by Gregg Meadows
It’s been nearly the same scenario for the past fourteen years in the Muskingum Valley League football race – the winner of the annual Tri-Valley versus Sheridan game, wins the trophy. Period.
And the 2022 regular season in MVL play proved no exception. The yearly clash of conference titans – Tri-Valley and Sheridan – battled once again for the crown on Friday night, Oct. 14 in Dresden at venerable Jack Anderson Stadium on Senior Night, with the result a ‘slimmest of margins’ 14-13 Sheridan win.
The victory handed the visiting Generals a Muskingum Valley League ‘Big School division’ title – their 20th conference crown (and most in the MVL) – while the Scotties dropped to 7-2 on the year and head to John Glenn on Friday night, Oct. 21, needing a win in the regular season closer to stay in the post season hunt for ‘at least’ one home playoff game. The Scotties have already clinched a spot in the OHSAA playoffs, as the top 16 teams in each region land a spot to continue action after the regular season.
The TV vs Sheridan game proved to be a defensive battle, as both team’s long, time-consuming first quarter drives produced no points.
A second quarter of play nearly mirrored the first period, as the big scoreboard at Jack Anderson Stadium showed zeroes in the scoring column until a Sheridan score and PAT with just a minute left in the first half gave the visitors a 7-0 lead. But a long ensuing kick-off return from TV senior standout Jayden Walker deep into Sheridan territory gave the Jack Anderson Stadium home side something to cheer about. An ensuing short scoring toss from sophomore TV QB Max Lyall to Walker – and a Carter Dinan PAT – saw both teams jog to their respective halftime locker rooms knotted at 7-7.
The third quarter saw more hard-nosed defense from both teams, but finally the host Scotties took the lead on a late third quarter (1:30) 16-yard scoring run from sophomore Jayden Wallace. But the PAT was blocked, and the score remained 13-7 heading to the decisive fourth quarter of play.
The fourth quarter of play saw both defenses rise to the occasion again, until the Generals mounted a late-game scoring drive, punctuated by an eight-yard scoring toss from Sheridan QB Reid Packer to receiver Drew Boyer, then a decisive, go-ahead PAT from Spencer Showalter for a 14-13 Sheridan lead with just 2:39 left in the contest.
Try as they might, the host Scotties just couldn’t get the job done in their last two possessions, as the visiting Generals left Dresden with the one-point win and MVL trophy in tow.
TV outgained Sheridan in total yards (310-223), yards per play (5.0), and first downs (20-17) – but just not where it counted – on the scoreboard.
Max Lyall finished 19-37 for 200 yards and a score, Drake Durst led Scottie rushers with 75 hard-earned yards on 15 carries, and Jayden Wallace added 21 yards on three carries with a third quarter score. Jayden Walker led all receivers with a game-high eight receptions good for 77 yards and a score. Thomas Williams added five catches for 39 yards.
SHS QB Reid packer finished nine for 13 for 80 yards and a six-pointer, with Drew Boyer leading SHS receivers with four grabs for 49 yards and both scores. Alex Poirer’s 53 yards on 10 carries led SHS rushers.
TV’s Friday night opponent – the John Glenn Muskies – lost to Philo last Friday night at Sam Hatfield Stadium 26-15.
Looking back: Back on Friday night, Oct. 7 in Duncan Falls, The Scotties defeated Philo 28-6 at Sam Hatfield Stadium. Visiting Tri-Valley led 21-0 at halftime, then added a second half score for the victory. Max Lyall’s 17-25, 276 yards and three touchdown performance accounted for a good chunk of the Scottie’s 392 yards of total offense, while Jayden Wallace led TV rushers with 63 yards on 10 carries and Drake Durst added 48 yards on 13 carries. Ashton Sensibaugh caught five passes for 114 yards and a score, Jayden Walker snared five as well for 88 yards and a six-pointer, and Thomas Williams hauled in three passes with an end zone catch as well.
