The Cavs are still led by Knights, now a senior, but their spread offense has seen a role reversal. Instead of slinging the ball all over the gridiron, CHS is instead running wild on opponents, led by Knights and senior running back Eric Young (5-10, 172).

Young passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark last week in the Cavaliers 57-7 win over visiting Warren and now has 1,043 yards on 152 carries and eight touchdowns, giving him an average of nearly seven yards per carry.
Chillicothe is 7-2 overall and 6-0 in the SEOAL. The Cavaliers lost two of their first three games, beating defending Division III state champion Big Walnut 24-21 in week two, between losses to Brookhaven (14-7) and Sheridan (34-14).

In SEOAL play, Chillicothe has wins over Zanesville (24-21), Portsmouth (34-14), Ironton (17-9), Gallia Academy (41-0), Jackson (41-16), and Warren.

The biggest reason for the Cavs’ success is their ability to take care of the football and take it away from their opponents. Chillicothe has intercepted 13 passes while only being intercepted four times and have recovered 13 opponents’ fumbles while losing only four. For the season, the blue and white are plus-18 in turnover differential.

The Chillicothe offense averages over six yards per rush, led by Young, but Knights has added 802 yards on 115 carries and 10 rushing touchdowns for nearly seven yards per rush. Knights is completing 56 percent of his passes (80-of-142) for 935 yards with six touchdowns and only three interceptions. Young also leads the Cavs with 21 receptions (for 232 yards).

In goal-line and short-yardage situations, senior Curt Smith (6-1, 272) plays fullback where he has 108 yards rushing and a touchdown on 25 carries.

The blue and white receiving corps is led by seniors Ron Smith (6-3, 191), Alex Grow (6-0, 176), Kevin Smith (5-9, 154), and Jordan Benson (6-3, 197). Smith is second on the team in receptions (20) and leads the team with 343 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Grow adds 18 catches for 184 yards while Benson has 72 yards and one touchdown on just seven receptions.

Up front, the Cavaliers have one of the largest offensive lines in the state, led by senior center Danny Russell (6-0, 243) and senior guards Kent Parker (6-2, 288) and Tyler Dunkle (6-3, 267). The tackles are junior J.T. Gray (5-10, 299) and senior Brice Clymer (6-0, 233). Seniors Tyler Vest (6-3, 278) and Kyle Ramsey (6-3, 226) will split time at tight end.

Defensively, the Cavaliers are yielding 370 yards per game, with 250 of those coming on the ground. The blue and white defense has been stout against opponent aerials, allowing opponents to complete just 46 percent of their passes while intercepting 13 opponents’ passes.

Leading the Cavs’ 50-defensive front is nose guard Vest and tackle Smith. Senior Jackque Wong (6-0, 292), as well as Russell, also play on the interior line.

Junior Danny Demick (6-0, 237), Ramsey, and seniors Chris Sopher (5-10, 162) and Isaiah Turner (6-0, 181) all rotate at the two defensive end spots. Sopher leads the Cavs with 6.5 sacks while Vest and Ramsey each add four sacks.

Ron Smith and junior Shay Netter (6-2, 229) are an outstanding linebacker tandem. Netter leads the Cavs with 112 total tackles, including six for loss. Smith is second on the team with 68 total tackles and has picked off three passes.

The Cav secondary is led by third-year starter Benson at safety, who has 65 total tackles with eight for loss. Joining Benson are sophomore cornerbacks Isaac Beverly (6-1, 158) and Casey Oates (6-1, 171). Knights and Grow will both play safety alongside Benson.

On special teams, junior Drew Basil (6-1, 174) is one of the top placekickers in Ohio and will likely find himself kicking at a major college following his days at CHS. Basil will handle both the placekicking and punting for the Cavs. Russell will do the long-snapping for the fourth straight year.

Young, Grow, and Oates will all return kicks for Chillicothe. Young had a 97-yard punt return against Warren last week.

Logan football historian Spencer Waugh of loganfootball.com previews the Logan Chieftains’ football opponent every Thursday in The Logan Daily News.

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