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HEATH ― It will be the final football game for some of Licking County's all-stars. Others will be honing their skills as they move on to college soon, and there are also those who are undecided about their future.
Despite the differences, one thing unites them as they prepare to take on Muskingum Valley at 7 p.m. June 12 in Zanesville High School's John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium. And that is, they want to put an end to a four-game Muskingum winning streak that has pushed them out to a 23-19 series lead.
The line of scrimmage usually decides this game, and Muskingum has pretty well owned it in the last four meetings, including in last year's 34-15 win.
"Running the football, and stopping the run," said head coach Tim Ward of Heath. "We think our defense is legit. Our linebackers are extremely good, with J.J. and Carter (Heath's Holloway and Mason), Rocco (Paschal of Watkins), Myers (Johnstown's Landon) and Marlatt (Licking Valley's Brayde). We have big Donovan (Utica's 360-pound Holley) in the middle of our defensive line, and the secondary has (Newark's) Alex (Irvin-Royster) and (Brody) Driskel, while (Valley's Quinn) Hornfeck can cover anyone."
Holley said he's in a good spot, as he prepares to move on and play at the College of Wooster.
"Mentally and physically, I'm where I have to be," he said. "Always telling myself, I'm the best player out there, even if I'm not the best player out there."
Licking will also bring playmakers to the offensive side of the ball.
"I'm excited, but I really feel sad for Bodie" (Newark quarterback Smith, who can't play due to a knee injury suffered in baseball), said Watkins Memorial quarterback Drew Samsal, who will be playing in his last game. "I want to have fun, but I really want to win. I know we've lost four in a row, but we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. We have good backs and a big line. I think we can power the ball."
Northridge's Landon Thompson is part of that reason up front. He's been in contact with Otterbein's coaches, but may decide to concentrate fully on his biology major as he becomes a wildlife biologist.
So he wants to make what could be his last game memorable.
"I weighed 315 at the end of the season, but I'm down to 255 and learning how my body is reacting," he said. "I've kept up my strength and my nutrition, with the protein. I really like this group (of linemen). There's so much potential there, and if we play well, we have a good chance of winning this game."
Licking Valley's Donevin Ghiloni heads up the backfield, which showcases the team's versatility as Holloway, Irvin-Royster, Myers and Paschal are also proven ball carriers. At receiver, they have the likes of Granville's Jakob Culver, Jalen White of Lakewood, Hunter McKinney from Utica, Valley's Silas Kyle, Evan Lohr and Hornfeck, and 6-foot-4 Dylan Kennedy of Watkins.
"They're talking about this being our most talented team," White said. "I'm excited to go out and show what I can really be."
White and Newark kicker/punter Sean Brechbill are both getting ready to play for nearby Denison University. Licking also has another talented kicker/punter in Northridge's Charlie Kincade.
"Basketball and lately track have taken up a lot of my time, but I'm starting to get back into it," said Brechbill, who has kicked a 56-yard field goal in practice, regularly kicks to the end zone and had a 75-yard punt. "I tore my achilles my junior year, which limited my soccer, so I've become devoted to this. I'll be on the sidelines a lot of the time (for this game), so I'll be able to watch all the skill and talent that we have."
Muskingum will again be a formidable opponent. Chris Zemba of Rosecrans is the head coach, assisted by Seth Thompson of the Bishops, along with Nathan Brownrigg of West Muskingum and Crooksville's Marcus Pardon.
The host team will have a strong-armed quarterback in Morgan's Haiden Pauley, who has a talented group of receivers in Tri-Valley's Ryan Lamonica, Logan Hupp of Sheridan and Maysville's Landon Iden. Muskingum has its usual strength in the trenches with Sheridan's Creed Hill and Wesley Shegog, and Tri-Valley's Logan McClellan.
Holley has some extra motivation to get Licking County over the hump.
"I was injured and not able to play my last game against Heath, so technically, this is my last (high school) game," he said. "I've been thinking about this game a lot. I do not want my last game to be a loss."
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X: @grover5675
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Different motivations, but common cause spurs Licking County all-stars
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Despite the differences, one thing unites them as they prepare to take on Muskingum Valley at 7 p.m. June 12 in Zanesville High School's John D. Sulsberger Memorial Stadium. And that is, they want to put an end to a four-game Muskingum winning streak that has pushed them out to a 23-19 series lead.
The line of scrimmage usually decides this game, and Muskingum has pretty well owned it in the last four meetings, including in last year's 34-15 win.
"Running the football, and stopping the run," said head coach Tim Ward of Heath. "We think our defense is legit. Our linebackers are extremely good, with J.J. and Carter (Heath's Holloway and Mason), Rocco (Paschal of Watkins), Myers (Johnstown's Landon) and Marlatt (Licking Valley's Brayde). We have big Donovan (Utica's 360-pound Holley) in the middle of our defensive line, and the secondary has (Newark's) Alex (Irvin-Royster) and (Brody) Driskel, while (Valley's Quinn) Hornfeck can cover anyone."
Holley said he's in a good spot, as he prepares to move on and play at the College of Wooster.
"Mentally and physically, I'm where I have to be," he said. "Always telling myself, I'm the best player out there, even if I'm not the best player out there."
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Licking will also bring playmakers to the offensive side of the ball.
"I'm excited, but I really feel sad for Bodie" (Newark quarterback Smith, who can't play due to a knee injury suffered in baseball), said Watkins Memorial quarterback Drew Samsal, who will be playing in his last game. "I want to have fun, but I really want to win. I know we've lost four in a row, but we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. We have good backs and a big line. I think we can power the ball."
Northridge's Landon Thompson is part of that reason up front. He's been in contact with Otterbein's coaches, but may decide to concentrate fully on his biology major as he becomes a wildlife biologist.
So he wants to make what could be his last game memorable.
"I weighed 315 at the end of the season, but I'm down to 255 and learning how my body is reacting," he said. "I've kept up my strength and my nutrition, with the protein. I really like this group (of linemen). There's so much potential there, and if we play well, we have a good chance of winning this game."
You must be registered for see images attach
Licking Valley's Donevin Ghiloni heads up the backfield, which showcases the team's versatility as Holloway, Irvin-Royster, Myers and Paschal are also proven ball carriers. At receiver, they have the likes of Granville's Jakob Culver, Jalen White of Lakewood, Hunter McKinney from Utica, Valley's Silas Kyle, Evan Lohr and Hornfeck, and 6-foot-4 Dylan Kennedy of Watkins.
"They're talking about this being our most talented team," White said. "I'm excited to go out and show what I can really be."
White and Newark kicker/punter Sean Brechbill are both getting ready to play for nearby Denison University. Licking also has another talented kicker/punter in Northridge's Charlie Kincade.
"Basketball and lately track have taken up a lot of my time, but I'm starting to get back into it," said Brechbill, who has kicked a 56-yard field goal in practice, regularly kicks to the end zone and had a 75-yard punt. "I tore my achilles my junior year, which limited my soccer, so I've become devoted to this. I'll be on the sidelines a lot of the time (for this game), so I'll be able to watch all the skill and talent that we have."
You must be registered for see images attach
Muskingum will again be a formidable opponent. Chris Zemba of Rosecrans is the head coach, assisted by Seth Thompson of the Bishops, along with Nathan Brownrigg of West Muskingum and Crooksville's Marcus Pardon.
The host team will have a strong-armed quarterback in Morgan's Haiden Pauley, who has a talented group of receivers in Tri-Valley's Ryan Lamonica, Logan Hupp of Sheridan and Maysville's Landon Iden. Muskingum has its usual strength in the trenches with Sheridan's Creed Hill and Wesley Shegog, and Tri-Valley's Logan McClellan.
Holley has some extra motivation to get Licking County over the hump.
"I was injured and not able to play my last game against Heath, so technically, this is my last (high school) game," he said. "I've been thinking about this game a lot. I do not want my last game to be a loss."
[email protected]
740-704-7973
X: @grover5675
Instagram: @dfweidig
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Different motivations, but common cause spurs Licking County all-stars
Continue reading...
