CHILLICOTHE — We’re back like we never left.
Can you believe the first week of a brand new high school football season is now in the books?
My crew — I take my dad Joel and uncle Neil, who help me take stats on the sidelines — kept our pencils moving while making a visit to Herrnstein Field to witness the Cavaliers start their season with a 34-0 shutout over Circleville.
But there was plenty of other area excitement to catch up on once I got back to the office.
Here’s this week’s Sunday Morning QB:
Week 1 Takeaways
A. Can we get a handclap for Southeastern’s Brayden Burns and Landyn Smith? Burns, the Panthers’ senior quarterback, pieced together a performance for the ages, willing his teammates to a 28-0 win over Fairfield Christian. He was 4-of-7 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns while adding 57 yards and a rushing score. Oh, and he tied the program’s single-game record with three interceptions on the defensive end. Smith was his running mate, too. Burns’ top target caught all four passes, setting a new single-game record with 203 receiving yards — topping Brian Netter’s previous high mark of 190, set in 2001.
B. Huntington traveled to Newark Catholic and gave the Green Wave everything it wanted, and then some. The Huntsmen erased a 14-point halftime deficit and forced a 21-21 tie with less than three minutes remaining. They’d eventually fall by a 28-27 final in overtime. But even at 0-1, you have to tip your cap to head coach Clay Beeler’s group. Newark Catholic is a perennial power. Huntington didn’t shy away from the challenge and went toe-to-toe with the Green Wave, providing an answer every step of the way. Huntington is winless. But that definitely won’t last.
C. If you’re free this coming Friday night and you’re not at Herrnstein Field, you’re doing football season wrong. Chillicothe plays host to Wheelersburg, the defending Division V state runner-up. The Pirates, who will be coming off a 63-0 win over Portsmouth, aren’t rebuilding. They’ve reloaded. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers handed Circleville a 34-0 loss. And, had it not been for a bevy of penalties, that outcome could’ve been uglier. Expectations are sky-high for Chillicothe this fall and the Cavs will get their measuring stick in Week 2. Buy the ticket. Get there early.
What made me scratch my head?
After taking in the dominant performance that Cartae Ligon put forth in Friday’s win, the question has to be asked — How in the world has Ohio State not offered this young man?
Ligon has over 20 collegiate offers from bonafide Division I programs including Indiana, Miami (Fla.), Auburn, Minnesota and, yes, Michigan.
But the in-state school less than an hour north? Nada.
In Week 1, Ligon had 14 carries for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the victory while tallying eight tackles and a 74-yard interception return for a fourth score on the night. He looked even better than last year when he racked up 2,580 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns.
It’s a straight shot from Columbus to Chillicothe. There’s no reason to wait.
Impact Players of the Week
Zane Trace had a 27-0 lead and, all of the sudden, Logan Elm had forced a 27-27 tie. But the Pioneers prevailed, bouncing back with 19 unanswered points to grit out a 46-27 win. Junior Jake Stauffer played a big part in that, totaling 111 rushing yards and a score on 11 carries alongside a 51-yard touchdown catch. ZT has another two-headed monster in the backfield.
Unioto’s Levi Beam was responsible for the Shermans’ first mistake of their season-opener, losing a fumble near his own goal line. But he more than made up for that miscue on the back end of a 35-21 win over Jackson. The senior finished the night with six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, and picked up a key first down with a 16-yard rush on a successful fake punt try. He’s an absolute problem.
Freshman? Nah. Can’t be. Chillicothe’s Marshay McKinley made a splash in his varsity football debut, hauling in four receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown — a one-handed catch on a 34-yard strike that’s probably the play of the year. When the ball was in his hands, McKinley looked like a seasoned veteran. The Cavaliers have yet another playmaker to utilize.
Piketon pounded Northwest on Thursday by a 41-0 final. The Redstreaks imposed their will from start to finish with 354 team rushing yards. Senior Marquis Robinson led the way with 10 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown. After many losses to graduation, there were questions about the Redstreaks coming in. Robinson and company may have provided some clarity.
Quote of the Week
After tying the program’s single-game touchdown record — one he already owned — Zane Trace’s Brice Johnson spoke about overcoming an injury in the offseason.
The senior tailback ran wild in a win over Logan Elm, tallying 220 yards and five touchdowns on 22 carries.
“It feels great. Just coming back from surgery and getting back on the field, it feels amazing,” Johnson said. “It was tough just sitting on the couch for almost two months, and I tried to be patient. But it feels great, especially with these seniors.”
Power Rankings
1. Chillicothe (1-0), 2. Unioto (1-0), 3. Zane Trace (1-0), 4. Huntington (0-1), 5. Piketon (1-0), 6. Waverly (0-1), 7. Southeastern (1-0), 8. Westfall (0-1), 9. Adena (0-1), 10. Paint Valley (0-1)
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Sunday morning quarterback: Dissecting Week 1’s action
Reporting by Derrick Webb, Chillicothe Gazette / Chillicothe Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Derrick Webb, Chillicothe Gazette | USA TODAY Network
