Big Walnut football begins Massillon prep without injured QB Eli Stumpf
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SUNBURY – The Big Walnut football team could be without a key contributor in its Division II, Region 7 semifinal against visiting Massillon Washington on Nov. 13.
The status of senior quarterback Eli Stumpf is uncertain after he suffered what coach Curtis Crager called an upper-body injury during a 37-7 win over visiting Louisville on Nov. 6.
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Stumpf was receiving treatment in the school’s training room Nov. 9 as his teammates began practicing for the Tigers.
“We don’t know yet,” Crager said of Stumpf’s status before practice. “We’re not 100% sure. We should know something here soon. He’s in the training room now. We’ll see what the trainer says later today.”
A Michigan State commit, Stumpf passed for 256 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards against Louisville, leaving the game after three quarters.
For the season, he has completed 146 of 201 passes for 2,165 yards and 27 touchdowns with one interception and rushed for 456 yards and five scores on 82 carries.
Senior tight end Jackson Bowers replaced Stumpf against Louisville and could get the start against Massillon if Stumpf can’t play, according to Crager. Bowers rushed for 48 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown against Louisville, but he has attempted only four passes this season.
Bowers is the second-leading receiver on the team with 32 catches for 476 yards and five scores.
“We have full confidence in our backup and if he has to go then our kids will rally around him and do a great job for him,” Crager said.
Big Walnut (11-0) and Massillon (10-1) also met in four of the past five postseasons with each team winning twice. Big Walnut won each of the past two seasons in Region 7 finals.
The winner Nov. 13 plays top-seeded Watterson (10-0) or fourth-seeded New Albany (9-2) in the Region 7 final Nov. 20 at a neutral site.
High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at [email protected] and at @DispatchFrank on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Big Walnut football begins Massillon prep without injured QB Eli Stumpf