By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director

Week 3 of the high school football schedule has arrived, the last one before conference schedules begin for most area schools.

Several teams made early-season statements and there were a couple of upsets. Here is what’s in store this week.

Sandusky St. Mary (0-2) at Bucyrus (1-1)

Big plays carried Bucyrus to its first win of the season, 38-17, over Cardington. The Redmen scored six touchdowns, the shortest of which covered 28 yards.

Keaton Naufzinger had a monster night, scoring four times, three on runs of 85, 32 and 40 yards and a 75-yard pass from Ben Seibert. Those were the only four times Naufzinger touched the ball on offense.

St. Mary has surrendered 65 points in two games, though 37 of them were to state power Norwalk St. Paul in Week 1.

The Panthers are big on the offensive and defensive lines but how they deal with the perimeter speed of Bucyrus, in the persons of Naufzinger, Harley Robinson and Zane Seybert, will decide this one.

Colonel Crawford (1-1) at Cardington (0-2)

Colonel Crawford got stunned last week by North Union, 55-20, after the Eagles had manhandled Mount Gilead in Week 1.

Cardington’s defense has surrendered 73 points, including 38 to Bucyrus last week. Workhorse running back Mason Goers had over 200 yards rushing against the Redmen.

This should be a get-well week for Colonel Crawford. Look for quarterback Zye Shipman and running back Dylan Knisely to have big nights against a Pirates’ defense that had trouble containing Bucyrus’ speed.

Allen East (1-1) at Wynford (1-1)

Wynford has split a pair of very tough non-league games. The Royals held off Liberty-Benton, 19-18, at home to open the season. However, after leading 7-6 at halftime at Edison last week, Wynford watched as the Chargers rallied for a 27-14 victory.

Allen East opened with a 21-14 win over Division IV Lima Bath, but the Mustangs dropped a 40-28 decision at Lima Perry in Week 2.

The Royals should respond to some home cooking and their diverse offense might be too much for Allen East to handle. Wynford should get back on the winning track heading into Northern 10 Athletic Conference play next week.

Buckeye Central (0-2) at Plymouth (1-1)

This is matchup of backyard rivals who really don’t care much for one another. But to be competitive, Buckeye Central must find a way to generate some offense.

Running back Avery Baldosser will carry much of the load but will need help to jumpstart an offense that has scored only 13 points in two games and one of the Bucks’ two touchdowns came on a kickoff return by Baldosser.

Plymouth has certainly scored points — 70 in two games — but the Big Red defense has also coughed up 58 points and surrendered a lead in last week’s 38-35 loss at Willard.

Buckeye Central coach Rob Detterman will be coming the Willard tape to find a way to score and come up with that elusive first win.

Galion (2-0) at Upper Sandusky (2-0)

In a battle of unbeatens, both Galion and Upper Sandusky will try to prove their respective records are no flukes.

The Tigers made a statement last week, traveling to Carey and coming home with an impressive 35-26 win over the Blue Devils. The Rams likewise took care of business with a 40-0 thrashing of Mount Gilead.

Galion’s overall team speed will be a test for Upper Sandusky. The winner here will have some early position in the computer playoff rankings.

Crestline (1-1) at South Central (2-0)

After a big 26-6 win over county rival Buckeye Central in Week 1, Crestline received a wake-up call from Fisher Catholic in a 35-7 defeat last week.

The Bulldogs will face another potentially explosive offense in South Central. The Trojans opened with a 32-26 overtime win at Willard, then bounced Danbury, 54-14, last week.

Crestline will have to rediscover its offense and find a way to slow down a very athletic South Central offense if the Bulldogs are to have a chance.

Other games

Seneca East (2-0) hosts Elmwood (0-2). The Tigers proved the doubters wrong with their 20-2 win over Newark Catholic last week. Elmwood has lost two games by a total of 13 points — 20-14 to Gibsonburg and 26-19 to Lakota — so the Royals’ record could be deceptive.

Mohawk (2-0) entertains Gibsonburg (2-0). The Warriors handled Hopewell-Loudon, 34-14, last week, while Gibsonburg has victories over Elmwood and Woodmore.

Somebody goes to 3-0 after this one and Mohawk had home field advantage.

Ridgedale (1-1) has a chance at a winning record, though early in the season, if the Rockets can knock off Waynesfield-Goshen (1-1) on the road.

The Tigers beat Toledo Christian, 46-26, but fell to Holgate, 19-8 last week.

Ridgedale is coming off a come-from-behind 28-20 victory over Vanlue. Call this a tossup.