Today’s game
Who:
Mt. Healthy (6-2, 3-0 FAVC Scarlet) vs. Ross (7-1, 3-0 FAVC Scarlet)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Robinson Field, Ross Twp.
Series: Tied 2-2
ROSS TWP. — If Ross High School’s football squad makes the Division II playoffs this season, it’s not likely to get a home game.
Rams coach Brian Butts believes tonight’s contest against Mt. Healthy will fill that void.
“The atmosphere should be like the playoffs,” said Butts, whose team is tied with the Owls for first place in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Scarlet Division. “We’re right where we said we wanted to be. I think we’ll play really hard.”
Both squads are battling for a Region 8 postseason berth. Tonight’s winner will be in a favorable position to qualify. The loser will be in trouble.
“Unfortunately, with our schedule this year, we do not control our own destiny,” Butts said. “I think our odds of getting in at 9-1 are pretty good. If we fare well in our last two games (Ross visits Edgewood next week), I think we’ll be a worthy opponent for somebody in the playoffs.”
Mt. Healthy is a big hurdle. The Owls hammered Ross the last two seasons by a combined score of 69-9.
Butts said last year’s 35-2 decision was “probably my most disappointing loss because we didn’t compete. We laid a big egg.”
Mt. Healthy is riding a six-game winning streak after opening the season with losses to Roger Bacon and Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit Prep. Defensive end Joel Heath (6-6, 246), a Michigan State University recruit, and quarterback Denzel Larkin (5-11, 190) are the Owls’ marquee players.
“I’ve got all the respect in the world for Ross, but our focus is on us,” Mt. Healthy coach Arvie Crouch said. “We haven’t played our best two games the last two weeks, but I feel comfortable with my kids and how they’re working. We’ve got great kids all the way around. They showed a lot of character when we started the season 0-2.”
Larkin is the catalyst in the Owls’ spread offense. The senior can make things happen on the ground (112 carries, 618 yards) and through the air (44 of 85, 972 yards).
“They like to chuck it down the field, and they run the football,” Butts said. “Larkin’s probably quicker than anybody we’ve got. We need to work on pursuit and staying in running lanes.”
Butts noted that Mt. Healthy’s punt team must be watched closely. The Owls like to run fourth-down fakes and are good at converting them.
Defensively, Ross ranks second in the entire FAVC, allowing just 196.4 yards per game. Mt. Healthy is third (210.9).
Butts said ESPN called this week and plans to be on hand to film tonight’s game.
“They were looking at regional games and wanted to get some highlights,” Butts said. “It just adds to the excitement.”
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