File Photo/KRISTIN MAZGAJ BARNESVILLE SENIOR quarterback Ayden Hannahs looks to lower his shoulder on a Marion Elgin defender during a playoff game two weeks ago. Hannahs and the Shamrocks will be at Fort Frye Saturday night.

BEVERLY – For anyone that may not have noticed there is something special going on in Washington County, Ohio when it comes to high school football and Fort Frye High School.

In his fifth year at the helm, Head Coach Eric Huck has helped turn the Cadets’ program into one of the finest the Buckeye State has to offer as far as small schools go.

Saturday night Fort Frye will put the No. 1 seed in Division VI, Region 23 on the line, as well as an 8-0 record, when fifth-seeded, and fellow Ohio Valley Athletic Conference member, Barnesville (6-2) pays a visit with a berth in the regional championship contest on the line at 7 p.m.

Both teams have rolled through their initial two playoff games with the Cadets coming off a 51-12 blowout of Africentric last week while Coach Blake Allen’s Shamrocks were dispatching Lucasville Valley by a 40-14 margin. Fort Frye has outscored its two previous playoff opponents by a 105-12 count while Barnesville has outscored theirs by a 103-34 tally.

The two schools have met four times over the last four seasons with the Cadets winning all four by a combined 173-46, including a 40-19 victory over the ‘Rocks in the 2016 Region 23 semifinals.

Fort Frye’s numbers since the end of the 2014 season are absolutely staggering with a 57-1 regular season record, which includes a current 33-game regular season winning streak. The Cadets have also captured nine playoff victories since 2016 and advanced to the state semifinals in 2018 before losing to eventual state champion Kirtland.

“Our kids play hard and a lot of that has to do with the fact that they trust us,” Huck admitted. “They believe in what we tell them and because of that that have big goals. It’s really nice to be back in this position again after losing in the regional semifinals last year and its nice to still be playing at home after only having two regular season home games this year.

“Losing that game last year has really stuck with our kids which makes this an even bigger game that it normally might be.”

Offensively the Cadets are led by quarterback Ian Ellis, who has thrown for 813 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions. Ellis was a modest 6 of 7 for 91 yards ago a week ago as Fort Frye jumped on the Nubians early and often in rolling up 22 points in each of the opening two frames.

Owen Brown, who ran for a pair of touchdowns last week is the team’s leading rushing with right around 500 yards and nine trips to the end zone while Brian Adkins, Maeson Long and Collin Welsh are all near or over 300 yards on the campaign. Adkins had a big game last week with a touchdown run and a 50-yard punt return for a score.

Jaymison Baker is the Cadets’ leading receiver and has also teamed with fellow defensive back Nic Hart to combine for nine interceptions. The defense is led by senior All-Ohio linebacker Dylan Hart.

On defense Fort Frye has not allowed more than 20 points in any of its eight games thus far, has three shutouts on the season and has allowed a total of just 45 points. And that has not come against weak opponents as Barnesville will be the seventh team in nine games the Cadets have played that currently have a winning record.

“We have played them the last four years, including the last time we were in the playoffs, so we know a lot about them and we know they are a well-oiled machine,” Allen said of Fort Frye. “They have built a great program with coaching and well-disciplined kids. We know we are going to have to have a great week of practice to be ready for them.

“At the same time, we know we are playing our best football right now after being banged up in the middle of the season, but we are still stressing to the kids to go out and keep improving. It has been a unique year, to say the least, but we need to continue to grow and keep playing how we know we can play.”

Barnesville has been rolling as well with Ayden Hannahs back under center and his teammates back in their most comfortable positions. Hannahs has completed 54 of 84 passes for 932 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He is coming off a fine night against Valley in which he threw for 170 yards and three scores and ran for two more.

Spencer Bliss, the team’s leading receiver with 21 grabs for 314 and six scores had touchdown catches of 7, 33 and 50 yards last week. Gage Hannahs has 16 catches for 300 and three touchdowns on the year while Jake Boulet has 18 for 266 and a score and A.J. Detling 15 for 211 and a touchdown.

Gage Hannahs has rushed the ball 124 times for 751 yards and 10 scores while Ayden Hannahs has 40 carries for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

Detling had two interceptions to lead the Shamrocks’ defense last week, which allowed just 164 total yards of offense.

“Yes, we know them well,” Huck admitted. “Having played them three straight years in the regular season and once in the playoffs we are very familiar with them. They are a well-coached, physical and disciplined group that always comes at you with a good scheme. They do things the right way over there and just like us they like to run the football but have plenty of ability to throw it.

“This is another big game for us, but we have gotten used to that. Playoff games are always huge and its nice to get wins and continue to move on and be fortunate enough to play these games. There is an awful lot of excitement here.”

Allen and his Barnesville team know about the excitement level as it has also hit their little corner of Belmont County.

“There is definitely a lot of buzz and excitement around here,” Allen added. “I’ve played in some playoff games here and was an assistant and I know how much fun it is for the kids and the lifetime of memories this builds. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to have a lot of fans at these games this year but it is unreal how many people, alumni, have messaged about watching on games live-streamed throughout the country.

“It’s actually pretty cool, even though they can’t be here in person. But I can tell you it is very special to hear from so many people that they are following what the kids have accomplished and hopefully we can keep it going this week.”

Saturday night’s survivor will advance to the Region 23 championship game next week against either third-seeded Fairland (7-1) or 10th-seeded Coal Grove (6-2).