Norwayne Outlasts Orrville in Thrilling Showdown at Sold-Out Orrville High School
In a highly anticipated matchup between #1 Norwayne and #2 Orrville, the atmosphere at Orrville High School was electric. The sold-out crowd witnessed an intense battle on Orrville’s newly debuted court, a symbolic milestone after flood damage over the summer. Adding to the excitement was the return of Orrville’s standout junior, Kodah Allen, who had been sidelined for a year. As a freshman, Allen had made headlines by scoring 46 points in a single game and averaging 28.4 points per game.
First Quarter:
Norwayne seized control early, setting the tempo with efficient ball movement and sharp shooting. The Bobcats established a 24-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, leaving Orrville searching for answers.
Second Quarter:
The momentum shifted dramatically as Kodah Allen found his rhythm, dominating on both ends of the floor. His highlight-reel moment came with a monster block off the backboard, seemingly defying gravity. Orrville fed off Allen’s energy, and by halftime, the Red Riders had surged ahead, leading 33-30.
Third Quarter:
Norwayne came out of the locker room with renewed intensity, quickly building a five-point lead. The Bobcats extended their advantage to 39-33, seemingly in control. However, Orrville responded, narrowing the gap to just one point. Player of the Year candidate Parker Metsker provided a scare when he went down after a tough layup but returned after a timeout. Despite a buzzer-beater from Allen to close the quarter, Norwayne maintained a 49-41 lead.
Fourth Quarter:
The final quarter was marked by intensity and physicality. Early on, Kodah Allen suffered a cramp in his thigh but returned to the court, only to go down again after scoring a crucial basket that brought Orrville within five points with 3:57 remaining. The atmosphere grew tense, with fans and players exchanging heated moments. Allen’s night ultimately ended after his third cramp, and his absence was felt as Norwayne capitalized. A brief scuffle between the teams led to a prolonged stoppage, underscoring the high stakes and emotions on display.
In the end, Norwayne’s composure prevailed, and they secured a hard-fought 60-46 victory over Orrville.
Top Scorers:
• Kodah Allen (Orrville) — 20 points
• Tyson Hess (Norwayne) — 22 points
The win solidifies Norwayne’s top ranking, but Orrville’s resilience, particularly with Allen’s return, suggests this rivalry is far from over.
Dalton Dominates Orrville in Foundation Game
In a challenging opening matchup, Orrville struggled to find its rhythm as turnovers and missed opportunities allowed Dalton to take an early and commanding lead. The Red Riders found themselves in a tough spot from the beginning, with Dalton surging ahead to an 11-0 start, capitalizing on Orrville’s missteps. Orrville’s first points came at the 3:49 mark in the first quarter, but even then, they could only manage to hit one of two free throws, reducing the gap to 14 points.
End of 1st Quarter: Dalton 17, Orrville 4
As the game progressed, Dalton continued to control the pace, while Orrville struggled to create effective scoring chances. By halftime, Dalton had expanded their lead significantly, holding a 32-16 advantage.
Halftime: Dalton 32, Orrville 16
In the third quarter, Dalton’s dominance only intensified. With a solid team effort, Dalton nearly doubled their score, closing the third quarter with a comfortable 58-29 lead over Orrville. The Red Riders fought hard to stay competitive, but Dalton’s relentless defense and efficient scoring proved too much.
End of 3rd Quarter: Dalton 58, Orrville 29
As the final buzzer sounded, Dalton had secured a decisive 68-33 victory.
Heroes of the Gridiron: Marquael Parks, A Legend from Orrville
Marquael Parks left an indelible mark on Ohio high school football, cementing his place as one of the most electrifying players ever to emerge from Wayne County. Playing for Orrville High School from 2017 to 2021, Parks became a dominant force on both sides of the ball, known for his explosive speed, elusive running, and game-changing ability. His accomplishments earned him national recognition and solidified his place among Ohio’s all-time greats.
Parks’ junior year was one for the record books. He ran for an astounding 2,799 yards and 44 touchdowns, setting an area record, while also catching 24 passes, five of which he turned into scores. His 56 total touchdowns and 336 points that season rank second all-time in Ohio high school history. On special teams, Parks was just as dangerous, returning two punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and game-breaking ability. He even threw a touchdown pass, highlighting his dynamic skill set.
Standing 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, Parks wasn’t the biggest player on the field, but his speed and athleticism more than made up for it. His junior season alone drew over 29,000 views on Hudl, as fans, coaches, and recruiters took notice of his remarkable talent. Schools like Army, Cincinnati, Kent State, Ohio University, and Buffalo offered him scholarships, recognizing his immense athletic potential.
Though Parks’ senior season was cut short after just one game, his legacy was already firmly established. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when he helped lead Orrville to a Division V state championship, a moment forever etched in the school’s football history. That championship run, along with his record-setting junior season, earned Parks a special place in the hearts of Orrville fans and the broader Ohio high school football community.
With a composite player rating of 0.8515 from 247Sports, Parks was ranked among the top 1150 players in the nation and 81st overall in Ohio. His rare combination of speed, agility, and football IQ made him a coveted recruit, even as his high school career came to an early end.
Marquael Parks will always be remembered as a hero of the gridiron, a player who brought excitement and enthusiasm to Orrville football. His records may one day be surpassed, but his thrilling performances and championship legacy will endure for years to come.
Orrville Shuts Out Triway 6-0, Extends PAC-7 Undefeated Streak
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Location: Jack Miller Stadium, Triway High School, Wooster, OH
The Orrville Red Riders continued their dominance in PAC-7 play with a 6-0 shutout victory over the Triway Titans on Wednesday night at Jack Miller Stadium. Orrville, the reigning PAC-7 champions since 2019, improved to 11-1-2 overall and 9-0-1 in the conference, inching closer to their sixth straight conference title.
Triway, coming into the match with a 3-9-1 overall record and 3-4-1 in PAC-7 play, hoped to put up a stronger fight after suffering a lopsided 11-0 defeat to Orrville in mid-September. However, Orrville’s potent attack and defense once again proved too much for the Titans to handle.
First Half: Orrville Sets the Tone
Orrville wasted little time establishing control of the game. Just minutes in, Xavier Brown (17) put the Red Riders on the board with a goal at 37:49, giving Orrville an early 1-0 lead. McLain Bochart (13) doubled the advantage with a goal at the 32:50 mark, and as halftime approached, Kaleb Wayt (5) added a third goal at 2:48, putting Orrville firmly in control with a 3-0 lead at the break.
Second Half: Orrville Closes Strong
The second half saw more of the same as Orrville continued to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities. McLain Bochart scored his second goal of the night at 28:38, extending the lead to 4-0. Kolton McLellan (23) followed up with a strike at the 6:00 mark to make it 5-0.
As the clock wound down, Orrville delivered one final blow when a goal was scored as the buzzer went off, cementing a 6-0 win and completing the shutout. Triway’s defense fought hard but ultimately couldn’t contain the relentless attack of the Red Riders, who recorded their ninth clean sheet of the season.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Orrville remains undefeated in PAC-7 play and continues to build momentum as they chase their sixth consecutive conference title. The Red Riders’ dominance in the PAC-7 has been unmatched, and with their offense firing on all cylinders and their defense locking down opponents, they look poised for another deep postseason run.
Triway, now 3-10-1 overall and 3-5-1 in the PAC-7, will look to bounce back in their remaining conference matches.
Final Score: Orrville 6, Triway 0
Scorers:
- Xavier Brown (37:49, 1st half)
- McLain Bochart (32:50, 1st half; 28:38, 2nd half)
- Kaleb Wayt (2:48, 1st half)
- Kolton McLellan (6:00, 2nd half)
- Buzzer-beater goal (as time expired)