In the words of Jon Bon Jovi, we are halfway there.

Halfway through the high school football regular season, anyhow.

Fans got a little wet last Friday night with storms popping up throughout Muskingum County, delaying games and cancelling halftime shows. Some waited out the lightning and deluge, but others took the opportunity to turn in early for the night.

With storm clouds now out of the way, here’s a look back at what went down between the rumblings of thunder in the area Friday night.

Tri-Valley 28 – Philo 14

Featuring two of the toughest teams in the conference, the Game of the Week between Tri-Valley and Philo showed once again why the Scotties continue to dominate the Muskingum Valley League.

The steady running of Jordan Pantaleo complemented quarterback Luke Fargus, even though the team had one of its worst offensive performances this season. It was not until the fourth quarter that the Scotties’ offense finally wore down the Electrics enough to bust off a few big plays in the form of two touchdown receptions for Carson Simpkins.

Of the 222 yards through the air for Tri-Valley, 154 came on those two passing plays. Philo, meanwhile, found plenty of success through the air, with starter Hunter Adolph completing 18 of his 27 passes.

The Electrics seemed to hold the advantage throughout the night, continually catching the Tri-Valley defense napping on plays such as a fake punt and quick screens. Perhaps the most beneficial stat for Philo, however, was penalties, as they had just one holding infraction to the Scotties’ nine penalties for 130 yards.

While Kevin Fell’s team finally got themselves organized enough in the fourth quarter to walk away with the win, it’s clear that the Electrics remain a team to beat in the MVL after their first conference loss after such a hard fought performance. Tri-Valley, meanwhile, still sits firmly at the top of the conference, but will have to deal with a very tough Sheridan squad that is also undefeated in the coming weeks.

Multiple Philo starters went down during the game, including offensive lineman Tanner Wilson, receiver Aaron Philip and Adolph, with Philip remaining out for the rest of the night. His status is worth being monitored closely throughout the week.

Zanesville 27 – Miami Trace 13

Ben Everson can do it all for the Blue Devils, and proved it Friday night.

The senior quarterback accounted for 203 total yards, most of which from the ground. His two touchdown passes, came at critical times, but the biggest score of the night was easily a 74-yard scamper into the end zone early in the fourth quarter that spelled the end to any Miami Trace comeback effort.

While Miami Trace’s offense sputtered at times, the Panthers picked up 150 yards passing on just nine completions. With his defense allowing more than 15 yards per completed pass, Chad Grandstaff will likely be pushing his team to buckle down on keeping plays in front this week.

Neither team turned the ball over, but Miami Trace’s 1-for-12 third down conversion rate is a likely culprit to the teams eventual defeat. Blue Devils linebacker JC Curtis was a wrecking ball in the Panther backfield, notching five tackles for loss.

Zanesville now sits at 3-2 with a test against Mount Vernon this Friday, while Miami Trace will return home to face McClain.

John Glenn 34 – Maysville 7

Fullback Caden Mercer got things started for the Panthers on a touchdown plunge on 4th and 2, but it was the only points Maysville could muster Friday.

After trailing in the first quarter following a fumble return all the way to the end zone from Josh Connor, the Panthers leaned on Mercer’s power running heavily, but the fullback only managed 27 yards on 13 carries. John Glenn, meanwhile, enjoyed a dynamic offense, spearheaded by quarterback Evan Williams, who threw for 109 yards and three scores, with 65 yards on the ground.

Joseph Clifford continued his steady output, earning 49 yards rushing on four carries and hauling in four passes for 64 yards, one of which being a 42-yard touchdown.

Maysville quarterback Cole Tompkins tabbed 81 yards rushing, but was ineffective with his passing, going just 3-for-12 for 37 yards,

John Glenn earned its much needed first conference victory, and will now set its sights on West Muskingum, who has yet to do anything in the win column. Maysville, meanwhile, draws an interesting MVL opponent in Morgan, who fell to Crooksville to give the Ceramics their first win of the season.

Sheridan 62 – West Muskingum 0

The Generals took the gas off early — and mercifully — in this one.

A 49-0 halftime lead was enough for Sheridan coach Paul Culver to take it easy in the final two frames. Quarterback Ethan Heller was almost perfect, going 6-for-8 for 185 yards and slinging four touchdowns, three of which went to leading receiver Jacob Rhodes.

The Tornadoes could only muster 12 yards of offense.

West Muskingum has only totaled 15 points all season long, but could finally make some kind of positive plays and even a few stops on defense against a Crooksville team that has been struggling as well. Sheridan remains unbeaten with a tough test ahead in Philo, who pushed unbeaten Tri-Valley to the edge Friday.

Harvest Prep 38 – Rosecrans 0

What can you do against one of the best teams in the region?

Bishop Rosecrans was held scoreless for the first time this season, while allowing over 400 yards rushing. Four different Harvest Prep ball carriers eclipsed 50 yards on the ground, while Moses Davis and Daquan Owens-Johnson teamed up for 212 yards and three touchdowns.

Carter Dosch was the offensive leader for the Bishops, earning 73 yards on the ground and 21 on one reception, but there was nothing that could deny a ferocious offense and defense from the Warriors. A 26-0 lead at halftime essentially doomed Rosecrans, who falls to 3-2 and will now turn to Worthington Christian, who were on the cusp of topping Harvest Prep just two weeks ago.

Harvest Prep faces the Reigning Sports Academy Thunder in Canal Winchester this Friday.