By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director
Summer is slipping away and that means high school football season is upon us.
WQEL, WBCO and Crawford County Now are prepared, with a schedule of 20 broadcast games, roundups and game stories online, and the legend, Davey Jones hosting the postgame Phoneboard for the 44th year.
Crawford County Now is also offering a little wrinkle. Last year, we carried on an in-house prediction contest. This year, we are adding a fan vote so that you can, collectively, test your abilities against the “experts.”
Headlining the first week of games is Bucyrus at Galion, the sixth oldest football rivalry in the state. The two have been playing for the Seccaium Park Trophy for over 20 years.
Galion has had possession of the trophy for the past nine years and the Tigers will have the advantage of playing in the friendly confines of Unckrich Stadium on Friday.
However, the Redmen, after a couple of rough years, have some returning skill players — among them receiver Harley Robinson — and some size on the offensive and defensive lines. So, Bucyrus has designs on breaking the losing streak and avenging last year’s 34-0 loss.
Galion lost versatile quarterback, Harrison Ivy, along with Takoda and Tanner Crisman on the offensive side of the ball. But the entire offensive line returns, making for an interesting matchup.
Wynford will entertain Liberty-Benton, a team that went to the Division VI state semifinals last year. Wynford lost some key skill players to graduation, including quarterback Wyatt Smith.
With both schools’ tradition, however, there will be a playoff atmosphere at Wynford High School for this classic.
Another county battle will take place at Hutson Stadium in Crestline as the Bulldogs entertain Buckeye Central.
The Bucks are low on numbers this year but do return some experience on offense. Crestline is coming off a 5-5 season a year ago and Coach Kevin Sipes would like to improve on that record this year.
This one might be the closest game on the night’s docket.
Colonel Crawford finished 5-5 last year and the Eagles no doubt looked at a couple of games that got away. Three of their losses were by six (in overtime), seven and eight points.
A trip to Mount Gilead could get Colonel Crawford’s season off to a good start, as the Indians will be trying to rebound from an 0-10 2017 season.
Even though the Eagles lost the Northern 10 Conference leading rusher in Trevor Shawber, coach Ryan Teglovic has over 60 players on his roster, so look for a reload in North Robinson.
Upper Sandusky has a new coach and increased numbers as the Rams try to rebound from a 3-7 campaign last year. Upper Sandusky will go to River Valley. The Vikings’ numbers are down, but the Rams can’t assume anything.
Other games of interest in the N10 include Van Buren at Carey, Mohawk traveling to Lakota, Seneca East taking on Margaretta at Bellevue (on Thursday) and Ridgedale trekking to Ridgemont.
For the first time in recent memory, there was no local media vote on league finishes. I will offer my limited scope estimation of what the standings could look like at year’s end.
The Wynford Royals are the favorites until someone beats them. They have never lost an N10 game. But Mohawk may be able to pull it off this year.
Seneca East will have plenty of skill players and size on the offensive line. Colonel Crawford will be a sleeper and Carey has a football tradition that reloads rather than rebuilds.
Bucyrus should be improved but may be a year away from league and playoff contention and Buckeye Central, while dangerous, will fight the numbers game and hope everyone stays healthy. Upper Sandusky has the numbers but, like Bucyrus, the Rams are probably a year away.
My picks:
- Mohawk
- Wynford
- Colonel Crawford
- Seneca East
- Carey
- Bucyrus
- Upper Sandusky
- Buckeye Central
Like you, I am looking forward to some great games in some tremendous atmospheres this season.
Here’s hoping everyone makes it through in good health.