Monroe County Takes Center Stage Of Playoffs As Pilots Face Seminoles
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HANNIBAL - For the first time since 1996, Monroe Central and River didn't meet during the high school football regular season for various reasons, depending on which side you ask.
However, as the football Gods would have it, the two ended up in the same half of the Ohio Division VI, Region 23 playoff bracket and, with wins, they would meet each other in the regional semifinal.
For football fans in Monroe County, the stars all aligned as the top-seeded Pilots (11-0) will welcome the No. 4 Seminoles (8-3) to Martin Flannery Field Friday night for a 7 o'clock kickoff. This will be the 51st meeting all-time between the two programs, with River holding a slight 26-22-2 advantage. After the Monroe Central consolidation took effect, the Seminoles have prevailed in 16 of the 29 matchups. The teams met twice in 2021, with River winning both times.
"It's funny how things work out," Monroe Central head coach Jonathan Calder said. "This has been our biggest rivalry game since 1996. I'm looking forward to the atmosphere. It should be fun."
Veteran River head coach Mike Flannery agreed.
"It's ironic. I kind of predicted it ... said it could possibly happen, and it ended up that way," he said. "We respect what this game means for both communities, and there's a lot more on the line Friday night. But to us, it's just another game in the path of our goals that we set in August."
Both teams rely heavily on their ground games, River a little more so with its wishbone attack that features 1,000-yard rusher Wyatt Stalder, Peyton Weese and fullback Trey Larrick. Stalder has accounted for 1,444 yards and 19 touchdowns on 144 carries. Weese has gained 498 yards and scored seven touchdowns, while Larrick has 515 yards and 11 touchdowns on 94 totes. Last week Larrick ran for three touchdowns in the Pilots' 49-34 win over Fredericktown.
"We faced the wishbone last week against Newcomerstown," Calder said. "That was kind of nice. River runs the nearly identical offense, but the (Cam) Abbott kid has impressed with the way he is able to throw the ball on the run. He looked good against Fredericktown."
Abbott has passed for 1,646 yards and 19 touchdowns on 94 of 132. The sophomore was 17 of 22 for 253 yards and three TDs last week against the Freddies. Abbott has thrown just four picks. He is also a capable runner with 229 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.
When he looks to air it out, his primary targets are Evan Longwell with 42 catches for 674 yards and eight touchdowns. The senior had a huge day last week when he caught 10 balls for 174 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Junior Crestyn Isaly has caught 16 passes for 233 yards, while senior Ayson McBride has landed 14 receptions for 498 yards and seven scores.
"It's going to be a very physical game and we can't get caught up in the emotions. We need to keep the yellow flags off the field and have no big turnovers," Flannery said of the key for his team winning. "We must tackle well and limit their explosive plays, and make a couple of our own."
The Seminoles offense is spearheaded by quarterback Cooper Howell. The senior has completed 87 of 141 pass attempts for 1,134 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he has thrown nine interceptions. Also an adept runner, Howell has logged 1,179 yards and 19 touchdowns. Five of those rushing TDs came in last week's 49-8 demolition of Newcomerstown.
"Cooper is an outstanding athlete, but I also know what he is surrounded with," Flannery pointed out. "However, he is a special athlete. No doubt about it."
Sophomore Jett Kaiser does a little bit of everything for the Seminoles. He has 108 carries for 649 yards and seven TDs; caught 25 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns; plays solid defense; punts; returns kickoffs and handles all the placekicking duties.
Seniors Max Demchak and Corbin Farnsworth are primary targets for Howell. Demchak has caught 38 passes for 602 yards and seven TDs, while Farnsworth has 11 receptions for 116 yards and two six-pointers.
"We just need to stick with what we've been doing from the start," Calder noted. "We won't change much. We'll stick with who we are."