PEMBERVILLE — The Eastwood football team's euphoric and historic run in the playoffs comes to a crescendo on Friday.
After composing a season of unprecedented success, the Eagles will play for the ultimate prize against another undefeated juggernaut.
No. 1-ranked Eastwood (14-0) clashes with No. 3-ranked Wheelersburg (14-0) for the Division V state championship at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Kickoff between the dominant teams, which each feature stifling defenses and prolific offenses, is at 3 p.m.
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“This is a really special group we have,” first-year Eastwood coach Craig Rutherford said of his team, which is the first in school history to reach the state title game. “It's a dream come true. It is so hard to win 14 straight games. Having both teams undefeated is pretty special. It's another week where it's the best team we've ever played.”
Both teams have been stunningly good on both sides of the ball. Wheelersburg, which runs a balanced and spread attack, averages 41.6 points per game. Eastwood has utilized a run-oriented scheme to average 39.6 points per contest.
Wheelersburg coach Rob Woodward said Eastwood is the best squad his team has faced.
“This will be an outstanding game,” Woodward said. “Both teams have done an outstanding job to get here. I think it's very fitting these teams will be playing [for the state title]. I look at this to be a chess match back and forth. We'll have to come out and play our best game in all facets.”
Eastwood lineman Addison Clark, who earned second-team All-Ohio honors on Monday, said the showdown looks great on paper.
“It's definitely what you want out of a state championship matchup,” Clark said. “They have a great offense and defense, and so do we. They've proven themselves in their region, and we've done the same. It will be a great game in an amazing atmosphere.”
Eastwood's stellar defense has allowed just 8.3 points and shut out two opponents in the postseason. The Pirates have yielded just 8.1 points per game.
“Their defensive line is incredible,” Rutherford said. “It will be a challenge for our offensive line, but we like our offensive line. They've done such a great job. For us to be able to run the ball like we have, they'll have to do it again.”
The Eagles average 317 rushing yards per game, led by sophomore phenom Jaden Rayford, who has run for 2,072 yards and set a school record with 35 touchdowns.
“I'm confident running the ball. But without [linemen and lead blockers], I would not be doing what I'm doing,” Rayford said. “I'd call myself a balanced runner.”
Woodward said his team's defense is up for the challenge.
“Their running back is one of the best, if not the best we've faced. They have a great run team,” Woodward said. “Their offensive line comes off the ball really well, and they are explosive. [Rayford] runs really hard. They have two other backs that do a good job as well. But our front six is what we hang our hat on. This is our best tackling team. They read their keys and react. We play an aggressive style. In the playoffs, they haven't had to throw the ball. We want to take away their best attribute.”
Both rosters are filled with players that earned All-Ohio recognition. Wheelersburg has five players that earned first-team all-state honors, including Division V offensive co-player of the year Tanner Holden at wide receiver. He has 80 catches for 1,488 yards (18.6 average) with 20 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Trent Salyers has thrown for 3,301 yards and rushed for 651.
“We pride ourselves on the balance we have,” Woodward said. “We try to utilize the athletes we have. We want to stretch the field and make other teams cover a lot of things.”
Eastwood counters with two key seniors on defense, lineman Antonio Salinas and linebacker Tyler Schmeltz, who earned All-Ohio first-team honors.
“They throw the ball really well, and they have good backs that are capable of hitting big plays,” Rutherford said. “They spread you out, and that opens up big running lanes. Defensively, our line will have to play their best game. As we've worked through the playoffs, our guys have gotten better and better.”
The D-V final is the only state title game that features two teams that were the No. 1 seed in their respective regions. The teams are two of only six in the state that are still unbeaten.
Rutherford said the Eagles must continue to limit the opponent's running game while establishing its own ground game by winning the line of scrimmage. Protecting the ball and special teams play also will be critical, he said.
“We need to hit a couple of big plays,” he said. “We need to make them drive the football and not give them a bunch of explosive plays.”
This is the 29th playoff appearance for Wheelersburg, tied for sixth most in state history. The Pirates have played for the championship twice, capturing one in 1989.
The Pirates notched a 15-10 state semifinal win against Middletown Madison last week, the first time Wheelersburg was held under 34 points all season. No opponent has scored more than 20 points in any game.
Rutherford took over for his legendary father, Jerry Rutherford, and he has led Eastwood to the school's 12th postseason berth and first regional title. Rutherford, who played for his father, has led the Eagles to school records in wins (14), rushing yards (4,433), and touchdowns (80).
Red Swarm head to Canton
The school day on Friday was canceled so that staff and students can attend the state title game. Hundreds of supporters will once again board spirit buses.
“This is five extra weeks we've had together,” Rutherford said. “These are memories they will have for the rest of their lives. It's been so much fun not just for the kids, but the whole community.”
The band is still performing halftime shows, and the cheerleaders are still cheering on student sections and stands packed full of red-clad supporters.
“It's been amazing to see the community lit up like this,” Clark said. “It pushes us forward and keeps us striving to get better. These are the people we're playing for. We were once those little kids and we can see ourselves in them.”
Clark and fellow linemen Dalton Andrews, Hunter Slattman, Seth Welch, Erik Fertig, and tight end Zach Henline form a unit nicknamed The Herd.
“It all starts in practice,” Andrews said. “Our scout team was giving us a great look and I don’t think anybody else in the state could even give us that big of a look from the scout team.”
Schmeltz and Salinas are part of a defense labeled the Red Swarm and the Bomb Squad.
“We've been told that someday there will be a book written about Eastwood football and how we want our chapter to read,” Clark said. “We've done a lot. But we haven't finished the deal yet. These guys are my brothers. We've come so far and fought so hard. We are peaking at the right time. We're at our best. We just continue to improve. We have a big opponent. But if we keep clicking, we will be ready.”
Woodward, who has been part of Wheelersburg football for 15 seasons, is in his 10th as the team's head coach. Wheelersburg is located on the border with Kentucky on the banks of the Ohio River. The Pirates have qualified for the playoffs six straight seasons and 13 of the last 15 seasons.
“It's unbelievable to be part of Wheelersburg football. The community is very passionate about our sports here,” he said. “We have a rich academic and athletic tradition. We pursue excellence here.”
Woodward said the key for his team on Friday will be the execution of the fundamentals.
“It will be a great game,” Woodward said. “It will come down to basic things ... blocking and tackling. Whoever tackles better will come out and be successful. We'll also have to take care of the football.”
Eastwood has an opportunity to become the first football team from Wood County to capture a state title. Only four other sports teams in the school's history have won it all. The boys track team won consecutive state titles in 2009 and 2010, while the volleyball (1993) and girls bowling (2009) teams also claimed championships.
Rutherford said his 18 seniors are a special group leading a confident club.
“Our guys believe in each other and what we do,” Rutherford said. “They are playing with a lot of confidence right now. They know how much of a challenge this is. The practices have been sharp, and the kids are having fun. They know they will have to play their best. They love to play football. So we're very excited for this opportunity.”
Contact Mark Monroe at mmonroe@theblade.com, 419-724-6354, or on Twitter @MonroeBlade.
First Published November 29, 2017, 8:30 p.m.
