Week 4 begins league play for most area teams and even those not off to a great start have a chance to reset and make a run conference titles.
While there are usually no must-win games this early, teams with playoff aspirations cannot afford many early-season losses if they hope to be playing in Week 11.
Bucyrus (1-2) at Seneca East (3-0)
For the second straight week, Bucyrus faces an undefeated opponent that was also a playoff team from 2018.
Seneca East made a run to the state semifinals last year even though the Tigers did not win the Northern 10 Athletic Conference. Despite losing key players to graduation, they have picked up where they left off.
The offense has scored 117 points in three games. The driver is quarterback Chase Foos who leads the N10 in passing with 701 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Redmen will counter with quarterback Ben Seibert who has thrown for 474 yards and four scores. However, he lost one of his favorite targets — Keaton Naufzinger — to injury last week.
Naufzinger will also be missed by a Bucyrus defense that will have to step up to at least slow down Chase and the potent Tigers’ offense.
Buckeye Central (0-3) at Wynford (1-2)
Wynford finds itself in very unfamiliar territory, starting the season 1-2. The Royals’ losses are by five and eight points.
Quarterback Dustin Brady has thrown for 556 yards and three touchdowns, though he has also been intercepted five times.
Buckeye Central has struggled offensively, averaging only 158 yards per game and the Bucks have scored only seven points.
Ball control will be key for the Bucks if they hope to stay close early on in this one.
Colonel Crawford (2-1) at Upper Sandusky (1-2)
Colonel Crawford rebounded last week with a 46-14 win over Cardington. The Eagles will rely on running back Tristan Cross, who is second in the N10 in rushing with 388 yards and four touchdowns.
Upper Sandusky is coming off a 42-0 loss at Galion that was suspended before the game reached halftime. Quarterback Mason Vent is third in the league in passing with 509 yards passing and seven touchdowns, though he has four picks as well.
The Rams must avoid turnovers and slow down the Eagles’ running game to have a chance to win this one.
North Baltimore (2-1) at Crestline (1-2)
Crestline continues its first-year foray into the Blanchard Valley Conference. The Bulldogs have not had a lot of success on offense, scoring only 32 in three games.
North Baltimore loves shootouts. The Tigers have scored 84 points and surrendered 83, so the Bulldogs have hope that they can score.
However, Crestline’s defense will have to improve. After shutting out Buckeye Central in week one, the Bulldogs have coughed up 89 the past two weeks.
River Valley (3-0) at Galion (3-0)
In what may be the game of the week in the area, River Valley and Galion head into Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play in a battle of unbeatens.
This one is difficult to gauge in that River Valley’s first three opponents are a combined 1-8, but Galion’s are just 2-7.
Tigers’ quarterback Wilson Frankhouse leads the MOAC in passing with 573 yards and six touchdowns. The Vikings counter with running back Jake Green who is fourth in the MOAC with 271 yards and five scores.
River Valley will have to control the ball on the ground to try to keep an explosive Galion offense off the field.
Other games
Mohawk at Carey
Fairfield Christian at Ridgedale
Centerburg at Northmor