Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

Sideline to Sideline: Digging into Week 8 HSFB action

Our Derrick Webb takes a deep dive into his notebook after Week 8.

Derrick Webb, Staff Writer

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

Portsmouth’s Tyler Duncan led his Trojans to a 34-0 win over Fairland in Week 8.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

There is nothing like good football.

I’ve watched my share of blowouts and snooze fests over the years — anybody catch that Thursday Night Football Game last week?

But when you get two elite teams locking horns, there’s absolutely nothing better. Our countdown to the postseason is officially at two weeks and, if you’re looking to watch good football, the next two Fridays are calling your name.

Chillicothe was where my crew decided to go in Week 8 — my dad and uncle tag along on Friday nights. We witnessed an entertaining FAC affair between Washington and Chillicothe.

But there’s plenty of other area excitement to highlight. Here’s this week’s edition of Sideline to Sideline.

Kickoff

1. If you’re looking for Friday’s hot ticket, go to Jackson. With a possible share, at the least, of the FAC title on the line, the Washington Blue Lions come to town. Jackson, led by Jacob Winters, Cade Wolford and a host of others, is averaging 36.9 points per game while the Blue Lions, led by Troy Thompson, Tanner Lemaster and another stable of talent, is averaging 40. And the defensive matchup? Top-notch. Washington is surrendering 11.9 points per night while the Ironmen are giving up 16.6. For either team, this is the biggest game of their seasons. And, with both teams in Division III, Region 11, a bundle of playoff points are up for grabs. Jackson sits at No. 4 in the region, Washington is at No. 5. As they say, this one’s for all the marbles.

2. Unioto is rooting for Paint Valley this week. Yes, you read that correctly. The Shermans still have an outside shot at winning a share of the SVC title. But for that to happen, they need the Pioneers to lose one of their two remaining games, coming against PV and Adena. Unioto must also win its next two games for it to be possible, which are against Southeastern and Westfall — two teams with a combined record of 3-13. Stranger things have happened. However, I can assure you, while they’re keeping their eyes on ZT and PV this Friday, the Shermans are looking to build momentum towards a playoff run. They sit at No. 2 in Division IV, Region 16. If the season ended today, they’d be hosting Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy.

3. Portsmouth is still in the OVC title race. Somehow, someway. The Trojans kept themselves in the thick of things with a huge 34-0 win over Fairland this past week. By all accounts, it’s the best game the Trojans have played all year long. If they can get a win over South Point this week, they’d be hosting Ironton in Week 10 at 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the OVC. Ironton, who has Gallia Academy this week, would either be 5-1 or 6-0 in league play. It’s as simple as this: Portsmouth controls its own destiny. While winning at least a share of the conference title will be tough — it’ll be tough to simply get a win over Ironton — it isn’t impossible. The Tigers will be a heavy favorite in Week 10. But Goliath has fallen before.

Offensive Juggernauts

Back in the playoff picture at 4-4 are the Piketon Redstreaks after a 52-19 drubbing of Adena last week. In that victory, quarterback Luke Gullion was 16-of-18 through the air for 169 yards and a trio of touchdowns. He also added six carries for 45 yards and a score.

Here’s the weekly portion of the column that involves Ryan Sissel. West’s tailback continued to be stellar in the team’s 42-20 win over Valley. Sissel rushed 30 times for 173 yards and scored three touchdowns while adding 40 receiving yards. Sissel’s season rushing totals now stand at 179 carries for 1,221 yards and 17 scores. He’s, by all accounts, an All-Ohioan.

Peyton Caudill continues to get better each week. Minford’s freshman quarterback was 10-of-15 through the air in a 38-10 win over Oak Hill, totaling 170 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing score in the victory.

West running back Ryan Sissel has now rushed for 1,221 yards and 17 touchdowns this fall.
CREDIT: *Cory Hall/SOSA*

Thrice as Nice

Tyler Duncan was a man possessed in Week 8. Portsmouth’s senior quarterback was 18-of-26 passing for 293 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 34-0 win over Fairland in a conference battle. He also added 30 yards on the ground and a third score.

Northwest senior Wyatt Brackman continued to run over opposing defenses. The bowling-ball type tailback churned out 234 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries in a crucial 28-19 win over Green.

In a monstrous 42-17 bounceback win, Unioto’s Matt Griffin needed just seven carries to rush for 59 yards and three touchdowns. Through eight games, Griffin has rushed 57 times for 682 yards — an average of 12 yards per carry — and a team-high 13 touchdowns.

Another week, another win for Zane Trace. Quarterback Carter Langley didn’t need too many tries to roast Southeastern’s defense, going 6-of-7 through the air for 163 yards and three touchdowns. The junior also added another score on the ground.

Downright Dominant

In a 49-14 win over Waverly this past week, Wheelersburg had two running backs outrush the Tigers’ entire roster. Creed Warren ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns while Eric Lattimore totaled 88 yards on just five attempts. The Tigers’ total? 72 team rushing yards.

Jackson’s defense was on another level in a 48-0 win over McClain. The Ironmen held the Tigers to 31 total yards of offense on 31 plays. You do the math. McClain rushed the football 27 times for 17 yards and passed for 14 yards on 1-of-4 attempts. Meanwhile, the Ironmen had 448 yards of total offense, including 148 passing yards from Jacob Winters and 151 all-purpose yards — 104 rushing and 47 receiving — via Cade Wolford.

Did you know?

If Zane Trace wins this week, the Pioneers will clinch at least a share of the SVC title. That victory would signify the program’s 11th conference crown in its history. The Pioneers haven’t won a league championship since 2016 when they were 8-3 and captured a Gold Ball. Speaking of Gold Balls, if ZT can finish 10-0, it would be the Pioneers’ sixth Gold Ball in history.

Shot of the Week

Check out this shot from Cory Hall, who doesn’t do anything but take good photos. Look at that sky. Isn’t fall the best?

Power Rankings

1. Ironton (8-0) … 2. Washington (7-1) … 3. Jackson (6-2) … 4. Wheelersburg (6-2) … 5. Chillicothe (6-2) … 6. West (7-1) … 7. Zane Trace (8-0) … 8. Unioto (7-1) … 9. Logan Elm (6-2) … 10. Portsmouth (5-3)