MOAC title.
In that game, Whippets junior quarterback Braden Davido put on
a show, finding the end zone a whopping seven times.
He shall be win tonight at five and four. Pleasant
(01:11:16):
would give the Whippits the Outright League championship, and it
would be a perfect ten and no regular season. It
would be their first since twenty seventeen when Shelby reached
the State Final.
Speaker 15 (01:11:25):
Four.
Speaker 18 (01:11:26):
Ontario hoping for some help tonight from Pleasant. If they
get that and a win at home against three and
six Highland, it would give Ontario a share of the
league title. Galleon and Division four, they're already into the postseason.
They're going for their seventh win tonight at home against
Marion Harding Division seven in Ashland County, the nine and
no Hillsdale Falcons ranked third in the latest State Bowl.
Speaker 4 (01:11:47):
They have a huge game in home.
Speaker 18 (01:11:48):
It's actually the Wayne County Athletic League championship game, as
they entertain eight and one Norwayne. They're both unbeaten in
league play. A few other teams in the area with
a chance at reaching the playoff. Five and for Lucas
their home for a high school out of Michigan, Whiteford
High School. Cresfield their home for Mapleton. They both four
and five, three and six clear Fork. He is home
(01:12:09):
in a big game against five and four River Valley.
Now let's send it down to Jaron Cox in Chillicote.
Speaker 12 (01:12:16):
Entering Week ten in Southeast Ohio, there are fifteen teams
who've already punched their ticket into the playoffs, five others
who control their own destiny, and another handful who will
need to win and get help. In the Southern Ohio Conference,
five and four Wheelersburg controls its destiny not only for
the playoffs, but it's a league championship game as they
(01:12:36):
travel to the Rock to face seven and two Portsmouth West.
Another big game in the SEC is five and four Waverley,
who is fighting for its playoff hopes hosts seven and
two Mount Healthy. In the Ohio Valley Conference, five and
four Chesapeake, another control your own destiny team, travels to
eight and one Fairland, and seven and two rock Hill
(01:12:57):
travels to five and four Coalgrove, who would clinch playoff
spot if they win.
Speaker 15 (01:13:02):
In the Tri Valley Conference.
Speaker 12 (01:13:03):
The undefeated nine to zero Athens Bulldogs travel to seven
and two Nelsonville, York, with the Winter claiming the TVC
Ohio Championship. Three and six Vinton County travels to five
and four Welston and a rivalry game where both teams
need to win and get help to make the playoffs.
Four and five Megs needs to win and get help
(01:13:24):
to make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:13:25):
Also as they.
Speaker 12 (01:13:26):
Travel to three and six Alexander in the Mid State League.
Six and three Logan Ellen travels to five and four
Hamilton Township and seven and two Bloom Carroll travels to
four and five Circleville in the Frontier Athletic Conference. Seven
and two Jackson travels to two and seven Chilicothy, fresh
off of upsetting Miami Trace twenty eight to twenty five,
(01:13:47):
and speaking of Miami Trace, the six and three Panthers
travel to three and six Washington Courthouse. Independent Ironton looks
to keep their train rolling as to make the short
trip to seven and two Portsmouth, then the Iota Valley
Conference League champion Uniota host one in eight Southeastern three
and six at Dinas still has playoff hopes as they
(01:14:08):
traveled to two and seven Huntington and five and four
is Ain trays controls its own destiny as they traveled
at seven and two Paint Valley.
Speaker 15 (01:14:16):
Four and five West.
Speaker 12 (01:14:17):
Fall still has playoff dreams as they traveled to six
and three piked In in a game last year that
saw the Mustangs win fifty six to thirty nine. Now
we'll check on Central Ohio with Todd Bell.
Speaker 14 (01:14:28):
The final week of the regular season in Central Ohio
has left us with some terrific matchups. After dropping two
straight in weeks two and three, many were wondering what
was going on with Gehanna, But after recovering from a
rash of injuries, the Golden Lions have not only righted
the ship, but they have run up sixth straight and
after last week's thirty five seven blowout of Grove City,
(01:14:48):
they now have set up an OCC Ohio Division championship
game with Pickerington North. How good have the Panther's been.
Their only blemish is a Week one loss to three
time defending state champs Saint Ed's. They ride their eight
game win streak into a matchup with Gahanna at home.
In an era of betting sites wherever you turn, the
Westland Cougars, coming off a one to nine twenty twenty
(01:15:10):
three season and just five wins over the previous three seasons,
would have been a plus whatever before this season to
win the OCC Capitol Division championship, but that's where we are.
First year head coach Trent Williamson leads the Cougars, who
are eight and one. They'll finish no worse than fourth
in Region two and with a win would likely finish
first in the region. They've already secured their first playoff
(01:15:33):
appearance in two thousand and six. Their only playoff appearance.
Standing in their way is Big Walnut, who hasn't lost
since falling to unbeaten Waterson in Week one. Many eyes
will be on this game to see if Westland can
finish off this improbable story and whether Saint Francis to
Sales and Bishop Waterson in a row in nine or
nine to zero. It's a big game. Well, this year,
(01:15:55):
the Sales is eight and one and Waterson is nine
to oh so it's a huge matchup. The Stallions are
currently fourth in Region seven, would obviously improve their status
with a win. Watersons in loaded Region eleven, Division three.
They've played some incredible games in the past few years.
Just take last year, for example, when the Sales hit
a forty seven yard field goal on the game's final
(01:16:16):
play to win. Now, let's check in with Marty Banister
in Southwest Ohio for the top matchups there.
Speaker 4 (01:16:21):
One of Week ten's biggest games takes place in the
Dayton Ara and it's in the Miami Valley League. Unbeaten's
Tip of Canoe and Xenia meet. Tip leads the Miami
Division while Xenia sits atop the Valley Division. Both are
ranked in the top ten of their respective divisions. Tip
is fourth in Division three, Xenia sixth in Division two.
The two nine and OH teams meet at Xenia. Fairmont
and centervill share the Greater Western Ohio Conference lead entering
(01:16:42):
Week ten. Fairmont host Beaver Creek, while Centerville plays host
to Wayne. In the Southwestern Buckeye League two division titles
will be decided in the Buckeye Division five and OH
teams Valley Vue and Waynesville meet at Valley Vue, while
in the Southwest Division, first place Belburg hosts second place
Ross and Sonya wins the Western Ohio Athletic Conference with
a win at Mississinawa Valley. In the GCL co Ed League,
(01:17:03):
Unbeaten's Baden to McNicholas meet to the side of the title.
The games at McNicholas in the Three Rivers Conference, Week
ten features a showdown to the teams sharing the lead
with six and o marks. As Leyman Catholic visits north Ridge.
Meadowdale clinched to the Dayton City League title with a twenty
two to two win over Belmont in a rare Wednesday game.
In the Central Buckeye Conference, Unbeaten London clinches the Kent
Trail Division title with a home win over Urbana. Indian
(01:17:25):
Lake takes the mad River Division crown with a victory
over visiting North Union. In the Ohio Heritage Conference, the
North Division title goes to the winner of the meeting
between five and OHO teams West Liberty, Salem and Fairbanks.
The South Division crown goes to Greenview with the road
win at Cedarville. In the Cincinnati area, Princeton and Lakota
West here of the Greater Miami Conference lead. Prince that
hosts winless coal Rain West travels to Mason Anderson, which
(01:17:47):
won the unbeaten showdown last week with Winton Woods wins
the Eastern Cincinnati Conference title outright if they win at Loveland.
In the Cincinnati Hills League, undefeated Wyoming, which has lost
just one Hills League game since twenty fifteen, wins the
crown with the victory at home over Finneytown. With Row
wins the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Red Division title by
beating visiting Western Hills. Schroeder takes the Blue Division by
(01:18:08):
beating Dayton Christian on Saturday afternoon. Harrison wins the Southwest
Ohio Conference championship with a home win over Northwest GCL.
Winter Molar plays at Muskege in Michigan Saturday afternoon, while
Asal and eltartangle at the pit in the Southern buck
Eye Conference, Clinton Massey wins the American Division title with
a win at New Richmond, while Williamsburg takes the National
Division title if they win at Claremont Northeastern. That's a
(01:18:29):
look at the Southwest region. Now back to DoD Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:18:32):
Thanks Marty, Thanks to all the guys. We'll be back
with more as we count down to kickoff with coverage
of your game tonight. This is the Friday Night Blitz
on iHeartRadio. We're turning the corner here on Friday Night Blitz,
about to head down the backstretch.
Speaker 4 (01:18:46):
But still a lot to get to.
Speaker 15 (01:18:48):
We'll check in in detail on all the biggest games
in each region of the state when you come back.
The Friday Night Blitz continues on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:18:57):
The countown that kickoff continues window Frida Ain't Night Bltz.
Here's Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:19:04):
Friday Night bltz for week number ten continues here on iHeartRadio.
My name's Todd Walker. Great to be with you. Tonight.
We drilled down more specifically on certain games around the
state now in my area of Lima and West Central Ohio.
A big one for the Lima Senior Spartans tonight. They're
at Toledo Start. Lima looking for their first ever ten
and oh campaign. Start is also undefeated in Toledo City
(01:19:25):
League play, so the championships on the line. The Spartans
high flying offense has been putting up monster numbers, and
Lima Senior coach Bill Lawrence knows that Start will try
to do all kinds of things to slow them down.
Speaker 8 (01:19:37):
We've got to just find out what they're trying to
take away and find kinks in their armor and then
just go from there. But you know, as we get
into week ten and eleven, you know, definitely we're going
to probably run the ball more than we have just
because everybody wants to drop nine people or ten people.
A couple of times they dropped eleven, they didn't rush anybody.
(01:19:57):
So you know, with that being said, we're just going
to try to take what the defense gives us, and
you know put some points on the board.
Speaker 15 (01:20:04):
We stay in Northwest Ohio and check on another big
game with Dave Klek.
Speaker 17 (01:20:09):
Something's got to give in this Northwest Ohio gridiron matchup
and week number ten in the Green Metals Conference. The
highest scoring team in the league, the Edgered and Bulldogs,
take on the Tenora Rams, who are number one and d.
Both teams bring in six and three records to Tonora
High School and in the tack the championship on the line.
(01:20:29):
The Eden Blue Bombers are nine and Zeroe love to
air it out taking on the Ottawa Hills Green Bears
who are seven and one, both the unbeaten in league
action heading toward a showdown game in week number ten
from w Wendy h and Napoleon. I'm Dave Klek.
Speaker 15 (01:20:45):
Thank you Dave. We head over to Eastern Ohio now
and get some details on a big game from Bob Gavalier.
Speaker 9 (01:20:51):
In our thirteen ninety am iHeart Game of the Week,
we have a Steell Valley and old school rivalry on top.
As three and six Youngstown Carlon Mooney plays at eight
one on Youngstown ersline. This game better known as the
Holy War and it is the seventieth meeting between the
two teams. B teams are two and zero in the
Still Valley, with the winner of this game winning the conference.
(01:21:11):
Moody leads the all time season series at forty one wins,
twenty five losses and three ties, but Ercelind has won
five straight, including last year thirty five to sixteen. You
can catch Jim Evans on the call by downloading the
iHeart app to your electronic device and typing in thirteen
ninety am Youngstown.
Speaker 15 (01:21:30):
To North Central Ohio. We go now Mansfield, Ashland area.
We check in with Aaron Hines.
Speaker 18 (01:21:35):
The Ohio Cardinal Conference title is on the line as
nine to no Ashland plays host to five and four Lexington.
If the Arrows win their Outright League champs If the
minute Men win, the two teams share the league crown.
Ashland coach Scott Valentine is team trying for their first
Outright League championship since twenty eleven.
Speaker 8 (01:21:53):
We talked to kids about the reason you work hard
all year to be in position at the end of
the year to get a conference.
Speaker 18 (01:21:59):
CHAMPIONSHIPX coach Andrews Serras is thrilled his team after an
zero to three start is playing for the league crown
here in Week ten.
Speaker 8 (01:22:06):
No, we've had the mindset of next man ups and
the mindset of we're never out of any football game.
Speaker 18 (01:22:12):
Lexington last won the occ title back in twenty sixteen.
Former Ohio State tight end Cage Stover played a key
role on that Minutemen team eight years ago.
Speaker 15 (01:22:21):
Thanks to Aaron Hines for that report. We now go
down to Southeast Ohio and check you in with Jaron Cox.
Speaker 12 (01:22:27):
A Week ten tvc Ohio Championship game will be played
at Nelsonville, York High School as the seven and two
Buckeyes host the nine to o Athens Bulldogs. Last year,
Athens knocked off Nelsonville nineteen to thirteen, gaining momentum into
this season as they have cruised their way to a
perfect season so far, winning every game by at least
thirteen points. The Bulldogs are led by junior quarterback Daniel Heitlind,
(01:22:50):
who is sporting a sixty seven percentage completion rate and
a QB rating of one forty one point eight. Leading
the rushing attack for Athens is Alex Piro average one
hundred and thirteen yards per game and Leo Martin out
wide for the Bulldogs is averaging seventy yards per game,
but the real story of the Bulldogs is their defense.
They've pitched four shutouts this season and have two more
(01:23:12):
games holding opponents at seven points or less. For the
buck Eyes, they are led by a sophomore quarterback, Cameron Sullivan.
He's thrown for over eight hundred and fifty yards and
thrown nine touchdown passes this season. Running the ball for
the Buckeyes will be junior Austin Gattier, averaging eighty two
yards per game, and Dakota Cunningham, who is averaging over
four yards per carry. This appears at surface to be
(01:23:35):
a knockdown, drag out game in the high teens or
low twenties. The team whose defense or special team makes
a big play or creates a turnover will have the
upper hand in this game.
Speaker 15 (01:23:46):
And for our final report tonight, we go to Central
Ohio and we are joined by Todd Bell.
Speaker 14 (01:23:52):
In Central Ohio, all four of the schools in the
Olin Tangi School District have been the cream of the crop.
Ol In Tangy, Perlin, Liberty, and Orange have combined to
go thirty and six this season, and the three of
the six losses have come to one another. The occ
Central Division will be decided on Friday when Liberty and
Orange collide. Currently Orange is unbeaten in the division, while
(01:24:14):
Liberty and Upper Arlington each have one loss.
Speaker 4 (01:24:17):
So after these.
Speaker 14 (01:24:18):
Two backyard rivals conclude Week ten, it'll either be Orange
on top or a three way tie for division supremacy.
And we can expect many more Old Tangi School District
fireworks in the postseason, as all four reside in Division one,
Region three.
Speaker 15 (01:24:33):
Good Stuff TV thanks to all of our correspondents. The
Friday Night Blitz continues. Final segment of the show. Coming
up next, we'll check on the best freshmen in the
state of Ohio with Jared Loganbill from Prep Bredzone, Ohio
as we continue on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:24:50):
Back to the Friday Night Blitz. From iHeartRadio, here's your host,
Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:24:55):
Thanks for joining us for the Week ten edition of
the Friday Night Blitz. Todd Walker here. Time now to
check in again with Jared Logan Bill from Prep Bridzone, Ohio.
We've been checking in with him for his rankings of
the top five players in each class and now we're
at the freshman level. They don't do a top five
ranking per se, but they do have a list of
(01:25:16):
players to watch, they only rank the top three classes. Nonetheless,
Jared is with us follow them on exit's at prep
Red Zone. Oh, Jared, when you look at how you
guys do things, you really don't get to in depth
on freshmen until they have really almost a full year
under their belt. But no question, there are some players
(01:25:37):
in the class of what it would be twenty eight
we're talking about now that certainly are on the radar already.
Go through maybe two or three of the players that
are obviously already high level talents even as freshmen.
Speaker 19 (01:25:50):
Yeah, so we don't do any ranking on freshmen until
after the freshman season. First would be running back Elijah
Harris from Cleveland Heights. He's five ten, one hundred and
eighty pounds. He actually has an early offer from Kentucky.
He's gotten some time. Just he's a powerful runner for
even at five, really good contact balance and then has
(01:26:13):
a good burst. Also has a long speed that he
can he can make a chunk play out of out
of even a smaller plane.
Speaker 4 (01:26:21):
So he's a.
Speaker 19 (01:26:22):
Kid that that we're really going to keep our eye on,
especially as he gets older and bigger. I really expect
him to turn into a back who is really dynamic, versatile,
can can do you know, you know, break the long
speed place, but can also just really just wear down
defenses with his side and size and power. And then
(01:26:45):
on that, we have wide receiver Anthony Jamison out of
Kept Columbus. He's a wide receiver who's got a lot
of linked in athleticism. He is six foot four, one
hundred and seventy pounds, so that length kind of you know,
usually your wide receivers, your top end athletic wide receivers
(01:27:06):
as freshman sophomore, you know, might be five five, five nine,
maybe six foot. Obviously, Anthony's exceptional length stands out at
this point. He already shows the ability to get open,
deep and high point the ball, and and so his
his size and length really plays. But the athleticisms there
(01:27:29):
too to go along with that. Beyond that, we have
athlete Marquise Ray out of Westernville North plays both sides
of the ball. I've seen more of him as a
running back. He is actually the son former Michigan safety
Marcus Ray. Five and seventy pound freshman, He's a slippery runner.
(01:27:49):
He's a kid who keeps his hips flow to the ground.
He can duke and make guys miss, but then out
in the open field he can really accelerate and take
the the uh play all the way to the house.
And so he's won that again. He has also an
early offer from Kentucky. But he's one that's going to
(01:28:11):
be a fun watch and really I think maybe we'll
either be able to play both sides of the ball
down the road, but really like him as an offensive
spark plug either, you know, one who can line up
out of the backfield. He be able to motion and
we're on spot to u you know, routes as a receiver.
So just really an ultra talented young man who has
(01:28:34):
a really fright uh fright future ahead of them.
Speaker 15 (01:28:38):
Jared, as you mentioned, you guys are sort of a
scouting service. So while you certainly pay attention to where
guys have committed to and where they're signing, that's not
really your area of expertise so to speak.
Speaker 19 (01:28:51):
Right, Yes, I think you put it really well. We
while we pay attention to where guys are committed to
it stuff or not, that's where crystal walling players. We're not,
you know, keeping the constant feed of you know, players
ex visiting here and that sort of thing. Offers are
kind of an indication a lot of times of athleticism
(01:29:14):
and ability. So while we do keep track of that,
it's not our primary focus. We're really trying to focus
on what are these players' characteristics, what do.
Speaker 4 (01:29:24):
They do well?
Speaker 19 (01:29:26):
And in some cases, you know, things areas where we
feel like they can grow and become even better.
Speaker 15 (01:29:32):
We're talking about Jared Logan Bill from Prep Red Zone, Ohio.
When you look at the crop of talent this year, Jared,
especially the top two grades, Let's say, are we seeing
a talent upgrade from last year or the year before
or about the same across the state. How would you
characterize that?
Speaker 19 (01:29:50):
It's getting deeper every year? And I really attribute that
to really year round, year round training that's being done
by these young men. It really has started with quarterbacks
and it seems to really be trickling down into your
other skilled positions. And I expect that to even become
(01:30:10):
more of the case now that seven H seven on
seven's comes to Ohio and players will be getting involved
into you know, local, regional and even national teams. In
some cases, when you know the kid has you know,
has that kind of ability, and so I think because
of that lack of exposure at the earlier ages, I
(01:30:33):
think it's been more in the past where kids wouldn't
get seen until their junior or senior seasons locally, you know,
even at the D one level, and and really recruiting
is very momentum based. Once they get an offer from
one school, it kind of puts them on the radar
of other schools. And so the earlier that happens, it
(01:30:55):
allows them to create a recruiting momentum that that you know,
will really build lists for themselves to work off of.
And so I think this year that's starting to be
the case with the junior class and even the sophomore class,
I think is really starting to see the benefit of
that depth of recruiting at the D one level. And
(01:31:19):
in the future that's going to do nothing but increase
as things trickle down with players playing against one another,
you know, another player has good film against that player
that has an offer. So I think it's really over
the next two or three years, is going to explode
in Ohio.
Speaker 15 (01:31:36):
It's been great to visit with Jared to the last
three or four weeks. We appreciate him taking time. That's
going to wrap it up for the Week ten edition
of the Friday Night Blitz. We're headed out to the
stadium for coverage of your game next We hope you'll
join us at halftime as well for the halftime Huddle.
Also right back here next week for another edition of
the Friday Night Blitz. This is Todd Walker. You keep
(01:31:56):
it ere on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:31:58):
Thanks for listening to the Friday Night Blitz from iHeartRadio.
Kickoff is coming up.
Welcome to the press box with Marty Banister, the latest
on all local sports from Wright State to the Dayton Flyers,
from the Reds and Buckeyes to the Bengals and Browns.
Called Marty now at nine three seven by three, one six,
one seven zero the press Box on Fox Sports nine
(00:20):
eighty WNE.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Not our best football in the area.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
We've been obviously a great, great, great test ahead of us,
but we're excited to move forward.
Speaker 4 (00:31):
That is Nebraska head coach Matt Rule his Cournhuskers will
be in Columbus tomorrow to face the Ohio State buck Eyes.
Welcome to the press box, Fox Sports nine eighty w
any have Marty banners? We're so good ahead with us
here on this football Friday. It's also a baseball Friday.
Hard to believe. Yeah, the World Series starts tonight or
not so that anyone would notice, it's been a week
(00:53):
since a baseball game. Yankees and Dodgers get the World
Series underway. You gonna be with you here today. We
have a lot to get into on the program, as
we always do on Friday. Sea Bass for Kelly b
She will be along with her for the ladies segment
a little bit later on, as you heard the top
of the hour, the Cincinnati Bengals getting a word out
that T. Higgins is now questionable for the game on
Sunday with the Philadelphia Eagles due to a quad injury.
(01:15):
Showed up on the injury report list today. Now that
is questionable, doubtful until it says out then that's when
you really look at it. Questionable just simply is in
the uncertain if the player will play. It's what that
means game status wise, limited in practice today with that
quad injuries will probably giving you a chance just to
(01:38):
rest and get better. Everybody else, Orlando Brown Junior is
good to go, Gino Stone is good to go. They
both left the Browns game on Sunday with injuries. So
we'll keep an update we get anything more on that
before we go off the air today. We will certainly
let you know about that because that would change a
lot of Cincinnati's offense because obviously, with Higgins healthy, he
(01:58):
and Jamar Chase are just so dynamic at that White
House spot. And that's the one thing too that's funny.
You go back and look T Higgins, I mean obviously
wants money, he wants to be paid. He's certainly one
of the best wide receivers in national football. Guy just
can't stay healthy. And if it's not one thing, it
seemingly it's another with Higgins, and I wonder if that
I don't think that will scare teams away from him.
But same time, it's kind of an interesting aspect of
(02:21):
it when you think about t Higgins so at any
rate listed as questionable right now. For the game with
the Eagles on Sunday, Cincinnati with a win, goes to
four and four. Browns have the Baltimore Ravens in on Sunday.
Jamis Winston gets the start at quarterback for the Browns.
The other big change for Cleveland going into that game,
(02:41):
Kevin Stefanski has given up play calling duties, will hand
those over to Ken Dorsey, So we'll see if that
makes any difference at all. The only thing that's interesting
about the Ravens going into that game to me is
coming off of a short week, they go to Tampa
and there was a lot of build up to that
game because Tampa's having a very good season, and the
just basically thumped them. I mean, it ended up being
(03:03):
a ten point game, but I mean you never really
felt the Ravens were any kind of trouble in that
game when they pulled ahead, and with the Browns being
the mess that they are, well, who knows what you're
going to get on Sunday. But it is still a
game that where the Ravens should come away with a
victory on Sunday. So that both those games kicked by
the way at one o'clock on Sunday, Bengals and the Eagles,
(03:25):
Ravens and the Browns. So that is a Sunday Ohio
State Nebraska that's tomorrow. It's a noontime kick over in
Columbus for that one. The Buckeyes after a bye week,
get back into action and as you heard, we talked
about this great deal yesterday about Ryan Day's comments, I'm
(03:45):
not happy about anything right now. Well, I think they're
going to be okay tomorrow. Nebraska just got flattened by
Indiana last Saturday, and the corn Huskers are well and
again I can't it's hard to kind of get a
handle on just how good Indiana really is. But nonetheless,
(04:07):
to lose fifty six to seven in Bloomington and then
have to get ready to play State, sorry about your luck, Matt,
but that'll be tomorrow in Columbus. We have Miami football
for you Tomorrow. The RedHawks have Eastern Michigan tomorrow Central Michigan.
I'm sorry tomorrow and we'll have that one for you
with the voice of the Redhawk Steve Baker, he and
Terry Bridge. I have all the action for you. Udi
(04:28):
Flyers have an exhibition game tomorrow night. They'll take on
the Ashland Eagles at the UD Arena. That one will
tip at six o'clock tomorrow night. And yes, it's an
exhibition game, but I will tell you this about John
ellen Wood's Ashland team in his program, that's a very
very good program. They have an Ohio State transfer, Javid Etzler,
who will be a part of their starting lineup tomorrow night.
(04:49):
A year and a year out. Ellen Wood brings in great,
great talent, and that'll be a good test with the
Flyers tomorrow night. Again an exhibition game, the Ashland's Division
two school, but ellen Wood as a great program at Ashland,
and that one I think will be kind of interesting
to see tomorrow what the Flyers do with Ashton after
taking that thumping last Sunday night from Xavier in their
first exhibition game. Regular season starts a week from Monday
(05:12):
in college basketball on Monday night, November four, And I
know we're still a week, but have you thought for
a moment and kind of looked ahead to that week yet?
That Monday night in November fourth, that's election Eve. Then
on Tuesday night, of course the election, there are college
football games all across the board that night, hopefully to
take our mind off of all the chaos we're going
(05:33):
to see on Tuesday night. But it's just such a
I don't know if calm before the storm is the
phrase to use, but there's just such a different feel
going to that week because after Tuesday there will be
college football games on that Wednesday night. Heck, I'll be
calling one that Wednesday night. Ohio will be at Kent
(05:54):
State that night. And it's just such an odd feeling,
maybe the only one that feels that. I don't know,
but it's just such an odd feeling thinking about what
could possibly happen. You hope what could possibly happen doesn't happen.
So many different ways to look at it, but it's
just gonna be a weird, weird three days. And so
(06:16):
we'll see how that kind of plays itself. Out a
week from Monday, as the clock works down towards that big,
big night of high school football. It's week number ten
all across the area, huge huge games. I think we've
done a pretty good job this week of previewing them
for you. Coming up on the program today, we'll hear
from the head coaches of the game they's getting the
most attention in our area. It's the Miami Valley League
(06:39):
Championship de facto championship game, if you will, between Xenia
and Tip, taking place at Xenia tonight. We will hear
from both head coaches. We had them both on with
us early in the week. We're gonna let you hear
from them again as they get their teams ready for
tonight's matchups. Tonight's matchup should be a lot of fun tonight,
of course. A little further to the north is the
Merriam Local Cold Water Game. It looks like the weather's
(06:59):
gonna hold up. Earlier today, rain moved through the Eric
kind of may not be the best night in the
world for high school football, but there is still a
slight chance of some rain throughout the area. But I
think for the most part, we're gonna be okay, and
I think it's gonna be a lot of fun tonight
for all these great, great high school football games all
across the region and all across the state. Week number
(07:20):
ten playoffs start next week. Yeah, to the playoffs next week.
We will have our iHeart Football Radio blitz for you
coming up next hour at about four fifteen or so
as we get you ready for all the games across
the state of Ohio and look ahead to all the big,
big action around the state as well too. So that's
pretty much what is going on in the world of sports. Again.
T Higgins listed is questionable for Sunday for the Bengals
(07:43):
and the Eagles. We'll get an official word on that.
I'm sure closing in on game time wouldn't surprise me though.
If he does go a question of quiet injury again,
give it a couple of days to rest, and I
think it's just being cautious, are the folks with the Bengals.
So that's kind of the biggest news coming out of
that part of things, all right, three on nine in
the time, we're gonna step aside for a time out.
When we come back, we're gonna dive headfirst into Week
(08:05):
number ten. Of the high school football season. We'll hear
from Xenia head coach Maurice Holden. Still to come, Tip
head coach Matt Burkbaker. We have all that coming up
for you three on nine A time in the press
box with you here on this football Friday, Fox Sports
nine eighty w.
Speaker 1 (08:19):
E get on the press box called Marty now at
nine to three, seven by three, one, six, one seven
zero the press box on Fox Sports nine eighty WN eighty.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Welcome back to the press box Fox Sports nine eighty
W one. It's a big week of high school football,
week number ten, which is hard to believe in his
own right, and we head towards the big game in
our area, certainly Friday night takes place at Xenia, where
unbeaten Xenia and Tip gather for the really the championship
of the Miami Valley League. Both are a top of
their respective divisions. Both are unbeaten visiting with us right
(08:56):
now as Xenia head coach Maurice holding coach. First of all,
I appreciate your time time. What has this week been
like for you and your coaching staff and your players
getting ready to play a game of this magnitude.
Speaker 5 (09:07):
Well, I think we have just tried to do the
best job we can of just trying to make it.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
A normal week.
Speaker 5 (09:13):
We're obviously excited, we obviously know what's at stake. We
obviously understand what opportunity we have to play in front of.
Speaker 6 (09:22):
Our home crowd at Senior night.
Speaker 5 (09:24):
You know, you've got two unbeaten teams, two really good
football teams going head to head. We're super excited about
the the opportunity, but we are trying to just prepare
for like a normal week.
Speaker 4 (09:35):
Is it possible to make it too big?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (09:39):
I do, Uh, I definitely think so, because you know,
you know, we we still got some some weeks that
we want to play. We're not we're not playing just
for Week ten. We're we're trying to finish our season,
you know, and can like everybody else is. So we
you know, we want to just try to keep it
in perspective. You know, Uh, Tips are really good Foo
(10:00):
ball team and coach Burbaker got a lot of love
and respect for that guy.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Does a really good job.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
Over there with his kids and his program. So we
just are trying our best to just stay as focused
as we can.
Speaker 6 (10:13):
Uh As we.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Move forward, I think that's a great point about you know,
there's you want to you want to keep playing obviously,
and you will be playing after this week with the
playoffs coming around, but you want to go, you want
to make that type of run. Does but does this
still almost kind of feel like a playoff game?
Speaker 7 (10:29):
Almost?
Speaker 5 (10:29):
Definitely, most definitely, especially with the with the with the talent,
and with the talent, and and with the you know,
the hype and what comes with the game. I definitely
think that it's going to feel like a playoff atmosphere.
Like I said, this place is gonna be rocking on Friday,
So I definitely would say so for sure.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Obviously there's a lot of attention focused on your offense,
and rightfully so with the numbers of Dante White has
put up this season. But I want to start out
our conversation about that side of the ball with your coach,
about your core. I mean, he's been a four year starter,
if I'm correct, that that is such an advantage to have,
especially isn't it in playing a game like this on
a Friday night?
Speaker 5 (11:09):
Absolutely, because no moment is too big for him. He's
he's been at all of them. You know, I made
that decision as when he was a fourteen year old
to kind of lead our program. And he's done everything
exceptional from start to finish, coming to every meeting that
we meet on Sundays, coming to game plan meetings, putting
(11:31):
time in after practice, learning our scheme and having a
great understanding of what we do and how we do
it just makes him so much better and gives me
the confidence and like I said, he's going to make
the right decisions and he's going to do the things
that are needed.
Speaker 7 (11:46):
For us to be successful.
Speaker 4 (11:48):
Gavin mcmattus is throwing fifteen touchdown passes this year in
just one interception. Obviously, the next question centers on his
decision making. The numbers say it's very good coach, but
that is a strength of his is.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
Absolutely Our offense is very quarterback driven, so for him
to be able to go out there and make decisions
and kind of kind of be like a coach on
the field essentially with the things that we do offensively,
with our run, pass options and things of that nature.
A lot of that stuff is post snap, meaning like
(12:23):
it happens after the snap happens. Stuff's not predetermined. He
has to make choices to where to put the ball,
when to give it, when to throw it, where to
throw it to, you know, and that's a lot of
responsibility for somebody. So the fact that he's been able
to do that do it at a high level. I
think it's completion percentage. It's like seventy eight percent right now,
close to eighty percent. So when you have that kind
(12:45):
of completion percentage, you're limiting the amount of turnovers that
you have. That always gives you a great opportunity and
a great chance to win.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Spending some time with Zenia had football coach Mauric's holding
here in the press box. Big game on Friday night
is Xenia and Tip for the Miami Valley League championship.
There they're both unbeaten and both a toop their respective
divisions in the MVL. Coach, going into the season, you
knew you had a lot of talent coming back. I
always like to ask coaches this thought when you get
to this point of a season. But was there one
(13:14):
game during the season where you went, you know what,
we're pretty darn good.
Speaker 6 (13:19):
I think the game that.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
Gave me that thought process and then where I was
super proud of my team's resilience and ability to fight
through adversity. Was Butler. The Butler was Week five. Butler
last year beat US twenty eight to twenty one. We
were winning that game twenty one to twenty seven, and
(13:42):
we end up, like I said, dropping that game, and
we weren't able to kind of finish right that game.
That's kind of where this year's mantra came from. Is
you know last year's seasons, seven out of the eleven games,
we were leading at halftime and we just didn't finish.
So that was our whole thought process as we came
(14:03):
into this season, was finished the fight, which is our mantra.
We got to finish fighting for four quarters. You may
be up at halftime, but you still got to play,
You still got to execute, You still have to do
things at a high level until the clock isystem triple zero.
So that's just been our mantra as we've moved forward,
and Butler was the game that I really saw us
(14:24):
have to fight and scratch and claw to get to
where we want to be.
Speaker 6 (14:29):
You know, we were losing that game at halftime.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
You know it was ten to four, it was ten
to fourteen going in a half. They end up coming
down the field kicking a field goal, making the game
seventeen to ten. We get the ball back, we drive
down the field, we tie it up, we get a stop,
we score again.
Speaker 6 (14:48):
We fumbled the pat.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
And then he ends up running in for a touchdown
to make it twenty five seventeen. Two really really big stops.
So on defense, work downsack to win the game.
Speaker 6 (15:03):
You know that.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Just let me know that the kids that we had
were resilient. The kids that we had, you know, like
I said, we're going to buy into our mantra and
buy into what we wanted to do, and that that's
all you want as a coach. You want the kids
to believe in the vision, support what you what you're
preaching and teaching every day, and if they can carry
that out, then you're in great shape. So I would
(15:24):
say that that's the game that that I really felt
like this is a special group of young men that
that want to be successful and want to finish every game.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
Coach of that mindset help you in the chory game
as well to a game he won by three points.
Speaker 5 (15:37):
Oh absolutely, when you can When you can do that, uh,
and you know it's eight forty one on the clock
and you hold the ball for eight minutes forty one seconds, uh,
to finish, to finish the game. That's that's that's definitely
finished in the fight. That's definitely find a way to
(15:57):
grind it out, find a way.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
To put us through.
Speaker 6 (16:02):
And and and be successful through some adverse situations.
Speaker 4 (16:05):
All right, let's talk obviously now we have to talk
about about your running back of it almost sixteen hundred
yards for Dante White. What does it make him so special? Coach?
Speaker 8 (16:14):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (16:15):
He plays and he brings the style of football that
we want to that we want to play. That's how
he runs physical like we will. We want to play
a physical brand of football on the defensive line and
the offensive line because we are firm believer that's how
you win football games as being in the trenches. And
he brings that element of what we want being physical.
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (16:39):
He wears on you.
Speaker 6 (16:41):
You know, that's why he gets and the carries that
he gets.
Speaker 5 (16:44):
You know, you're talking thirty eight carries, twenty carries, twenty
five carries.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
Uh, and and and that weighs on a defense.
Speaker 5 (16:50):
So shouts out to him, shouts out to that offensive line.
You know, we got a you know, a couple of
older older guys you know junior Tommy ersam are our
captain and leader, Gunner Stephan who's our center, senior A. J. Anderson,
our other, our other tackle, Kaden robers Won. We had
a freshman playing sometimes to Max Green.
Speaker 6 (17:12):
CJ. Johnson's the other.
Speaker 7 (17:13):
Guard who's a junior.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
So you had a veteran group, uh, and a group
that takes a lot of pride and being physical.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And I think that they they all buy into that.
Speaker 5 (17:23):
And you have that along with number twenty four who's
running that rock and you know, taking that approach that
he wants to come downhill on things. You know that
that helps, That helps with the situation.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
I would imagine to coach he does what all good
running backs do and say and will say, Uh, that's
where the props go for him, isn't it that offensive line?
Speaker 6 (17:42):
Absolutely? Absolutely, Yeah. Every every time he's.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Had a big game and uh he's been able to
have success, you know, he always goes back to saying,
you know, it's it's it's the offensive.
Speaker 6 (17:53):
Line, and and and and.
Speaker 5 (17:54):
Like I said, we take a lot of pride and
running God's favorite play, which is power. That's who we are,
our identity, that's what.
Speaker 6 (18:01):
We believe in and that's just what we hang our
hat on.
Speaker 5 (18:05):
It's being physical and being able to dominate to a
lot of scrimmagey.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
Is that the same mindset your defense as coach?
Speaker 6 (18:12):
Absolutely, being physical and being sound?
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (18:17):
You know, Coach Snyder is our defensive coordinator.
Speaker 6 (18:19):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
And he has a quote that he that he's coined
himself that he always tells people to snap it again.
Speaker 6 (18:25):
I think people snap it again, and.
Speaker 5 (18:28):
That just goes back to make it make being disciplined,
allowing them to do the things that they need to do.
Speaker 7 (18:35):
No.
Speaker 5 (18:36):
I just I think it's just making them snap it again.
Being physical upfront and being sound. Those are his two things.
He always says, if we can make them snap it again,
people will easily make mistakes, and if we stay sound
in our technique and discipline will be in good shape.
Speaker 4 (18:52):
Coach, I'll ask you about tip here in a moment
or so, but I want to get your thoughts on
a week like this. You've been down this road before. Obviously,
we're a week ten game means alive with the playoffs
on the on the line, and so many other aspects
of a game like this. But how much fun is
a week like this for a football coach, for a
program like Xenia, for the success you've had in the past,
that this is a special week, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (19:13):
Oh yeah, most definitely. I think you, uh, you got
to kind of embrace the moment a little bit. You know,
like you're obviously there's some nerves and you know, you're
you're you're trying to make sure you know things are ready,
but you also have to enjoy the process, enjoy.
Speaker 6 (19:29):
Everything that's going on, you know. And like I said,
this this isn't says it.
Speaker 7 (19:34):
My first rodeo.
Speaker 5 (19:35):
As far as being able to be in this position,
I've been fortunate enough and blessed enough to have this
opportunity before.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (19:44):
I remember I was uber nervous and you.
Speaker 5 (19:46):
Know, thinking about this, thinking about that and trying to
keep myself together.
Speaker 6 (19:53):
Uh. And I really didn't enjoy just a moment in
the process.
Speaker 5 (19:57):
So I think moving into it now, I'm just happy to.
Speaker 6 (20:02):
To be out here. I'm happy to be able to
have this opportunity.
Speaker 8 (20:06):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (20:06):
And I'm happy for.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Our boys and our community to uh to share this
moment and it should be a really great night.
Speaker 4 (20:12):
All right, Let's get your thoughts on the team you'll
face on Friday. Just like you, they roll in unbeaten.
I think a lot of similarities in the mindset and
the things that you do. What impresses you about this
Tip team you'll see on Friday.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
They don't make mistakes. They don't make mistakes. That's a
good football team.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
You know, they got to talk more quarterbacks who's tossing
it all over the yard. And they got a receiver
number six who's very dynamics on a perimeter. Defensively, they're
extremely sound and what they do, their kids play extremely hard.
They do all the little things the right way. So
(20:50):
you add all that together, man, you give yourself a
recipe for success.
Speaker 7 (20:53):
That's why they've been so good.
Speaker 9 (20:55):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (20:55):
It's because of that.
Speaker 5 (20:56):
Is being able to have guys offense they can make
big plays, and then guys defensively they just play hard. Uh,
you know, read their keys, saying their gaps, uh, and
play extremely hard.
Speaker 4 (21:11):
So it should be a fun one on Friday night
at Xenia. Xenia plays host to Tip, the Miami Valley
League championship up for grabs. Coach Hold, I certainly appreciate
your time. Thank you for giving me some time to
talk about your team and talk about your program. Should
be a fun one on Friday. Best of luck and
hopefully we'll get a chance to talk again here soon.
Speaker 7 (21:27):
Yes, sir, appreciation coach holding with.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
The Xenia Buccaneers. They have the Tip dread Devils on
Friday night in a Miami Valley League showdown for the lead.
Stay with us more than the press box still to
come on Fox Sports nine eighty w willan.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
Get on the press box called Marty now at nine
to three seven buy three one six one seven zero
the press box on Fox Sports nine eighty w on.
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Welcome back to the press box here on Fox Sports
nine eighty w O n E. We are closing in
on a big Friday of high school football week number
ten of the high school football season. Hard to believe
in the big game in our area coming up on
Friday night takes place in the Miami Valley League where
Xenia and Tip get together with the championship in the
Miami Valley League on the line and with us right
(22:14):
now as the head coach a Tip Matt burg Baker.
His team has run the table to this juncture of
the season and they get said to take on equally
unbeaten Xenia coach. I'll talk to you about Xenia and
all that surrounds this game coming up on Friday, first
of all, but I appreciate your time. What has this
season been like to reach week number ten unbeaten? What
has been like for you for your program?
Speaker 7 (22:33):
I'll tell you it's huge for our program. I mean,
we graduated twenty two seniors the last two years, so
we've had a lot of turnover here. But I think
what we have seen is the culture of our program
where each senior class they don't want to be the
one that lets it down. They want to keep this
moving in the right direction. We started the season with
(22:54):
so many question marks. We started new eleven new guys. Defensively,
we had to replay our quarterback. We had to replace
three offensive linemen, we had to find a new running back,
we had to find some new receivers. And these kids
have answered every question that we've had and they have
done an outstanding job. And the best thing about it
right now, we're playing our best football right now. So
(23:15):
we're going into Week ten. We're a little banged up,
but what team isn't banged up come Week ten? But
you know what, We've had some injuries throughout the year,
and it's next man up philosophy, and that's what these
guys came in with. Again. We had a ton of
questions at the beginning of the year, but all those
questions have been answered, and our kids are They're exciting
to watch, they're fun to watch. We play hard. Teams
(23:37):
are going to be a lot bigger than we are
when we step out on the fields. That's irrelevant, that's indifferent.
The one thing you do notice about us is our
kids play hard and they leave it all out on
the field. When you do that, you got a chance.
And we've had our chances.
Speaker 4 (23:50):
Absolutely. Coach, you mentioned a moment ago the culture, and
I think sometimes people look at that and they say, well,
that's coach speak, but it's not, isn't. I mean, there's
a lot to that, and you just said it. When
you lose a type of seniors that you lost them
last year, here you are the year after that, Week
ten playing for an unbeaten regular season, that league championship.
That does mean a lot, doesn't it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
It does?
Speaker 7 (24:10):
And I know you're right it is coach speak, but
our kids live it. It's what you do. And how
you do it. That's our culture, and our kids understand
what it takes to be successful here. Again, we're not
the biggest team on the field on Friday nights, but
we will be the hardest playing team. How do you
do that. It's that preparation from Saturday to Thursday that's
(24:32):
going to give you that opportunity, and it's the off
season workouts. It's just how we do things. Our kids
are completely bought into what we do and when you
got everybody on the same page, you've got a really
good chance of being successful. But then again, too, your
culture has got to be led by the seniors. And
again these seniors this year, as sophomores, we were in
(24:55):
the state semi finals. As juniors we're in the state
regional semi They've they've seen success. They know what it
takes and what it took to get to those points.
But then again, now you know where we're at. The
regional semi finals isn't good enough around here anymore. They
want they want to be practicing on Thanksgiving, they want
(25:17):
to be practicing the week after, and we know what
that would be. But again, those are our goals. But
these guys have done a great job of what do
you have to do today to get to those goals?
And three are you disciplined to do those things to
get to our goals? And those guys have been able
to answer two and three with a yes, and we
(25:39):
can do this.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
And it's not like it puts any extra pressure on
a head coach.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Does it.
Speaker 4 (25:45):
Expectations around the program? It makes.
Speaker 7 (25:50):
It absolutely does. And it's great when you're in the
locker room and our our varsity teams in the same
locker room as a freshman. And it's great when you
hear of our the kid come up when a freshman
does something and they say, hey, we don't do that here.
That's not how we do it. Man, that's music to
my ears because they get it. And you know, they're
(26:12):
not ridiculing the freshmen. They're not you know, pointing them out.
They're just letting them know, hey, this isn't how we
do it here. These guys that are seniors now we're
in the same boat. When they were freshmen and sophomores,
you know, they did some of those things that you're
just not supposed to do and they got corrected and
now it's their turn to step into those shoes, and
these guys have done an outstanding job with it. And
(26:35):
again we've got we've got twenty one seniors this year.
You know, it's just we're gonna lose another great class.
But again it's just it's hard to build it, but
it's even harder to keep it there. But when you
have kids like we have here, it makes that harder
a lot more enjoyable.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
He's the head coach at Typiccanoe, Matt Burke Baker visiting
with us here. His team gets set to take on
Zenia on Friday night, with the Mimi Holly Champ being
ship up for grabs. Tip leads the Miami Division, Xenia
leads the Valley Division. Both are unbeaten. Coach, when you
went into the season, you talked about the type of
losses that you had personnel wives from last year. Was
there a game early on where you kind of went,
all right, we might be able to do what we
(27:14):
thought we could do going into this season.
Speaker 7 (27:17):
Yeah. Week one, we opened, we opened with Belbrook. We
don't we don't have the philosophy of scheduling a Week
one game that we know we're gonna win. We played
Belbrook ten times and we go five and five. Hey,
we're happy with that because they are a very good
football team. Week one, we came out and again we
(27:37):
had all those questions. We were able to win twenty
eight to seven, and us coaches we come back here
in the locker room and we're sitting in the coach's
office afterwards, and we're all kind of looking at each
other like did that just happen? Like did we just
do what we did? You know for those two and
a half hours, and then you know, we it's just
kind of snowballed from there. And again it all goes
(28:00):
back to the preparation. You know, I always I've got
the quote, you know, the Bear Bryant quote. It's not
the will to win that matters, everybody's got that, But
it's the will to prepare to win that matters. And
these guys are doing a great job with preparing and
each week they've just gotten better. Like I said, we
started eleven new guys on defense. Now, some of those
(28:22):
starters did get quite a bit of time last year,
but they technically weren't starters. But you know, when you
get into that role where there's that not that guy
in front of you, and then you get to come
in now you are the guy. These guys are. These
guys have been ready to do that. And then offensively,
like I said, it all starts up front, and we
had to replace three offensive linemen, and our offensive lines
(28:44):
played outstanding. I think we've given up two or three
quarterback sacks and nine games. You know, that's and we
throw We've thrown the ball one hundred and ninety two times.
It's not like we don't throw the ball. We throw
the ball a lot. And and again, another huge question
mark was our quarterback. We've lost a senior quarterback the
last two years, so we have the sophomore quarterback Clark
(29:05):
and Thomas that right now in nine games has twenty
nine touchdown passes. You know, obviously that's a question mark
coming into your season when you when you lose you know,
starters from the last two years and you're gonna you're
gonna go with the sophomore. But Larkin's done an outstanding
job of managing games and just taking what teams that
(29:26):
are giving him and shoot. His stats speak for themselves.
He's throwing for almost nineteen hundred yards twenty nine touchdowns.
Obviously he's making some great decision back there. But he
wouldn't be able to do that if he didn't have
the time, and then two if he didn't have the
receivers out there to do it. Plus we've got a
pretty good running game too, So it's kind of pick
(29:47):
your poison. Are are you going to stop our run
game or are you going to stop our passing game?
And then you know, if this happens, then we're going
to do this. If this happens, then we're going to
do that. So we've got to have an answer to
what teams teams are able to do to us and
then boom, we can we can go do what we
want to do.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
And obviously, on the defensive side of the ball, you
have done that this year. I mean, only two teams
have scored in double figures against you. You've had one
to two shutouts. You've been dominant on that side of
the football. And you talked about the type of guys
you have coming back. Is that your best side of
the ball or are you pretty balance football team?
Speaker 7 (30:22):
We're a balanced football team. And yeah, our defense puts
our offense in some great situations, but then again, our
offense puts our defense in some great situations. When when
we are able to get a two or three touchdown lead,
we can maybe be a little more aggressive, or we
can get back into our bend don't break defense. So
obviously those two things work hand in hand. But I'm
(30:45):
also gonna you know, I guess I'm the special teams
coordinator too, so I got to give props to our
special teams. Our special teams has been outstanding. We've had
a couple of blocks on ponts and field goals. We've
we've been able to on kickoffs cover six or seven
kickoffs for on fumbles. Our kickoff team does a great
(31:05):
job getting downfield. Our punt team, we've only punted nine
times in nine games, So I guess I don't know
if our punt team's really good or if they're really
bad because we've don't done it nine times. But still
that's fine with me. I don't want to find out.
We can we can find out next year or something
where I want to be able to keep doing so.
Our special teams has put our offense in great positions.
(31:29):
Our special teams has covered up some maybe some deficiencies
we've had with our defense because they've played some great
special teams. So again, all of them work hand in hand.
We're not so dependent on our defense to where we're
just going to play at conservative offensively because we know
our defense is going to stop them. No, we're going
to be aggressive. There's gonna be some series where we
(31:50):
take forty seconds off the clock and our defense has
to go back out there because we want to play
with tempo, we want to play fast. But then again,
there's going to be some other times, you know, but
our defense knows we may only get a rest for
two minutes and then we got to go play defense again.
Or you know, we get a rest for this long
because our offense is you know, has the ball for
(32:10):
fifteen minutes. So again, they all work hand in hand,
and it's just you know, we have a turnover. Okay,
what a great opportunity for us to have a little
adversity and go out there and play. It's all, you know,
you've got to have a perspective, got to you've got
to have a mindset. You don't like your perspective then changing.
You don't like your mindset, well you control it changing.
And our kids are again, our kids have done a
(32:30):
great job with that.
Speaker 4 (32:32):
On the defensive side of things, going to Friday Night
against maybe one of the top running backs, certainly in
our area, maybe in the state of Ohio, and Dante White,
the type of numbers he's put up this season leads
the way for Xenia. Is this your biggest challenge for
your defense that you face this season on Friday?
Speaker 7 (32:46):
Oh? Absolutely, because Xenia, Xenia is so well coached and
they just you know, obviously they're running backs probably the best.
And not that I'm going to say he's one of
the best in the state. I haven't seen that everybody,
but I'm gonna go ahead and declare that. So they've
got that, But then they run these stink and RPOs
and you know, it's just they're just hard to defend.
(33:09):
We've got to the key to Friday Night. We have
to win first down. We got to win first down.
Saying that we've got to we've got to hold him
to less than three yards on first down because then
I've been an offensive coordinator before. You know, second and eight,
second and nine is a whole heck of a lot
harder to call than second and five, second and four
because then you still got your whole playbook. So we
(33:31):
got to win first down and then we've got to
change our mindset and go win second down. We've got
to get them and positions they don't want to be.
They don't want to be in third and long. They
don't want because their offense is based off that run game.
So obviously we're focused on the run game. But then
you look and they've got a four year starter at
quarterback that's going to have the ball in his hands
(33:53):
every play. And he's not a four year starter because
they don't have any other quarterbacks. He's a four year
starter because he's a damn good quarterback. And they've they've
got the threats outside to throw the ball. So it's
not like we're going to be able to put nine
guys in the box and just say, hey, you two
go play man on those wide receivers. No, they can
throw the ball. They're effective throwing the ball. So now
(34:14):
that's where we got to put them in those situations
where they're third and long and hey, we can go
drop a few extra guys back in coverage because we
know they're going to throw the ball and we don't
have to stack the box. So first down is going
to be huge for.
Speaker 4 (34:27):
Us, absolutely, Coach, we wrap up our conversation, These type
of weeks were fun me As you said, you've been
deep into the playoffs. You know what that's like. You
know you're going to the playoffs again this year. You
know there's a week eleven and probably more than that
for your football team. But is there a way to
put into perspective what this is like for a coaching staff,
for the kids, for the community. It's a fun week
(34:47):
to be involved in high school football, isn't it?
Speaker 7 (34:50):
Oh, this is this is a blast. I'll tell you
our coaches we meet Sunday morning and do our scouting report.
And this was the longest meeting we've had all year.
The meetings seemed like it took twenty minutes. And then
after the meeting's over with just you know, texting back
and forth when something comes up when we're watching film
or something. These these weeks are so and then it's like,
(35:12):
you can't wait till Monday afternoon to do our scatting
reports because you can't. That's when we start the preparation.
And it is fun because we've had some weeks that
you know exactly what's going to happen on Friday night.
You know the result that's going to happen on Friday night.
And it's those you try not to, you know, you
(35:34):
try not to take it all that stuff, because you
want we're habits. There are creatures of habits, so we
want to stay in our routines and all that stuff.
But this week, man, like just the last two days
at practice, just the energy we've had and the focus,
and then you know, Monday's practice was a little rough
because we're getting the game plan on Tuesdays. Today's it
(35:55):
was a good practice. It was a really good practice.
So obviously we got to keep building up to Friday.
But no, these these weeks are fun because the problem
is at school, you know, with me being a teacher
and walking the hallways and all that stuff, everybody wants
to talk about the game.
Speaker 4 (36:10):
You can't him, you can't hide from no.
Speaker 7 (36:14):
But then you know, I also got to teach, and
I also got a lot of other things on my
mind too, So there's not a whole lot of down.
But I've been at the other end too, when you know,
my first year when I was at Troy, we struggled
a little bit, and heck, nobody wanted to talk to
you at all. Kinds of time to yourself because you know,
but then all of a sudden, you start winning and
everybody wants so it's it's not a bad thing. I'll
(36:37):
take this over over the alternative of nobody wanted to
talk to me, He said, no, it is exciting. It's
exciting for the community. You know, even though the game's
not at home, it doesn't matter. We played there two
years ago, Week five, both teams for four and zero,
and it was a fabulous atmosphere and it was a
game that they won with thirty seconds left in the game.
But that was one of the best high school games
(36:57):
I've been been had the privilege to coaching. So we're
expecting that same thing this week. And that's the exciting
part because you know it's going to be a forty
eight minute football game.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
I would think so, coach. I appreciate your time on
a busy week talking to us about about a big
game coming up in the area and Friday night, I'll
best of luck to you against Xenia and hopefully we'll
get a chance to talk to you down the road.
I appreciate your time.
Speaker 7 (37:19):
All right, thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (37:21):
Matt Burdbacker, the head football coach of Typical Now his
team gets set to take on Zenia Friday night in
one of the top games, certainly in our area and
across the state of Ohio. There aren't too many games
involving a couple of unbeaten teams squaring off in week
number ten. That shows you the importance of this one.
Stay with us more than press blocks still to come.
Fox Sports nine eighty w in.
Speaker 10 (37:37):
A welcome back before the Ladies where we dive into
(37:59):
women's sports both local and abroad.
Speaker 11 (38:02):
The WNBA Finals happened, and they were not without controversy.
The Liberty were able to win out in the fifth
and final game, and while a lot of it came
down to some calls and no calls, in the final minutes,
Sabrina Ionescu and Brianna Stewart put the team on their
backs and carried them to the finish line. The FISA
(38:23):
Collier of the Minnesota Links posted to Instagram after the
game some interesting photos from the game that included some
shots of those calls and no calls I mentioned earlier,
but ultimately vowed to be back to that spot for
the fans. Links coach Cheryl Reeve, however, said very plainly
in her postgame press conference that the game was stolen
(38:44):
from her team. You be the judge, check out the
replay of the game if you get a chance. But
as Marty likes to say, if you just score more points,
it won't be left up to the officials. Also, in
the WNBA, the players have opted out of their CBA,
so the current collective bargaining agreement will expire at the
(39:04):
end of the twenty twenty five season. We saw earlier
this year that the National Women's Soccer League had a
new CBA signed and included higher salaries and revenue sharing.
As the WNBA has grown exponentially, players hope their paychecks
and perks can do the same. In related noise, the
(39:25):
PWHL has also been eyeing another look at their current
restrictive CBA. Speaking of the PWHL, the Pro Women's Hockey League,
their schedules are out and the first game of the
season as Toronto taking on last year's runner up Boston
in Canada on November thirtieth. The preseason ramps up November twentieth,
(39:48):
and the reigning champs, the Minnesota Now Frost, opened their
season December first at Excel Energy Center and really quickly.
Back to the WNBA, The mill Walkee Bucks ownership group
have put in a bid for a WNBA expansion team.
The league is really on the rise. Locally.
Speaker 10 (40:09):
Wright State Basketball is ranked sixth in their preseason poll
the Coach's Poll, which is not bad considering that more
than half the team are new faces, which include six
transfers and three freshmen. The Flyers ranked eleventh in the
preseason poll, one spot higher than last year. This will
be a friend of the program Tamika william Jeter's third
(40:32):
season leading the team as the head coach. In her
second season, Dayton won five more games than her first
season coaching, so I'm sure she's hoping for another leap
in the program.
Speaker 11 (40:44):
And the Miami.
Speaker 10 (40:45):
RedHawks are tied for sixth in the preseason MAC Pole
with Northern Illinois. A lot of great women's college basketball
on the way. Stay tuned anyway, Thanks for a check
looking out for the ladies on the press box on
Fox Sports nine eighty w n E will be back
(41:06):
next week.
Speaker 1 (41:17):
Get on the press box called Marty now at nine
three seven by three one six one seven zero the
press box on Fox Sports nine eighty wn.
Speaker 4 (41:29):
Enter back with you in the program three fifty five
at the time. As we start to wrap up our number
one still to come. Next hour, we will hear from
the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Matt Ruhle, will
get his thoughts on his football team. They come to
Columbus tomorrow to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. It's the
Big Noon game on Fox and it will kick well.
I write at twelve noon hen Big Noon. Ohio State's
(41:49):
five and one. Nebraska is five and two, Buckeyes ranked
fourth in the nation. The corn Huskers are unranked at
five and two. Blue Jackets are in action tomorrow night.
National High Kague will be in Nashville to face the Predators,
and of course, updating you on the latest injury news
out of the NFL comes out of Cincinnati, where T
Higgins is now listed as questionable for the game with
(42:11):
the Eagles on Sunday, suffering from a quad injury. So
still I think that's still it's not one percent certain
that he will play, but I think it's more of
a positive than doubtful, which is the way those things
kind of work when you start looking at injuries and
things along those lines and what it means when the
(42:32):
player shows up on a injury report. We heard a
little bit earlier from the head football coaches at Xena
and Tip as they get ready for their big showdouts tonight.
There are truckload of other games around the area and
again the next hour of the iHeart High School Football
radio Blitz for Friday night, we'll be with you starting
in about four to twenty or so. But across the area.
The Greater Western Ohio Conference championships up for grabs tonight.
(42:54):
Fairmont and Centreville share the lead. Fairmont plays host of
Beaver Creek, Centerville host Wayne. I saw something earlier today.
If Fairmont wins tonight, it will be a share of
their first GWOC crown since two thousand, which is pretty
impressive because that's a good program. Fairmont's always been a
very good program, and it shows you how good that
league is. Centerver Old hosts and this is a big one.
(43:15):
They host Wayne tonight. That'll be a very good game.
In the Southwestern Buckeye League, they are in divisions. The
Buckeye Division finds Valley View and Waynesville meeting at valley
View both their five and oh The Southwestern Division Belbrook
has the lead and they can win the title if
they knock off second place Ross and Sonia wins the
Ohio The Western Ohio Athletic Conference il right with a
(43:36):
win at Mississinawa Valley and the gcl CO ed Hamilton,
Baden and McNicholas meet to decide the title there. That
game is at mcnick Tonight. The Three Rivers Conference features
a showdown for the championship tonight. Two six and O
teams Layman, Catholic and north Ridge meet at Northridge. Meadowdale
clinch the Dayton City League title with that victory Belmonte.
(43:56):
Earlier in the week twenty two to two in the
Central Bluck Eye Car Conference, London will clinch the Kenton
Trail Division title they knock off Urbana Tonight. Indian Lake
takes the mad River Division crown with a victory over
visiting North Union. In the Ohio Heritage Conference, the North
Division title goes to the winner of the meeting between
the five and oero teams West Liberty, Salem and Fairbanks.
The South Division title goes to Greenview if they managed
(44:19):
to pick up a win at Cedarville. In the Cincinnati area,
the Greater Miami conference that kind of moves to our
aria just a little bit. I mean, there's not much
difference between from a mileage depth between our Area South
and the Lakotas, which are members of the Greater Miami Conference.
Princeton and Lakota West share the lead going to tonight.
(44:42):
Princeton hosts windless coal Rain while Lakota West travels masin
what has happened to coal rain for years. They were
a power and winless right now. And if I don't
know what kind of shot they have tonight against Princeton,
but I think they went winless last year and the
year before that, I think they might have won one game. Well,
(45:03):
It's amazing sometimes how some of these great, great programs
that have had a lot of success kind of tumble
into the abyss a little bit. The Cincinnati Hills I
want to mention this real fast, undefeated Wyoming which has
lost just one Cincinnati Hills League game since twenty fifteen.
It goes for another title tonight. If they're able to
not call Finneytown, that's pretty remarkable right there. Of course,
(45:24):
Marion Local Cold Water meet tonight for the Midwest of
that conference championship and bragging rights and so much more
involved than what happens in the Midwest. When we come back,
we will hear from Nebraska and football coach Matt Rule.
It's the breast box Flock Sports nine eighty w O Navy.
Speaker 12 (46:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (46:01):
Time now for another Dragons download. I'm Marty Banister. As
we continue to talk Dayton Dragons baseball. It is the
off season, but still many many things going on surrounding
our Dayton Dragons brand. To get all visiting with us today,
and the Veterans Salute is something that the Dragons are
so very proud to be a part of brand, and
I know it's a an event and a thing that
the Dragons love to be a part of, and it
means so much to so many people, doesn't it.
Speaker 13 (46:23):
It's it certainly does you know? Again, being right here
near right Patterson Air Force Base, this is a huge
deal and our fans are always looking forward to these
five veterans that we highlight through the course of a
season each and every year. And so currently what we're
doing is trying to just get the word out about
this amazing program called Veterans Salute, presented by care Source
(46:43):
Military Veterans to get those five people. So we have
a lot of nominations, we need some more to pick from,
and I know there's no shortage of amazing veterans in
the Miami Valley, so please don't hesitate to check us
out online at Dayton Dragons dot com, slash bet salute
and nominate your friendly veteran.
Speaker 4 (47:01):
Let's also talk about again, as we are here nearing
the end of the year, it's still time to think
ahead to twenty twenty five, and that means tickets. That
means group outings, that means hospitality spaces, that means so
many things that are still available for fans that they
want to come out and see a baseball game.
Speaker 13 (47:16):
That's correct, Marty, I know we just got done and
it feels like man, that weather is starting to transition
to that cooler temperature. But it's always a good time
to think about presence for the holiday season. And what
better present than Dragons tickets for twenty twenty five when
that weather is warmer again. So you can become a
season ticket holder, or you can purchase a deck or
(47:38):
a suite or something like that to host your family
and friends in a special occasion. Now is the time,
believe it or not, because we do sell out pretty
quickly on all those hospitality spaces, So check us out
at Dayton Dragons dot com or give us an email
at Dragons at Dayton Dragons dot com and we would
love to help you.
Speaker 4 (47:55):
Brandy, always a pleasure. I appreciate your time.
Speaker 9 (47:57):
Thanks so much.
Speaker 4 (47:58):
That's today's Dragons Down.
Speaker 1 (48:00):
Welcome to the press Box with Marty Banister, the latest
on all local sports from Wright State to the Dayton Flyers,
from the Reds and Buckeyes to the Bengals and Browns.
Called Marty now at nine to three, seven by three
one six ' one seven zero the press box on
Fox Sports nine eighty WNE.
Speaker 4 (48:22):
And I'm not how I'm not happy with anything right now.
It's the coach's job to make sure that we put
our players in a situation environment to be successful. So
that's the first thing we got to look at. That's
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. His Buckeye is getting
ready for the corn Huskers of Nebraska tomorrow at Ohio State.
And welcome back to the press box Fox Sports nine
eighty w ow any. I'm Marty Banister, SeaBASS producing the
(48:42):
program this afternoon doing his usual fine job. Kelly B.
Off today. She'll be back with us on Monday for
over Reaction Monday, as we look back at everything that
will have happened over this past weekend and all of
the well, I mean, there's so much going on with
football right now. Someone said the other day, you guys
(49:03):
talk a lot about football, and yeah, I agree, we do.
But when it's the dominant sport in this country and
it dominates, I mean, we're not the only ones. I mean,
you listen to just about every talk show, and what
are they talking about. I think the thing that we do, though,
(49:23):
I think a little differently, is from a overall standpoint. Yeah,
we do talk a lot of football. Sure, I don't
argue that point at all, but we try to keep
it mainly within the confines of the state of Ohio,
which I think, again is kind of what separates this
program from any others you may listen to. I don't
(49:44):
think a lot of you want to sit around and
talk about the NBA right now. I don't think a
lot of you want to sit around and talk about
the New York Jets. I don't think a lot of
you going to sit around and talk about the Dallas Cowboys.
I mean, I think you want to talk about the Bengals,
you want to talk about the Browns, you want to
talk about the black Eyes, you want to talk about
what's going on in area high school football all across
the state of Ohio. I just if I'm one hundred
(50:04):
percent wrong on that, then so be it. But I
just when we started this program, that was the direction
we wanted to go with it. We wanted to stay
as local as we possibly could, because you can turn
to dial anywhere and hear people rambling on and on
and on about why Dak Prescott is not a good quarterback,
or why Aaron Rodgers is this, or Aaron Rodgers is that.
I just don't want anybody here really outside of a
(50:25):
few people. And if you want it, then that's fine,
you know where to turn to find that. But I
just think that keeping it local is a lost part
of broadcasting these days because talking nationally is easy. Really
digging up and getting your local stuff on the air
that takes a little bit of effort sometimes. That's what
(50:47):
I just just just my thoughts on it, And if
you would disagree, I can't help you there. But I'm
just telling you that's why we do what we do
with this program. I like to put in some effort, Marty,
I'll know I don't put enough in. I think sometimes
I could really use a nap right now. Anyway, it'll
happen to get older. He started thinking about, it's time
(51:07):
for a nap right now. Then it's time for Jeopardy,
then it's time for Wheel of fort. No, I know,
not that bad yet. So tomorrow Columbus Nebraska comes calling.
The corn Huskers will be taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes,
and they come to Columbus on the heels of basically
just getting pounded at Indiana last week. They were beaten
fifty six to seven by really what I think is
(51:30):
probably fair to say the surprise team in college football
is to this junction of the schedule, the Indiana Hoosiers.
They're seven to zero. No one I think thought they
would be as impressive as they have been through their
first seven games. But when Matt Rule started his summation
of what happened on Saturday and his look ahead to
the Ohio State game, he was pretty blunt about where
(51:51):
his football team is and where it will be tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (51:56):
Obviously, this swinging day on Saturday, you know, I had
a chance to go back and watch the tape and
look at all that happened, and uh A, a lot
of a lot of credit to Indiana for playing really
really a clean football game and b you know, just
not our best football in any area. So disappointing is
kind of an opportunity for us to kind of get back,
to get back today and get to work and try
(52:19):
to improve that. We've obviously a great, great, great test
ahead of us, but we're excited to move forward. So
with that, I'll take all your guys questions.
Speaker 1 (52:29):
Watched what what were your main takeaways about why you
struggled on defense?
Speaker 3 (52:37):
Yeah, we struggled at the corner position, you know, so
you know, they they isolated some one on one throws
and one all those were fifty to fifty balls, as
you know, so you should come out, you should win
fifty percent of the time. And they they won, most
of them had a little maybe a little bit more
off and they took a lot of free access. But
(52:58):
really the game came down Sip to me, to to
the run game. You know, we were not able to
stop the run and really in some in some cases
and some like as I said the other day, like
some inexplicable, like we're blitzing into the run and there's
an un block defender and we just just didn't tackle,
didn't play well, you know in the second half.
Speaker 2 (53:18):
You know, I mean go back for that game. Now
it's it's.
Speaker 3 (53:20):
Fourteen to seven with four minutes left in the in
the first half, and we call that the middle eight,
you know, last.
Speaker 2 (53:26):
Four or the first four.
Speaker 3 (53:26):
You know, we've we've we've been historically very good in
that area, and you know we weren't. We weren't good,
and uh, you know, you as a head coach, I
think always have to start with like what do I regret?
What do I not regret? You know, coming out in
the second half, it's twenty eight to seven, we drive
the ball down there, it's fourth and eight, fourth and nine.
(53:47):
You know, probably should have kicked the field go there.
You know, the analytics say no, the analytics say go
for it. And there's a big part of me that
like does wants to show the guys that you're you're
always playing to win. And it felt like a lot
of times in the game we were playing not to lose.
And I think defensively, the minute you lose that edge,
if I'm playing to win, where you're trying not to lose.
(54:07):
A really good defense becomes very average very quickly. And
so but I put them in harm's way in the
second half. But you know, going from fourth down trying
to get back in the game, you know, at the
same time, I probably should have done it. I don't
know that I regret it, if that makes sense, Like
I kept saying a gift on the silence, Hey, I
just can't. I can't. I can't wave the white flag.
I can't not try to get back in this game.
(54:27):
But to answer your question, so I think that's what
made the score so bad. But you know, we from
the very beginning, we were not tackling at the level
we're capable of.
Speaker 2 (54:36):
We were not.
Speaker 3 (54:37):
We were not at first, fourth, third, and one. You know,
if an unblock defender there doesn't.
Speaker 2 (54:42):
Make the play. So we just just was bad, bad
all around.
Speaker 7 (54:46):
Mentioned after the game, like the bubble screens were going
for none and they were getting them for twenty.
Speaker 14 (54:52):
How would you size up just the perimeter blocking and
where that's at right now?
Speaker 3 (54:56):
Our permitter blocking has been a deficiency for us the
entire year and continues to you know, like even on
the first drive with the second drive of the game.
You think about the game, right, we start with a
ball in the one yard line, we get a couple
first downs, we punt the ball. Then the next drive,
we drive the ball all the way down to the
fifteen yard line. We fumble, but you know there's a
(55:17):
they blitzed the they blitze off the edge. We have
a bubble screen out there, should get thrown out there,
doesn't get thrown out there. Okay, whatever, Well, on the
first drive of the second half, we kick it out
there and Jacory just gets tackled because we don't block
the safety. You know, there's an execution component of all
this that I hate when coaches say, well, we just
didn't execute right, Like that's to me, that's like a
cop out. But what I don't like is missed assignments.
(55:40):
What I don't like is, you know, not not knowing
what to do. And so in many areas things happened
fast in that game. They pressured us. We kicked the
ball out and either we ran you know, we run
into the defender, or we don't you know, we don't
make the block.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
So that that whole.
Speaker 3 (55:53):
Component of our game was lacking. And it's something that
they did. They did, you know, on the goal and
they did at a high level. They did a couple
of times, you know, they they took advantage of their RPOs.
Speaker 2 (56:03):
So it's an area that we have to be better at.
Speaker 5 (56:04):
What's your challenge to your assistant coaches is they take
the players through both the fundamental.
Speaker 12 (56:09):
Drills and just the preparation this week for how they
can get the players better in a short amount of time.
Speaker 3 (56:15):
Yeah, you know, you know, Keith, you know I do
a good job in season just thing very locked in
and not not reading stuff and listening to stuff. But
you know, Keith kind of said, like, hey, he said
to me, say, you know your your statement of I
didn't see this coming gain traction, to which I would say.
Speaker 2 (56:29):
It's gonna get your point. If if I saw this coming,
then you guys should all be very nervous.
Speaker 3 (56:33):
Like I thought we were gonna play well, and I
thought we had a great bye week and we literally
legitimately say I'm telling you, we legitimately like worked on
these things over and over.
Speaker 7 (56:41):
No.
Speaker 3 (56:42):
Sometimes, I mean, no one's gonna want to hear this.
Sometimes maybe maybe they'll show up this week, Maybe we'll
show up the next week, but like these are not like,
these are not things we haven't done all year, all spring.
You know, we got to that moment and you know,
we just didn't do the things I know we're capable
of doing. And so I hate when coaches walking after
games say, hey, that on me, Like, but I really
felt that way because like, I know what we're capable
(57:04):
of doing, and we didn't do it. Like we just
weren't ready for that moment. We weren't ready for that game.
We weren't ready for And it felt like that all
the way up, even in pregame.
Speaker 2 (57:12):
It felt awesome.
Speaker 3 (57:13):
So to your point, I think there's I think there's
a challenge sent to the coaches. There's also a challenge
sent to the players. These are grown then, Like you're
supposed to block that guy, block them, like block them.
There's a couple of players and it spins out of
one and if the guy would have blocked the safety
on the backside, he'd gone for a touchdow. I just
show the guys as a team how much we all
affect each other.
Speaker 6 (57:32):
You know.
Speaker 3 (57:33):
A missed block on a bubble screen leads to a
fourth and eight pick, which leads to the ball going
all the way down to the twenty, which leads to
a touchdown. Like, everyone's got to do their job and
do it at a high level. So you know, to me,
this happened to us. We allowed it to happen. It's stunk,
it hurt. We'll find out a lot about ourselves moving forward,
you know. We'll find out about the coaches, We'll find
(57:53):
out about the players, We'll find out about me.
Speaker 2 (57:55):
The last thing I do. I'm going to do is
sit around and be victims.
Speaker 4 (57:58):
You know.
Speaker 3 (57:58):
So so yeah, you know, there's there's areas that we
we struggled into that game. But at the same time,
we haven't struggled tackling like like we did in that game.
Like we haven' struggled getting off blocks like we haven't
struggled like guys, we haven't done that. And so we
did it in that game. So I think we'd take
a today. We took a deep step back, and then
we'll attack the week.
Speaker 4 (58:17):
Matt role pretty upfront and personal with his football team
about what happened to them last weekend in Bloomington. Yeah,
and he was right on the money. They just they
were bad and Indiana again is on a roll right now.
But as I said, what they run into tomorrow and
Columbus will if they thought that was bad, it could
(58:38):
be could be a little worse tomorrow in Columbus because
you get an Ohio State team that comes into the
game still bitter from what happened to them the week
before on their by game or in their bye week
when they had lost to Oregon the week before. You
have your head football coach saying he's not happy with
anything that's going on right now with his football team
and trying to kind of remind him body that they
(59:00):
are still what they feel that they are and that's
the best team talent wise in the country. And well,
here comes Nebraska rolling in off of that loss and
obviously questioning themselves, and it's it's just a almost a
perfect storm type situation that Nebraska's walking into tomorrow over
(59:21):
at Ohio Stadium and Ohio State and Nebraska going noon tomorrow,
so that one, yeah, could be a long, long Saturday
afternoon in Lincoln for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Last night, pitt
beat Syracuse forty one to thirteen. Kyle McCord threw three
pick sixes in the game. The former Ohio State quarterback
who's now Syracuse. I've seen a lot of people online
(59:43):
lighting him up and saying, now you know why Ohio
got him, got rid of him and ran him out, YadA, YadA, yadah. Well,
I mean, come on, kym accord, He's still a pretty
good quarterback. He's not the first quarterback to throw three
pick sixes in the game. He probably won't be the last.
But to say, well, told you, told you he stinks, No,
he doesn't stinks. Hees a Division one quarterback and he's
(01:00:06):
a good one. I mean, I don't know too many
of us that would go out and try and throw
uh passes in a game and not get picked off
three times. I mean, come on, right, let's be serious.
Let's be serious here. It was a bad night, no
question about it. But he's still a good quarterback. And
all of that Ohio State chatter about the Michigan game
(01:00:26):
last year where he threw that interception at the end
of that game, Well, I mean that wasn't why Ohio
State lost that game. Did you forget the Blake Korum
touchdown run? Did you forget their inability to stop Michigan
when they had to stop them? Those are the reasons
why they lost the game, and there's no guarantee that
even if he does complete the past to Marvin Harrison Junior,
(01:00:47):
they let the go ahead and score. I mean, it's
just some of that stuff just drives you crazy sometimes.
And I don't blame comm Accord one iota for getting
out of Dodge that kind of reaction from those people.
Go someplace else where you're liked. And yeah, that was
a tough one last night, no no mistake about it.
But yeah they lost forty one thirteen. There are three
(01:01:12):
games tonight, Louisville's at Boston College, Boise States at UNLV,
and boy, this will be a fun one. Keep the
wife and kids up for this ONEm eleven o'clock tonight,
Rutgers in USC this evening at eleven o'clock from Los Angeles.
USC and UCLO, by the way, are tied for the
seventeenth spot in the Big Ten standings at one and four.
(01:01:33):
Welcome to the league, kids, Welcome to the league. I'll
do it for today's edition is the program. We're back
with you on Monday for Overreaction Monday Enjoy Week. Number
ten in the high school football season World Series is
tonight Dodgers Yankees a little bit after eight o'clock this evening.
There's a lot going on. Enjoy tonight, Enjoy your sports weekend.
We're back with you on Monday thanks to Sea Bass
producing program Kelly B. Back with us on Monday, and
(01:01:53):
we'll be back with you as well. Three to five
the press Box Flock Sports nine eighty WNA.
Speaker 1 (01:02:19):
This is the Friday Night Blitz from iHeartRadio. A preview
of tonight's action across the Buckeye State. Now your host,
Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:02:30):
Ready or not, It's week ten for high school football.
Todd Walker with you with the Friday Night Blitz. We're
going to head around the state before the show's over,
tell you about all the big games. Of course, some
conference championships are on the line, and in my area
around Liman, West Central Ohio, we have two premier matchups
on eleven fifty WYMA tonight. It's a nine to zero
(01:02:51):
matchup in the Northwest Conference with Columbus Grove at Bluffton.
Grove is rated number two in the state and Division seven.
Lufton has rated number four in Division Columbus Grove has
won eighteen Street Conference games.
Speaker 4 (01:03:04):
Last year.
Speaker 15 (01:03:04):
These teams met in the season finale with Bluff to
nine and Oh Columbus Grove beat them and then beat
them in the regional final as well. Of course, no
chance for a rematch this year as they are in
different divisions. Both Bluffed and Columbus Grove have already secured
two home games for the upcoming playoffs in the Mighty MAC.
It's nine and OH Marion Local looking to break the
(01:03:26):
state record with their fifty eighth straight win taking on Coldwater,
who is also undefeated. The Cavaliers are rated number one
in the Division six pole. The Flyers are rated number
one in the Division seven pole. Both teams have already
also wrapped up two home games for the upcoming playoffs.
Marion Local has won the last five meetings between these powerhouses,
(01:03:49):
and they have won or shared eight straight MAC titles.
They'll need to win tonight to keep that streak going
as well. The Cavaliers hoped to pull the upset tonight
for veteran coach Chip Hotton, and he knows in order
to dent that Marion Local defense, it's all about beating
the Blitz and scoring in the red zone.
Speaker 16 (01:04:07):
We moved the ball decent last year. The thing is
the hard part is finishing the drives and sustaining the
drives and getting some touchdowns and getting some points on
the board. You know they're gonna blitz a lot, but
it's gotta make them pay, which is hard to do.
So that's what we worked on all week, not getting
sacked and not giving up big losses.
Speaker 15 (01:04:26):
Maryon Local beat Minster last week twenty one to nothing,
and have outscored their opponents four hundred and twenty eight
to twenty two on the season. Back to the Northwest Conference,
LCC is home for Crestview tonight. The t Birds are
already in the playoffs, but with a win tonight they
would earn a home game next week. And the WBL
it's all settled. Wappak is outright champs already, but they
(01:04:48):
look to complete a perfect regular season tonight at Salina.
A win for Wapak would secure two home games in
the playoffs. Also in the WBL, tonight, Saint Mary's at
Bath the winner gets a home game next week. They're
both already in the postseason as well. Meanwhile, Limas Senior
will look to complete its first ever ten and oh
season as they visit Toledo's Start tonight. Both teams are
(01:05:10):
five and zero in the Toledo City League. Lima senior
rated number twelve in the latest Division two Pole will
earn a home game for next week if they get
the win in the nwccusv beat Harden Northern last week
to clinch at least a tie for the league title.
They'll try to complete a perfect league campaign tonight when
they host North Baltimore, and in the BVC Liberty Benton
(01:05:31):
will be looking to do the same as they host
Van Buren. Time to take our first time out here
on the Friday Night Blitz. When we come back, we'll
head to Northwest Ohio and Eastern Ohio as we continue
on Irradio.
Speaker 1 (01:05:45):
Now for a look around the state and tonight's biggest matchups.
It's the Friday Night Blitz with Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:05:51):
The final day of the season for some, but a
lot of teams will move on to the playoffs next week.
This is the Friday Night Blitz Todd Walker here. Time
to head to Northwest Ohio and check in with Dave Kleck.
Speaker 17 (01:06:03):
The quest for playoff spots rolls to week number ten
in Northwest Ohio, and conference titles are up for grams
as well. Liberty Center already has a share of the
NWOAL title. They'll try and lock up their third straight
perfect ten and zero when they take on the wasse
On Indians. Patrick Henry still has a shot at sharing
the title if Liberty Centers should stumble. The Patriots are
(01:06:25):
on the road at Swanton. Elsewhere in the NWOAL, Brian's
at Archbold and Deld at Evergreen. Checking the Green Metals Conference,
Tonora already has a share of the title. They're gunning
for a seventh straight win when they host Edgerton, one
of the highest scoring teams in the conference. Fairview is
number two in the GMC. If Tenora should fall, Fairview
(01:06:47):
could get a piece with a win on the road
at Hicksville. The Defiance Bulldogs and Outawa Landorf Titans both
are fighting for a home birth in the playoffs. They'll
battle head to head in five and four. Records are
on the line. In the Toledo Area Athletic Conference, the
title up for grabs. Unbeaten Eden Bluebombers at nine and
oh take on the Ottawa Hills Green Bears at seven
(01:07:10):
and one. In the NLL, the title in the Buckeye
Division on the line. Anthony Wayne and beaten at nine
and oh, but a Perrysburg win could forge a three
way tie with Whittner getting involved. That's all on the
line at Anthony Wayne Saturday. The Northern eight eight Mallon
Football League has its title matchup for the regular season
(01:07:31):
seven and OH Toledo Christian taking on seven and OH
Sandusky Saint Mary's from northwest Ohio. Let's head eastbound to
check in with Bob Gavalier.
Speaker 9 (01:07:41):
We begin Week ten of the high school football season
in the Suburban League as nine and OH Medina Highland
plays at nine.
Speaker 4 (01:07:48):
And OH Aurora.
Speaker 9 (01:07:49):
The winner will win the league, as both teams come
in with four and oho records. In the Chagrin Valley
Schagrin Division, we have another league title championship as eight
and one Gatesville Hawken plays at eight to one Perry.
Both come in with four and zero records in the
Chagrin Division. In the Chagrin Valley Valley Division six and
three Chagrin Falls plays at six and three Burton Berkshire.
(01:08:09):
Sugrin Falls comes into the game sitting at number eight
and Berkshire comes in at number ten. In Division five
Region seventeen, the All American Conference has two rivalry games
first six and three. Warren Harding plays at seven and
two Austin not Fitch. Fitch is number four and Harding
is number nine in Division two Region five and the
other game has five and four Boardman playing at four
(01:08:31):
and four Canfield. Campfield needs a win to move up
in Division three Region nine, they are at number fifteen,
while Boordman is looking to secure a home game. They
are number eight in Division two Region five. In the
Mahoning Valley Athletic Scarlet Tier six and three, Lowville goes
to seven to two Springfield. Springfield will win the mo
Honing Valley Scarlet Teer with a win, and in the
(01:08:52):
Gray Tier seven to two Cresview plays at seven and
two Libray. Both teams are hoping to secure a home game.
Librae is at number eight in Division six Agent twenty
one and Cresview is number nine a Division five Region seventeen.
In the Northeast eight, a backyard rivalry game has seven
to two Poland going at eight and win Struthers bo
teams hoping to get into the top four with a win.
(01:09:13):
Poland is number five in Division five Region seventeen and
Struthers is number five in Division four Region thirteen other
games has nine to zero men Or Lake Catholic playing
at five and four Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. Lake Catholic
is looking to secure the number one spot in Division
four Region thirteen, while Notre Dame Cathedral Latin is looking
to hang on. They come in at number twelve in
(01:09:34):
Division four Region thirteen, and finally in Jefferson County, a
big matchup seven to two Edison plays at seven to
two Indian Creek.
Speaker 15 (01:09:42):
Thank you, Bob, and thanks to Dave Klek for his
report on this segment of the Friday Night Blitz. Next,
we're headed to Mansfield, also Southeast Ohio, Central Ohio, and
Southwest Ohio. As we continue on this final Friday night
of the regular season on iHeartRadio, off.
Speaker 1 (01:10:03):
Is coming up. Let's look around the state and find
tonight's key matchups. Here's Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:10:08):
Man, the adrenaline is pumping. It's week ten and so
many games means so much. Todd Walker here, Glad to
have you on board for the Friday Night Blitz. We
continue to go around the state. Time now to head
over to Mansfield and Ashland with Aaron Hines.
Speaker 18 (01:10:22):
Thanks Todd on this final Friday of the regular season.
We have the Ohio Cardinal Conference Championship game tonight here
on wma in as the Ashland Arrows play host to
the Lexington Minute Man.
Speaker 4 (01:10:33):
It's real simple.
Speaker 18 (01:10:34):
Ashland, who's nine to oh if they win their Outright
League champs If Lexington wins, the two teams share at
the conference crown. Ashland going for their first Outright League
title since twenty eleven. It would be just their second
ever ten tozer regular season in school history. The Arros
have already locked up a home playoff game in the
first round next week. The minute Men, who started the
year zero to three, They've won five of their last
(01:10:55):
six games. They're five and four overall, and for lex
they controlled their own destiny in term of the postseason
in the midd Ohio Athletic Conference shall be one last
week's showdown with Ontario to Clintcher's share of the MOAC title.
In that game, Whippets junior quarterback Braden Davido put on
a show, finding the end zone a whopping seven times.
He shall be win tonight at five and four. Pleasant
(01:11:16):
would give the Whippits the Outright League championship, and it
would be a perfect ten and no regular season. It
would be their first since twenty seventeen when Shelby reached
the State Final.
Speaker 15 (01:11:25):
Four.
Speaker 18 (01:11:26):
Ontario hoping for some help tonight from Pleasant. If they
get that and a win at home against three and
six Highland, it would give Ontario a share of the
league title. Galleon and Division four, they're already into the postseason.
They're going for their seventh win tonight at home against
Marion Harding Division seven in Ashland County, the nine and
no Hillsdale Falcons ranked third in the latest State Bowl.
Speaker 4 (01:11:47):
They have a huge game in home.
Speaker 18 (01:11:48):
It's actually the Wayne County Athletic League championship game, as
they entertain eight and one Norwayne. They're both unbeaten in
league play. A few other teams in the area with
a chance at reaching the playoff. Five and for Lucas
their home for a high school out of Michigan, Whiteford
High School. Cresfield their home for Mapleton. They both four
and five, three and six clear Fork. He is home
(01:12:09):
in a big game against five and four River Valley.
Now let's send it down to Jaron Cox in Chillicote.
Speaker 12 (01:12:16):
Entering Week ten in Southeast Ohio, there are fifteen teams
who've already punched their ticket into the playoffs, five others
who control their own destiny, and another handful who will
need to win and get help. In the Southern Ohio Conference,
five and four Wheelersburg controls its destiny not only for
the playoffs, but it's a league championship game as they
(01:12:36):
travel to the Rock to face seven and two Portsmouth West.
Another big game in the SEC is five and four Waverley,
who is fighting for its playoff hopes hosts seven and
two Mount Healthy. In the Ohio Valley Conference, five and
four Chesapeake, another control your own destiny team, travels to
eight and one Fairland, and seven and two rock Hill
(01:12:57):
travels to five and four Coalgrove, who would clinch playoff
spot if they win.
Speaker 15 (01:13:02):
In the Tri Valley Conference.
Speaker 12 (01:13:03):
The undefeated nine to zero Athens Bulldogs travel to seven
and two Nelsonville, York, with the Winter claiming the TVC
Ohio Championship. Three and six Vinton County travels to five
and four Welston and a rivalry game where both teams
need to win and get help to make the playoffs.
Four and five Megs needs to win and get help
(01:13:24):
to make the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (01:13:25):
Also as they.
Speaker 12 (01:13:26):
Travel to three and six Alexander in the Mid State League.
Six and three Logan Ellen travels to five and four
Hamilton Township and seven and two Bloom Carroll travels to
four and five Circleville in the Frontier Athletic Conference. Seven
and two Jackson travels to two and seven Chilicothy, fresh
off of upsetting Miami Trace twenty eight to twenty five,
(01:13:47):
and speaking of Miami Trace, the six and three Panthers
travel to three and six Washington Courthouse. Independent Ironton looks
to keep their train rolling as to make the short
trip to seven and two Portsmouth, then the Iota Valley
Conference League champion Uniota host one in eight Southeastern three
and six at Dinas still has playoff hopes as they
(01:14:08):
traveled to two and seven Huntington and five and four
is Ain trays controls its own destiny as they traveled
at seven and two Paint Valley.
Speaker 15 (01:14:16):
Four and five West.
Speaker 12 (01:14:17):
Fall still has playoff dreams as they traveled to six
and three piked In in a game last year that
saw the Mustangs win fifty six to thirty nine. Now
we'll check on Central Ohio with Todd Bell.
Speaker 14 (01:14:28):
The final week of the regular season in Central Ohio
has left us with some terrific matchups. After dropping two
straight in weeks two and three, many were wondering what
was going on with Gehanna, But after recovering from a
rash of injuries, the Golden Lions have not only righted
the ship, but they have run up sixth straight and
after last week's thirty five seven blowout of Grove City,
(01:14:48):
they now have set up an OCC Ohio Division championship
game with Pickerington North. How good have the Panther's been.
Their only blemish is a Week one loss to three
time defending state champs Saint Ed's. They ride their eight
game win streak into a matchup with Gahanna at home.
In an era of betting sites wherever you turn, the
Westland Cougars, coming off a one to nine twenty twenty
(01:15:10):
three season and just five wins over the previous three seasons,
would have been a plus whatever before this season to
win the OCC Capitol Division championship, but that's where we are.
First year head coach Trent Williamson leads the Cougars, who
are eight and one. They'll finish no worse than fourth
in Region two and with a win would likely finish
first in the region. They've already secured their first playoff
(01:15:33):
appearance in two thousand and six. Their only playoff appearance.
Standing in their way is Big Walnut, who hasn't lost
since falling to unbeaten Waterson in Week one. Many eyes
will be on this game to see if Westland can
finish off this improbable story and whether Saint Francis to
Sales and Bishop Waterson in a row in nine or
nine to zero. It's a big game. Well, this year,
(01:15:55):
the Sales is eight and one and Waterson is nine
to oh so it's a huge matchup. The Stallions are
currently fourth in Region seven, would obviously improve their status
with a win. Watersons in loaded Region eleven, Division three.
They've played some incredible games in the past few years.
Just take last year, for example, when the Sales hit
a forty seven yard field goal on the game's final
(01:16:16):
play to win. Now, let's check in with Marty Banister
in Southwest Ohio for the top matchups there.
Speaker 4 (01:16:21):
One of Week ten's biggest games takes place in the
Dayton Ara and it's in the Miami Valley League. Unbeaten's
Tip of Canoe and Xenia meet. Tip leads the Miami
Division while Xenia sits atop the Valley Division. Both are
ranked in the top ten of their respective divisions. Tip
is fourth in Division three, Xenia sixth in Division two.
The two nine and OH teams meet at Xenia. Fairmont
and centervill share the Greater Western Ohio Conference lead entering
(01:16:42):
Week ten. Fairmont host Beaver Creek, while Centerville plays host
to Wayne. In the Southwestern Buckeye League two division titles
will be decided in the Buckeye Division five and OH
teams Valley Vue and Waynesville meet at Valley Vue, while
in the Southwest Division, first place Belburg hosts second place
Ross and Sonya wins the Western Ohio Athletic Conference with
a win at Mississinawa Valley. In the GCL co Ed League,
(01:17:03):
Unbeaten's Baden to McNicholas meet to the side of the title.
The games at McNicholas in the Three Rivers Conference, Week
ten features a showdown to the teams sharing the lead
with six and o marks. As Leyman Catholic visits north Ridge.
Meadowdale clinched to the Dayton City League title with a twenty
two to two win over Belmont in a rare Wednesday game.
In the Central Buckeye Conference, Unbeaten London clinches the Kent
Trail Division title with a home win over Urbana. Indian
(01:17:25):
Lake takes the mad River Division crown with a victory
over visiting North Union. In the Ohio Heritage Conference, the
North Division title goes to the winner of the meeting
between five and OHO teams West Liberty, Salem and Fairbanks.
The South Division crown goes to Greenview with the road
win at Cedarville. In the Cincinnati area, Princeton and Lakota
West here of the Greater Miami Conference lead. Prince that
hosts winless coal Rain West travels to Mason Anderson, which
(01:17:47):
won the unbeaten showdown last week with Winton Woods wins
the Eastern Cincinnati Conference title outright if they win at Loveland.
In the Cincinnati Hills League, undefeated Wyoming, which has lost
just one Hills League game since twenty fifteen, wins the
crown with the victory at home over Finneytown. With Row
wins the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference Red Division title by
beating visiting Western Hills. Schroeder takes the Blue Division by
(01:18:08):
beating Dayton Christian on Saturday afternoon. Harrison wins the Southwest
Ohio Conference championship with a home win over Northwest GCL.
Winter Molar plays at Muskege in Michigan Saturday afternoon, while
Asal and eltartangle at the pit in the Southern buck
Eye Conference, Clinton Massey wins the American Division title with
a win at New Richmond, while Williamsburg takes the National
Division title if they win at Claremont Northeastern. That's a
(01:18:29):
look at the Southwest region. Now back to DoD Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:18:32):
Thanks Marty, Thanks to all the guys. We'll be back
with more as we count down to kickoff with coverage
of your game tonight. This is the Friday Night Blitz
on iHeartRadio. We're turning the corner here on Friday Night Blitz,
about to head down the backstretch.
Speaker 4 (01:18:46):
But still a lot to get to.
Speaker 15 (01:18:48):
We'll check in in detail on all the biggest games
in each region of the state when you come back.
The Friday Night Blitz continues on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:18:57):
The countown that kickoff continues window Frida Ain't Night Bltz.
Here's Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:19:04):
Friday Night bltz for week number ten continues here on iHeartRadio.
My name's Todd Walker. Great to be with you. Tonight.
We drilled down more specifically on certain games around the
state now in my area of Lima and West Central Ohio.
A big one for the Lima Senior Spartans tonight. They're
at Toledo Start. Lima looking for their first ever ten
and oh campaign. Start is also undefeated in Toledo City
(01:19:25):
League play, so the championships on the line. The Spartans
high flying offense has been putting up monster numbers, and
Lima Senior coach Bill Lawrence knows that Start will try
to do all kinds of things to slow them down.
Speaker 8 (01:19:37):
We've got to just find out what they're trying to
take away and find kinks in their armor and then
just go from there. But you know, as we get
into week ten and eleven, you know, definitely we're going
to probably run the ball more than we have just
because everybody wants to drop nine people or ten people.
A couple of times they dropped eleven, they didn't rush anybody.
(01:19:57):
So you know, with that being said, we're just going
to try to take what the defense gives us, and
you know put some points on the board.
Speaker 15 (01:20:04):
We stay in Northwest Ohio and check on another big
game with Dave Klek.
Speaker 17 (01:20:09):
Something's got to give in this Northwest Ohio gridiron matchup
and week number ten in the Green Metals Conference. The
highest scoring team in the league, the Edgered and Bulldogs,
take on the Tenora Rams, who are number one and d.
Both teams bring in six and three records to Tonora
High School and in the tack the championship on the line.
(01:20:29):
The Eden Blue Bombers are nine and Zeroe love to
air it out taking on the Ottawa Hills Green Bears
who are seven and one, both the unbeaten in league
action heading toward a showdown game in week number ten
from w Wendy h and Napoleon. I'm Dave Klek.
Speaker 15 (01:20:45):
Thank you Dave. We head over to Eastern Ohio now
and get some details on a big game from Bob Gavalier.
Speaker 9 (01:20:51):
In our thirteen ninety am iHeart Game of the Week,
we have a Steell Valley and old school rivalry on top.
As three and six Youngstown Carlon Mooney plays at eight
one on Youngstown ersline. This game better known as the
Holy War and it is the seventieth meeting between the
two teams. B teams are two and zero in the
Still Valley, with the winner of this game winning the conference.
(01:21:11):
Moody leads the all time season series at forty one wins,
twenty five losses and three ties, but Ercelind has won
five straight, including last year thirty five to sixteen. You
can catch Jim Evans on the call by downloading the
iHeart app to your electronic device and typing in thirteen
ninety am Youngstown.
Speaker 15 (01:21:30):
To North Central Ohio. We go now Mansfield, Ashland area.
We check in with Aaron Hines.
Speaker 18 (01:21:35):
The Ohio Cardinal Conference title is on the line as
nine to no Ashland plays host to five and four Lexington.
If the Arrows win their Outright League champs If the
minute Men win, the two teams share the league crown.
Ashland coach Scott Valentine is team trying for their first
Outright League championship since twenty eleven.
Speaker 8 (01:21:53):
We talked to kids about the reason you work hard
all year to be in position at the end of
the year to get a conference.
Speaker 18 (01:21:59):
CHAMPIONSHIPX coach Andrews Serras is thrilled his team after an
zero to three start is playing for the league crown
here in Week ten.
Speaker 8 (01:22:06):
No, we've had the mindset of next man ups and
the mindset of we're never out of any football game.
Speaker 18 (01:22:12):
Lexington last won the occ title back in twenty sixteen.
Former Ohio State tight end Cage Stover played a key
role on that Minutemen team eight years ago.
Speaker 15 (01:22:21):
Thanks to Aaron Hines for that report. We now go
down to Southeast Ohio and check you in with Jaron Cox.
Speaker 12 (01:22:27):
A Week ten tvc Ohio Championship game will be played
at Nelsonville, York High School as the seven and two
Buckeyes host the nine to o Athens Bulldogs. Last year,
Athens knocked off Nelsonville nineteen to thirteen, gaining momentum into
this season as they have cruised their way to a
perfect season so far, winning every game by at least
thirteen points. The Bulldogs are led by junior quarterback Daniel Heitlind,
(01:22:50):
who is sporting a sixty seven percentage completion rate and
a QB rating of one forty one point eight. Leading
the rushing attack for Athens is Alex Piro average one
hundred and thirteen yards per game and Leo Martin out
wide for the Bulldogs is averaging seventy yards per game,
but the real story of the Bulldogs is their defense.
They've pitched four shutouts this season and have two more
(01:23:12):
games holding opponents at seven points or less. For the
buck Eyes, they are led by a sophomore quarterback, Cameron Sullivan.
He's thrown for over eight hundred and fifty yards and
thrown nine touchdown passes this season. Running the ball for
the Buckeyes will be junior Austin Gattier, averaging eighty two
yards per game, and Dakota Cunningham, who is averaging over
four yards per carry. This appears at surface to be
(01:23:35):
a knockdown, drag out game in the high teens or
low twenties. The team whose defense or special team makes
a big play or creates a turnover will have the
upper hand in this game.
Speaker 15 (01:23:46):
And for our final report tonight, we go to Central
Ohio and we are joined by Todd Bell.
Speaker 14 (01:23:52):
In Central Ohio, all four of the schools in the
Olin Tangi School District have been the cream of the crop.
Ol In Tangy, Perlin, Liberty, and Orange have combined to
go thirty and six this season, and the three of
the six losses have come to one another. The occ
Central Division will be decided on Friday when Liberty and
Orange collide. Currently Orange is unbeaten in the division, while
(01:24:14):
Liberty and Upper Arlington each have one loss.
Speaker 4 (01:24:17):
So after these.
Speaker 14 (01:24:18):
Two backyard rivals conclude Week ten, it'll either be Orange
on top or a three way tie for division supremacy.
And we can expect many more Old Tangi School District
fireworks in the postseason, as all four reside in Division one,
Region three.
Speaker 15 (01:24:33):
Good Stuff TV thanks to all of our correspondents. The
Friday Night Blitz continues. Final segment of the show. Coming
up next, we'll check on the best freshmen in the
state of Ohio with Jared Loganbill from Prep Bredzone, Ohio
as we continue on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:24:50):
Back to the Friday Night Blitz. From iHeartRadio, here's your host,
Todd Walker.
Speaker 15 (01:24:55):
Thanks for joining us for the Week ten edition of
the Friday Night Blitz. Todd Walker here. Time now to
check in again with Jared Logan Bill from Prep Bridzone, Ohio.
We've been checking in with him for his rankings of
the top five players in each class and now we're
at the freshman level. They don't do a top five
ranking per se, but they do have a list of
(01:25:16):
players to watch, they only rank the top three classes. Nonetheless,
Jared is with us follow them on exit's at prep
Red Zone. Oh, Jared, when you look at how you
guys do things, you really don't get to in depth
on freshmen until they have really almost a full year
under their belt. But no question, there are some players
(01:25:37):
in the class of what it would be twenty eight
we're talking about now that certainly are on the radar already.
Go through maybe two or three of the players that
are obviously already high level talents even as freshmen.
Speaker 19 (01:25:50):
Yeah, so we don't do any ranking on freshmen until
after the freshman season. First would be running back Elijah
Harris from Cleveland Heights. He's five ten, one hundred and
eighty pounds. He actually has an early offer from Kentucky.
He's gotten some time. Just he's a powerful runner for
even at five, really good contact balance and then has
(01:26:13):
a good burst. Also has a long speed that he
can he can make a chunk play out of out
of even a smaller plane.
Speaker 4 (01:26:21):
So he's a.
Speaker 19 (01:26:22):
Kid that that we're really going to keep our eye on,
especially as he gets older and bigger. I really expect
him to turn into a back who is really dynamic, versatile,
can can do you know, you know, break the long
speed place, but can also just really just wear down
defenses with his side and size and power. And then
(01:26:45):
on that, we have wide receiver Anthony Jamison out of
Kept Columbus. He's a wide receiver who's got a lot
of linked in athleticism. He is six foot four, one
hundred and seventy pounds, so that length kind of you know,
usually your wide receivers, your top end athletic wide receivers
(01:27:06):
as freshman sophomore, you know, might be five five, five nine,
maybe six foot. Obviously, Anthony's exceptional length stands out at
this point. He already shows the ability to get open,
deep and high point the ball, and and so his
his size and length really plays. But the athleticisms there
(01:27:29):
too to go along with that. Beyond that, we have
athlete Marquise Ray out of Westernville North plays both sides
of the ball. I've seen more of him as a
running back. He is actually the son former Michigan safety
Marcus Ray. Five and seventy pound freshman, He's a slippery runner.
(01:27:49):
He's a kid who keeps his hips flow to the ground.
He can duke and make guys miss, but then out
in the open field he can really accelerate and take
the the uh play all the way to the house.
And so he's won that again. He has also an
early offer from Kentucky. But he's one that's going to
(01:28:11):
be a fun watch and really I think maybe we'll
either be able to play both sides of the ball
down the road, but really like him as an offensive
spark plug either, you know, one who can line up
out of the backfield. He be able to motion and
we're on spot to u you know, routes as a receiver.
So just really an ultra talented young man who has
(01:28:34):
a really fright uh fright future ahead of them.
Speaker 15 (01:28:38):
Jared, as you mentioned, you guys are sort of a
scouting service. So while you certainly pay attention to where
guys have committed to and where they're signing, that's not
really your area of expertise so to speak.
Speaker 19 (01:28:51):
Right, Yes, I think you put it really well. We
while we pay attention to where guys are committed to
it stuff or not, that's where crystal walling players. We're not,
you know, keeping the constant feed of you know, players
ex visiting here and that sort of thing. Offers are
kind of an indication a lot of times of athleticism
(01:29:14):
and ability. So while we do keep track of that,
it's not our primary focus. We're really trying to focus
on what are these players' characteristics, what do.
Speaker 4 (01:29:24):
They do well?
Speaker 19 (01:29:26):
And in some cases, you know, things areas where we
feel like they can grow and become even better.
Speaker 15 (01:29:32):
We're talking about Jared Logan Bill from Prep Red Zone, Ohio.
When you look at the crop of talent this year, Jared,
especially the top two grades, Let's say, are we seeing
a talent upgrade from last year or the year before
or about the same across the state. How would you
characterize that?
Speaker 19 (01:29:50):
It's getting deeper every year? And I really attribute that
to really year round, year round training that's being done
by these young men. It really has started with quarterbacks
and it seems to really be trickling down into your
other skilled positions. And I expect that to even become
(01:30:10):
more of the case now that seven H seven on
seven's comes to Ohio and players will be getting involved
into you know, local, regional and even national teams. In
some cases, when you know the kid has you know,
has that kind of ability, and so I think because
of that lack of exposure at the earlier ages, I
(01:30:33):
think it's been more in the past where kids wouldn't
get seen until their junior or senior seasons locally, you know,
even at the D one level, and and really recruiting
is very momentum based. Once they get an offer from
one school, it kind of puts them on the radar
of other schools. And so the earlier that happens, it
(01:30:55):
allows them to create a recruiting momentum that that you know,
will really build lists for themselves to work off of.
And so I think this year that's starting to be
the case with the junior class and even the sophomore class,
I think is really starting to see the benefit of
that depth of recruiting at the D one level. And
(01:31:19):
in the future that's going to do nothing but increase
as things trickle down with players playing against one another,
you know, another player has good film against that player
that has an offer. So I think it's really over
the next two or three years, is going to explode
in Ohio.
Speaker 15 (01:31:36):
It's been great to visit with Jared to the last
three or four weeks. We appreciate him taking time. That's
going to wrap it up for the Week ten edition
of the Friday Night Blitz. We're headed out to the
stadium for coverage of your game next We hope you'll
join us at halftime as well for the halftime Huddle.
Also right back here next week for another edition of
the Friday Night Blitz. This is Todd Walker. You keep
(01:31:56):
it ere on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (01:31:58):
Thanks for listening to the Friday Night Blitz from iHeartRadio.
Kickoff is coming up.
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