GRANVILLE — West Muskingum boys soccer went someplace that only one Muskingum Valley League team had gone previously.
The Division IV state semifinals were indeed foreign territory for the Tornadoes, who played like a team trying to adjust to the bright lights of the big stage for much of the first half against defending state champion Worthington Christian.
Advertisement
The result was a two-goal deficit that led to a 4-0 loss at Walter Hodges Stadium, ending a historic season that saw the Tornadoes set a school-record for wins, avenge a 2025 regional loss to St. Clairsville and secure the program’s first regional title.
It allowed head coach Ryan Barks to find perspective as he bid four seniors farewell.
“Right out of the gate, obviously there were nerves,” Barks said. “You have to respect a program like Worthington Christian. There was a lot of hype around (the match). Even though we talk about staying focused, it’s very hard to disregard what has happened.
“As I’ve told others, we are extremely grateful to our community,” Barks added. “The honor to represent West Muskingum, the MVL, the district and the region has been phenomenal. Everybody reaching out, people showing up (for the match), it has been amazing.”
West Muskingum junior Coby Wright walks off the field following a 4-0 loss to Worthington Christian in a Division IV state semifinal on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Granville High School. The Tornadoes finished with a school-record 17 wins and won their first regional title in program history.
Conversely, the veteran Warriors, who advanced to their fourth straight state final, never took their collective feet off the accelerator. Using constant pressure as their primary weapon, they scored four minutes apart midway through the first half. The second coming on sophomore Nolan Schoonover’s goal in the 19th minute.
Advertisement
It provided a key two-goal lead, which grew when Blake Miller scored off a rebound following a corner kick with 25 minutes left. Senior captain Oliver Blank climbed the ladder to score off a header — thanks to a well-placed throw-in from Colin Hoskinson — to cap the scoring with 17 minutes left.
The ability to win 50-50 balls on both ends of the field, thanks to an edge in quickness and accurate passing, played key roles in WC’s success. In many cases, they led to clear-outs on defense or created scoring chances in the Tornadoes’ zone.
Barks said the Warriors played a similar system as Wheelersburg in the regional finals, but being a step quicker to the ball provided a significant advantage.
Senior Cy Edwards and Blank were key figures in the stingy back line, which seemed to swarm on everything blue in the high rent district.
Advertisement
“The benefit they have is the schedule they get to play,” Barks said. “We did upgrade our schedule. We played (Columbus) Tree of Life in the summer and battled with them. We added teams like Independence, Columbus West, Marietta and Warren. We definitely put bigger dogs on our schedule to try and prepare for this, and it’s something we’ll do again moving forward.”
West wasn’t without a few opportunities.
Its best scoring chances came a few minutes apart from when Dylan Benitez rifled a low, hard shot from the 20-yard line that went around a defender but sailed just wide of the frame.
The next came when Dyllan Farmer, in a rare breakdown, worked past the back line, only to have a diving Noah Brown come in from the net and break the play up before Farmer could chip it past him.
Advertisement
West also came up empty on a corner kick to start the second half.
All came with the deficit still at 2-0. It was the Tornadoes’ best stretch of play in the match, and Barks credited his team for responding to the halftime deficit with an attacking disposition.
“It’s a different game at 2-1,” Barks said. “That two-goal margin in soccer is one of the toughest score lines. That showed in our last match with Wheelersburg when we had to fight back (after losing a two-goal lead). It’s part of the game. I couldn’t be prouder of these boys, how they fought and how they battled.”
WC coach Dan Roads, like Barks a coaching veteran of almost two decades, said the Tornadoes earned the credit they’ve received.
Advertisement
“We’re excited to represent the Central District,” Roads said. “It’s always fun to play teams, like West Muskingum and teams out of the East. We know those guys — they want it, they work hard — and they’re dedicated. They have a great coach over there. They should feel good about their season.”
sblackbu@usatodayco.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: West M boys soccer’s title quest falls short in state semifinals
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
