H.S. Notebook: Lancaster still has a fighting chance to make the playoffs

LANCASTER – The end of the high school football regular season is finally here, and as we head into Week 10, three area teams – Bloom-Carroll, Berne Union and Fairfield Christian Academy - have already clinched playoff spots.

Meanwhile, even with a 1-8 record, Lancaster still has a fighting chance to make the postseason. The Golden Gales will host long-time rival Newark on Friday at Fulton Field, and if Lancaster wins and Westland loses, the Gales will jump into the final spot at No. 16.

The top 16 teams in each region qualify for the playoffs. In Division I, Region 3, Westland is ranked one spot ahead of the Gales, who is ranked No. 17 and Newark is No. 18. The Cougars will have a tall task in front of them as they play Grove City.

Lancaster's game against Newark will not only be the final game at Fulton Field for the Lancaster seniors, but it will be the 100th meeting in football between the two schools. Lancaster leads the all-time series with 57 wins, 40 losses and two ties. In the last 25 years, Lancaster has a 21-4 record against the Wildcats.

Meanwhile, Bloom-Carroll and Berne Union look to be in a great position to host a first-round playoff game, which begins Oct. 28. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 6 in Division II, Region 11, and the Rockets are also ranked No. 6 in Division VI, Region 23.

Fairfield Christian Academy is ranked No. 10 in Division VII, Region 27, and the Knights still have a chance to move into the No. 8 spot and earn a first-round home playoff game.

PRIME TIME PLAYERS

Bloom-Carroll junior running back Dylan Armstrong had another productive night as he rushed for 126 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass in the Bulldogs’ 35-27 win over Teays Valley.

Fairfield Christian Academy sophomore running back Danny Blair, who went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season, led the way in the Knights’ 63-18 win over Miller by scoring on touchdown runs of 60, 12, 69 and 51 yards.

Fairfield Christian Academy tight end Samuel Rauch caught a pair of touchdown passes of 41 and 29 yards in the Knights’ 63-18 win over Miller.

Fairfield Union senior quarterback Hayden Collins rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 45-13 win over Circleville.

Berne Union senior quarterback Nate Nemeth had a huge night in the Rockets’ 41-28 win over Grove City Christian as he accounted for 346 total yards and three touchdowns. He rushed for 196 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns and completed 11 of 18 for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Bloom-Carroll sophomore quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong completed only five passes for 69 yards, but three of them went for touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 35-27 win over Teays Valley.

Liberty Union senior quarterback Cayden Carroll rushed for 98 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown and completed 6-for-8 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ 27-20 loss to Hamilton Township.

Fairfield Union senior kicker Isabella Neal went 6-for-6 on extra points and connected on a field goal in the Falcons’ 45-13 win over Circleville.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Newark (2-7) at Lancaster (1-8)

Who would have thought these long-time rivals would still have something to play for in Week 10 with the records they have? Both have struggled mightily this season, but the mere fact they have something to play for makes this game more intriguing. Lancaster has shown glimpses of what it can do, but the Gales can’t seem to put it all together for four quarters. If they can against Newark, they will more than likely be playing in Week 11.

Hamilton Township (6-2) at Bloom-Carroll (6-3)

The Bulldogs were challenged last week in their win over Teays Valley but were able to answer the bell in the second half to pull away for their 21^st consecutive Mid-State League-Buckeye division win, and in the process, clinched at least a share of their fifth consecutive league title. They can win it outright with a win over a talented Ranger team at home on Friday. A win would more than likely move the Bulldogs up in the computer rankings.

Fisher Catholic (0-9) at Berne Union (6-3)

Led by senior quarterback Nate Nemeth, the Rockets were able to snap a two-game losing streak with their win over Grove City Christian. The Rockets used a more balanced attack of running and throwing the ball, and they more than likely will need to keep that moving forward, especially in the postseason. The Irish, on the other, are still searching for their first victory.

Amanda-Clearcreek (0-9) at Fairfield Union (4-5)

This is a game of two teams heading in the opposite direction. The Falcons, who lost four consecutive games in the middle of the season, have won two straight games and will look to end the season on a three-game winning streak and finish with a .500 record. They have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. For the Aces, they have been searching for the right mix all season with a young and inexperienced team.

Circleville (4-5) at Liberty Union (2-7)

This may be the best game of the night because the Tigers still have a lot to play for as far as attempting to qualify for the playoffs, while the Lions have enough talent to give them everything they can handle. Led by quarterback Cayden Carroll, there is no doubt Liberty Union would like to end the season on a high note with a win over the Tigers.

Fairfield Christian Academy (4-5) at Millersport (0-8)

After beginning the season with four consecutive losses, albeit, one was in overtime and a one-point loss, the Knights seem to be playing their best at the right time. They have a chance to win four of their last six games and finish with a .500 record.

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

Pickerington Central 49, Lancaster 7; Bloom-Carroll 35, Teays Valley 27; Fairfield Union 45, Circleville 13; Hamilton Township 27, Liberty Union 20; Logan Elm 41, Amanda-Clearcreek 7; Berne Union 41, Grove City Christian 28; Martins Ferry 45, Fisher Catholic 0; Fairfield Christian Academy 63, Miller 18; Riverview East Academy 72, Millersport 6.

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Notebook: Lancaster still has a fighting chance to make the playoffs