Preview: New Richmond at Mount Healthy

They have survived a tough regular season and earned the trip to the post-season. New Richmond will travel to Mount Healthy for a first round Division III, Region 10 first round playoff bout on this week’s US Marines Battle of the Gridiron Tour stop. The visiting Lions were on a roll having won six in a row before being upset by Norwood last week. The Owls gained some much needed momentum with a thrilling road victory over Northwest to win their fourth straight Southwest Ohio Conference championship this past Friday.

Mount Healthy is no stranger to the playoffs. The Owls know what it takes to get it done in November having finished regional runner-up the past two seasons in Division II, Region 6. Over the past three campaigns New Richmond has combined to go 23-7 but this will be its first trip to the post-season in that span.

at NEW RICHMOND (7-3) at MOUNT HEALTHY OWLS (7-3)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at The Owl’s Nest
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PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seeing if the nerves get to New Richmond freshman quarterback Joah Anderson will be one of the biggest story lines of this contest. Anderson has played well after being thrust into the starting role due to injuries just a few weeks back. He has completed 72.1% of his passes for 555 yards, ran for another 363 while accounting for eight touchdowns. Running back Michael Williamson stepped up his game to aid Anderson. Williamson has 961 yards on the ground with team highs of 15 touchdowns (12 rushing, three receiving) and 98 points.

The Lions defense has been getting to the quarterback and that pressure has led to lots of interceptions. Brian Waddle paces the squad with 8.5 sacks. Five New Richmond players have combined for all 17 of the teams picks. Corey Bozic has five and Derik Anderson has four interceptions.

No one has been able to contain Mount Healthy quarterback David Montgomery. The senior has run for 2,227 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has found the end zone three times or more in each of the Owls last eight games. Montgomery will be looking for his sixth playoff win as the teams starter under center. Running back Lee Young has just 107 yards on 48 carries (2.2/carry) over the last five weeks. The first five tilts of the year Young ran for 398 yards on 61 totes (6.5/carry).

Montez Davis, Onyango Collier, Keith Shepard and Keonte Deal anchor the Mount Healthy defensive front. The quartet has combined for all 17 of the teams sacks. Davis leads the group with 10.5 takedowns.

TEAM TRENDS: Five of Mount Healthy’s games have been decided by eight points or less. The Owls are 2-3 in those affairs. New Richmond is 2-1 in games decided by eight points or fewer. The Lions are 1-2 versus Ohio teams that are in the playoffs with a win against Bethel-Tate and losses to Indian Hill (10-0) and CHCA (9-1). Mount Healthy lost both of their affairs with teams that made it to the post-season. The Owls fell to Fenwick (10-0) and Glen Este (8-2).

NEW RICHMOND’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Staying disciplined and focused is a must. Mount Healthy has made plenty of unforced errors and mental mistakes this season. Capitalizing on the hidden yardage those miscues produce and winning the turnover war should keep New Richmond hanging around. Lions head coach Josh Stratton has to make sure his team doesn’t try to play faster than they are accustomed to. The offense must find its own rhythm and not allow the Owls defense to dictate the pace. By doing this it will also keep the New Richmond defense fresh and Montgomery off the field

MOUNT HEALTHY’S KEYS TO VICTORY: The Owls o-line has to get a good push up front versus New Richmond. Their ability to open holes so that Montgomery can get to the second level of the Lions defense could cause big problems. The speed and strength of Montgomery is going to be a load for the New Richmond back seven to handle. On defense, Mount Healthy must contain Anderson and funnel everything into the middle of the field. Putting the Lions quarterback in third and long situations will allow head coach Arvie Crouch to come with fierce pressure that of which Anderson has yet to see the likes of this season.

Prediction: Mount Healthy 35, New Richmond 17

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