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From the GAZETTE By Eric Pfahler, Staff Writer
YORK TWP. — There's a first time for everything.
Buckeye's football team hopes that rings true in the form of a playoff win.
The third-seeded Bucks will attempt to win the first playoff game in school history tonight when they entertain New Concord John Glenn at 7:30 in the first round of the Division III, Region 11 playoffs.
The sixth-seeded Little Muskies (8-2) will bring a powerful running attack in the form of a wing-T. Stopping that run by filling gaps on defense will be a key for Buckeye (10-0).
"We've got to make sure that we're playing low and we're very disciplined with some of the things that they want to do," Buckeye coach Chris Medaglia said. "They've got a good mix of size and speed."
John Glenn's rushing attack averages 239.5 yards per game. Senior fullback Matt Heagan (5-foot-11, 230 pounds) leads the team with 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns. Fellow senior Cody Ramsey is a little smaller — 5-7, 160 — but provides more speed, has 758 yards and has found the end zone 11 times.
"We've got some depth at the position," Little Muskies coach John Kelley said. "We play a lot of kids offensively."
Buckeye has given up just 33 points this season and has not allowed more than 10 in any contest.
John Glenn has made the postseason three out of the last five years, with Buckeye playing an 11th-week three of the last four seasons.
By no means will the Bucks overlook the lower seed.
"They're a good team," Medaglia said. "They didn't get here by luck. They won eight games and played four playoff teams. They deserve to be where they're at right now, but so do we."
Though the Little Muskies went 2-8 last year, Kelley had John Glenn in the postseason two seasons ago before a loss to Steubenville ended the season.
Led by running back Dustin Supan (1,324 yards, 24 TDs) and quarterback Adam Read (87-of-134, 1,468 yards, 15 TDs), Buckeye is also in the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, but the Bucks will get a chance to defend their home field.
"To me it doesn't matter," Medaglia said. "You're going to play a game at 7:30 p.m. This isn't going to be a crowd of 80,000 causing communication problems. You're playing football. I don't think it matters one bit.
"We do like to be at home. We're going to have our home people here. Hopefully our kids will be energetic and have a lot of enthusiasm because it is the last home game of the year and it could be for a couple years if we don't get some things straightened out."
Medaglia was referring to a levy situation that nearly wiped out sports for Buckeye, but the team bounced back to post an outstanding regular season.
"It's important that the player takes advantage of the situation when it comes to him," Medaglia said. "We don't need anyone on this team to try to go out and make a play to try to prove a point.
"If they get a chance to make a big play, we have to make that big play. We've had kids all year long step up and make a play every Friday that sparks us and gets us a win. I expect no different this Friday."
Pfahler may be reached at ericjpfahler@hotmail.com or 330-721-4058.
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