Huntington football isn’t just in the playoffs, they’re hosting their first-ever home playoff game on Friday, October 30, a monumental moment for a program that started this season sitting at a disappointing 1-2 overall. Seven weeks later, the Huntsmen aren’t just in the postseason, they’ve grabbed a share of the Scioto Valley Conference title and clinched the program’s second-ever playoff berth. What an absolute turnaround, right?
Four Years in the Making: Why This Home Game Matters So Much
Coach Clay Beeler summed it up perfectly: “This was a big goal. 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.” That grind is paying off big time with a home game at the Myrl H. Shoemaker Athletic Complex, a first in program history.
Beeler has been eyeing this for a while. “They can finally reap some benefits from the labor they’ve put in,” he said, clearly thrilled. “This has been something that we’ve been looking for, for four years. We knew that this was going to be the year, and I’m thrilled for our guys, and for our community, that we could get it done.” And you know the community is going to show up. Beeler guarantees it: “Our community, I’m telling you, from 1-9, to this year at 7-3, they’ve been there. So I know that our community will be there, 110 percent.” Talk about loyalty!
Covington Rolls In With Playoff Pedigree and Dangerous Weapons
The Huntsmen won’t have it easy. They’re facing off against Covington, a Buccaneers squad that also sits at 7-3. Like Huntington, Covington had a rough start, going 2-3 to open the season with losses to New Bremen, Graham Local, and Riverside. But they’ve completely flipped the script, rolling into this game on a five-game winning streak. This matchup is literally two teams hitting their stride at the perfect moment.
Covington’s offense is no joke, led by quarterback Landin Cassel and running back Jordan Miller. Last week alone, Cassel broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season while also slinging it for 155 yards, completing 9 of 14 passes. Miller was an absolute beast, adding 101 rushing yards and scoring three total touchdowns. These guys are legit. Plus, the Buccaneers have serious playoff experience, making their 27th postseason appearance and boasting 18 playoff wins and three regional championships, though none since 1985.
Clash in the Trenches: Huntington’s Battle Plan
Beeler knows exactly what they’re up against. “They’ve got good athletes and they’ve got a really good quarterback,” he noted, “They’ve got a really good running back, too, and have a lot of speed. It’s definitely a tough team to prepare for.” But he’s not backing down. “It’s going to be a hard-fought game, and it’s going to be won in the trenches,” Beeler declared. “Our kids have prepared for this moment for a long time, and I think they’ll stand tall on Friday.”
He even sees a home-field advantage beyond the roaring crowd: “I also think that driving two hours to [Huntington] Township is a big plus for us.” Huntington’s own QB Frankie Hirsch will be ready to give Covington’s defense a headache too. Beeler is confident, “We look forward to the challenge, and I think we match up really well against them.”
Friday is going to be an absolute battle at Myrl H. Shoemaker Athletic Complex when Huntington takes on Covington. It’s more than just a game; it’s the payoff for four years of relentless effort, a testament to a community that stuck by its team, and the biggest home game in program history. You know those stands are going to be absolutely packed, 110 percent, ready to see the Huntsmen stand tall.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply