If you were looking for the latest indian valley football score during the 2025 postseason, you likely saw a rollercoaster of digits that didn't quite end the way the Gnadenhutten faithful hoped. High school football in Ohio is basically a religion, and for the Indian Valley Braves, the stakes couldn't have been higher. They came into the state semifinals with a massive target on their back and a 14-0 record that felt almost invincible.
Then came Cleveland Glenville.
On a chilly Friday night at Minerva High School, the dream of a perfect season hit a wall. The final score was 26-21 in favor of Glenville. It was a game of two halves that probably gave half the stadium a minor heart attack. Indian Valley trailed 12-0 at the half and looked completely out of sync, falling behind 20-0 early in the third. Honestly, most teams would have folded right there.
But Matt Lancaster’s squad didn't. They stormed back with three straight touchdowns to actually take a 21-20 lead. The momentum shift was so loud you could probably hear it three towns over. Unfortunately, Glenville responded like the powerhouse they are, reclaiming the lead and holding on until the clock hit zero. It was a brutal end to a season that was, by all accounts, legendary.
Breaking Down the 2025 Indian Valley Football Score Sheet
To understand how they even got to that 21-26 heartbreaker, you have to look at the absolute trail of destruction they left during the regular season. This wasn't a team that just won; they dismantled people.
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Check out how the back half of their season looked:
- Oct 10: vs. Ridgewood (W 42-14)
- Oct 17: @ Tuscarawas Valley (W 54-0)
- Oct 23: vs. Claymont (W 42-7) – This secured the undefeated regular season.
- Nov 7: vs. Circleville (W 48-14) – Playoff opener.
- Nov 14: vs. Jonathan Alder (W 47-28)
- Nov 21: @ New Lexington (W 34-0) – The Regional Final shutout.
That New Lexington game was particularly wild. People expected a dogfight because New Lexington had a lockdown defense, but Indian Valley just squeezed the life out of them. A 34-0 shutout in a Regional Final? That's not supposed to happen. It was a masterclass in physical football.
The Grady Kinsey Factor
You can't talk about an Indian Valley football score without mentioning Grady Kinsey. The kid is a human highlight reel. During that final regular-season win against Claymont, he was named Player of the Game after putting up four touchdowns.
But it’s bigger than one game. Kinsey, an Air Force commit, actually broke the OHSAA all-time career rushing touchdown record this season. Think about that for a second. In the history of Ohio high school football—a state that produced Archie Griffin and Chris Wells—this kid from Gnadenhutten stands at the top of the mountain for rushing scores.
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Why the Glenville Loss Still Stings
The indian valley football score against Glenville (21-26) feels like a "what if" moment. If the Braves hadn't started so slow, or if they had one more possession in the fourth quarter, we’re talking about a state championship appearance.
The defense, led by guys like Jaxon Burcher and Rowan Piccin, had been a brick wall all year. They only gave up double-digit points in a handful of games. Seeing them give up 20 points early to Glenville was a shock to the system. But again, the resilience to fight back and take a lead in the second half is why this specific team will be talked about at the local diners for the next twenty years.
A Note on the "Other" Indian Valley
Kinda confusingly, if you Google "Indian Valley football score," you might occasionally see results for "Indian Hill." They are a totally different team near Cincinnati. In 2025, Indian Hill also had a deep run, winning their first-ever regional title with a 41-14 win over Valley View, before getting knocked out by Shelby 42-7 in the state semis.
Make sure you’re looking at the Braves from Gnadenhutten (the IVC South champs) and not the Indian Hill Braves if you want the real story of the Tuscarawas County powerhouse.
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What’s Next for the Braves?
Losing a senior class like this is tough. You're losing Kinsey, you're losing defensive anchors, and you're losing that "invincible" aura that comes with a long winning streak.
However, Coach Lancaster has built a legitimate program. This isn't a one-hit wonder. The offensive line, which Lancaster consistently credits to veteran coach Chad Peterman, usually reloads rather than rebuilds. They play a brand of football that is fundamentally "Indian Valley": heavy run, high physicality, and zero quit.
If you're following the scores for next season, keep an eye on the junior class. Guys like Ryker Williams and Caleb Reasoner are going to have to step into much larger shoes.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the OHSAA Brackets Early: If you're tracking scores in October, the Region 15 standings usually dictate who gets those crucial home-field advantages.
- Follow Local Reporters: For the most accurate, play-by-play info that MaxPreps sometimes misses, look for Tuscarawas County sports journalists on social media. They usually have the "unofficial" score updates ten minutes before the apps.
- Watch the JV Scores: It sounds nerdy, but Indian Valley’s success is built on the pipeline. If the JV team is blowing people out, the varsity indian valley football score will likely stay high for years to come.
The 2025 season might have ended in Minerva with a five-point loss, but a 14-1 record and a State Semifinal appearance is a historic achievement by any standard.