COSHOCTON — The Ridgewood Generals showcased their dominance once again in their ongoing rivalry against the Coshocton Redskins, securing a decisive 38-0 victory in a nonconference matchup. This win marks the ninth consecutive victory for Ridgewood over Coshocton since 2017, with only one of those games being decided by less than a touchdown.
Despite a new coaching staff at Coshocton, which brought renewed hope and energy, Ridgewood's performance was overwhelming. The game began with a tribute to Coshocton's 2016 Final Four team, but it quickly turned into a showcase of Ridgewood's prowess on both sides of the ball. Junior quarterback Wyatt Marlatt was instrumental in the victory, scoring a rushing touchdown and throwing two touchdown passes in the first half, leading his team to a commanding 35-0 lead by halftime.
Ridgewood's offense was firing on all cylinders, scoring on their first five possessions. Marlatt's touchdown passes included a 14-yard connection to Drake Angle and a 29-yard strike to Andrew Kinsey. The Generals' defense also played a crucial role, limiting Coshocton to just 121 total yards and forcing multiple turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Parker Snyder on the very first play of the game.
Head coach John Slusser expressed his satisfaction with the team's defensive performance, noting that they have allowed fewer than 200 total yards in three games this season. The secondary, featuring veterans like Angle, Marlatt, and Wince, has shown significant improvement, while the return of senior linebacker Logan Israel added depth to the front seven. Slusser remarked, "I’m telling you, we’re pretty good. We’re tough to score against," highlighting the team's defensive capabilities.
On the offensive side, Marlatt's development under the guidance of veteran offensive coordinator Chris Cabot has been evident. Slusser praised Marlatt's decision-making during the game and acknowledged the contributions of the offensive line, which has improved significantly since earlier scrimmages against tougher opponents. The team is looking to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Wheeling Central Catholic.
Meanwhile, Coshocton is still in the process of finding its footing under first-year coach Braydon Johns. The team faced challenges, including injuries and positional changes, which affected their performance against Ridgewood. Johns noted the difficulties his team has faced, stating, "We’ve gotten all three sides of it. We were in a tight game. We were in a tight game again and fell short. And then now, this is just one of those games where we’re not knowing what we are supposed to do." He remains hopeful that the lessons learned from this game will benefit the team as they head into their Muskingum Valley League schedule.
Coshocton will look to regroup in their next game against Meadowbrook, where they aim to improve on their recent performances and build some momentum for the remainder of the season. With a focus on breaking old habits and developing new skills, Johns is committed to guiding his team through this transitional phase.
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