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Preble Shawnee struck first on a 6-yard run by Ethan Mauller and the Arrows never looked back on their way to a 54-26 playoff win over Arcanum.

All photos and story by Dale Barger

CAMDEN, OH – Preble Shawnee hosted Arcanum a second time this year.  The Arrows defeated Arcanum 49-13 in a week five WOAC league game.  This time the two met as first round opponents in the first round of the OHSAA DV football playoffs.

Arcanum would make it an exciting game for two and a half quarters, but the eventual outcome was the same as their previous one with Preble Shawnee capturing a 54-26 win.

Preble Shawnee on the opening kick-off recovered a muffed ball, then a couple of plays later senior running back Ethan Mauller blasted in from 6-yards, shocking the Trojans who had hoped to get off to a good start in the rematch and trailed 7-0.

Shawnee held Arcanum on downs near midfield on their second possession.  It didn’t take long for the Arrows to capitalize as Brody Morton connected with Caleb Blankenship for a 41-yard strike and Colton Schroeder’s extra point made it 14-0 and it looked like the game might get out of hand quickly.

Arcanum settled down by doing work on their third possession mostly on the legs of MJ Macy.  He would cap off a nine-play drive on a 3-yard plunge closing the gap to 14-6 at 8:59 in the second quarter.

Brody Morton and Caleb Blankenship would connect for four touchdowns in game.

The Morton to Blankenship combination would prove lethal in this game with the dynamic duo connecting on a 20-yard score extending the gap back to 14 to lead  20-6.

Arcanum responded using the same formula off the feet of Macy grinding to move the ball forward … but time was starting to work against them.

Sitting on the 17-yard line, facing 3rd down freshman quarterback Weston Schmidt took to the air throwing a nice ball to freshman receiver Raysean Miles, for what looked like a touchdown.

The reception however was signaled out on the backline of endzone, and the Trojans faced a critical 4th down with 15 seconds left to play in the first half.

Arcanum freshman Raysean Miles had this catch called out, he caught the next pass to score a touchdown to end the first half.  

Schmidt threw another strike to Miles this time in the middle seam where he secured the catch for the TD.  Schmidt then tossed a two-point conversion to Colton Quigney giving Arcanum momentum trailing 20-14 at the break.

Preble Shawnee wasted no time wrestling back momentum receiving the ball to start the second half.  Brody Morton after being bottled up by the Trojans in the first half bolted through the middle on first play for 55 yards and added the two-point conversion doubling their lead 28-14 at 10:45 in 3rd quarter.

After establishing the run game for most of the first half the Trojans gained confidence in their passing by finishing the half with a TD toss. 

They would strike it big on their first possession in second half on 35-yard pass from Schmidt to junior receiver Evan Parks. 

Arcanum's MJ Macy rushed 132 yards & 2 TDs trying to keep Arcanum in the game.

Arcanum eventually scored on the drive off a 2-yard run by Macy narrowing the lead to 28-20 with 4:53 in left in third quarter.

It appeared this game was destined to go down the wire … but all of that would slip away over the next couple of minutes in what would be a nightmare turn of events.

On the first play after the kick-off, the Morton to Blankenship combo connected like lightning in a bottle on a go route covering 68-yards to take the wind from Arcanum now down 35-20.

Arcanum couldn’t afford to go down by too many turned the ball over on the next possession after an interception by Jacob Carter.

On the first play off the turnover, Morton who threw just four pass completions all night hit on the fourth toss all to Blankenship this time a 49-yarder expanding the lead 41-20.

Things couldn’t get worse … or could they? 

Senior Brody Morton scored 6 TDs, 4 passing, a 55 yard run and 49 yard interception return to lead the Arrows to a playoff victory.

Brody Morton would jump a passing route on the first play of Arcanum’s next possession returning it 49-yards for his 6th TD of the game.

What appeared to be a promising 2nd half start by Arcanum crumbled in a span of two minutes trailing 48-20 with 2:31 to play in 3rd quarter.

Schmidt found Miles in the flat on their next drive and he avoided a few tackles taking it in for 25-yard TD … but it would be their last score in the game down 48-26.

Preble Shawnee added one more score from senior running back Bryson Doran who busted through the line of scrimmage and then rumbled 51-yards for the game’s final score and a 54-26 win for the Arrows.

Statistically the game was fairly even in total yards.  Arcanum had 9 possessions and the ball for 29:21 minutes.  Preble Shawnee had 8 possessions for 18:39 minutes.

Arcanum had 376 total yards with Weston Schmidt (2 TDs) throwing 195 yards, 107 to Raysean Miles (2 TDs) and MJ Macy (2 TDs) ran for 132 of their 178 rushing yards.  

Preble Shawnee had 412 total yards with Morton (4 TDs) passing all 178 yards to Caleb Blankenship (4 TDs) and Morton (1 TD) ran 122 yards and Bryson Doran (1 TD) for 100 yards.

The Arrows had zero turnovers and 4 take aways, three in a short stretch of the 3rd quarter that proved to be the big difference in the game.

Arcanum’s season ends at 7-4 overall and third place in the WOAC at 6-3.  They graduate eight seniors … but return top running back, MJ Macy along with exciting and talented young play makers as well and will be considered a top league contender in 2026.

The #7 Preble Shawnee team extends their season another week and travels to #3 Indian Lake for a second-round game on Friday at 7pm.  The Arrows lost to the Lakers last year in their home playoff game and would love to return the favor this year.


Caleb Blankenship had a 178 yards receiving and 4 TD receptions and an interception return for a score for 5 TDs in Preble Shawnee's opening round DV playoff win.

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Bennett Lehman claims first ever DIV Boys Cross Country State Championship. 

Story and Photos by Dale Barger

COLUMBUS, OH – Ansonia’s Bennett Lehman knocks off the two-time defending state champion in boys cross country and it all started last year right after the OHSAA DIII 2024 boys state cross country meet won by Luke Snyder of Rittman.

This year the OHSAA created a 4th division with both Ansonia and Rittman schools dropping down to DIV and so Luke Snyder would still loom large according to assistant coach Allen Newbauer serving as motivation for 2025.

“After Luke Snyder won back-to-back state titles, coming into this season, we knew he was the man to beat. So literally, every week, whether during track, during the offseason, during the winter, we talked about what's going on with him.  We watched his strengths, weaknesses, looked at times and race results, trying to exploit areas we can utilize Bennett’s strengths verses his weaknesses and it was just a battle out there today,” Newbauer explained.

“The goal today was to stay with him and then when Bennett felt it was the right time to really open it up to go for it,” Newbauer added.

When Bennett entered the stadium he was all by himself after running neck and neck for nearly 2.5 miles both jockeying back and forth for the lead, but Bennett entered the chute alone for the last 100 yards with Snyder about 30-40 yards behind.

Bennett Lehman & Luke Snyder jockeyed back and forth for most of the race.

Although Bennett had a good lead he wasn’t taking anything for granted until he crossed the finish line.

“I was still nervous I was going to get chased down. But, you know, it was one of those things hearing the crowd here and all the people just really brings your energy up. I didn’t have a whole lot left, but they gave me all the energy I needed to go finish the race and it was awesome,” Bennett exclaimed

Bennett in the chute with Luke Snyder in 2nd about 35-yards behind.

After all the ceremonial podium presentations, interviews, hugs with family, teammates, coaches and fans, Bennett took some time to talk about his experience and keys to winning the race that started 12 months ago.

“It starts with the early mornings and the long days, my teammates being there for me all the time, my coaches giving me good workouts always pushing me to be better. My family and all the people that came here today to just support me and made the long drive. It really means a lot to me,” Bennett stated.

“The key is I trusted in my abilities, and I don't think I could have raced any better. You know, the first mile we went through I was just trying to get settled in, trying to find my rhythm.  The mindset was stick and stay with him as long as you can. Last year right about the two mile is when I dropped off. I didn't really know when he was going to try and go, when he was going to try and make his move.

I kept up stayed on him using less energy out there coming up the hill where it would be the deciding point to make my move, do I feel good enough to go?  The answer was yes, I was able to power up the hill, and I never looked back from there.

Bennett was determined to keep pace with Snyder staying on his heels about 2 miles into the race a point where he lost him the year before.

We've been working on our kick for a long time now. Using 800-meter sprints for the stretch.

It was good to come out and compete against such a great field and stand on top of the podium at the end of the day,” Bennett stated.


Bennett Lehman stands the highest atop the podium in the DIV Cross Country Race.

To get here Bennett Lehman logged an incredible number of miles.

“You know, through the summer, we're hitting anywhere from 70 to 90 miles a week running everyday putting in the miles with my coach (Newbauer) and my teammates throughout the season. There were some weeks so hot in the high 90s, but most of the time we still stayed between 60 to 80 miles per week. I think my biggest months were August and September with 365 miles each month.

Bennett logged enough miles to cross the United States from east to west and north to south over the last year.

“All the miles and all the time, now I can take a deep breath realizing it all paid off," Bennett said.

The payoff was knocking off the two-time defending state champion to become the first state champion ever in the inaugural DIV event while also establishing the course record as well in a time of 15:17.91 in the division.

“This event has been circled for a long, long time now. So, it was good to come here and do what we planned to do for 12 months,” Bennett said.

I asked if he now plans to sleep in or take some time off.

“Yeah, I’m taking a few days off, then we're going to run at the Nike Cross Country Regional in Terre Haute. So, we're going to keep training for that, then after that race, we're going to take off for a little bit before we start training for indoor track this winter.

With all that running and stress placed on the body day in and day out staying healthy is critical and Bennett doesn’t take that lightly on what is often overlooked on being able to compete at a high level.

“You’ve got to take care of your body. You got to guard against injuries and against sickness,” he stated.

Does it help that your dad has a successful Chiropractic business to help keep you in alignment. Bennett chuckled and spoke. “Oh, yeah, I'm in his office a lot, it’s a good thing it's free, because I would be bankrupt.”

“Your health doesn't just happen by training, yes, running the miles is a big part … but being able to take care of your body and getting rest, I think is as big a skill. It starts by getting the sleep you need and fueling your body appropriately,” Bennett suggested

“Most of all it’s important to enjoy what you do, to be a kid and have fun,” Bennett concluded.

Bennett Lehman finishing the race culminating nearly 4000 miles ran over the last year to become state champion.

If there was a poster boy for the old adage of work hard, play hard and success will follow, well Bennett Lehman would be on that poster.

He put in the hard work, played hard and flashed that winning smile right up to the top of the podium and now is a State Champion.


Bennett Lehman flashes poster winning smile atop the podium as a State Champion.

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Ansonia Jr. Bennett Lehman is your 2025 Boys DIV Cross Country State Champion.

All Photos & Graphics by Dale Barger

COLUMBUS – The WOAC Conference had a successful showing at the 2025 OHSAA DIV Cross Country Championship at Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park that was highlighted by Ansonia junior runner Bennett Lehman bringing home a State Championship.

215 total runners competed on teams and as individuals in the DIV Boys Cross Country State Championship.  Lehman was State Champion and first team all-state, and Dixie’s Collin Day was second team all-state.

Here is how the four WOAC Boys runner finished.

Dixie had two individual runners at state that also included James McNew and Tri-Village Coleman Trantham who missed out on a top 50 finish.

Bennett Lehman – Ansonia – 1^st place – 15:17.91 (State Champion) (First Team All-State)

Dixie Sr. Collin Day – 31st place – 16:27.36 (Second Team All-State)

Tri-Village Soph. Coleman Trantham – 59^th place – 16:51-.80

Dixie Jr. James McNew – 90^th place – 17:14.38  

There were 215 total runners competing on teams and as individuals at the 2025 OHSAA DIV Girls Cross Country State Championship. 

Michaela Flora would lead the four WOAC girls runners participating at the state this year.  She would finish in the top 10 with a 6^th place finish and was first team All-Ohio.  Anna Yeomans of Ansonia and Ella Eshleman from Franklin Monroe was second team All-Ohio.

Here is how the four WAOC girls runners finished.

Michaela Flora – Newton – 6^th place – 18:40.14 – (First Team All-State)

Ansonia Fr. Anna Yeomans – 35^th place – 19:30.15 – (Second Team All-State)


Franklin Monroe Fr. Ella Eshleman – 43^rd place - 19:48.71 – (Second Team All-State)

Newton Jr. Claire Stull – 49^th place – 19.58.41 

Congratulations to our boys and girls on a successful trip to the Cross Country State Championships.

Newton Soph. Michaela Flora had an impressive showing at this year DIV Girls Cross Country Championships finishing 6th and was First Team All-State. 

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Mississinawa Valley played exciting volleyball & made athletic plays worth celebrating. Their season ending in sweet 16 falling to Ft. Loramie, the defending state champions.
(Dale Barger photo)

ENGLEWOOD, OH – The magical and history making season for Mississinawa Valley Volleyball came to an end in the OHSAA DVII Regional Tournament facing a solid Fort Loramie team that would require playing nearly perfect to win.

Mississinawa at times showed the ability to play with the DVII defending State Champions and made them work for it ... but the Redskins won the bigger plays when the game was tight in the first two sets that was played much closer than the score.

It was the last game for senior Makenna Hoggatt who had to go through a tough wall most of the night. (Dale Barger photo)

Fort Loramie won in three straight sets by the score of 25-18, 25-17, 25-13 to advance to the Regional Finals where they will take on Russia.

The WOAC was represented well by  Mississinawa Valley who finished 2nd in the WOAC along with Arcanum who finished first giving the conference two teams playing in the sweet sixteen.  

Mississinawa Valley season concludes at 21-5 a school record for wins in a season.

Sr. Cora Hoggatt & her twin sister will be a hard combo to replace next season. (Dale Barger photo)

Blackhawks coach Taylor Rawlings was proud of her team’s fight till the end and her four seniors who have contributed well to the program over the last four years

“We didn't give up the whole time, and that's something I’m really proud of for these kids, it was an absolutely special season going further than any other team in  history,” Rawlings stated.

Sr. Allyson Waymire goes down for the dig to keep the ball in play. (Dale Barger photo)

“Our Four seniors: Danika Neargarder, Allyson Waymire, Cora and Makenna Hoggatt have all contributed to the success of this program for the last four years and when I came here this summer they didn't miss anything they came in worked hard and wanted to learn. That desire to learn, to work hard, it’s going to take them alot further in life than any volleyball game ever will,” Rawlings praised.

Sr. Danika Neargarder goes and gets a ball to keep it in play. (Dale Barger photo)

Coach Rawlings hopes this experience will motivate current players and upcoming players to be eager to get right back at it, or at least when they can, working towards an even better year next season.

“I would also like to thank the community for their support. You know, the people traveled this far … to all of our games, we had a lot a fans here tonight, so it's great to see a community that wants to help support their girls.

“Most of all I want to praise and thank my girls they’re the ones that come in, day in and day out, work hard and produced this wonderful season it’s not easy when it’s over but they can hold their head high … it was something to be proud of,” Rawlings concluded.

Coach Taylor Rawlings next year must deal with four graduating seniors who accounted for 52 wins in the last 3 years for Mississinawa Valley.  (Dale Barger photo)
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The Lady Trojans gave it their all but Fort Recovery made the critical plays when they needed drawing out a 4 set win over Arcanum. (Dale Barger photo)

Story by Gaylen Blosser

The 2025 OHSAA Division VI District Champion Arcanum Lady Trojans put up a determined fight before falling to the Fort Recovery Lady Indians 3-1 in first-round regional volleyball action.

“I give my girls a lot of credit,” said Arcanum head coach Jacie Holman. “They have tall girls, and we still managed to do a lot of great things on offense. My offense did an exceptional job, and so did my defense.”

“Fort Recovery has something you can’t teach — and that’s height,” Holman added. “My hitters did everything they could to get around those blocks. We can make adjustments, but if they’re there, they’re just there.”

Sr Grace Psczulkoski didn't get short changed & her arm might even be a bit tired as she got a lot swings including this one down the line for a score. (Dale Barger photo)

Arcanum opened strong, jumping out to a 5-2 lead before the Lady Indians reeled off nine straight points to go up 11-5. The Lady Trojans battled back to tie the score at 17-17 and again at 19-19 before Fort Recovery closed with a 6-1 run to take the opening set 25-20.

“We did exceptionally well,” Holman said. “Our goal was to jump out on them, and we did that in almost every set. Unfortunately, in that first set, we got stuck in a rotation where it killed us. Between missed serves and that one rotation, we gave them 11 points — and that’s huge at that point in the game. You can’t allow a team to have 11 unearned points.”


Sr. Caroline Long ran into a lot of double teams & tall front line by Fort Recovery.  She was able to get this one over the top. (Dale Barger photo)

Arcanum rebounded in the second set, using four aces and just one service error to control play. The Lady Trojans built a 15-11 lead and held off a Fort Recovery rally to win 25-21 and even the match.

“We said between sets, ‘If we want this match, we’ve got to fix what we did,’” said Holman. “When we eliminate our own mistakes, we win — and that’s exactly what happened. We eliminated the serving errors, played our game, and did just fine.”

Sr. Grace Fry sets the ball for Arcanum in game with Ft Recovery. (Dale Barger photo)

Set three saw Arcanum again start fast with a 4-1 lead, but Fort Recovery clawed back and eventually claimed the set 25-21 to move ahead 2-1.

The fourth and final set was a thriller. Tied at 19-19, both teams traded runs and battled through ties at 20-20, 22-22, 23-23, and 24-24 before the Lady Indians notched the final two points to win 26-24 and advance.


Sr. Kamryn Beisner bumps ball forward in game with the Indians.(Dale Barger photo)

“We have never been to a regional game, and that’s the difference between us and Fort Recovery right now,” Holman reflected. “They’ve been in this scenario. They know how to be mentally tough — and that’s something we’ll work on going forward. These girls wanted this game so much, and I am so proud of them. We fought hard, and they responded to everything I gave them tonight.”

Five Arcanum seniors played their final match in orange and black:
No. 7 Grace Psczulkoski, No. 10 Grace Fry, No. 11 Avery Leeper, No. 12 Kamryn Beisner, and No. 14 Caroline Long.

Sr. Avery Leeper, leapt high enough to block the ball on this hit. (Dale Barger photo)

“These seniors — I am exceptionally proud of them,” Holman said. “They’ve been with me from the beginning and truly bought into every word I’ve told them. They each brought their own leadership this year — some led vocally, some by example, and others by being that shoulder to lean on. We had five strong senior leaders, and they’ll be greatly missed.”


It's not easy when it's your last game especially in the sweet 16 as five lady Trojans leave the court for the last time capping off a great season. (Dale Barger photo)
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