SIDNEY — Piqua is always a big opponent for Sidney, but the stakes between the two teams are the highest they’ve been in decades. The Yellow Jackets travel to Piqua on Friday night to open Greater Western Ohio Conference American North Division play with a perfect record and playoff points on the line.
Sidney is off to its first 5-0 start in 20 years and is ranked fourth in Division II, Region 8 playoff computer points rankings. A win would help solidify the Yellow Jackets’ playoff chances and give them a leg up in the North title race.
Not that beating Piqua and claiming the Battered Helmet isn’t reason enough for defensive back Caleb Harris to be ready for the game.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game all season, finally getting into conference play,” Harris said. “We always want to beat Piqua, but this is a pretty big game for us to tell everybody where we’re at, how we’re looking.
“We’ve still got people doubting us, because they say our first five games were against teams that are light. I think they were pretty good teams and we’re pretty good.”
Piqua has won 10 of the last 12 games between the two schools, including a 33-13 win in Week 6 last year. The loss, which was broadcast live as a part of Fox 45’s Thursday Night Lights, broke a three-game winning streak for Sidney and was the first of four consecutive losses in league play.
“We were reeling at that point and hadn’t done a good job of not feeling sorry for ourselves because of some injuries,” Sidney coach Adam Doenges said. “We might have let the limelight of the big Thursday night game get to our heads a little too much, but I think we can draw back on that experience and be able to start playing in big games.
“It’s been awhile since all sports have been able to play in big games and be able to back it up. It seems like whenever we’d get into a big game, we’d kind of falter a little bit. But with basketball having some success and us playing that Thursday game, I think any jitters from being under the watchful eye of a big Dayton-area game won’t be too unsettling for us.”
The matchup will feature two of the GWOC’s top offenses. The Yellow Jackets lead the conference in yards per game (506.8) and are second in points (42.2), while Piqua is sixth in points per game (32.6) and averages 303 yards per game.
The Indians are 3-2, with both losses coming to teams ranked in the state in Division III. Piqua lost 42-35 to perennial D-III power Trotwood-Madison in Week 2 and 21-7 to Franklin in Week 3. The Rams (5-0) are ranked No. 1 in the AP state poll, while Franklin (4-1) is No. 10.
“They could very easily be 5-0 right now,” Doenges said. “No one else has been able to give Trotwood a run for their money. Trotwood has played some really good D-I teams, and Piqua’s the one that gave them a real run. Same thing with Franklin.
“It’s your usual team from Piqua. Unbelievably fundamentally sound, well-coached players, and no bad spots. Special teams, defense, you can’t find any cracks. They’re like that every single year. This is always the most fundamentally sound and physical team that we play year-in and year-out.”
Piqua quarterback Austin Davis is fifth in the entire 20-team GWOC with 951 passing yards. Davis, a senior, has completed 62-of-102 passes, including 13 touchdowns.
“As a pure quarterback, he’s the best one we’ve faced all year,” Doenges said of Davis. “Up to this point, he’s the best pocket passer we’ve seen so far, and they’ve got nice, big wide receivers on the outside.”
Piqua senior Hayden Schrubb leads the Indians with 25 catches for 424 yards and seven touchdowns, while senior Cale Meckstroth has 17 receptions for 284 yards. Seniors Ben Schmiesing and Devon Brown lead Piqua’s rushing attack. Schmiesing has 283 rushing yards on 50 carries and five touchdowns, while Brown has 44 carries for 197 yards and four touchdowns.
“They’re passing a lot more this year,” Harris said. “I think their passing game is pretty good. If we can shut down their passing game and bring down the runner, we’ll be good.”
Sidney’s defense ranks 17th in the league in yards (392) allowed per game and 11th in points (17.2), but Doenges said he was pleased with the unit’s performance in a 42-0 win over West Carrollton last Friday.
“I think we’re projecting up,” Doenges said. “As long as we keep getting better each week, we’re doing good. We wanted to end our nonconference season on a high note, and we definitely did that. We’re healthier than we’ve been all year, and things are rolling pretty well.
“… I think the kids are excited. We’ve got to trust our X’s and O’s and trust each other, which we have been doing. I think we can give them a run for their money.”
Harris, a junior, has 32 tackles and 143 receiving yards to his credit. He said the team is determined not to let Friday’s game against the Indians be the start of a losing streak like last year.
“Preparing for this game at 5-0 is pretty crazy,” Harris said. “Our record last year and our league record is not what we’re looking for. This whole offseason, we’ve been preparing to go 10-0. We’re halfway there.”
Bowser rushing watch: Isaiah Bowser isn’t just among the top rushers in the state but is one of the top in the nation. Based on stats reported to MaxPreps, a CBS-owned website that allows schools to upload statistics and other information, Bowser’s 1,448 rushing yards is the second-most nationally for players who have played in five games. Bowser has more rushing yards than any Ohio player whose statistics are reported to MaxPreps.
Bowser rushed for 111 yards against Piqua last season and 107 yards in 2015.
