MVHC: Players of the Game – Week Eight

ZANESVILLE, OH – We are coming down towards the end of the regular season for high school football, and we even crowned some league champions in week eight. From the Muskingum Valley League (MVL) big school division to the small school division to Zanesville continuing to exceed expectations in 2026, it was not all that difficult to find this week’s “MVHC: Players of the Game.”

We begin from the home of the big school division, Z92, which saw the Generals end a league title drought. Thanks to a decisive double-digit win over Philo on Friday night, Sheridan clinched at least a share of its first MVL title since back in 2022. Leading the team was senior quarterback Tyce Whiteman, whose two touchdown tosses helped paced Sheridan in the week eight win.

New Lexington did not have to wait very long to secure another MVL title, in fact, making it three straight after week eight. In a game broadcasted on Highway 103, the Panthers outslugged the Tornadoes from West Muskingum, in a game which saw a combined 75 points between the top two teams from the small school division. In a team led by eleven superb seniors, it was junior running back Colton Mathias who took home player of the game honors with a hat trick of touchdowns in securing a share of the league title.

For the first time in five years, Zanesville has clinched at least a .500 regular season, doing so in dramatic fashion following a week eight win over Watkins. The gang from AM 1240 perhaps had the best game of the lot on Friday night. The game against Mt. Vernon went down to the wire, with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Titan Grandstaff sealing the deal in a 38-35 thrilling win. The junior receiver reeled in four receptions in all four 104 yards, two touchdowns, and a pass breakup on defense to boot.

Congratulations to all three athletes.