The Grove City football team has struggled with adversity for most of the season, and coach Matt Sauer and his players hope this will provide valuable lessons. 

Dougs lost the first five games, then won two of the last five games, ending the game with a total score of 2-8. 

"This season is definitely something I have never experienced before, but facing adversity now is a good thing for all of us, because it sets the tone for future life," senior wide receiver Brian Said Brian Rutledge. 

In the first round of the game on October 29th, Grove City ranked 15th in the playoffs in the first and third districts, losing 48-7 to No. 2 seed Pickerington Central. 

Dougs defeated Westville Central 20-14 on October 1st and defeated Westland 21-12 on October 22nd, ending in the OCC-Ohio Division with a score of 2-3. , Ranked fourth, second only to champion New Albany (5-0). 

According to Shaul, this adversity included being forced to cancel a non-league match with Thomas Worthington on September 3 because of COVID-19 in his project. 

"The most important thing is to lose the game against COVID's Thomas Worthington," Shaul said. "Last year we played all 10 games during the pandemic, and this year we have struggled with some non-football, COVID-related issues, which obviously hindered us from playing in Week 3. We also lost due to the weather. Lost the second game against Worthington Kilbourne. 

"That was the biggest adversity we faced, and we couldn't gain experience, because we did play with so many young children on both sides of the ball." 

After a 19-14 loss to Visit Central Crossing on September 10, the team also faced an incident when the referee said that they were blocked in the locker room by a vending machine after the game. 

Junior Christian Isaacs (RB/LB) led the Dougs team with 105 rushes for 436 yards and 3 touchdowns, and was named the first team in the league. 

Junior Isaac Carter (OL/DL) is the first team in the league and a special nominee for the entire region, while senior AJ Jones (OL/DL) is the first team in the league and an honorable mention for the entire region. 

The second-year quarterback, Matthew Papas, completed 79 of 150 passes, with a passing distance of 989 yards, 3 touchdowns and two interceptions, making him the second team in the league. 

"He's a kid in that position and he will only continue to get better, so it's good," Sauer said.  

Junior Aaron Arledge (RB/LB) leads the defense with 73 steals and is the second team in the league. 

Senior Zach Combs (TE/DL/P) and sophomore Gavin Dubbo (OL/DL) are also the second team in the league, and sophomore Jacob Slay (RB/LB) is Special mention of the whole league, the second-year student JJ ​​King (WR/DB) won the honorary nomination of the whole league. 

King led with 379 yards and two touchdowns with 22 catches, and Rutledge added 17 catches with 271 yards and two touchdowns. 

Rutledge said: "The results of this season are certainly disappointing, but as a whole, the friendship with the players and everything we have experienced is undoubtedly a good experience." "This is not the season we hope or must look forward to. , But I’m glad I got this experience." 

Junior Jason Sweet (RB/LB) ran for 223 yards, 32 passes and 3 touchdowns. 

Slyh's tackles (55) ranked second in the team, followed by Trevor Mills (RB/LB) and King (both 43) in the junior year and Braden Young in the sophomore year (41, RB/LB). ). 

"Of course I think this season is more challenging than last season, but I am still satisfied with our children, how they prepared and continued to get better, and overcame some adversity and found a way to win two league games. ," Sauer said. "I am proud of our children." 

Shaul praised 11 senior citizens for their contributions to the program. 

"I like the kids in this (advanced) class," Sauer said. “11 seniors, 10 of them are real football players, and then we have a female kicker (Lexi Steinhauser) of the women’s football team who spent 10 weeks of the season. She actually played against Central in the playoffs Score in the game. That’s really cool."

• OCC-Ohio Standings: New Albany (5-0), Gahanna (3-1), North Pickerington (3-2), Grove City (2-3), Westville Central (1 -4) Westland (0-4)) 

• Older people lose: Tony Carrillo, Markel Carter, Zach Combs, AJ Jones, Jack Nelson, Mason Parker, Dennis Ritterlinger-Nilled, Brian Rutledge, Carden Smith, Lexie Steinhauser and Langdon Ucumb 

• Major returnees: Aaron Alich, Isaac Carter, Gavin Dubbo, Christian Isaac, JJ King, Trevor Mills, Matthew Pappas, Ryan Ribe, Jacob Sley, Jason Sweet, Rees Williams, and Braden Young 

• Playoffs: The first round of the playoffs in the first division and 3 divisions was 48-7 in the first round of the Picklinton Center. 

• Quote: "I love our team. We have a lot of young children. Next year we will have a good-scale senior class, and this year there will be a group of excellent second-year students. I am really happy to see our returnees. Come back and continue to compete and take our plan to the next level." — Coach Matt Sauer