HOLMES TOWNSHIP — One team has found momentum. The other one is fighting the injury bug and — as a result — a shrinking roster.

Playing without senior quarterback Derex Dean and sophomore running back Dominic Dean, Buckeye Central lost 45-0 to Wynford in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference rivalry game Friday night.

“I thought our effort was there, at times. I don’t think we played fast right from the get and I’m not happy with that,” Wynford head coach Cyle Skidmore said.

The Royals (4-3, 3-1) put up six first-half touchdowns to win their third straight.

Ashton Warren ran for three touchdowns and caught a 26-yard toss from Kaiden Blair to ignite the Royals offense.

Buckeye Central (2-5, 0-4) struggled with several starters in street clothes.

“We are banged up. Derex sprained his wrist and couldn’t go this week, and Jack stepped in the best he could. I’m proud of him and I am proud of all our kids,” BC head coach Chad Jensen said.

Jensen acknowledged the losses in numbers.

“We dressed 21 tonight. We got three kids out and one sick. We came out and we played hard.”

The Bucks started off on the wrong foot, mishandling an onside kick from Wynford to open the game.

“We get that kick that bounces off us and they get it. But it took 10 or 11 plays for them to score from the 40. We could have just said, ‘Here you go. Score.’ And we didn’t,” Jensen said.

But the Royals did use a solid ground game with nine running backs, led by the duo of Anthony Evans and Kaiden Blair, running for 247 yards. Evans led the way with 93 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown run.

“We are building some confidence and are feeling good about ourselves,” Skidmore said of the wins over Mohawk, Bucyrus and Buckeye Central. “That can only go so far, and we play a good team next Friday. We need to take that serious and get better. We’ll focus in on film tomorrow and our lifting session.”

Wynford visits Colonel Crawford (6-1, 3-1).

The Royals built a 38-0 halftime lead. A nifty pass from Blair to Warren covered 26 yards just 5:30 before the break. A James Rindfuss interception set up the touchdown.

“I don’t think a single game where I’ve not been pleased with certain things,” Skidmore said. “There’s always room for improvement.

“I told the kids it’s awesome we won tonight. Celebrate it. Take it in. Good for the seniors and good for the football program. But when you make mistakes and have penalties like that, that will get you beat when we play a really, really good team.”

Wynford committed five penalties for 40 yards, including several false starts.

Buckeye Central held tough in the second half, giving up just one touchdown, the run by Evans.

“These kids never give up. They play hard and that’s all we can ask, as coaches,” Jensen said.

With Dominic Dean sidelined, Jensen turned to Isaac Hiler, who ran for 77 yards, Landon Sherwood, and freshman Elijah Cline. Cline had 29 yards on five carries.

“We’re putting linemen at running back to help us out and give us some depth. Landon would be a running back for some teams. For us, he’s an all-league center. We gave him an opportunity to just mix things up a little bit and to move the ball. Wynford is a very good defensive team,” Jensen said.

Despite the loss, Buckeye’s fifth, Jensen is pleased with the effort. They host Upper Sandusky Friday night. The Rams are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the league.

“I liked our enthusiasm. I liked that we didn’t quit. I liked that we gave everything we had. With both Dom and Derex, it’s day-to-day. We hope to have them back, but we don’t know.”

The Royals had a strong and balanced attack in getting their fourth win.

“We didn’t throw the ball as efficient as I’d like. We had some explosive plays throwing the ball. But we have to become more efficient at taking what the defense gives you. I thought we dominated up front and were able to run the ball,” Skidmore said.

Wynford 45, Buckeye Central 0   

Score by quarters   

Buckeye Central       0            0            0          0   —  0

Wynford                    19          19            7          0   — 45

Scoring summary

First quarter

W — Ashton Warren 10 run (Collin Hulsmeyer kick), 7:15.

W — Chandler Elckert 10 run (pass failed0, 4:18.

W — Warren 1 run (pass failed), :28.

Second quarter

W — Warren 1 run (pass failed), 7:27.

W — Warren 26 pass from Kaiden Blair (kick failed), 5:30.

W — James Rindfuss 78 pass from Warren (Hulsmeyer kick), :36.

Third quarter

W — Anthony Evans 39 run (Hulsmeyer kick), 9:02.

Individual statistics

Passing

Buckeye Central: Jack Phillips 7-13-0 22; Wynford: Ashton warren 3-8-0 97, Kaden Blair 1-1-0 26.

Rushing

Buckeye Central: Isaac Hiler 18-77, Elijah Cline 5-29, Landon Sherwood 4-14, Jack Phillips 4-(-5); Wynford: Anthony Evans 8-93, Kaiden Blair 9-55, Deegan Lutz 2-36, Aiden Mason 2-15, Landon Miller 2-11, Ashton warren 2-12, James Rindfuss 2-12, Chandler Elckert 3-10, Maddax Engler 1-3.

Receiving

Buckeye Central: Heath Jensen 3-11, Isaac Hiler 2-6, Cade Daniel 1-3, Gabe Bellamy 1-(-2); Wynford: James Rindfuss 2-91, Aston warren 1-26, Anthony Evans 1-6.

Team statistics 

BC             W

First downs                       8              6

Rushing                        31-115        31-247

Passes                            7-13-1         4-9-0

Yards passing                  22             123

Total yards                      137              370

Fumbles-lost                   3-2             1-0

Penalties                         4-20           5-40