Shadyside Must Stop 3000-Yard Passing Attack By Symmes Valley
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WILLOW WOOD - After preparing for a pair of running backs that had combined for more than 3,000 yards last week, Shadyside will turn its attention to a 3,000-yard passer this week when the No. 5 Tigers (10-2) make the nearly three-and-a-half hour trek to meet top-seeded Symmes Valley (11-0) in an Ohio Division VII, Region 27 semifinal at Symmes Valley Stadium.
Shadyside rallied from a 26-7 deficit late in the fourth quarter last week to dispatch No. 4 Reedsville Eastern 27-26, while the Vikings demolished No. 9 Steubenville Catholic, 55-0.
"It's a complete flip. It's the opposite of what we had to prepare for last week," Shadyside head coach Mike Kernik said of his team's preparations. "Our kids did a phenomenal job, especially at the end of the game in figuring out what they had to do. Our defense creating turnovers gave us momentum and our offense put three scores on the board in a matter of three-and-a-half minutes.
"That momentum and all the confidence these kids gained last week by coming from 19 points down in the fourth quarter will seriously help us going into Friday night," he added. "Last week it was stop the run. This week it's stop the pass. They've got a quarterback who has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and a receiver who has caught passes for more than 1,200 yards.
Kernik was talking about Bronx Carpenter, a 6-foot junior, who has completed 171 of 240 passes for 3,052 yards and an eye-popping 49 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His top receiving threats are 5-11, 170-pound junior Jackson Fields who has 59 catches for 1,229 yards and 21 TDs. Classmate Andrew Isaacs has 34 receptions for 833 yards and a dozen touchdowns, while Levin Russell (24-438) and Beckem Roth (17-253) have caught six TDs each.
Asher Maynard is the top runner with 457 yards and 12 touchdowns on 51 carries.
"Defensively, we're going to have to stick on their receivers because their quarterback is really good at extending plays. Up front, we're going to have to get pressure on their quarterback and make him feel uncomfortable."
"Ofensively, we have to take advantage of every opportunity we get," Kernik added. "I know these guys are going to do whatever is necessary. That's what they've done all season and they continue to show me how much grit and determination they have playing this game."
Quarterback Jayden Johnson keyed the Tigers turnaround last week. The senior completed 26 of 36 attempts for 309 yards and four touchdowns, three coming in the frenetic fourth quarter. He is now 105 for 175 for 1,400 yards, 16 TDs and seven interceptions. He has also run for 1075 yards and 15 six-pointers on 188 carries, and has gained 100-or-more yards on five occasions.
His top receivers are junior Michael Hendershot with 34 catches for 490 yards and seven touchdowns; freshman Logan Cather with 20 receptions for 268 yards and a trio of scores, while junior Bryce Sloan has 18 catches for 229 yards and a TD. Colt Cook has run the ball 110 times for 941 yards and 13 touchdowns.
"I'm so proud of this group. They set goals at the start of the year and they refuse to stop until they reach those goals," Kernik noted. "We could've easily rolled over last Friday and said that's it, but they want to continue playing football. They're loving it. They want to continue playing football as long as possible."
Shadyside is led on defense by senior linebacker Ace Nelson with 116 tackles, of which 30 are solo stops. He also has seven TFLs. Lucca Smathers has logged 88 tackles (22-66) and Hendershot has made 83 (35-48). Kolton Wallace has a team-best 13.5 TFLs, while Sloan has three interceptions. Smathers, Dom Forgacs and Anthony Hill all have three fumble recoveries.
Hunter Ramsay has converted 43 of 49 point-after kicks.
Symmes Valley has outscored its 11 opponents 560-62 and has recorded four consecutive shutouts. The Vikings have not given up more than eight points since week 2. Shadyside, meanwhile, has scored 425 points in its 12 outings, while giving up 176.
Friday night's winner will advance to the regional final against the winner of No. 2 Danville and No. 3 Toronto.