Morgan’s Tanner Bankes (22) waits for a play name from the sidelines throughout a recreation earlier this season in opposition to Marietta at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)
COAL GROVE — The Morgan Raiders certified for the playoffs for the third time in 4 seasons and now have their sights on advancing after they open the Division V, Region 19 playoffs at Dawson-Bryant Friday night.
The Raiders final superior to the playoffs again in 2023 after they misplaced to Sheridan 49-28. They’ve by no means received a playoff recreation, however are hoping to vary that.
The 2025 marketing campaign began very nicely for Morgan head coach Seth Brown and his Raiders as they downed each Marietta and Warren of their first two video games.
Losses to New Lexington and Tri-Valley adopted however the Raiders acquired the job finished down the stretch as they reeled off 5 wins of their remaining six video games, together with final week’s 21-12 win over arch-rival Philo that secured the playoff berth.
The Raiders come into the sport averaging just below 25 factors per recreation whereas yielding 21.
Running again Tanner Bankes fuels the Morgan offense.
Bankes has 178 carries, 1,147 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Quarterback Haiden Pauley has loved a productive senior yr, passing for 1,154 yards and 7 TDs whereas finishing 64.7% of his makes an attempt. Casen Foley, McGwire Winner, Hayden Bankes and Arlis Ponchak are a few of his prime targets.
The Hornets come into the sport with an 8-2 mark and will probably be making their sixth consecutive look within the publish season.
Last yr Dawson-Bryant fell to Harvest Prep 40-6 of their playoff opener.
The Hornets are averaging just below 30 factors per recreation whereas permitting their opponents to attain 14.4 factors per contest.
Key gamers for Dawson-Bryant embody quarterback Rylan Smith and all-purpose backs Kaden Murphy and Caden Turner.
After shedding two of their first three video games of the season the Hornets completed the common season with a seven-game successful streak.
The winner will advance to tackle No. 1 seeded Wheelersburg.
No. 10 Caldwell at No. 7 Grove City Christian
GROVE CITY — The Caldwell Redskins hope that their excellent end to the 2025 common season carries over into the postseason Friday night time after they go to the Grove City Christian Eagles in a Division VI, Region 23 playoff opener.
The Chance Rucker-coached Redskins completed the season with a strong 7-3 mark together with wins in six of their remaining seven video games.
In their common season finale, Caldwell picked up a 19-14 win over their arch-rivals the Shenandoah Zeps within the “Noble County Super Bowl,” performed for the very first time this season on the Redskins’ model new discipline.
The season acquired off to a little bit of a tricky begin for the Redskins as they misplaced to Waterford and Tuslaw in weeks two and three to start their season with a 1-2 document.
The ‘Skins recovered with back-to-back wins over Monroe Central and Edison and, after a week-six loss to Fort Frye, ran the desk the remainder of the best way to punch their tickets to the postseason for the sixth consecutive yr.
Caldwell comes into the sport averaging just below 30 factors per recreation offensively whereas yielding simply over 15 to their opponents.
Quarterback Izic Cool, working again Gavin Leake, receiver Brody Chandler and linebacker Jonah Moracco are among the many key contributors for the Redskins, whose playoff run ended within the first spherical final yr to Northmor (42-0).
The two groups performed one widespread opponent in 2025 as they each picked up lopsided wins over Bishop Rosecrans.
The Eagles blanked the Bishops 38-0, whereas Caldwell rolled to a 63-28 win.
Among the important thing gamers for GCC are quarterback Douglass Housley, receiver Josiah Harmeyer and working again Giovanni Cotton.
The Eagles come into the sport averaging 37.1 factors on offense whereas surrendering a mean of 9.5 factors per recreation.
Grove City Christian blanked 4 of their opponents on their option to an 8-2 common season document.
The Eagles had been additionally eradicated of their playoff opener final yr as they suffered a 23-14 defeat by Newcomerstown.
The winner will advance to play at Fort Frye on Nov. 7.