Keystone Football Eyes Playoff Spot After Victory Over Firelands

Keystone High School’s football team is on the brink of qualifying for the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) playoffs following a significant victory against Firelands on October 17, 2023. The Wildcats secured a 33-24 win, putting them in a strong position as they approach the postseason.

Keystone’s season has been marked by fluctuations, but the latest win has revitalized hopes for the team. “That is what you want in life,” said Keystone coach Don Griswold. “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.”

The Wildcats faced a challenging start against Firelands, initially taking a 7-0 lead before the Falcons responded with three consecutive scoring drives, giving them a 16-7 advantage. This two-possession deficit tested Keystone’s resilience after a disappointing 21-7 loss to Columbia the previous week. Demonstrating their determination, quarterback Colt Cowling threw two touchdown passes, while Wyatt McKee delivered an impressive performance with 173 yards and three touchdowns, allowing Keystone to reclaim the lead at 20-16 before halftime.

Following the break, Keystone maintained their momentum and secured the win. “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 the victory, Keystone’s record improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the Lake County 8 (LC8) league. The Wildcats are currently tied with Columbia, who lost to Clearview 27-21, but Columbia holds the tie-breaker based on their earlier matchup. As the regular season approaches its conclusion, Firelands, Clearview, and Black River all have two league losses, making the final week critical for playoff positioning.

Looking ahead to Week 10, if Black River secures a win against Oberlin, and both Clearview and Firelands triumph in their respective games, it could lead to a tightly contested end to the season with five teams—including Columbia, Clearview, Keystone, Firelands, and Black River—sharing 4-2 league records. This scenario underscores the competitive nature of the league and the significance of Keystone’s upcoming match.

As the Wildcats prepare for their final game, the focus will be on capitalizing on their recent success and solidifying their playoff hopes.