Week 11 Preview: Postseason starts for area football teams

The regular season has ended, and seven area teams open their postseason journeys on Friday, as the football playoffs kick off.

In Division III, top seed Sheridan (9-1) welcomes 16th seed Circleville (5-5), and fourth seed Tri-Valley (8-2) hosts 13th seed Plain City Jonathan Alder (6-4), while in Division IV, seventh seed New Lexington (8-2) entertains 10th seed Columbus Hartley (4-6), 13th seed Philo (5-5) travels to fourth seed Gnadenhutten Indian Valley (7-3) and 16th seed Morgan (6-4) heads to top seed St. Clairsville (8-2).

In Division V, 10th seed West Muskingum (8-2) visits seventh seed Proctorville Fairland (7-3), and in Division VII, 16th seed Rosecrans (3-7) plays at top seed Newark Catholic (7-1).

Jonathan Alder at Tri-Valley

The Scotties, who lost in the first round last season, have matured throughout the season. Coach Cam West has been impressed by their growth, knowing they are taken nothing for granted.

"Our guys know the challenge Alder presents and they understand we will have to play well to win," he said. "Our schedule, including our MVL crossovers, has definitely helped us. It exposed our weaknesses which has given us a chance to address those during practice. Over half of our games have been battles in the fourth quarter where we had to make plays."

Tri-Valley will face the Pioneers' run-heavy attack. Cam Jewell leads the ground game with more than 1,360 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns, while quarterback Doug Nussbaum has completed 59 of 114 passes for 687 yards with four TDs and seven interceptions.

"Alder's running back is as good as advertised. He has a great feel for reading the offensive line blocks, making quick cuts, and accelerating in the open field," West said. "Alder wants to run the ball, so we are going to have to try and contain their running game and put them in definite passing situations.

"Our guys are excited, focused, and determined. We, along with every other team still playing, are in, "win or turn your stuff in" mode," he added. "This has been a really fun group to coach and we are not ready for this to end."

Hartley at New Lex

The Panthers received one of the state's toughest first round draws in a perennial power Hawks, but coach Kevin Board and his team won't back down from the challenge. The Panthers' lone losses are by 11 points each to Sheridan and Tri-Valley,

"Hartley is a tough first round draw, but I'd like to think that we are, too," Board said. "I believe this group is a resilient group with a lot of experience. We have a great opportunity to go out and prove that we belong and deserve to be here. We've competed well against tough teams, and I look for our guys to step up to this challenge and compete."

Hartley brings a physical running game to Jim Rockwell Stadium. Deaunte Hubbard leads the way with more than 930 yards and 11 touchdowns, and freshman Robert Lathon has added 572 yards and eight scores.

"They've got a big line, several talented backs, and good speed if we lose contain," Board said. "We've faced several teams that have this same philosophy. Morgan and Sheridan were teams that wanted to pound the ball and be physical. Our defensive line will need to step up to the challenge and match their physicality."

New Lex will play in an "environment they are used to," and Board believes it will be an advantage.

"Our guys will finish up their school day, get to go home and relax a bit, then come down to the same stadium they walk into each day," he said. "We have a beautiful stadium and there's nothing better than looking up in our stands and seeing them packed, then looking over at the hill and seeing people sitting over there. It's just a great feeling to know our community is there to support and cheer our guys on."

West Muskingum at Proctorville Fairland

It was a historic season for the Tornadoes, who became the fourth team in program history to reach eight wins. However, they face a trek south to clash with the Dragons, who are led by quarterback Peyton Jackson, who has missed the past couple of games. Steeler Leep, Brycen Hunt and Zion Martin are other players to watch, while defensively, Fairland leans on its 3-4 alignment.

"When Jackson plays, they're very balanced and very efficient in the running game," West M coach Nate Brownrigg noted. "Leep is one of their best athletes, Hunt is a very fast skilled guy, and Martin is more a physical runner. Defensively, they defend the run and pass well because they're physical and tackle well."

West M has seen similar styles against several opponents. Brownrigg expects that experience to have his team ready.

"We have had to battle for four quarters in every game, and our players have worked extremely hard for this opportunity," he said. "We've been healthy and are playing our best football at the right time. We want to continue to practice and prepare well. We're excited for the long trip down there and the opportunity in front of us."

Philo at Indian Valley

The Electrics and Braves face off in a playoff rematch, one which went the Braves' way, 30-12, last season.

Indian Valley is led by a two-back attack. Gavin Henry has more than 1,200 all-purpose yards with 17 total TDs and Grady Kinsey has more than 800 yards and eight scores.

The challenge for the Electrics is limiting their big play potential.

"They have skill and speed at every position and are very explosive. They're also very efficient throwing the ball," Philo coach Dirk Lincicome said. "We have to tackle well, especially in the secondary."

Philo has seen its offense improve under Talon Preston. Lincicome credited the sophomore's decision-making in helping the turnaround.

"He takes care of the football. He seems to have a feel for when to pull it down and go and not force the ball down the field," he said. "He is a really physical runner, but I feel the last couple of weeks he has made pretty significant strides in the drop back passing phase of the game. He's throwing the ball really well right now, is playing at a high level and has been a spark for us."

The Electrics have improved around him, cutting down their penalties and turnovers. Those will be crucial against a good defensive Braves' squad.

"Our offense has played better over the course of the year, and that has been the most improved phase of our team," Lincicome said. "We dropped three close games early, and we were struggling to score points. I think that had as much to do with our offensive line as our skill players. Our skill guys have taken care of the ball, but the offensive line took it personally and stepped up. Our guys know the job is done not yet."

bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Week 11 Preview: Postseason starts for area teams