MVHC: Players of the Game – Week Ten

ZANESVILLE, OH – The 2026 high school football season was memorable at worst, and at best, truly incredible. The bittersweet news is that the last ten weeks absolutely flew by, though we now set our sights on the playoff picture.

Before we get there though, we do have to look back on a sensational week ten with a game of the year candidate, not to mention history in Duncan Falls as we look at our “MVHC: Players of the Game” from week ten.

Year after year, time and time again, the annual week ten rivalry game between New Lexington and Sheridan always seems to deliver. Shockingly enough, the 2026 edition was no different, and perhaps gave us our best game of the year. Highway 103 was on the scene to witness Sheridan stun New Lexington for the second year running, ending the Panthers’ hopes at an unbeaten regular season. Senior wide receiver TJ Connors saved perhaps his best game of the regular season for last, accounting for two touchdowns and three key third down conversions in the Generals’ season finale win.

Ten years later, and Philo is once again atop the Muskingum Valley League (MVL) big school division. The Electrics claimed a share of the league title with a two-score win over Maysville to end the regular season. One of the best players all season in either division was senior running back Slade Sprankle, who bookended his season with phenomenal performances.

When the team needed him most, Slade carried it 45 times for 261 yards, and four touchdowns and can now call himself an MVL champion.

Congratulations to both athletes.