Week 10 Preview: Sheridan, New Lex clash in battle of division winners
THORNVILLE — Sheridan and New Lexington have claimed their respective Muskingum Valley League division titles and clinched home games for Week 11.
But, Perry County bragging rights and valuable playoff points are on the line Friday night at Paul Culver Jr. Stadium, as both enter 8-1 overall.
Sheridan is currently fourth in Division III, Region 11 and New Lexington is fifth in Division IV, Region 15. Both are in position to host in Week 11, and a win for either could clinch a home playoff game for Week 12 since the top four seeds host the first two weeks.
New Lex's last win in the series came in 2013, as Sheridan has won eight straight against its county rival.
There are other area teams battling for playoff position. Philo (4-5, 1-3) visits Maysville (5-4, 2-2) for a spot in the Division IV, Region 15 postseason, as the Electrics are 15th and the Panthers 17th.
Zanesville (3-6), which is 16th in Region 11, welcomes Logan (3-6) and likely needs a win to reach the playoffs, while Rosecrans (2-7), which is 20th in Division VII, Region 27, hosts Miller (3-6) in Mid-State League Cardinal Division action and needs a win and help to have a chance of making the top 16.
In the MVL, Tri-Valley (7-2, 3-1) heads to John Glenn (3-6, 1-3), Morgan (5-4, 2-2) heads to Crooksville (0-9, 0-4), West Muskingum (7-2, 3-1) visits Meadowbrook (1-8, 1-3) and River View (3-6, 1-4) travels to rival Coshocton (2-7, 2-3).
The Scotties remain in the top spot in Region 11 and a win likely clinches home games for the first two weeks of the playoffs; the Tornadoes are 10th in Division V, Region 19 and need help to get a home game in Week 11; and Morgan will be on the road in Week 11, as the Raiders sit in 13th in Region 15.
New Lexington at Sheridan
The Generals and Panthers have had few challenges in the second half of the season outside of last week's 14-13 win for Sheridan at Tri-Valley. Sheridan has outscored its last four opponents 152-46, while New Lex has a margin of 178-57 over the past four weeks.
Each team is scoring in bunches behind a slew of options. For Sheridan, Reid Packer and Caden Sheridan have split reps at quarterback, combining for nearly 1,100 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Packer is the team's leading rushing with 542 yards and seven scores on 66 carries.
Justin Munyan and Alex Poirier have aided the Generals' ground attack, as Munyan has 517 yards and five scores on 64 touches and Poirier has found the end zone 10 times with 447 yards on 79 totes.
Drew Holden leads a balanced receiving corps with 21 receptions, 386 yards and four TDs, while A.J. Winders and Spencer Showalter have combined for 28 catches and 436 yards with Winders hauling in three scores.
The Panthers also have a balanced attack, headlined by running back Hunter Rose. The senior is closing in on 1,400 yards, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry, and has scored 20 times on 139 attempts. He also has 12 catches for 238 yards and a pair of scores.
Lukas Ratliff has excelled under center, completing 119 of 177 passes for 1,797 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions, while adding 350 yards on the ground. Tatem Toth, who is the MVL's all-time leader in receiving yards, is the team's top receiver with 27 catches for 535 yards and seven TDs. Jerek Braglin has a team-high 39 receptions for 472 yards and four scores, Ryan Hobbs has hauled in 28 passes for 306 yards and Isaac Dick has three TD catches.
Each team has played solid defense, as both have allowed less than 2,200 total yards. New Lex has forced 19 turnovers and collected 15 sacks, while Sheridan has forced 17 giveaways.
bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Week 10 Preview: Sheridan, New Lex clash in battle of division winners
