Huntington will host the first playoff game in program history at its home field on Friday night, Oct. 30, when the Huntsmen face Covington at 7 p.m. at the Myrl H. Shoemaker Athletic Complex, according to reporting by the Chillicothe Gazette. Huntington, 7-3, earned the home game after a turnaround that took the Huntsmen from a 1-2 start to a share of the Scioto Valley Conference title and only the second playoff berth in program history, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.
"I mean, this was a big goal," Huntington coach Clay Beeler told the Chillicothe Gazette. "Honestly, earlier in the year, this seemed like something that we knew was out in front of us. But we had to grind to get it. I’m excited for our kids. They stayed focused and kept everything out in front of them, kept driving, and knew they could accomplish it if they just kept working hard."
Covington arrives with the same 7-3 record and a similar turnaround, according to the Chillicothe Gazette. The Buccaneers opened 2-3, with losses to New Bremen, Graham Local and Riverside, before winning five straight. Covington quarterback Landin Cassel and running back Jordan Miller headline the offense: in last week’s win over Lehman Catholic, Cassel surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season while completing 9 of 14 passes for 155 yards, and Miller added 101 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.
The Buccaneers bring an extensive postseason history — their 27th postseason appearance, with 18 playoff wins and three regional championships, though none since 1985, according to the Chillicothe Gazette. Huntington, by contrast, is hosting for the first time, and Beeler told the Chillicothe Gazette the home crowd matters: the community supported the team from a 1-9 season through this year’s 7-3 run, and he expects the stands to be packed.
Huntington has its own weapons. Senior quarterback Frankie Hirsch has thrown for 1,312 yards and rushed for another 781, helping the Huntsmen average 30.3 points per game, according to the Chillicothe Gazette. Gordon Cyrus surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season in last week’s win, finishing with 223 yards and two touchdowns, receiver LJ Cooper provides a big-play threat, and defensive back Keegan Woodruff has also played well recently, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.
"It’s going to be a hard-fought game, and it’s going to be won in the trenches," Beeler told the Chillicothe Gazette. "Our kids have prepared for this moment for a long time, and I think they’ll stand tall on Friday." Beeler also told the Chillicothe Gazette that Huntington will not change its systems for the occasion — the Huntsmen will add wrinkles around their core, but keep that core consistent.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, in Huntington Township. A win would give Huntington the first playoff victory chase on its home field in program history and send the Huntsmen into the regional quarterfinals next week; a loss ends a season that has already delivered a conference title share and a milestone home game for the community.