Unkown Mohawks set to challenge W-G

WAYNESFIELD — Part of the excitement of playoff games is facing unfamiliar teams along the way.

That will be the case when No. 9-seeded Sycamore Mohawk (5-5 overall) travels to play No. 8-seeded Waynesfield-goshen (8-2)

in an OHSAA Division VII Region 26 Tournament first-round game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“We were able to get some films on Mohawk. We don’t have any common opponents, so it’s hard to make any comparisons,” Tigers

coach Shane Wireman said. “It looks like Mohawk plays

a hard-nosed style of defense with a seven-man box

in a 5-2 formation. It looks like they play a ton of manto-man defense behind that.”

One of the Warriors who drew Wireman’s attention

is Zaiden Fry, who lined up at multiple offensive positions.

“They lined him up everywhere from wide receiver,

running back and even as a Wildcat quarterback,” Wireman said. “We’re going to have to limit his damage as best we can.”

Wireman is right about Fry, who led the Northern 10 Athletic Conference with 41 receptions, 949 yards

and eight touchdowns. When Fry isn’t making catches, he’s running the ball with 628 yards and

seven touchdowns on 119 rushing attempts. Fry also returns punts and kicks, finished four in the Northern 10 in scoring (92 points) and made three interceptions on defense.

Mohawk quarterback Bryce Hannam has completed 78 of 154 (51%) of his passes for 1,317 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Nathan Greene

has also seen time under center for the Warriors, completing 21 of 57 (37%) of

his passes for 335 yards with three touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

In addition to Fry, Kahne

Hayman ended up eighth

in the Northern 10 with 28 receptions for 387 yards and two touchdowns.

Some of Mohawk’s top defenders include Colin Barth (82 tackles) and Hayman (three interceptions).

The Warriors average 19.5 points on offense and 25.2 points on defense.

The Tigers also have solid passing and rushing attacks.