Similar playoff history for 'Riders and Huskies
Oct. 27—COLLINS — Two teams with almost identical playoff track records will met when Western Reserve visits Northwestern on Friday.
The Roughriders (6-4) enter as the No. 13 seed in Division VI Region 22, while the Huskies (8-2) are the No. 4 seed. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
Western first made the playoffs under head coach Dick Taylor in 1984, back when just two teams per region qualified for the tournament. The Roughriders beat Metamora Evergreen, 14-13, at Don Paul Stadium in Fremont before falling to Columbus Bishop Hartley in the Div. IV state semifinals, 28-12, at Baldwin Wallace University's George Finnie Stadium.
Western then went into a lengthy playoff drought that extended into the 2000s. After several near-misses, the team went 10-0 and hosted a first-round game under head coach Mike Stoll in Div. V, falling to former Firelands Conference member Hillsdale, 47-21.
The 'Riders returned to the playoffs two years later in 2012 under Stoll, losing in the first round at Lima Central Catholic by a 42-14 score.
The 'Riders returned to the playoffs again in 2019 under current head coach Ty Stevenson, who was then in his second season. Hosting Carey in the first round, the Blue Devils won a 50-41 shootout at Bachelder Field.
In the COVID-shortened 2020 season when every team made the playoffs, the 'Riders snapped their four-game losing streak in the playoffs with a 41-7 win over Margaretta in the opening round. Western then lost, 42-18, at traditional power Liberty Center in the second round.
Last season, Western opened in the first round of the playoffs at Gibsonburg in what proved to be one of the more memorable games in program history.
Playing on a soaking wet, muddy grass field, the 'Riders scored a touchdown with just under five minutes to go — then went for two points and were successful before holding on for the 15-14 win.
Facing unbeaten Associated Press poll champion Archbold on the road in the second round, the 'Riders fell to the Blue Steaks by a 42-7 score.
While Western is 3-6 overall in seven playoff appearances, its opponent is 3-7 over seven playoff appearances as well.
The Northwestern program struggled for many years, including three straight winless seasons prior to Mike Thut's arrival in 2001.
The Huskies finally qualified for the playoffs for the first time in 2005, which was the start of three consecutive appearances. Northwestern beat Barnesville and Warren JFK in 2005 before losing by a touchdown (21-14) to Canfield South Range in a regional title game.
Northwestern listen the first round in 2006 and 2007, and again in 2012, 2013 and 2016.
Again like Western, the Huskies snapped their six-game playoff losing streak in the shortened 2020 season.
Playing in Div. V Region 18, Northwestern posted a 21-3 win over Lima Bath at home before falling in the second round at Ottawa-Glandorf (21-0).
The Huskies were 3-7 last season — the final of 22 years for Thut as coach.
Under first-year coach Joe Cardinal, the Huskiesturned it around this season to win their first Wayne County Athletic League championship since 2013.
The Roughriders and Huskies did meet once before. Playing a one-off game in Week 2 of the 1997 season, Western hosted the Huskies and cruised to a 47-14 win at Bachelder Field. It served as one of just two wins that season.
