Tri-Valley Conference Hocking – Conference Preview
By: Joshua Hoerner
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Waterford Wildcats
2024 record: 9-3 (4-0)
Waterford reclaimed the Hocking crown after a strong regular season, ending on a six-game winning streak. The Wildcats earned a first-round playoff victory before falling to rival Fort Frye in the second round.
The Wildcats return TVC-Hocking Offensive Player of the Year and All-Ohio Division VI third-team quarterback Hayden Jones. Jones totaled 22 touchdowns as a sophomore last season and rushed for 274 yards in the team’s first-round playoff win.
Joining Jones on the offensive side of the ball are two all-conference first team selections: the team will also return two all-conference first team players in Trevin Zimmer at wide receiver and Dylan McCutcheon on the offensive line. Head coach Eric McCutcheon highlighted the play of two offensive linemen in camp — Weston Hennis and Ryker Hutchins.
Waterford dropped down to Division VII, Region 27 this season. Waterford is now in the same region as fellow Hocking foes Trimble, Federal Hocking and Southern.
Eastern Eagles
2024 record: 8-3 (3-1)
Eastern finished second in the Hocking last season and dominated the early stretch of their schedule. The Eagles scored 40 points in each of their first five games of the season and won each of those games by at least 22 points. Eastern fell in the first round of the playoffs to Centerburg.
Head Coach Jason Jackson is entering his fourth season at the helm for the Eagles. Eastern will be looking to replicate playoff success like they had in 2023, when they reached the regional final before falling to Caldwell in a thriller. They return to Division VI, Region 23 this year.
Quarterback Ethan Edwards will transition to running back this season. Matt Marcum and Ronnie Golden return to anchor the trenches. Marcum totaled 35 pancakes blocks on offense and six sacks on defense. Marcum was also named to the all-conference team last season.
The Eagles will open the season against county foe Meigs, marking just the third meeting between the two programs.
Trimble Tomcats
2024 record: 7-5 (2-2)
Trimble took home third place in the Hocking last season and won its first-round playoff matchup against Fisher Catholic. The Tomcats fell by six points to Conotton Valley in the second round.
Despite losing leading rusher Matthew Moyer and quarterback Brady Jajcyzk, the Tomcats return several key players. Trevor Gowen, the team’s second leading rusher, had seven rushing touchdowns last season. Paul Sharp led the team in receiving yards and is one of the candidates potentially taking over at quarterback. Luke Osbourne scored eight touchdowns last season, including six receiving.
Marcus Cable, a first team all-conference lineman, is returning for his senior season. Also returning are linemen Bennie Warren and Sam Everett.
Trimble remains in Division VII, Region 27. The Tomcats open the season at home against rival Nelsonville-York. Two of their toughest tests of the season come in weeks eight and nine, when they face Eastern and Waterford.
Southern Tornadoes
2024 record: 3-7 (1-3)
Southern finished fourth in the standings last year and fell in the first round of the Region 27 playoffs to Miller.
The four seniors Southern will all play important roles on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Nathan Shuster returns under center and running back Jake Wickline joins him in the backfield. Wide receiver Wyatt Smith and Will Smith will also be key contributors. Underclassman Abram Thomas will also play a big role on defense.
Southern’s schedule will feature all of the fellow TVC-Hocking teams, alongside a very competitive nonconference schedule. The Tornadoes open the season on the road against South Gallia, but this isn’t the only SOC-I opponent they will face. The Tornadoes will also take on Beaver Eastern and Green, going 2-1 against those conference foes. In addition, Southern will get a rematch with Miller in Week three.
Belpre Golden Eagles
2024 record: 1-9 (0-4)
Belpre finished 5th in the Hocking last year after, with it’s lone win coming against Beallsville.
Head Coach Kevin Welsh is entering his third season at the helm for the Golden Eagles, and he returns a promising class of juniors. Jayden Gibbs, Malaki Ensor, Karter Greathouse, Nathan Tippie, Malik Currie and Jayden Francis are all expected to be key players for the Golden Eagles this year.
Belpre will begin their season on the road against Fisher Catholic and will open conference play the following week against Federal Hocking.
Federal Hocking Lancers
2024 record: 2-7
The Lancers played their first full season in three years last year, finishing 2-7. The Lancers took him wins against Belpre and Trinity Christian.
Federal Hocking is also making its return to the TVC-Hocking this season. Head Coach Dominic Branch is in his first season in the role after serving as an assistant.
Senior quarterback Brody Rutter will lead the offense. Wide receivers Gabrial Bray and Braeden Hill return as key targets for the senior signal-caller. Keegan Bolin is back to anchor both sides of the line for the Lancers.
Federal Hocking opens their season at home against Green. The Lancers’ schedule also features nonconference matchups with Millersport and Manchester.