Sports
Tri-Valley, Sheridan To Meet Under Unusual Circumstances
By: Nathan Takitch
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Every year since 2007, the winner of a typically competitive game between the Tri-Valley Scotties and the Sheridan Generals has gone on to win the Muskingum Valley League title.
The Scotties have continued their winning ways. Tri-Valley (8-0, 6-0 MVL) is still unbeaten through eight weeks of action and is trying to finish off a historic year.
But for Tri-Valley’s opponent, 2012 has proven to be a unique season.
Things have changed in Thornville, where the hometown Generals (4-4, 3-3 MVL) have gone more than a month without a win and are practically out of contention for the playoffs.
“I can’t even remember the last time we lost four [games] in a row,” Sheridan head coach Paul Culver Jr said.
Sheridan will need to play almost mistake-free football if they want to have a chance to avoid a fifth-straight loss on Friday. Tri-Valley has been dominant all season long and the Scotties will be looking to impress further in their final home regular season game.
Tri-Valley running back and Player Of The Year candidate Austin Jones has certainly been impressive in 2012. The senior has rushed for a ridiculous 9.2 yards per carry and 140.3 yards per game. He also has 22 total touchdowns; 20 rushing and two receiving
Another impressive Scottie that the Generals will have to worry about is senior quarterback Nathan Strock, who has thrown for 190.3 yards per game and 15 touchdowns. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that Tri-Valley’s field general has not thrown an interception yet this season.
Strock and his teammates provide a difficult matchup for any team, but Sheridan is allowing 33 points per game in their last four contests. The Generals will have to pick up their gameplay if they want to contend against Tri-Valley.
At this point, the Generals rank fifth in the MVL in points scored and sixth in points allowed. The Scotties lead the league in both categories.
“We have to show up ready to play if we want to beat [Tri-Valley],” Culver said, “We need to think about fixing ourselves before we worry about playing with Austin.”