Undefeated Clear Fork, Ontario Set For Showdown In Week Four

ONTARIO, Ohio

Something has to give Friday night. Clear Fork and Ontario will enter the opening week of Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play with identical 3-0 records, setting the stage for one of the most intriguing matchups of the young season.

The Colts have earned victories over Granville, Zanesville and Lexington, while Ontario has taken care of its non-conference schedule with wins over Lexington, Norwalk and Tiffin Columbian. The strength of schedule certainly favors Clear Fork to this points as Ontario's opponents have struggled early in the season, but the Warriors have done exactly what good teams are supposed to do — win the games in front of them.

Now comes a much bigger test. Clear Fork and Ontario are both undefeated, both have conference championship aspirations and both have plenty of playmakers capable of changing Friday night’s game.

Last season’s meeting was a defensive battle in the Valley, with Clear Fork prevailing 14-9. Ontario's quarterback Trey Remy endured a difficult night, throwing five interceptions against the Colts’ defense. A year later, Ontario’s offense has a different look. Head coach Aaron Eckert has turned to a two-quarterback system featuring senior Gavin Miller and Mansfield Senior transfer Sean Tanner. The two bring different strengths to the Warriors’ offense and could force Clear Fork’s defense to prepare for multiple looks.

Miller provides the more mobile option and has completed 68 percent of his passes while protecting the football, having yet to throw an interception this season. Tanner, a left-handed quarterback with the ability to stretch a defense with his arm, has completed 53 percent of his passes and thrown two interceptions.

One of Tanner’s most dangerous weapons is another Mansfield Senior transfer, Cardae Brown. Through three games, Brown has caught 11 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as Ontario’s leading receiving threat. His combination of speed and big-play ability will present a major challenge for the Clear Fork secondary. Limiting Brown’s opportunities downfield could be one of the biggest keys to the game for the Colts.

Ontario isn’t simply a passing team, either. Running back Max Ciroli has stepped into a featured role after last season’s leading rusher, Kooper Kilgore, suffered a season ending injury in a scrimmage just a week before the season started. Ciroli has answered the call, rushing for 260 yards and four touchdowns through Ontario’s first three games. That combination gives the Warriors plenty of options.

The biggest question for Clear Fork could be whether the Colts can match Ontario’s size and speed at the skill positions for four quarters. In the trenches, however, Clear Fork has plenty of reason for confidence. The Colts entered the season needing to replace four starters on the offensive line, but that group has quickly exceeded expectations. Clear Fork’s physicality up front has helped establish a punishing ground attack that has become the identity of Aaron Brokaw’s offense.

Clear Fork had to grind out last week’s 17-7 victory over rival Lexington, but its experienced senior class found a way to get the job done when things weren’t coming easily offensively. Senior quarterback Marcus Hoeflich continues to be at the center of everything. Hoeflich leads Clear Fork with 331 rushing yards and five touchdowns and has consistently shown the ability to make plays with his legs.

Friday night will provide another opportunity for the veteran quarterback to lead the Colts in a hostile road environment against an Ontario team that has been scoring at will through the first three weeks. He won’t have to do it alone.

Trey Sellers has rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns, giving Clear Fork another dependable weapon out of the backfield, while Nash Evans remains the type of versatile athlete who can impact a game in multiple ways.

The next step for the Colts could be establishing more balance offensively.

Clear Fork has dominated opponents on the ground, but Ontario will know exactly what the Colts want to do. Finding opportunities through the air could become increasingly important, especially with talented receiving options such as Evans and Alekai Price capable of making plays. If Clear Fork can force Ontario to respect the passing game, it could create even more room for Hoeflich and Sellers on the ground.

Friday night’s matchup could ultimately come down to which team dictates the style of play. Ontario possesses explosive skill players, two quarterbacks with different strengths and a dangerous receiving threat in Brown. Clear Fork counters with experience, a physical offensive line, a powerful rushing attack and a senior quarterback who has already proven he can carry a significant workload. And after last year’s five-interception performance by the Ontario offense, protecting the football will undoubtedly be another major storyline.

This time, however, the stakes are even higher. Non-conference play is over. Both teams are undefeated. The MOAC schedule is beginning, and an early statement is there for the taking. For Clear Fork, Friday night represents an opportunity to prove that its 3-0 start is only the beginning. For Ontario, it’s a chance to defend its home field and show that its explosive start can carry over against one of the conference’s most physical teams.

One undefeated record will likely disappear Friday night. The other team will walk away 4-0 with a major early victory in the race for the MOAC championship. Clear Fork and Ontario kick off Friday at 7 p.m. Fans can listen to live coverage on the Clear Fork channel at vsbnradio.com.