The Rangers are 5-3 overall and are 3-2 in the MSL-Buckeye Division, having defeated Amanda-Clearcreek 38-22 last Friday. The Indians won last year's meeting 35-19.

Hamilton Township is led by quarterback Dorian Curry. He directs an option-based offense, which coach Phil Mauro said will be tough to stop.

"They've got more schemes and formations than last year so they give you a lot to prepare for," Mauro said. "Dorian is the guy that makes it all go, but they've got some other weapons now. Their running back Jared Hopkins got 291 yards last week so we've got to do a good job defending all phases of the option."

The Indians will rely on linebackers Ryan Sabin, Harrison Rosch and Tyler Steube as well as defensive linemen Travis Stevenson, Zack Hitchens, Ryan Huff and Morgan Tucker. The group has been stout against the run all season.

Canal Winchester has continued to improve since the beginning of the season, but Mauro said there is still room to grow.

"Well, I think we're making strides and getting better in certain areas," he said. "We had some issues in the return game and I think we've shored those up. Mainly I think we still need to work on being consistent and not turning the ball over."

•The girls volleyball team is looking for a good performance inthe Division II district tournament as the Indians look to harness the momentum gained from winning the MSL-Buckeye.

The Indians went 13-1 in the MSL-Buckeye to win the title ahead of second-place Logan Elm (12-2), which lost its second league match to Amanda-Clearcreek on Oct. 7.

"It feels good. It's a relief," coach Colleen Ross said. "I'm really happy for the girls, especially the seniors.

"I hope they're not satisfied with this though. This is just one hurdle and now we can focus on the tournament."

Canal Winchester is seeded third behind Hartley and Big Walnut and will play Mifflin on Saturday at Pickerington North in the second round. The winner will play in a district semifinal Wednesday against fifth-seeded Granville, No. 10 New Albany or River Valley. Canal Winchester and Mifflin met in the second round last year and the Indians won 25-7, 25-6, 25-3.

"I would like to hope that we definitely would win over Mifflin," Ross said. "But it's a good opportunity to get kids into the flow of things and get them on the floor. We do respect everybody we play but, given their record and everything, I'd like to think we could come out on top. Considering we're so young and whatnot, it's a good thing we can get out there and not be too stressed about the team we're playing against."

Ross has leaned on setter Crystal Elliott, middle hitter Emily Hall and left back Katie Nelson through the regular season and said those three players will be vital the the team's tournament success.

"For more of the kids it's their first varsity experience this year so I have to keep that in mind," Ross said. "But they've all played well as a group. They're easy to coach and to talk to and that makes it easy."

Canal Winchester beat Granville 19-25, 25-10, 25-14, 30-28 in a district semifinal last year before losing to Hartley 25-18, 18-25, 27-29, 25-21, 15-11 in a district final.

To make sure the Indians are playing at their best, Ross scheduled some tough non-league opponents this season, including Watterson, Hilliard Davidson and Big Walnut.

"You hope that a tough schedule will help out. It's an opportunity to play good teams and play on Saturdays like the tournament," Ross said. "I think it will help a lot because we do reference those games a lot. It's a learning experience and we do grow even if we lose that match itself. I think you need to schedule tough matches otherwise you'll be surprised when you do get into the tournament."

•The boys and girls cross country teams will compete Saturday in the Division II district meet at Watkins Memorial.

The girls team, which won the MSL-Buckeye title last Saturday, is seeded first and will compete in the second of two sections with No. 2 Granville, No. 3 New Albany, No. 4 DeSales, No. 5 Johnstown, South, Licking Heights, Jonathan Alder, Olentangy Orange, Heath, River Valley and Utica.

The boys are seeded fifth and will compete in the first section with No. 4 Big Walnut, No. 7 London, No. 8 Hartley, Lakewood, Buckeye Valley, Licking Valley, Eastmoor, Hamilton Township, Utica, Highland and Columbus South.

"Top five seeds in girls all went to the same section," Bender said. "Granville really has improved from the beginning of the year and they'll be our toughest competition to win.

"The boys team's main competition in district is Big Walnut and they've got two front-runners. We had a tough league meet but we'll bounce back."

The boys are hoping to be healthy enough to compete. Micah Cobb (concussion) and Corey Bell (separated shoulder) were unable to run for the Indians at the league meet.

"We're not sure if we'll have either of them but we're hopeful," coach John Bender said.

At the league meet, the girls won the title with 23 points to finish ahead of Circleville (52), Teays Valley (84), Logan Elm (84), Bloom-Carroll (135) and Fairfield Union (143).

The boys were third (63) behind Circleville (27) and Teays Valley (39) and ahead of Bloom-Carroll (113), Fairfield Union (150) and Logan Elm (151).

At a glance

Below are recent results and coming schedules for the Canal Winchester boys and girls cross country and girls volleyball teams:

CROSS COUNTRY

*Last Saturday --ÊBoys: Finished third (63) behind Circleville (27) and Teays Valley (39) and ahead of Bloom-Carroll (113), Fairfield Union (150) and Logan Elm (151) in MSL-Buckeye meet at Ohio Christian. Jarrod Genther was 10th (18:26), Dan Williard was 11th (18:32), Tyler Jenkins was 12th (18:52), Mike Williard was 14th (18:55) and Aaron Robertson was 27th (20:23); Girls: Finished first (23) ahead of Circleville (52), Teays Valley (84), Logan Elm (84), Bloom-Carroll (135) and Fairfield Union (143). Emily Pifer was first (19:23), Kaitlin Smith was second (20:10), Penny Boswell was fourth (20:55), Whitney McDonald was seventh (22:11) and Christy Wildermuth was ninth (22:23).

Saturday --ÊAt Division II district meet at Watkins Memorial

VOLLEYBALL

*Oct. 7 -- Def. Bloom-Carroll 25-12, 25-13, 25-17

*Oct. 9 -- Def. Amanda-Clearcreek 25-12, 12-25, 19-25, 25-20, 15-3

Last Saturday -- Def. Olentangy Liberty 25-10, 25-21; lost to Jonathan Alder 25-12, 23-25, 25-17; lost to New Bremen 25-17, 25-22 in Pickerington North tournament.

Saturday -- At Pickerington North vs. Mifflin in second round of Division II district tournament. Canal Winchester is seeded third.

Of note: The Indians are 14-5 overall and finished 13-1 in the MSL-Buckeye

*MSL-Buckeye contest