Ohio Valley Conference – Conference Preview
By: Lucy Schaefer
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Fairland Dragons
The Dragons ended last season similar to the one before, on top. The team clinched its first conference title since 2013, and with class. Fairland went 10-2, with losses against former OVC opponent and state champions Ironton, and West Muskingum in the second round of the playoffs.
Head Coach Mike Jackson will need a new starting quarterback after the departure of Ethan Hunt, a role that could very well fall to senior Davin Murray. The Dragons will look to pick up where they left off against Portsmouth West on August 22nd.
Portsmouth Trojans
Portsmouth has much to be proud of after last season. With Chase Heiland and J.T. Williams at the helm, the Trojans danced to a comfortable 8-4 record. Although their playoff run ended in the second round against former OVC opponent Ironton, Portsmouth has good reason to be optimistic coming into this season. Outside of an overtime loss to Fairland, the Trojans went undefeated in conference play.
Similar to last year, this season will most likely be a battle between the Trojans and the Dragons for the top spot in the conference.
Coal Grove Hornets
Coal Grove made a significant jump in OVC rankings this season from six to three. Junior Kaden Murphy was a staple in this improvement, gathering nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He was also a powerhouse on defense with 36 tackles and four interceptions. Murphy will continue to lead the team this year as it looks to become an even bigger competitor inside and outside the OVC.
Rock Hill
Rock Hill’s first season under Head Coach Tony Love proved more than successful; the team ended the season with its first winning record since 2016 at 8-4. Senior running back Anthony Stamper proved to be Rock Hill’s most powerful weapon. He broke the school record for single-season rushing yards at 1,398 yards, and added nine more in the team’s season closer against Ironton.
With Stamper graduated, Love and the rest of the team will look to keep consistent and keep the Rock Hill culture alive.
Chesapeake Panthers
The Panthers have continued to struggle to find their footing, going 5-6 overall. However, Chesapeake welcomed a new head coach, Kevin Hutchinson, in February, after six seasons with Todd Knipp. Hutchinson was a past assistant to long-time Chesapeake coaches Phil Davis and Andy Clark. With a new face at the head of the program, the Panthers will hope to bounce back and obtain their first winning season since 2016.
Gallia Academy Blue Devils
Gallia Academy went through a major rebuilding season last year and ended with its first losing record since 2016 at 1-9. The program has since welcomed a new head coach, Dalton Jarrell. Jarrell has been part of the Blue Devil community since high school, graduating from Gallia Academy in 2011. He began coaching in 2021, first with the junior high team, then with the high school as an assistant.
“We were struggling a lot last year, and with all the hard work these kids have put in this year, I’m really excited to see that translate onto the field,” Jarrell said. “These kids, they deserve it.”
Jarrell, Gallia Academy, and the Blue Devil community are optimistic about this year and will open the season at home against Boyd County on August 22nd.
South Point Pointers
The Pointers struggled last season, winning just one game against Symmes Valley during week four. Head Coach Chris Davis will be returning for his fifth season, and will hope to turn things around, especially in OVC play. South Point hasn’t obtained a winning conference record since 2013, going winless in eight of those seasons. The Pointers will look to start and finish strong this season beginning with (Beaver) Eastern on August 22nd.