Area football teams set to kick off the season
ZANESVILLE – The anticipation finally comes to an end this weekend when nine area teams kick off the regular season Friday and Saturday.
Zanesville opens with rival Newark on Friday at John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium. The Blue Devils aim to tie the series record of nine consecutive wins; coach Chad Grandstaff has yet to lose to the Wildcats in his first eight contests.
West Muskingum welcomes Philo in the Muskingum Valley League, Tri-Valley hosts Licking Valley, Sheridan travels to Granville, Fairfield Union heads to New Lexington, Morgan is at Marietta and John Glenn entertains Bloom-Carroll on Friday.
Rosecrans welcomes Fairfield Christian Academy to Sulsberger on Saturday.
Newark-Zanesville
The last time Newark defeated Zanesville was by a score of 49-7 in 2006. The Blue Devils have dominated since, winning by an average score of 41-8 since Grandstaff took over Zanesville.
Newark’s lineup will be littered with underclassmen, including a class of sophomores who went 9-1 as freshman.
Junior quarterback Kaleb Jarrett will have three starters back on the offensive line, while the Wildcats hope to run the ball more often with sophomores Levi McKee and D’ante Woods getting most of the carries.
The defense also is replacing several starters, but junior linebacker Chase Richardson, who led the team in tackles, is among the returning players on that side of the ball.
“There sophomores were the only team to beat our freshman and are very talented,” Grandstaff said. “(Newark) is young, but they play hard, are well-coached and run to the ball on defense.”
The Blue Devils have been impressive in scrimmages. Grandstaff has a versatile offense with plenty of weapons, while the defense is still finding its way with several new starters.
“It’s about keeping our focus and finding consistency. We have to avoid those mental mistakes,” he said. “We want to be efficient running the ball and passing it. We have six guys who can take it to the house so the big plays are there.
“Defensively, we’re making progress,” he said. “We have shown improvement from the first day of practice. It’s about staying active and we’re going to try and wreak havoc with our speed.”
Licking Valley-Tri-Valley
The Panthers will feature a blend of senior leadership and underclassmen contributors.
Senior Bailey Hayden, a 1,000-yard rusher, is among the returning starters, while senior Tommy Klein and sophomore Gunnar Carpenter highlight a group of strong receivers.
Junior Zack Hatfield and sophomore Jake Lewis are being considered at quarterback, and the Panthers have two seniors on a young offensive line.
The Licking Valley defense is anchored by 280-pound defensive tackle Jaqui VanMeter; Garret Robinson and Ethan Fout headline the linebackers.
Philo-West Muskingum
Two of the MVL’s top running backs will be on display in the Electrics’ Cody Wickham and the Tornadoes’ Jaden Gianettino.
Consistency at quarterback is something to watch. Philo’s Nathan Baker and West M’s Gunner Hazen saw time at the position last year but are the full-time starters this season. Both coaches won’t lean on them but need production to help their respective offenses stay balanced.
The defenses also will be a key. Both are replacing starters so getting critical stops and forcing turnovers are needed as each team wants to start off the season with a victory.
bhannahs@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
740-450-6763
Twitter: @brandonhannahs