This game is one of the top games in Ohio each year. This is the 11th meeting between Hilliard’s two eldest high schools. Last season, Davidson won 13-10. Davidson comes into this crosstown rivalry game at 1-0, while Darby comes into the matchup at 0-1. Davidson holds a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series. In the 2007 showdown the quarterbacks Connor Dietz (Davidson) and Jeremy Ebert (Darby) ran for a combined 307 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. Davidson outscored Darby 79-0 from 2009-2011 and has shut the Darby offense out one other time in a 21-0 win in 2013. Though the all-time score (167-84) might not indicate it, this game is generally a hard fought defensive battle. The average score is 17-8, with the nearly 1/3 of those points coming in the 2009 meeting.

MVP

Tommy Clark

Hilliard Davidson

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Jacob Culp

Hilliard Darby

Jacob is a two-year letterman on the varsity football team. He plays linebacker and tight end and is a team player who values the importance of both athletics and academics.

Benton Snyder

Hilliard Davidson

Benton is a four-year member and a two-year letterman of the Davidson football program. Additionally, Benton is a four-year member of the Davidson lacrosse program. His commitment to Davidson’s athletic programs is matched by only his character and academic success.

HALL OF FAME

Keith Heitzman

Hilliard Darby

Keith was a three-year starter in this rivalry game from 2008 to 2010, winning all contests. By his senior year, Keith was a two-way starter for Davidson. In his three seasons Keith played in a regional final in 08’, a state championship in 09’ and a state semi-final in 2010. After high school, Keith went on to play and graduate from the University of Michigan. Keith’s contribution to the Rivalry in his three years as a player was immeasurable.

Caleb Day

Hilliard Davidson

Caleb Day was a major contribution in Darby’s 2012 defeat of Hilliard Davidson. Caleb played offense, defense, and mostly special teams. Caleb’s talents and leadership helped the panthers defeat Davidson 17-3, win an OCC championship for the second time in school history, get a birth in the state playoffs, and finish 11-1 overall. Caleb went on to play football at the University of Illinois.

GAME SUMMARY

The Panthers had rushed for just 47 yards and were limited to three first downs in regulation. Trailing 6-3 after Sean Carrier’s 38-yard field goal for Davidson, the Panthers lost 4 yards on the first two plays before Barnett’s run.