Lucas Fickel juked and wove his way through the Davidson defense for 184 yards and three TDss. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Scott Reed)
Behind a powerful offense led by running back Lucas Fickel and quarterback Levi Davis, and a defense that intercepted three passes, the Pioneers moved to 6-0 with their latest blowout victory.
Hilliard, OH – Opposing defenses have found themselves in quite a quandary when facing Olentangy Orange this season as they attempt slow down standout senior quarterback Levi Davis. 
As was particularly on display during the Pioneers’ latest blowout win, however, there’s a bruising weapon out of the backfield with a coincidentally recognizable name to central Ohio football fans who’s showing there are myriad reasons to fear this team going forward.
Huffer Chiropractic can help your athlete perform at their best – with offices in Osgood, Jackson Center, and Dublin, Ohio.
Senior running back Lucas Fickel – not related to or named after former Ohio State star and current Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell but whose parents he admits are “big” Buckeye fans – found himself in his own spotlight as Orange crushed Davidson 42-7 on Friday in the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division opener.
Veteran central Ohio columnist Jarrod Ulrey writes the OCC and sports at large for Press Pros
During a game that was played with a running clock throughout the second half, Fickel rushed 12 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns as the Pioneers improved to 6-0.
“It’s been going well as you can tell through this game,” Fickel said. “We really did a good job of stretching the field. I was told to get vertical and use my strength, so I always end up emphasizing that and it worked well for me.”
A year ago when the Pioneers went 9-3, Fickel wound up with about 40 carries and scored three touchdowns.
He’s been in the middle of the action throughout this season for an Orange team that averages 39 points and has given up just 49 points on the season.
Tretyon Schroeder was a force on both sides of the ball, with a TD catch and this interception that thwarted a Davidson drive.
While the Pioneers are first in computer points in Division I, Region 3, Davidson is 4-2 overall and figures to be in the thick of the playoff race in Division I, Region 2 despite the lopsided loss.
Fickel ran for touchdowns of 25, 45, and 43 yards, with his first score coming with 6 minutes, 7 seconds left in the opening quarter to give Orange a 21-0 lead.
“I’ve said from week one that he’s going to just keep getting better and better,” coach Wes Schroeder said. “It’s amazing how good he is, and he’s still going to keep getting better we feel. He’s running with confidence, running with better vision, and he’s running with toughness — everything you want in a back.”
No surprise to opponents has been the play of Davis, an Ohio University commit who is graduating in December after helping the boys basketball team win the Division I state championship last winter and reaching the state track meet in two individual events.
Logan Services, in Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus, proudly sponsors the best area sports coverage on Press Pros Magazine.
On the fourth play from scrimmage, Davis set the tone by bursting through the line and breaking a slew of tackles for a 51-yard touchdown.
Dual threat Ohio University-bound QB Levi Davis and company have been devastating opposing defenses all year long.
The Pioneers then made it 14-0 just over a minute later when Kingston Johnson returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.
Fickel’s first score capped a 69-yard drive that took six plays and just 51 seconds to complete, with Davis hooking up with senior two-way star Treyton Schroeder for a 44-yard reception to move the Pioneers into scoring range.
“The kids make the plays, and we just try to put them in the best positions to get our playmakers the ball,” coach Schroeder said. “When (Davis has) got space, good things can happen. He’s dynamic. We got (his touchdown run) and then got the pick-6 right away, and then it just snowballed. Our defensive staff had a really good game plan and we’ve got guys who can get to the ball and get guys to the ground.
An interception by Aden Scott set up the Pioneers’ fourth touchdown, a 45-yard run by Fickel with 41.9 seconds to go in the opening quarter that made it 28-0.
Want a greener, healthier lawn? We can help. contact Weedman USA at 614-733-3747 or go online to Weedman.com.
Kameron Robinson and Zane Konczak upend Davidson’s Kaden Windham.
Then with 9:32 left in the first half, Treyton Schroeder added another interception for the Pioneers. He has two interceptions this season and 17 for his prep career.
“Honestly it wasn’t our cleanest game,” coach Schroeder said. “We played well but it wasn’t our best. It was a point of emphasis the last few weeks to get off to a good start in OCC play. We know Davidson and we know they’re one of the top teams in our league. Our goal is to win every week, and it was a good week.”
Davis, who added a 16-yard touchdown run with 23.5 seconds to go before halftime for a 35-0 lead, totaled 83 yards rushing and 146 yards through the air.
Kurtz Bros. is Central Ohio’s leading supply company for mulch, topsoil, compost and gravel…with four locations: Dublin, Westerville, Sunbury, I-71/Frank Road.
Davidson’s Dayne Schmidt tries to find the edge against a stingy Orange defense.
According to coach Schroeder, an offensive line featuring three returning starters in seniors Remley Bowen (left tackle), Cameron Samu (right tackle) and sophomore Jake Hendon (left guard) as well as seniors Reece Richardson (center) and Anthony Barbarella (right guard) are the “unsung heroes” of the team.
“Everybody knows (Fickel) is a beast now that he’s getting all this attention,” Bowen said. “He’s a great running back and a great player. We love blocking for our boys. We came out expecting to be one of the best offenses in Ohio and I think we’re living up to that.”
Davidson got its only touchdown with 5:28 remaining when senior quarterback Josh DiBlasio connected with senior running back Dayne Schmidt for a 15-yard touchdown.
Schmidt finished with 103 yards on 15 carries.
“It’s battles and wars, and we lost the battle, but the war’s still in front of us,” Davidson coach Jeremey Scally said. “I guess we’ll turn the film on and try to win a war.
“We said all week that Levi deservedly is going to get the credit, but (Fickel’s) got to be one of the better running backs in the state of Ohio. They’re a very, very complete team, with a kicking game, offensive line, defensive line. They know who they are and they don’t deviate from who they are. It’s a state-championship-caliber football team.”
Aptus Wealth Management proudly sponsors the Buckeyes and Central Ohio sports on Press Pros.