Nelsonville-York coach Rusty Richards didn’t offer any text book coach-speak when discussing Friday’s league championship tilt against the Athens Bulldogs.
“A lot of times people try to downplay it. This is a big game,” Richards said. “This is a huge game. We’re not going to downplay it. We’re going to accept it. Hey, we want to play with some emotion. They’re going to be on a high, we want to be also.”
For the second season in a row, Athens and Nelsonville-York will meet in week 10 with the winner gaining the outright Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division championship.
The Doc Kroner Trophy will also be at stake on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Athens High School’s R. Basil Rutter Field.
Not only will the Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0 TVC-Ohio) be playing their country rivals for a league title, but they will try and complete the program’s first 10-0 season since 1997.
Athens (8-1, 5-0 TVC-Ohio) lost last year’s matchup 41-24. The ‘Dogs will try to recapture the traveling Doc Kroner Trophy and win a league title for the first time since the 2014 team capped off a run of four straight TVC-Ohio crowns.
It will be the sixth time in the last eight seasons that the winner of this rivalry will end up with a least a share of the league championship. Nelsonville-York leads the all-time series, 21-16.
“That’s why you do all those extra sprints for games like this,” Richards said. “What a better way to go out but with week 10 and everything’s on the line.”
The Buckeyes are still standing in the ranks of the unbeaten thanks to last week’s thrilling 27-24 win over Vinton County. Garrett Maiden completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Keegan Wilburn as time expired to steal a victory away from the Vikings.
It will be the kind of play that will live in Buckeye legend and lore, even more so if they can complete the perfect season this week against Athens.
Wilburn, just a sophomore, has rushed for 911 yards, as well as catching 21 passes for 370 yards. He has 10 rushing touchdowns and five receiving scores.
“He’s a very special player, one of the best I’ve coached as far as a bit of a do-it-all,” Richards said. “The kid can throw the ball, he catches the ball. He’s just as good a receiver as he is running back. He can basically play any position on the field, offensively.”
The Bulldogs will certainly need to know where Wilburn is lined up at on every play.
“We move him around the field and we try to use his talents the best that my knowledge will let us,” Richards said. “Very special player.”
So far, the Bulldogs’ defense has been up to the task. The unit is giving up only 9.8 points per game and only Canal Winchester has been able to top the 20-point mark against the unit.
“It starts off up front,” Richards said of Athens’ defense. “They interchange a lot of guys and they’re big. We’re not the biggest. They’re big up front.”
It’s a vast improvement from a year ago when Athens gave up 22.9 points a game. Middle linebacker Tanner Tritipo leads the unit.
Richards was also impressed with Athens’ secondary, which features experienced seniors such as Treyce Albin, Robert Dickelman, Easton McCollum and junior Lane Heller.
“They have kids in the secondary who can run,” Richards said. “They all play both ways. Their linebackers aren’t the biggest, but they remind you a lot like ours. They fly to the football. They’re fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball.”
The Buckeyes come in averaging 36 points per game, as Maiden has 1,351 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. Colt Yinger adds 613 yards rushing.
On the other side of the ball, Nelsonville-York’s defensive unit will match up against Athens’ spread attack.
Linebackers Ronnie Wend (153 total tackles) and Yinger (106 total tackles) lead a Buckeye defense that is giving up an average of just 11.8 points per game.
They will be countered by Athens’ offense, led by junior quarterback Clay Davis (1,968 yards passing, 22 touchdowns).
“He’s got a live arm,” Richards said. “Many different kids catch the ball. You have to guard all of them. It’s not like they just throw to one kid.”
When Davis does throw, Albin has been a leading target, catching 42 passes for 763 yards. He’s been a deep threat all season, averaging 18.1 yards per catch.
“We have to be somewhat aggressive but not so much that we bite on that first move and give up that 80-yard touchdown,” Richards said. “He’s definitely a home-run threat.”
Richards said the Buckeyes should have the services of senior cornerback/receiver Chris Cook to help against the Bulldogs’ attack. He left the Vinton County game with a bruised shoulder.
“He’ll be ready to play,” Richards said. “He’s a go for Friday night.”
Junior Evan Adams (134 carries, 688 yards) has emerged this season as a big-play running back for the Bulldogs. Junior Mikel Casteel (108 carries, 488 yards) gives Athens another running back to throw at the Buckeyes.
“They keep you honest,” Richards said. “They’re not just a passing team. They keep your defense honest. We have to have a good tackling night.”
Whatever happens on Friday, the Buckeyes know they’ll play at home in week 11. The reputable website, joeeitel.com has N-Y already clinching a home playoff game.
However, a victory over Athens would guarantee that Nelsonville-York would be the No. 1 seed in the Division VI, Region 23 playoff field.
The Bulldogs are looking at a different scenario. They are currently 10th in Division III, Region 11 and still need help to make the playoffs, even with a win on Friday.
There will be plenty at stake for both sides. The Buckeyes, who have won 16 regular season games in a row, will try to repeat as TVC-Ohio champions as well as complete the sixth 10-0 regular season in program history.
It’s exactly the kind of scenarios Richards wanted the Buckeyes to be in when he took over the program prior to the 2016 season.
“Our first goal is to win the TVC,” Richards said. “Our second goal is to try and win a regional championship or do something (in the playoffs), but it’s a huge game. It’s a big one for both of us. Should be a lot of fun.”
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