Shaun Bennett and Tim Gebhardt
The Chronicle-Telegram
ASHLAND — Many Avon fans were probably surprised to see the Eagles marching band take the field for pregame ceremonies — including playing the school’s alma mater and the national anthem — and a halftime show.
The band had been out of state this weekend competing in the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, and they weren’t sure if they would be able to get to Ashland in time for the football team’s regional championship game with Sunbury Big Walnut.
“We arrived with 20 minutes to spare,” Eagles assistant band director Bryan Hoersten said. “We had a great performance in Indianapolis. It was a culmination of our season and probably the best performance we’ve had all year.”
The whole thing may have seemed like déjà vu for some who’ve been with the program for the past five years.
“We did the same thing in 2002 when we drove from Indianapolis to Coldwater for the team’s playoff game,” Hoersten said. “Except that time we had to turn around and head back to Indianapolis to compete again the next day. This time, we get to go straight home.”

A great day

The day was especially exciting for Big Walnut veteran coach Scott Wetzel. Besides the 24-15 victory over Avon in the regional championship, Wetzel was able to witness his son Ethan’s first collegiate start at quarterback earlier in the day during Ashland College’s 24-13 Division II playoff victory over Minnesota State.
“It felt like I got two wins today,” Wetzel said. “It was nice because Ethan was able to stay and watch his old teammates play, too.”
Ethan, a freshman, was part of Big Walnut’s Division III state championship team last season, and got the start when Ashland’s regular starting quarterback was injured during the Eagles’ last game.

Slick turf

It appeared at the outset that the snowy field conditions favored Big Walnut’s size against Avon’s speed, but as the game moved along, it was the Eagles who managed the better ground game.
“It was a little hard (at first) to get your feet,” said tailback Marquis Harrell, “but it wasn’t bad.”

Quote of the day

“I kind of thought because of the size differential,” said head coach Mike Elder, “that we wouldn’t be able to run the ball as well as we did. Obviously we realized in that drive that we had (at the end of the first half) that didn’t work out for us. We ran the ball pretty well.
“If there was a call I’d like to have back, obviously it was when we threw the slant and turned the guy loose. If we’d have thrown a touchdown pass, it would have been a great call. I’m going to kick myself over that one for awhile.” 

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