Electrics, Blue Devils face crucial non-league games

DUNCAN FALLS — League games are always critical, but a pair of area teams face off with regional foes Friday.

Philo (1-0) hosts Licking Valley (0-1) in a matchup of Division IV, Region 13 squads at Sam Hatfield Stadium, while Zanesville (1-0) heads to Athens (0-1) in a clash of Division III, Region 9 teams.

The Blue Devils and Bulldogs kick off at 7:30 p.m., while all other area games are 7 p.m. starts.

Elsewhere Friday, John Glenn (0-1) welcomes Cambridge (0-1), Tri-Valley (1-0) heads to Morgan (0-1), West Muskingum (0-1) visits Sheridan (0-1) and Maysville (1-0) entertains New Lexington (0-1).

Rosecrans (1-0) hosts Crooksville (0-1) on Saturday at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium.

Zanesville at Athens

A late rally helped the Blue Devils get past rival Newark last week, but it provided plenty of lessons.

One is limiting mistakes. Zanesville committed seven penalties for 55 yards, but coach Chad Grandstaff noted his team needs to stay focused.

“We were able to overcome adversity and made the plays we needed to win,” he said. “We had too many mental errors. We can’t keep repeating those mistakes.”

The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive offensive explosion, but their defense faltered in a 61-49 loss to Logan.

Bryce McBride ran for 329 yards and three touchdowns for the Chieftains, who totaled 650 yards as a team.

Athens had plenty of its own firepower. Senior running back Zacciah Saltzman had 155 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, Brendan Sano went 15-of-22 for 217 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and Heath Wiseman led the receivers with five catches for 84 yards.

Getting pressure in the backfield will be key for the Blue Devils.

“They graduated a lot of talent, but they still have good players,” Grandstaff said. “(Sano) can chew you up if you give him time, and Saltzman is a load. They’re balanced so our defense is going to be tested.”

Licking Valley at Philo

Last season, the Panthers topped Philo 19-13 and two years ago, Philo won 26-21, as the teams meet for the third time in a row.

The Electrics opened with an impressive 34-7 victory against West Muskingum, limiting the Tornadoes to 160 total yards and eight first downs.

Nathan Baker completed 12-of-17 passes for 203 yards with three touchdowns, and Cody Wickham led the rushing attack with 105 yards and two scores on 14 carries.

On the other side, the Panthers were held to 118 yards and seven first downs in a 37-3 loss to Tri-Valley. Bailey Hayden was held to 23 yards on 11 carries.

Tyler McGee hit 11 of 12 passes for 193 yards and two scores for the Scotties, who racked up 363 total yards in last week’s win.

bhannahs@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

740-450-6763

Twitter: @brandonhannahs