CIRCLEVILLE, OH — The Circleville Tigers are on the prowl this postseason after earning a convincing 31–14 home playoff win over Philo Friday night, moving them one step closer to a Division IV state title run.
Next up, the Tigers will travel north for a tough test against the No. 2 seed Indian Valley Braves on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in Gnadenhutten.
Indian Valley, the defending Division IV state champion, enters the matchup rested after receiving a bye under the OHSAA’s new playoff structure for top-four seeds. The Braves are led by standout running back Grady Kinsey, who is closing in on Ohio’s all-time record for rushing touchdowns and currently ranks fifth all-time in career rushing yards, with a shot to climb even higher this postseason.
Despite being the underdog, Circleville has momentum and confidence. Friday’s win over Philo marked the Tigers’ third straight victory, improving their season record to 8–3.
Much of the team’s organizational success can be credited to head coach Jay Sharrett, a Circleville alumnus who returned to his alma mater after a legendary coaching career at Pickerington Central, where he amassed a 211–42 record, 17 league titles, and two state championships.
Sharrett, a 1984 Circleville graduate, says the transition has been both humbling and rewarding.
“The 50 players I’ve been getting to know on this personal relationship level — I’ve missed this,” Sharrett said. “Because they stay young, and I stay old.”
Sharrett has plenty of talent to work with this season, including senior quarterback Hudson Phalin, who threw for more than 1,700 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just six interceptions last year. Phalin’s top targets, Jack Kline and Kole Nungester, both returned for their senior campaigns. Junior Ray Ezell was significant last week in the 31–14 win over Philo, scoring two significant touchdowns, pulling them ahead both times.
As Circleville prepares to head into “enemy territory,” fans and players alike are embracing the underdog mentality. After all, as the saying goes — never count out a cornered Tiger.
