With non-league games in the books, teams will begin league play in Week 4. Two teams went undefeated in non-league play, while three others were winless.
Here is a look at what is on tap for the first week of intraconference action.
Bucyrus (0-3) at Colonel Crawford (3-0)
Bucyrus is off to a rough start, especially defensively, having surrendered 156 points. The Redmen have three freshmen playing crucial roles on the offensive and defensive lines, so a learning curve was expected by first-year coach Jon Butchko. Progress was evident in a loss 36-28 loss to Cardington last week.
Things won’t get easier for Bucyrus to start the Northern 10 Athletic Conference schedule. The Redmen meet the undefeated Eagles, who have scored 127 points in three games and averaged 336 yards on the ground.
The Redmen will try to slow down the three-pronged rushing attack of quarterback Trevor Vogt, Micah Thomas, and Connor McMichael. On offense, Bucyrus will try to protect quarterback Brayden Campbell, who will be making just his second start. Campbell did pass for 192 yards and two touchdowns in his debut last week, but it will likely take even more to stay close to coach Jake Bruner’s explosive offense for the Eagles.
Wynford (1-2) at Carey (1-2)
Wynford dropped a pair of 28-20 decisions to two undefeated teams — Galion and Western Reserve. The Royals win was 22-20 over 2-1 Pleasant.
Carey likewise fell twice to undefeated teams — Galion and Hopewell-Loudon — before downing Lima Central Catholic las week, 28-14.
On paper, the teams match up just as closely. The Royals average 303 yards of offense to 308 for the Blue Devils, while Wynford has allowed 284 yards per game to 291 for Carey.
Anthony Evans is third in rushing in the N10 with 336 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Ashton Warren has thrown for 284 yards and three scores. The Blue Devils’ Nathan Brodman is third in the league in tackles with 33, including 8.5 tackles for loss.
Special teams could play a big part in the outcome of this battle of historic powers in the N10.
Clear Fork (1-2) at Galion (3-0)
Galion had two one-score wins over Wynford and Carey the first two weeks before cranking up the offense in a 41-6 win over Upper Sandusky last week. Gabe Ivy rushed for 372 yards — a Tigers’ single game record — and four touchdowns against the Rams.
The Colts’ 1-2 start is somewhat deceptive. After starting the season with a 17-14 win over perennial small school power Lucas, Clear Fork fell 15-0 to 3-0 Granville and dropped a 28-27 heartbreaker to backyard rival Lexington.
The Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference is a meat grinder and the Colts have been in the mix historically. They will depend on Luke Schlosser, third in the league in tackles with 41, to help the defense slow down Ivy — second in the league in rushing with 536 yards.
Seneca East (1-2) at Upper Sandusky (1-2)
Two teams with high hopes entering the season stagger into Week 3 with just one win each.
After defeating Crestview in Week 1, Seneca East got edged, 12-8, at Gibsonburg and lost to Monroeville at home, 40-21. Upper Sandusky got a 26-12 at Mount Gilead in Week 2, but the Rams’ defense has been touched for 83 points in their two losses to Northmor (42-21) and Galion (41-6).
Kaden Holman leads the N10 in passing for Upper Sandusky with 744 yards, good for seven touchdowns. His top target is Gavin Frey, who has 19 catches for 201 yards and four touchdowns.
Quarterback Blake Foos leads the Tigers offense. Foos has passed for 379 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 339 yards and four scores.
A win here will go a long way toward postseason aspirations,
Buckeye Central (2-1) at Mohawk (0-3)
The Bucks got off to a 2-0 start with convincing wins over Crestline (50-0) and Fremont St. Joseph (67-0), before dropping a 41-25 decision to Ada.
Derex Dean is second in the N10 in passing for the Bucks with 588 yards and 10 touchdowns. Heath Jensen is fourth in the league with 11 receptions for 194 yards and four TDs.
Mohawk has averaged just 10 points per game, albeit against undefeated Hopewell-Loudon and Tiffin Calvert and Division IV Margaretta. The Warriors are second in the N10 in team defense, giving up just 212 yards per game.
Quarterback Ben Bogner has thrown for 566 yards, but has five interceptions and only three touchdowns, Bogner has also averaged 81 yards per game on the ground.
In a match between Division VII schools, the winner would have its playoff prospects enhanced.
Northmor (2-1) at Cardington (1-2)
Northmor rolled through its first two weeks with big wins over Upper Sandusky (42-21) and South Central (60-0). However, the trip to Nankin didn’t end so well as the Knights dropped a 40-33 decision to Mapleton.
With Knox Morrow Athletic Conference play beginning Friday, Northmor looks to get back on the winning track when the Knights make the trip to neighboring Cardington.
The Pirates got off to a bit of a rough start in dropping their opener to Elgin, 30-0, and losing to Columbus Academy, 33-8, both now 3-0. They gained some momentum back with a hard-fought 36-28 win at Bucyrus in Week 3.
Wyatt Denney rushed for 223 yards and a touchdown against Bucyrus, so Northmor will have to be concerned with him. A Northmor win would help solidify postseason hopes and give them a leg up in the KMAC.
Ridgedale (2-1) at Crestline (0-3)
Both Ridgedale and Crestline have fallen on hard times in recent years and face off in a Northwest Central Conference schedule. The Rockets have begun the season 2-1 with wins over Hilltop (20-6) and Ridgemont (32-16). Sandwiched between is a 32-0 loss to undefeated Marion County rival Elgin.
Crestline showed improvement in its Week 3 game versus Lima Perry. The Bulldogs scored their first touchdown of the year in the 26-8 loss, after suffering lopsided shutout losses to Buckeye Central and Waynesfield-Goshen.
Ridgedale won this matchup, 36-0, last year, also at Crestline. The Bulldogs will be looking for revenge. A Rockets’ win would give them their first 3-1 start since 2003.