Momentum, a sense of the upcoming playoffs, and also homecoming energy will combine in a big way at Unckrich Stadium when Galion hosts Marion Harding at 7 p.m. Friday. The Tigers enter the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference matchup at 4-4 overall, and 2-3 in league play. Marion Harding is 5-3 and 3-2 in the conference.
Galion’s homecoming festivities will include the crowning of the king and queen before kickoff.
Both teams remain in the postseason chase but have work to do. The top 12 teams in each region qualify for the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs, with the top four receiving first-round byes. Marion Harding currently stands 13th in Division II, Region 7, while Galion is 15th in Division V, Region 18. Friday’s winner would gain a valuable late-season boost with only one regular-season game remaining. OHSAA computer ratings
Galion arrives with its best stretch of the season behind it. After dropping three consecutive games, the Tigers defeated Pleasant 21-7 and River Valley 27-10. Kale Early powered the most recent victory with 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Jamesen Glew caught passes for 170 yards and a score. The defense has surrendered just 17 total points during the two-game winning streak. Galion schedule and results. That balance will be important against Harding. Quarterback Kane Hay and receivers Glew and Kurt Hay give Galion the ability to attack downfield, while Early’s production forces defenses to respect the running game.
The Presidents ended a two-game skid last week by defeating Marion Pleasant 28-14. The contest was tied at 14 late in the third quarter before Harding produced the final two touchdowns. Quarterback Dez Feliciano passed for 109 yards and rushed for 95, including a 31-yard touchdown, while Marcus McGary accumulated 154 yards from scrimmage. Mattic Simmers added two rushing touchdowns as Harding finished with 392 yards of offense. Marion Harding–Pleasant game report
Containing Feliciano and McGary will be Galion’s central defensive challenge. Harding can use the quarterback run, conventional rushing attack and short passing game to sustain drives. On the other side, the Presidents must prevent Glew and the Tigers’ receivers from generating the explosive plays that helped Galion pull away from River Valley. Turnovers could also prove decisive. In last season’s meeting, Galion overcame a 20-7 deficit and defeated Harding 28-20 after forcing six turnovers and holding the Presidents scoreless over the final three quarters.
A Galion victory would give the Tigers three consecutive wins and a 5-4 record entering their regular-season finale at Clear Fork. Harding, which closes against unbeaten Shelby, has similar urgency. That combination should produce a postseason-style atmosphere well before the playoffs officially begin.