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Maysville Pulls Off Shocker Against Undefeated West Muskingum in Defensive Battle

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ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — Going into Friday night’s game, the undefeated West Muskingum Tornadoes scored at least 35 points in every matchup this season. That would change on Friday night, as Maysville stunned the Tornadoes 31-7 in a matchup highlighted by the Panthers imposing defense and running game.

In the first quarter, both teams did an effective job on the defensive front as no points were scored on the board. The Maysville pass rush held their own against West Muskingum’s tricky playmaking, preventing any significant yardage from quarterback Harley Hopkins on QB sneaks. The Tornadoes defensive backfield caused problems all night as well, as an interception by defensive back Dylan Padgett stopped a potential scoring drive by the Panthers midway through the first.

With limited passing options, the Panthers offense shifted their game plan to focus on their running back Hayden Jarrett. Jarrett would make a statement in the second quarter, leading the Panthers to their first score of the game to cap off a 70-yard scoring drive.

Following this drive, the Tornadoes bounced back with a quick drive to the red zone led by big catches from wide receiver Rashid Sesay. However, the Panthers came up big on the goal line stop, as the defensive line stopped QB Hopkins from rushing in the ball on all four downs. The offense followed up this stop with a big time 71-yard rush by Jarrett to line up the Panthers for a field goal to end the half.

Nate Harper, number 11, of the Maysville Panthers enters the field along with his team prior to their football game with the West Muskingum Tornadoes, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
The Maysville Panthers Head Coach Craig Clarke, center, celebrates with his team their 31-7 victory over the West Muskingum Tornadoes in their high school football game, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
BJ Richcreek, number 4 of the West Muskingum Tornadoes, misses a catch attempt in the high school football game against the Maysville Panthers, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Giles Milam, left, of the Maysville Panthers, celebrates after his team scores a goal in their high school football game with the West Muskingum Tornadoes, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
West Muskingum Tornadoes’ Jeremiah Miller, number 24, steps out of a tackle attempt in the teams high school football game against the Maysville Panthers, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Team members of the West Muskingum Tornadoes walk off the field at the beginning of halftime with their high school football game against the Maysville Panthers, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers defeated the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Hayden Jarrett of the Maysville Panthers, number 1, attempts to run the ball through West Muskingum Tornadoes’ defensive line in their high school football game, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Isabella Hutchison, a senior at Maysville, cheers on the Maysville Panthers in their football game with the West Muskingum Tornadoes, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Sesay Rashid of the West Muskingum Tornadoes, number 3, dodges a tackle attempt by Maysville Panthers’ Coen Fink in their high school football game, in Zanesville, Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Panthers went on to defeat the Tornadoes 31-7. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

The Panthers would go on to rally 31-7 and end West Muskingum’s hopes of an undefeated season. Jarrett would end his big night with two touchdowns and 189 rushing yards. With the win, the Panthers move to 2-3 on the season and look to continue the momentum at Crooksville next week. The Tornadoes fall to 4-1 on the season and face a tough matchup next week against Philo.