By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Both coming off week one losses the Bucyrus Redmen and Crestline Bulldogs battled each other to the final whistle Friday night with the Redmen coming out on top 25-17.

Crestline opened up the scoring with 5:02 left in the first quarter on an 8 play 49 yard drive that resulted in a 37 yard field goal by JR Wolfe.

Crestline would hold onto the lead until Bucyrus’ Graham Dick scored from 9 yards out the play capped off a 7 play 75 yard drive which put the Redmen up 7-3. Bucyrus would strike 2 more times in the second quarter on touchdown passes of 81 yards and 1 yard to go up 19-3.

Crestline would strike back with: 23 seconds left in the half when Crestline QB Wolfe connected with Chandler Gaskill in the back of the end zone. Crestline nearly struck again at the end of the half, but as time expired Bucyrus intercepted a Wolfe pass in the end zone to go into the break with a 19-9 lead.

Bucyrus would open up the second half with a 7 play 69 yard drive that resulted in a 1 yard touchdown run by Gavin Lewis to put the Redmen up 25-9.

Crestline didn’t give up battling their way back to within 8 points after Wolfe connected with Connor Kurtzman from 12 yards out. A Wolfe connection to JC Clark for the 2 point conversion would bring the score to 25-17 with 3:09 left in the fourth quarter.

Gavin Lewis led Bucyrus through the air and on the ground throwing 9-20 completions for 250 yards 2 touchdowns and an interception, and 112 yards on 25 rushing attempts for another score.

Crestline’s Wolfe went 12 of 33 for 183 yards 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Gaskill led Crestline’s receivers with 8 receptions for 82 yards and a score.

PHOTO GALLERY: Football: Bucyrus at Crestline

In the second ever “Battle for the Paddle” Buckeye Central and Seneca East needed to go into sudden death for this year’s rights to the Honey Creek Paddle trophy.

After both teams holding each other scoreless through the first quarter, it was Buckeye Central striking first with 9: 36 to go in the half on a 13 yard touchdown run by running back Cody Roberts. A 34 yard touchdown reception by Scott Heydinger from Grant Loy and a 2 point conversion put Buckeye up to an early 14-0 lead with 4:18 to go in the half.

Seneca East got on the board just before halftime when Brennan Martin connected with Cory Depinet on a 6 yard touchdown pass to bring the Tigers within 7 of the Bucks 14-7. Seneca East knotted the game up at 14 with 10:23 to go in the third quarter when Depinet scored on a 23 yard scamper.

During the second half both teams took on the form of two heavyweight pugilists exchanging blows with each other. Buckeye Central had Seneca East on the ropes with a 34-26 lead and 3:50 left in the game. Facing a knockout punch by the Bucks the Tigers clawed back to tie the game up at 34 apiece on a 3 yard run by Martin with 1:37 to go in regulation.

In overtime it was the Tigers landing the knockout blow when Brennan Martin ran for another 3 yard touchdown giving Seneca East the 40-34 victory and bragging rights for the Honey Creek Paddle trophy.

In other action around the county Col. Crawford defeated Mohawk 27-6, Wynford defeated Ridgedale 50-0, and the Galion Tigers defeated the Columbus Crusaders 40-0.

PHOTO GALLERIES: Football: Columbus Crusaders at Galion | Football: Mohawk at Colonel Crawford

N-10 Standings
Col. Crawford 2-0 (1-0)
Seneca East 2-0 (1-0)
Upper Sandusky 1-1 (1-0)
Wynford 1-1 (1-0)
Carey 1-1 (0-1)
Mohawk 1-1 (0-1)
Buckeye Central 1-1 (0-1)
Bucyrus 1-1
Ridgedale 0-2 (0-1)

Non-N-10 Crawford County Schools
Galion 2-0
Crestline 0-2