October is here, and it’s finally starting to feel like football weather.

Two titans are preparing to clash this week, while the rest of the Muskingum Valley League is fighting for playoff positioning and pride. Whether it was John Glenn continuing their fight to remain in the playoff hunt or Philo looking to regain ground against one of the best teams in the conference, last Friday was short on drama, but full of action.

Last Friday’s featured Game of the Week was not a close one, but how did the rest of the area teams fare?

John Glenn 76 – West Muskingum 0

Brighter days are ahead for West Muskingum, but Friday night was not the day they began.

The Tornadoes were systematically picked apart by the John Glenn offense, while also failing to put any points on the board. With the score 62-0 at halftime, Matt Edwards put in his reserves, who also put forward a few points.

Led by a stout rushing attack from Brady Emerson and the air raid of Evan Williams, the Muskies provided two lightning quick scores, which only took two total plays. Defensively, Dylan Woodyard, Ben Larson and Balyze Baker were active all night.

Williams was a perfect 10-for-10 for 208 yards and three scores, while West Muskingum’s Harley Hopkins showed flashes of potential, going 11-for-21 for 109 yards.

The Muskies showed a dynamic offense that hurt West Muskingum over the middle of the field and on the outside, taking advantage of matchups that favored their side in terms of speed.

West Muskingum showed plenty of grit and kept up the fight throughout, but there are just too many weapons to account for on the other side of the ball. Five freshman starters are continuing to grow, but that kind of youth makes things difficult in weekly game planning and practice.

The Muskies draw a favorable matchup with Morgan next, while West Muskingum will be preparing for Maysville.

Tri-Valley 30 – New Lexington 0

In another shutout, Tri-Valley continued to tear through the 2018 season.

Starting quarterback Luke Fargus and often-used backup Aiden Fritter were fairly quiet by Scottie standards, combining for a 17-for-27 mark for 234 yards, one touchdown and one pick. The rushing attack was a two-headed monster for Tri-Valley, with Jordan Pantaleo and Blake Sands each picking up first half scores.

New Lexington running back C.J. Ratliff rushed the ball just four times, picking up 37 yards. As a team, the Panthers earned just 35 yards on the ground total, a problem which was exacerbated by an inefficient passing game. Logyn Ratliff was just 12-of-24 for 94 yards and was picked off once.

Fargus connected with Carson Simpkins to open up the scoring, while Sands rumbled in from 23 yards out to round out the first quarter. Pantaleo grabbed his lone score of the game early in the second, and a defensive touchdown for Trever Neilbarger plus a Kaden Bay field goal near the end of the half were all the points Tri-Valley needed.

Tri-Valley’s ultimate test awaits this Friday, with undefeated Sheridan traveling to Dresden. New Lexington will square off with Crooksville at home.

Sheridan 45 – Philo 7

Speaking of Sheridan, if there was ever any validation needed of how good this team actually is, fans got it Friday.

Matching up with another one of the top MVL teams this season, the Generals handled the Electrics and then some. Ethan Heller put on an absolute passing clinic, going a perfect 14-for-14 for 250 yards and a pair of touchdowns, even without a score from star Jacob Rhodes, who still put forth six receptions for 108 yards.

Junior Will Hamilton provided 52 yards on seven carries, while Heller produced 50 yards on the ground as well.

The Electrics were unable to score until midway through the fourth quarter, when backup Owen Smith connected with Eli Preston. Starting quarterback Hunter Adolph was a non-factor in the passing game, connecting just twice for – two yards.

Running back Casey Munyan was stuffed for the second-straight week, gaining just three yards on seven carries. Trey Wilson led the way with seven carries for 56 yards.

Sheridan can turn the MVL upside down with a win against conference foe Tri-Valley on Friday in a battle of unbeatens. Philo, meanwhile, will hope to get back on track against a 1-5 Coshocton team at home.

Maysville 56 – Morgan 6

Maysville really put this one away early.

Leading 42-6 at halftime, the Panthers took out their frustration from last week’s loss with a mixture of solid running and a stellar air attack.

Fullback Caden Mercer grinded out 91 yards on 10 carries, while quarterbacks Cole Tompkins and Kaiden Hall combined for a 9-for-14 passing line for 198 yards and three scores. The entire Morgan offense was based on Wes Pauley who earned 112 yards on 15 carries, including a 66-yard scamper for the Raiders’ only score.

Mason Swauger had just one reception for 15 yards for the Panthers, but that 15-yard catch gave Maysville the lead they would never relinquish. He also added a 56-yard punt return for a score in the second quarter to add to an already lopsided mark on the scoreboard.

Maysville gets West Muskingum next, while Morgan will try to handle John Glenn on Friday.

Zanesville 27 – Mount Vernon 18

A big first quarter was the key to Zanesville’s victory against Mount Vernon.

A 20-yard Dekkar Davis touchdown catch from Ben Everson and a one-yard touchdown plunge for Julius Murphy gave the Blue Devils a 13-6 lead heading into the second. Up by just one point with the clock ticking down, Everson then took it in himself to give Zanesville a 20-12 cushion.

Everson was electric in the passing game, gaining 149 yards and two scores on 15-of-21 passing, while adding 12 carries for 52 yards.

Zanesville’s relatively unimpressive 210 yard day on offense was not enough to help Mount Vernon, who turned the ball over once and went just 2-of-15 on third down conversions.

The Blue Devils return home to face Logan with an impressive 4-2 record.

Worthington Christian 35 – Bishop Rosecrans 14

Michael Hartings ran around, over and through the Bishop Rosecrans defense.

Notching 170 yards and thee scores, his contributions alone were enough to top the Bishops.

Two turnovers for the Bishops and a lukewarm passing game are telltale signs of how this one went down. Zach Hoheisel recovered a fumble near the Bishops goal line and plowed in, helping give his team a 21-7 lead right out of halftime that was simply too much for Roscrans.

Cam Hagy went 10-for-20 for 150 yards and a touchdown. Running back Austin Church added 65 yards on 11 carries, and Carter Dosch added his 11th rushing score this season.

The Bishops travel back to Zanesville to face Dohn Community on Friday.