By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director
Week 2 of the high school football schedule offers some very intriguing match-ups locally.
All are non-league contests, but several of the games could have residual impact on computer points later in the season.
Cardington (0-1) at Bucyrus (0-1)
Both teams will be seeking that first win of the season but adding to the drama is the return to Bucyrus of new Cardington head coach Tim Plumley.
Plumley is a BHS grad and long-time assistant football coach for the Redmen. The Pirates, members of the Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference, dropped a 35-20 decision to Plymouth in Plumley’s debut last week.
Bucyrus will try to rebound from a 37-13 loss to rival Galion in Week 1. After getting down 14-0 early, the Redmen defense stabilized and they only trailed 20-7 at halftime.
Harley Robinson scored both Bucyrus touchdowns last week and Coach Aaron Eckert will try to get the ball in his hands more often this week.
North Union (1-0) at Colonel Crawford (1-0)
This one will be a good early-season test for Colonel Crawford as the Eagles look to rebound from last year’s disappointing 5-5 finish and missing the playoffs.
Both teams notched blow-out wins in Week 1. North Union ran away from Fairbanks, 46-3, and Colonel Crawford drilled Mount Gilead, 49-0. Zye Shipman passed for 184 yards and three scores, while Dylan Knisley ran for 138 yards and a touchdown to lead the Eagles.
While this is certainly not a make-or-break game for either team, it could be a boatload of computer points for the winner down the road.
Wynford (1-0) at Milan Edison (1-0)
After losing heavily at the skill positions, Wynford had some question marks heading into the season, especially when projected starting quarterback, Joel Griffin, went down with a knee injury in the preseason.
But Wynford uses the next-man-up philosophy and sophomore Dustin Brady stepped in to guide the Royals to a 19-18 win over perennial power Liberty-Benton last week.
Brady will not get a week off as Edison dispatched Firelands, 41-23, to open the season. The Chargers have made the playoffs the past two years — including a state semifinal appearance in 2016 — in Division V.
Edison moves to Division IV for this year, so if the Royals can sneak out of Milan with a ‘W’, the potential for playoff points is enormous.
Dalton (0-1) at Buckeye Central (0-1)
Buckeye Central got off to a rough start, falling to county-rival Crestline, 26-6. Dalton, however, lost to Tuslaw, 20-7, so both teams will be looking for its first win.
Sophomore quarterback Brady Kerschner is at the helm full-time this year for the Bucks after filling in several times for injured Max Loy last year.
The bright spot for Buckeye Central last week was the running of senior Avery Baldosser, who rushed for 70 yards on 15 tries and scored the only BC touchdown on an 89-yards kickoff return.
The Bucks will be showing off their improved facilities for the first time, including new home bleachers and press box.
Galion (1-0) at Carey (1-0)
Galion held on to the Seccaium Park Trophy for a 10th straight year by beating Bucyrus, 37-13, in the opener. Colbey Fox ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns and Isaiah Alsip caught four passes for 116 yards and two scores to lead the way for the Tigers.
Carey, coming off a playoff year in 2017, was hit hard by graduation, but Blue Devil tradition says they will reload. Last week’s 35-16 win over Blanchard Valley Conference foe Van Buren helps lead to that conclusion.
This one could be one of the better games in a week of good games.
Fisher Catholic (1-0) at Crestline (1-0)
Crestline got the season off to a good start with a 26-6 win over Buckeye Central. Quarterback Ty Clark passed for 176 yards and three touchdowns and Caleb Moore rushed for 129 and one score in a balanced Bulldogs’ attack.
Fisher Catholic, which will make the trek from Lancaster to Hutson Stadium, defeated Crooksville, 28-7, in its opener. That broke a 16-game losing streak for the Irish dating back to Week 4 of the 2016 season.
Other games
Seneca East (1-0) will host Newark Catholic (1-0). The Tigers are fresh off a 41-12 win over Margaretta and the Irish edged Maysville, 17-13.
Mohawk (1-0) travels to former Midland Athletic Conference rival Hopewell-Loudon (1-0). The Warriors drubbed Lakota, 34-8, last week, while the Chieftains topped Ravenna Southeast, 34-13.
Vanlue (0-1) makes the trip to Ridgedale (0-1). Both teams stumbled out of the gate last week and both are fighting player numbers issues. The Wildcats dropped a 28-14 decision to Danbury and the Rockets were edged by Ridgemont, 27-24.
Mount Gilead (0-1) plays at Upper Sandusky (1-0). The Indians’ futility continued as they were blanked, 49-0, by Colonel Crawford in their opener. It was Mount Gilead’s 13th consecutive loss. The Rams got new coach Russell Hall a 17-16 win over River Valley in his inaugural game.