No. 2 Danville Blue Devils (12-0, 7-0) vs. Lowellville Rockets (11-1, 5-1)
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m. Wakefield Stadium, 3737 13th Street SW, Massillon, OH
Enrollments: Danville (166), Lowellville (219)
Coaches: Danville- Matt Blum, Lowellville- Andrew Mamula
Streaks: Danville- 12 wins, Lowellville- 7 wins
At Stake: The Blue Devils have won 12 straight games and are undefeated, and now take on Mahoning Valley Conference champs Lowellville in the Division VII, Region 25 state tournament regional semifinals.
What to Watch: Running back Cole Delaughder and linebacker Josh Byers played their hearts out last week in a 32-6 rout of Springfield to advance in the playoffs.
Delaughder had two touchdowns and had 175 yards on the ground in the game. He also had a 16-yard catch. Byers led the defense with 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four tackles for a loss. Both players are first team All-KMAC and should be integral to the team’s success.
Per usual, look out for Walker Weckesser despite having a quiet game last week. He was the KMAC player of the year for the reason, and can score with his arm and also find the end zone by running. He also had a pair of sacks last week, showing his defensive grit.
Caleb Lucas had a great game on defense, as well. The first-team All-KMAC player had 2.5 sacks and should be a factor.
Bryar Boeshart had 91 rushing yards on four carries, with one going 77 yards for a touchdown. He also had 11 tackles and is a factor no matter where he is on the field.
The Rockets are led by senior quarterback Michael Ballone, who has 1,758 yards, 20 touchdowns and five picks while throwing for 1,748 yards. He is also the team’s top man in the running game, rushing for 819 yards and nine touchdowns at 10 yards per carry. Senior receiver Mathew Lucido has caught 44 passes for 723 yards and nine touchdowns this year as the main target for Ballone.
Santino Rivera-Ocasio is also a player that will keep Danville’s hands full. The senior running back has 744 yards rushing with 13 touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Geno Perry has 95 carries for 530 yards and nine touchdowns, rounding out a formidable rushing attack.
