Margaretta travels to H-L in SBC River showdown

Business is about to pick up. Margaretta has won its last three games by a combined score of 126-14 while Hopewell-Loudon's margin over its last three contests is 103-7. Things look to be much tighter at 7 p.m. Friday when the two teams meet in a crucial Sandusky Bay Conference River Division contest. "The biggest keys to success this season is we have stayed healthy this year compared to last year," Margaretta coach Gary Quisno said. "We have a lot of guys who started last year and improved in the offseason. And we are playing physically." Division VI No. 13 Margaretta enters at 5-1 overall while the Division VI No. 2 Chieftains are 6-0. Both are 3-0 in league play. Margaretta sits at third in the Region 22 rankings while H-L is first. "Very talented group of skill players, good mix of size and speed," said H-L coach Brian Colatruglio of Margaretta. "Biggest difference is their play at the line of scrimmage. They are much improved up front on both sides of the ball and have controlled the line of scrimmage in all of their five wins." After losing 21-20 to Vermilion in Week 1, the Polar Bears have been dominant, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Margaretta has defeated Western Reserve (21-0), Brookside (48-7), Willard (42-0), Northwood (49-14) and Woodmore (35-0). None of the three touchdowns the Polar Bears have allowed over the last five weeks have come against their starting defense. "Everything stands out about Hopewell," Quisno said. "They are a well-coached team with big, strong offensive and defensive lines and a lot of weapons to defend." Hopewell-Loudon easily dispatched Carey in Week 1 before a tough 14-7 win over one-win Pleasant in Week 2. The Chieftains were even more impressive in a 22-14 road win over five-win Edison in Week 3. Since then, H-L has blown past Calvert (54-0), Gibsonburg (25-0) and Lakota (34-7). "We have a good mix of veteran players and talented newcomers," Colatruglio said. "Our senior class has large numbers, talented players and have provided very good leadership." Hopewell-Loudon quarterback Jacoby Ellis has completed 57 of 85 passes for 696 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Jaysin Cramer tops the Chieftains with 58 rushes for 357 yards with four touchdowns. Brody Brickman has 23 catches for 290 yards and eight touchdowns while Jack Colatruglio adds 17 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns despite missing one game. Kellen Frankart has 65 rushes for 353 yards and three touchdowns this season for H-L, but hasn't played since Week 4. Colatruglio said Frankart won't play Friday, either. "Defensively, we need to stop the big plays and create some turnovers and continue to tackle well in space," Quisno said. For Margaretta, quarterback Jake Bouy has completed 19 of 35 passes for 472 yards and four touchdowns while running 35 times for 301 yards and eight touchdowns. Judah Keller tops Margaretta with 70 rushes for 609 yards and nine touchdowns with Tyson Bailey adding 39 attempts for 283 yards and a touchdown. Keller leads the defense with 60 tackles. Kale Bailey has three interceptions while Carter Luzader and Keller each have two interceptions. "We have to be balanced and have a high conversion rate on third down," said Colatruglio of his offense. "Defensively, we have to control the line of scrimmage, limit the big plays and get off the field on third down." The two teams are very familiar with each other after two meetings last year. Hopewell-Loudon won 16-7 at Margaretta before defeating the Polar Bears 43-8 at home in the first round of the playoffs. "Looking forward to a great match up against a great team," Colatruglio said. "They are extremely talented football team with a Hall of Fame coach. I'm excited to see how our guys respond to a big test on Friday." Hopewell-Loudon is 59-8 since the beginning of the 2020 season. The Polar Bears have won at least six games in a season just three times since going 10-3 in 2002. "The school along with our players are excited about this opportunity and I'm sure we will have a good following from the community this Friday," Quisno said.