NORTH ROBINSON (Crawford County Now) — Colonel Crawford is headed into uncharted waters. Coach Jake Bruner’s squad travels to Highland High School in Sparta at 7 p.m. Friday for a Division VI regional final against West Jefferson.

No Eagles team in the school’s storied history has gotten this far and the 12 wins is a single-season school record.

They’ve also done it with a rare two-quarterback system that runs as efficiently as a Rolex, as seniors Peyton Baker and Brayden Holt have shared duties behind center.

“Both those guys could easily pass for several thousand yards. They could both play for anybody. But they’re unselfish and have shared the position,” Bruner said after his team’s 42-13 win over Centerburg in the semifinal round.

“Our whole team is that way.”

Baker has thrown for 1,175 yards with nine touchdowns, while Holt has passed for 1,344 yards with 16 scores. The two have combined for just five picks.

“It’s all with the coaches and preparation, and whatever the team thinks it takes to win,” Baker said.

True to the unselfish nature of him and his teammates, Baker immediately gave credit to others.

“Like to give a shout-out to Brayden Holt. It’s hard to share quarterback duties, but he’s a great guy to do it with. He’s one of my best friends.”

Baker also praised his offensive line and the coaching staff.

Bruner, in turn, lauded Baker for getting himself into better shape entering his final season in a black and gold uniform.

“I really got a lot faster this year. Teammates made fun of me recently, calling me a Pocket Princess, for not being that fast. But I give credit to my parents for pushing me to do the hard work,” Baker said.

Making it this far has been a pleasurable ride for all 66 team members, the coaching staff and Eagles Nation.

“It’s really been fun. It’s (making) school history. But we’re not done yet,” he said.

Crawford (12-1) is ranked fifth and West Jeff 15th in the latest statewide poll.

The Eagles got here with an unselfish, team-first mentality. But several standouts have led the way, in addition to the Baker-Holt tandem.

Offensive tackle/defensive end Payne DeGray is a handful on both lines of scrimmage.

His stats include 68 tackles, along with 13.5 sacks, 34 tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.

“I credit it all to our off-season lifting that our coaches have us do, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound all-Ohioan said.

DeGray was voted Defensive Player of the Year in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference for the second straight season.

“Football and basketball-wise, it’s all the work we put in. The coaching is unbelievable. We want to keep playing.”

Having a stud running back makes blocking a lot more fun — and a tad easier. They certainly have one in Connor McMichael.

“Connor runs the ball so hard. Who wouldn’t want to block for him?” DeGray quipped.

The senior has 1,565 yards on the ground with 23 touchdowns.

As a team the Eagles average 432 yards of offense per game while yielding 222 yards on defense.

After a tough 24-14 loss at Carey, the lone blemish this fall, DeGray said the team got re-focused. They have been nothing short of dominant in three playoff appearances.

“Before the game, we love being the underdogs. Coach Bruner — and we all say it in the locker room all the time — just that road-dog mentality. Come out, lay it on ’em right away.”

Colonel Crawford did that against Mount Gilead, another KMAC opponent, in the second round. The Eagles didn’t punt in either game and have outscored their three post-season opponents by a combined 119-28.

“We got up early. But one of the best things about us is we keep it going in the second half,” DeGray said.

Bruner said his team, featuring a talented senior class, has unfinished business, after losing to Grandview Heights 13-6 in the regional quarterfinals last season.

They fell to Columbus Grove 14-7 in overtime in the regional semifinal in 2022 and to Ottawa Hills 28-21 in the quarterfinals the next year.

WEST JEFFERSON: The next hurdle comes in the form of the Rough Riders (11-1), a perennial central Ohio power. They advanced to the regional final round for the 12th time in the last 24 years.

They have a dynamic aerial attack that starts with quarterback Austin Buescher.

In the 34-32 win over Fort Frye, Buescher hit on 31-of-44 for 344 yards and four touchdowns. Two receivers went over 100 yards, Braxton Vance (11 catches, 105 yards) and Blake Bogenrife (6 catches, 101 yards).

West Jefferson head coach Shawn Buescher said his team is fundamentally sound.

“We block well; we tackle well. We do feel like, based on our scheme and those situations, fourth and long, third and long, we always have a chance because of what we try to do,” he told the (Parkersburg WV) News and Sentinel.

“It really all starts up front. Our guys protect and our receivers do great jobs running routes,” he said.

“I know a lot of people are talking about Austin, and rightfully so. He’s a great player and makes a lot of great throws. But, it’s truly a team effort.”

Austin Buescher has thrown for 3,750 yards with 34 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s also the Rough Riders leading rusher with 425 yards and 10 TDs.

His passing yardage is second highest in the state of Ohio (all seven divisions) for the 6-foot-4, 180-pounder.

As a unit they average 473 yards per game in total offense.

DIVISION VI REGIONAL FINAL PAIRINGS:

Region 21

No. 1 Kirtland (12-0) vs. No. 7 Sugarcreek Garaway (10-2) at Louisville High School’s Leopard Stadium.

Region 22

No. 2 Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (11-1) vs. No. 9 Carey (9-4) at Findlay’s Donnell Stadium.

Region 23

No. 3 West Jefferson (11-1) vs. No. 5 North Robinson Colonel Crawford (12-1) at Highland High School Covrett Stadium’s Fishburn Family Field.

Region 24

No. 5 Coldwater (9-4) vs. No. 6 Anna (10-3) at Piqua High School’s Alexander Stadium.

The regional playoffs follow bracket format. Rebracketing will occur for the state semifinals on Nov. 28.

The state championship games will be hosted at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton Dec. 4-6.

The schedule is as follows: Division II on Thursday at 7 p.m., Division IV and III on Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. respectively, and Division I on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will feature Division VII at 10:30 a.m., Division VI at 3 p.m., and Division V at 7:30 p.m..

OHSAA football home: https://ohsaa.org/sports/football