Mid-State League (MSL) Cardinal Preview
By: Charlie Ihlenfeld
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Fairfield Christian Academy:
The Knights were a force to be reckoned with last season, trotting out one of the most explosive offenses in southeast Ohio.
Not only did Fairfield Christian deliver a regular season classic when they triumphed 61-58 over Bishop Rosecrans, they might have produced the best first round matchup in the state last season. The Knights were the only Cardinal team to win a playoff game, escaping 61-54 over Sciotoville Community.
Fairfield Christian averaged an astounding 44 points per game last year and they dropped 50 or more points on opponents four times. There could be a looming trap for this high-flying Knights squad, and that trap is Bishop Rosecrans. While Fairfield Christian escaped last season, they will once again face the Bishops on the road.
The Knights were typically a solid defense with shutouts against Berne Union and Green, but they also inexplicably allowed more than 50 points twice.
Fairfield Christian were consistent winners on the way to the top of the conference last year, but their defense would benefit from some of that consistency as well. That improvement would make the Knights an unstoppable force in their region and the Ohio state playoffs too.
Bishop Rosecrans:
The Bishops were the streakiest teams in the conference, dropping their first three games then winning their next three. They bookended the season by dropping four of five including River trouncing them 49-21 in the first round of the playoffs.
Despite their inconsistency, Bishop Rosecrans boasted one of the most impressive offenses in the Cardinal Division, averaging just a hair under 29 points per game. Their 61-58 defeat at the hands of Fairfield Christian was the closest any team in the conference came to unseating the eventual conference champions.
The Bishops would also benefit from avoiding consistent barn burners within the conference. Only one team in the conference, winless Millersport, was held below three scores, and twice their defense allowed teams to score more than 60 points.
Aside from a rematch with Steubenville Central Catholic, a revamped out of conference schedule should help the Bishops. They faced eventual Region 27 finalist Eastern in week two and fell in a shootout with Sciotoville Community in week one.
In place of Eastern and Sciotoville, Bishop Rosecrans faces Beallsville and New London. The main drawback for this schedule is starting on the road. Based on their streaky nature, week one will be pivotal for the Bishops.
Grove City Christian (6-5, 4-2):
Conference play could not have started worse for the Eagles last year. In back-to-back weeks, Grove City Christian dropped heartbreakers to Fairfield Christian and Bishop Rosecrans.
From that point onwards the Eagles were a completely different animal. Grove City Christian tore through the conference, winning their final four games in the Cardinal by an average of 32 points. Most impressively, the Eagles went to Miller and unseated them, 37-27.
Unfortunately for Grove City Christian, they were resoundingly defeated in the first round of the playoffs by Division VI powerhouse West Jefferson.
Grove City Christian has an opportunity this year for revenge at home. Once again in their first conference game in week four, the Eagles face the Fairfield Christian. It should once again prove vital to the school that claims the Cardinal’s crown.
Miller:
Patience is a virtue. Few schools and teams have learned that more than the Miller Falcons. Miller is still searching for its first playoff win in school history, having five losses in five appearances dating back to 1999.
The Falcons have struggled in those five appearances, being outscored 56-200. Why bring this up? Miller is right on the doorstep of their first playoff win. Drew Pasteur listed the Falcons as the 8th most improved team in all of Division Seven last year as they jumped from 3-8 to 6-5.
Miller was just a few bounces away from a conference title and an outstanding record. Three of Miller’s five losses came by 10 or fewer points, and two of those losses were by only one possession. Similarly to the previously mentioned Fairfield Union, this Falcons’ unit got hot late in the season.
Miller took three of their four final regular season games, and their loss was on the road against Fairfield Christian, a game the Knights claimed by only seven points. Most impressively, they dominated Bishop Rosecrans at home 62-34 during this stretch.
This momentum came to a screeching halt in the first round of the playoffs when the Falcons faced a resurgent Waterford squad that made an impressive Cinderella run in Region 27.
While the conference race is important for Miller, that elusive playoff win is enticing. Taking a minute to analyze the landscape of Region 27 this year, the Falcons prospects seem solid. Many of the top teams like Reedsville Eastern, Eastern Beaver, Caldwell and River will have to replace departing talent while Miller will not have those same issues.
They return Quarterback Logan Doughty, running back Zander Bice, Conner Kaido and Wyatt Porter. Miller’s core remains stronger than most in the region. The Falcon’s Head Coach, Dominic Scott, got Miller to its first winning season since 2017, and he commanded the best offense since 2015. In their history, the Falcons are 197-389. If you look closely, the wind may be blowing in the other direction at long last.
Fisher Catholic:
Coming into last year off an 0-10 season, the Irish were looking for something. While last year was not a resounding success, it is a foundation Head Coach Luke Thimmes can build on.
Early in the season, Fisher Catholic struggled to find their footing on either side of the ball. Week nine was the best performance the Irish have seen in two years, suffocating Berne Union en route to a 8-6 victory. It may have been a gritty affair, but sometimes grit is what gets you through in Division Six and Seven football.
For Fisher Catholic, this year will be about proving they can return to the heights of 2018 and 2019. Despite those two excellent seasons, the Irish were given incredibly difficult draws in the form of a 12-2 Harvest Prep and 13-2 Trimble.
Can the Irish get back to the playoffs? Thimmes and Fisher Catholic will have to keep climbing.
Berne Union:
Head Coach Tony Hurps has been one of the most successful coaches in the MSL-Cardinal. Hurps is the only coach in school history to earn multiple playoff wins, but last year was a significant step back for the Rockets.
Berne Union cratered to 2-8 last season and took significant steps back on both sides of the ball. Coach Hurps and the Rocket have a goal in mind for this season.
“I think they’re definitely more focused this year. I think they’re ready for revenge,” Hurps said. “They don’t like that feeling, and I think maybe it’s good we got that feeling last year. We got that feeling out of our mouth.”
With senior Quarterback Jarrett Thompson under center, Berne Union already has many of the pieces to compete in the Cardinal Division this year. With the emergence of teams like Fairfield Christian and Miller, the Rockets will have a difficult flight to the top. If any coach has proven they can overcome those odds, it is Tony Hurps.
The architect of the best offense in school history, Hurps’ scheme has, excluding last season, been at the top of the conference throughout his time in Sugar Grove. Hurps has the Berne Union on an upward trajectory once again, but they will have to navigate a tricky non-conference schedule. Newcomerston and Crooksville both took significant steps forward last year as the Trojans earned their first playoff win in school history and Crooksville began to right the ship. Trimble is known for their tough, grinding style of play.
The good news for the Rockets is all three of these games are at home. That makes it essential for Berne Union to get off to a hot start. Otherwise, it could be a long season.
Millersport:
Is the streak going to end? That is the main question for the Lakers heading into this season. Despite having the easiest schedule in Division Seven last year, according to Drew Pastuer, Millersport failed to break through.
The Lakers extended their losing streak to 20 consecutive games. It is a daunting challenge, but we have seen teams overcome their extensive losing streaks in recent memory. Last season, Crooksville entered the season on a 21-game losing streak, but they broke through to win their first three games.
The Lakers have not won three consecutive games since 2015, and their last winning season came in 2014 under current Logan Elm Head Coach Terry Holbert. On the topic of coaches, Jack Trenish deserves credit for reviving football at Millersport.
Week one is an outstanding opportunity for the Lakers and Trenish to get the metaphorical monkey off their back. Millersport will face New London, a team that has not played a full season schedule since 2020. The Wildcats have also not won a game since 2020. Further, New London has played four games in the previous three years. If there was anytime for the Lakers to seize an opportunity, it would be now.