The Blitz 5 Game of the Week heads to Anderson Township this Friday as ninth-seeded Withrow visits top-seeded Anderson in the second round of the OHSAA Division II, Region 8 playoffs. The Tigers bring a six-game winning streak into Charles L. Brown Stadium, while the Raptors have won nine straight. A berth in the regional semifinals is on the line.
#9 WITHROW TIGERS (8-3) at #1 ANDERSON RAPTORS (9-1)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., November 6
At: Charles L. Brown Stadium, Anderson High School, Cincinnati, Ohio
Follow on X: @TSFootball
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Withrow has quite a bit of firepower in its backfield, starting with junior quarterback Sa’Vion Davis. The dual-threat signal caller completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,299 yards — third in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference, and 19 touchdowns against only two interceptions during the regular season. He also carried 84 times for 805 yards, second in the CMAC, and seven touchdowns. In Withrow’s 21-13 opening-round playoff victory over eighth-seeded Badin, he tossed two more touchdown passes.
Davis is joined in the Tigers’ backfield by junior running back Dion Clardy, who ran 96 times for 711 yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season, finishing third in the CMAC in rushing yards. Clardy also added a touchdown run in the playoff win over Badin.
The Tigers have weapons at wide receiver as well, including senior Charles Alexander Jr. The Iowa State commit hauled in 30 passes for 569 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season and added two more touchdown receptions against Badin. Another receiving threat is senior Tyshawn Johnson, who contributed 24 catches for 490 yards and nine touchdowns during the regular season.
Defensively, Withrow is led by senior defensive lineman Chris Barnes, who racked up 10 sacks, third in the CMAC, along with 63 total tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss during the regular season.
The Tigers’ secondary features several ball hawks, spearheaded by junior D’Maurie Riley, who nabbed four interceptions during the regular season — second in the CMAC. Alexander and junior defensive back Mister Achoe each notched three interceptions.
For Anderson, everything on offense runs through senior quarterback and Ohio Mr. Football candidate Owen Scalf. He broke Anderson’s career touchdown-pass record in the Raptors’ 69-7 Week 10 win over Loveland, raising his career total to 87.
Scalf completed 80.1 percent of his passes for 3,099 yards and 38 touchdowns against only four interceptions during the regular season, leading the Eastern Cincinnati Conference in passing yards. He is also a threat with his feet, having rushed 59 times for 357 yards and six touchdowns.
Scalf’s favorite target is senior wide receiver Tysin Weaver, a Division II first-team All-Ohio selection as a junior. Weaver led the ECC with 1,190 receiving yards and 19 touchdown catches while finishing second with 54 receptions. Fellow senior Jordan Davis added 42 receptions for 712 yards and four touchdowns, along with 553 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
On defense, the Raptors are led by senior outside linebacker/defensive end Antwoine Higgins. A Division II first-team All-Ohio selection as a junior, the University of Kentucky commit recorded 66 tackles, including 17 for loss, along with 5.5 sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
The Raptors also have a special teams threat in senior punt returner Ace Alston, who averages 20.4 yards per return and has returned two punts for touchdowns this season.
TEAM TRENDS: Withrow started the season 2-0 before losing three straight close games to playoff teams Springboro, Harrison and McNicholas. The Tigers got back on track with a 52-0 shutout of Western Hills and have now won six straight, including their opening-round victory over Badin.
The Tigers have not allowed an opponent to score more than 24 points in a game this season and have posted three shutouts, blanking Western Hills, Aiken and Taft.
Withrow is averaging 32.7 points per game while allowing 12.8. Its secondary has been a major source of takeaways, with Riley, Alexander and Achoe combining for 10 regular-season interceptions.
Anderson led the ECC during the regular season with averages of 468.8 yards and 55.3 points per game.
The Raptors have won nine straight since a season-opening 59-13 loss to Louisville Trinity. Anderson has averaged 60 points per game during that winning streak, and Scalf has averaged five touchdown passes over his past five games.
Anderson’s defense ranked seventh in the 10-team ECC in yards allowed per game at 280.7, but third in scoring defense at 22 points per game.
The Raptors have not lost a second-round playoff game since falling to La Salle 45-21 in 2021.
Friday marks the fifth meeting between Withrow and Anderson, with the Raptors holding a 4-0 series lead. This will be their third postseason meeting. Anderson won the 2023 Division II, Region 8 regional championship matchup 49-28 and last year’s second-round contest 29-6.
HEAD COACHES:
Withrow: Anthony Berry (22-12 at Withrow; 22-12 overall)
Anderson: Evan Dreyer (108-30 at Anderson; 152-57 overall)
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Withrow (10 appearances, 8-9) — 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2013, 2007, 2004
Anderson (19 appearances, 34-17) — 2026, 2025 (State Runner-up), 2024 (State Runner-up), 2023 (Regional Champion), 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992
WITHROW KEYS TO VICTORY: Disrupt Anderson’s explosive offense and force turnovers. Barnes needs to generate pressure in the Raptors’ backfield and force Scalf into hurried throws, giving Withrow’s opportunistic secondary chances to make plays. Getting Anderson out of rhythm and capitalizing on those opportunities would help the Tigers control the pace.
ANDERSON KEYS TO VICTORY: Protect Scalf and get the passing game going early. Barnes and the Withrow defense can be disruptive, making pass protection critical. If Scalf finds a rhythm and gets the ball to Weaver, Davis and the Raptors’ other playmakers, Anderson can push the tempo and force Withrow to keep pace.
Prediction: Anderson 49, Withrow 28
