Week 6 Football Preview: Time for conference games to shine in the FAC

The Frontier Athletic Conference, after five weeks of non-conference games, is set to kick off its 2024 FAC slate, as the schedule is sure to be exciting starting in Week 6.

The three games of the six-team FAC are Hillsboro at Miami Trace, Jackson at McClain, and Washington at Chillicothe.

Here is a look at all three FAC games for Week 6:

McClain Tigers (1-4) vs. Jackson Ironmen (3-2)

In ’24 during their non-conference schedule, the McClain Tigers have scored 77 points and allowed 113 points, as they are coming off a 40-7 loss to the Williamsburg Wildcats at McClain Field. This is the Tigers’ second straight home game and their fourth home game of the season.

This could also be their toughest opponent to date, as the Jackson Ironmen are a very strong and steady football program. Jackson is the reigning champion of the FAC, winning the past three FAC championships and at least a share of the football crown of the FAC in five of the seven seasons that the conference has been in existence.

The Ironmen have won their past 15 FAC games dating back to 2021, and as for the ’24 season, they’ve played a strong schedule as they have wins against Logan (42-7), Wheelersburg (28-24) and Western Brown (49-14). Their two losses have been against Ironton (51-14) and last Friday night to Ross by a 28-21 score in Week 5, closing out their non-conference schedule.

Last season, the Ironmen defeated McClain 62-14, as they have won every meeting between the two teams since the conference’s first season back in 2017.

This season, the Ironmen have scored 154 points and have allowed 124 in their first five games, as they are also 1-1 at home and 2-1 on the road thus far.

McClain in ’24 is 0-3 at home and 1-1 away from McClain Field, as they are rebuilding their program with many underclassmen on the varsity roster.

One of the positives for MHS last Friday was an interception returned for a touchdown by Riley Cummins.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 at McClain Field.

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Hillsboro Indians (2-3) at Miami Trace Panthers (4-1)

Before the start of the football season many believed the Miami Trace Panthers were a team to watch in the FAC, and thus far in ’24 they haven’t disappointed with a 4-1 overall record. They are coming off a tough battle with the Western Brown Broncos, whom they defeated by a 56-49 score at MTHS.

This week, the Panthers play host to the Hillsboro Indians, who defeated the East Clinton Astros 65-0 in Week 5, and more so, the Indians earned their second win of the ’24 season.

The Indians have outscored their opponents this season 198-124, while Miami Trace has scored 175 points and allowed 123 points.

According to Maxpreps.com, the Panthers’ quarterback Trey Robinette has passed for 747 yards (42-of-74) with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. On the flip side, the Indians’ defense has five interceptions to their credit.

The Panthers have also rushed for over 1,000 yards this season — 1,042, to be exact — with Julian Baker leading with 94 carries for 534 yards with seven touchdown runs, including two 100-plus yard games, and he had an average of 106.8 yards per game (5.7 yards per carry).

MTHS also has 185 rushing and four touchdowns on 35 carries by Robinette in ’24, plus Evan Coalgrove has rushed for 179 yards on 33 carries with three touchdowns.

The three receiving leaders for MTHS include Cooper Enochs with 16 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Skye Salyers has six receptions for two touchdowns, plus there is Gaige Stuckey with eight receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown.

Hillsboro team leaders this season include Dom Smart with 48 carries for 365 yards with five touchdown runs. Quarterback Mason Dumpert has 36 carries for 248 yards with four touchdowns, plus he’s passed for 396 yards (19-of-29).

The Indians also have Jeven Hochstuhl with 30 carries for 335 yards with seven rushing scores, plus he has eight receptions for 250 yards and two scores.

Ryan Burns had a breakout game in Week 5, rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns, and for the season he’s collected 21 carries for 236 yards and four touchdowns.

This could be a fun game, but both defenses are going to need to be able to make the big plays. This game could come down to who plays the best defense, because both teams have shown on offense they are more than able to score points and make big plays.

HHS and MTHS will kick off at 7 p.m.

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Washington Blue Lions (0-5) at Chillicothe Cavaliers (0-5)

One of the two teams in this game will leave the field with their first win of the 2024 season, as both Chillicothe and Washington are winless after five games.

For Washington, quarterback Gavin Coffman is 35-of-85 for 400 yards passing with three touchdowns and seven interceptions. The leading running back for the Blue Lions is Isaac Hood, who has 28 carries for 99 yards. Andrew Young has 38 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown this season.

Washington’s leading receiver is Aden Osborne, who has collected 264 yards on 14 receptions with one touchdown. The Blue Lions have 57 points scored this season, and they’ve allowed 243 points.

Chillicothe has scored 43 points in ’24, and they’ve allowed 174 points. Last Friday, they lost to the Wilmington Hurricane by a 38-7 score. Washington is coming off a 24-7 loss to Monroe in Week 5.

This could be a competitive game between the two 0-5 teams, and it will be interesting to see how this game turns out.

Washington and Chillicothe are set to kick off at 7 p.m.

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