H.S. Football Notebook | Lancaster and Newark will meet for the 104th time

LANCASTER – Week 10 of the high school football season is finally here, and it should be interesting.Headlining the final week of the season, Lancaster will visit long-time rival Newark at White Field. This will be the 104th meeting between the two schools, and while both are struggling, pride and bragging rights are still on the line. Lancaster leads the all-time series 59-43, and there have been two ties.A year ago, the two teams played an instant classic when the Wildcats held on for a 17-16 Oho Capital Conference-Buckeye Division victory. The Golden Gales scored with 4:06 remaining but missed the extra point. It was the first time Newark had beaten Lancaster in back-to-back seasons since 1997-1998.More: HS Roundup | Fisher Catholic volleyball clinches sixth straight titleLancaster will enter the game with a 2-7 overall record, and the Wildcats check in at 3-6. The Gales’ defense has been solid all season for the most part, but their offense has had its share of struggles. It doesn’t help that they are down to their third-string quarterback.Who is playing in Week 11?Three area teams are still in the hunt to qualify for the playoffs, but all three – Fairfield Union, Berne Union and Fisher Catholic need to win. Adding to playing for a possible playoff berth, the Falcons and Rockets are playing for league championships.Fairfield Union will host Hamilton Township. Both teams are 7-2 overall. The Rangers are 5-0 in the Mid-State League-Buckeye Division, and the Falcons are 4-1. A victory by Fairfield Union would give it a share of the league title and, more than likely, secure a playoff spot. The Falcons are No. 11 in Division IV, Region 15.Berne Union (6-3) travels to Zanesville Rosecrans (2-7, and a win would give the Rockets the outright MSL-Cardinal Division championship. As for the playoffs, Berne Union is No. 12 in Division VI, Region 23. Even if they win, the Rockets are not guaranteed a playoff spot, but they are more than likely to get in if they win.Fisher Catholic (6-3) seemed to be in cruise control midway through the season but has lost two consecutive games. However, the Irish control their own destiny. They are ranked No. 9 in Division VII, Region 27. They host Manchester in a nonconference game, and if they win, they are dancing.STAT LEADERSThanks to Eagle-Gazette contributor Eric Singer, who has compiled season stats, here is a list of the area’s leaders.Passing yards: Dean Clark, Fairfield Union – 1,097; Caiden Schooley, Bloom-Carroll – 1,019; Carson Kiger, Berne Union - 916.Passing touchdowns: Kiger - 13; Clark - 12; James Wilkinson, Fisher Catholic – 8.Pass receptions: Evan Kern, Amanda-Clearcreek – 26; Jack Pompey, Lancaster – 23; Kohen Arnett, Fairfield Union – 21.Receiving yards: Kerne, Amanda-Clearcreek – 406; Arnett, Fairfield Union – 389; Damian Neal, Fisher Catholic – 315.Receiving touchdowns: James Hocking, Berne Union – 7; Dillan Cornell, Berne Union 6; Kohen Arnett – Fairfield Union - 6.Rushing yards: Kyson Cline, Bloom-Carroll - 1,444; Lane Burkhardt, Fairfield Union - 913; Jahmeir Gordon, Lancaster – 786.Rushing touchdowns: Burkhardt – 15; Cline - 13; Tencza - 9.Tackles: Ethan O’Rielley, Fisher Catholic – 110; Jackson Reynolds, Lancaster - 103; Cameron Route, Amanda-Clearcreek – 91.Sacks: Isaac Boyden, Lancaster - 4; Colton Moore, Berne Union – 4; Jude Clum, Fisher Catholic – 4.Interceptions: Damian Neal - Fisher Catholic, 4; Jackson Little - Berne Union, 3; Dean Clark, Fairfield Union - 3.This Week’s GamesLancaster (2-7) at Newark (3-6)Hamilton Township (7-2) at Fairfield Union (7-2)Amanda-Clearcreek (3-6) at Bloom-Carroll (4-6)Fort Frye (8-1) at Liberty Union (0-9)Manchester (4-4) at Fisher Catholic (6-3)Bene Union (6-3) at Zanesville Rosecrans (2-7)Grove City Christian (4-5) at Fairfield Christian Academy (3-6)Millersport (2-7) at Miller (1-8)Last Week’s ResultsCanal Winchester 22, Lancaster 8; Circleville 20, Bloom-Carroll 14; Fairfield Union 48, Alexander 7; Amanda-Clearcreek 49, Liberty Union 6; Zanesville Rosecrans 14, Millersport 7 (OT); Beren Union 32, Fairfield Christian Academy 0; Grove City Christian 31, Fisher Catholic 14.Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @twil2323.This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Football Notebook | Lancaster and Newark will meet for the 104th time