Keystone Wildcats Control Playoff Destiny with Victory Over Firelands

The Keystone Wildcats secured a critical victory on October 17, 2023, defeating the Firelands Falcons 33-24, which puts them one win away from qualifying for the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs. This win was essential for the Wildcats, especially after experiencing a setback with a 21-7 loss to the Columbia Raiders in Week 8.

Head coach Don Griswold emphasized the importance of maintaining control over their playoff fate. “That is what you want in life,” Griswold stated. “You want to be able to have options and be in control of your own destiny in all aspects of your life. To have that as a football team in a really competitive region is a blessing.”

Keystone started strong against Firelands, taking a 7-0 lead early in the game. However, the Falcons responded with three consecutive scoring drives, gaining a 16-7 advantage. The Wildcats were faced with the challenge of overcoming a two-possession deficit, testing their resilience yet again.

Quarterback Colt Cowling played a pivotal role in the comeback, throwing two touchdown passes. Meanwhile, Wyatt McKee delivered an impressive performance with 173 yards and three touchdowns, helping Keystone reclaim the lead at 20-16 by halftime. From that point, the Wildcats maintained their momentum, securing an essential victory.

“I am really proud of how we responded after the Columbia game,” Griswold remarked. “We kept getting better and better. The players did not feel sorry for themselves, did not mope or do any of those things. This was our first quality win of the year. We beat the teams that we should have beaten and lost our toss-up games. This is a quality win that is going to propel us forward, not just for Week 10, but for seasons to come.”

With this victory, Keystone improved to a record of 6-3 overall, with a 5-1 standing in the LC8 League. The Columbia Raiders also have a 5-1 league record after their recent loss to Clearview, but they hold the advantage over Keystone due to their head-to-head matchup. Firelands, Clearview, and Black River also stand with two league losses as they head into the final week of regular season play.

Looking ahead, the upcoming games will be pivotal. If Black River defeats Oberlin, Clearview wins against Keystone, and Firelands triumphs over Columbia, five teams—Columbia, Clearview, Keystone, Firelands, and Black River—will all find themselves tied at the top of the standings with 4-2 league records. The intensity of the competition in the LC8 League underscores the stakes as the season approaches its conclusion.