BUCYRUS — Football season has crept up on us even more stealthily than in past years.

With the changes made by the Ohio High School Athletic Association to the postseason format, we will have an extra week of playoffs. In order prevent lengthening the season further into December, the OHSAA opted to begin a week earlier.

As with anything new, there were supporters and detractors. Time will tell if the decision improves the high school football landscape in Ohio.

In the meantime, here we are, starting the season on August 20 (or in a few cases, August 19). What can we expect from Crawford County teams?

Expect the unexpected. Bucyrus finished at 2-8 last year. But the Redmen improved as the year went on and freshman quarterback Malachi Bayless came into his own.

Bayless set the Bucyrus single-game passing yards record and makes the Redmen the only team with a returning quarterback from last year. While being picked last in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference in an area media poll, Bucyrus may have the skill players — and the numbers — to move up the ladder in the league.

Wynford was hit hard by graduation but returns enough starters to figure in the N10 picture. Replacing all-league quarterback Dustin Brady will be a tall order. Brady passed for 2285 yards and 27 touchdowns. Senior Cobey Allen will look to fill some big shoes as the new Royals’ signal caller.

Colonel Crawford also lost a lot to graduation, including top N10 rusher Tristan Cross, who led the league with 1419 yards rushing. But the defending N10 champions are hardly in a major rebuild. The Eagles return two all-Ohio players in Carter Valentine and Carson Feichtner, along with a stable of skill players that will keep them in the mix for defending their 2020 league title.

Galion went 6-4 in the rugged Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference last year and won a playoff game. However, gone are quarterback Wilson Frankhouse and first team MOAC kicker Dominic Pittman. Frankhouse’s replacement will not be a new face — just new to the position.

Hanif Donaldson was a receiver with 594 yards and 12 scores last season. He moves to the throwing end as a senior. His success in the transition will go a long way to the Tigers’ success this year.

Buckeye Central broke a losing streak of over 20 games in the N10 last year with its win over Bucyrus. The Bucks will rely heavily on their ground game, as Kolin Rowlinson returns after finishing sixth in the league in rushing with 675 yards a year ago. Joining him in the backfield is senior Aiden McDougal, who moves over from backup quarterback.

To improve on a 3-7 record in 2020, Buckeye Central will have to hope that sophomore quarterback Derex Dean grows up fast. A modest passing game would be a great assist to the ground game.

Crestline was also hit hard by graduation and the Bulldogs are fighting the numbers game. But four starters return, on of which is quarterback Trevor Shade, whose primary receiver will be Conner Lusk. If Crestline can piece together offensive and defensive lines, the Bulldogs will be able compete in their new environs of the Northwest Central Conference.

Here are the media voting results for area leagues.

NORTHERN 10 ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

  1. Carey, 32 points (6 first-place votes)
  2. Colonel Crawford, 34 points (4)
  3. Wynford, 52 points (3)
  4. Mohawk (1), 53
  5. Seneca East (1), 55
  6. Upper Sandusky, 96
  7. Buckeye Central, 107
  8. Bucyrus, 111 points

FIRELANDS CONFERENCE

  1. Norwalk St. Paul, 28 points (8 first-place votes)
  2. Western Reserve, 39 points (8)
  3. Ashland Crestview, 45 points (1)
  4. Monroeville, 79 points
  5. Plymouth, 84 points
  6. Ashland Mapleton, 92 points
  7. South Central, 107

SANDUSKY BAY CONFERENCE – LAKE DIVISION

  1. Tiffin Columbian, 29 points (15 first-place votes)
  2. Bellevue, 52 points (5)
  3. Clyde, 58 points (1)
  4. Norwalk, 78 points
  5. Sandusky, 107 points
  6. Perkins, 117 points

SANDUSKY BAY CONFERENCE – BAY DIVISION

  1. Huron, 35 points (6 first-place votes)
  2. Edison, 42 points (5)
  3. Oak Harbor, 49 points (5)
  4. Port Clinton, 54 points (2)
  5. Vermilion, 92 points
  6. Willard, 106 points

SANDUSKY BAY CONFERENCE – RIVER DIVISION

  1. Hopewell-Loudon, 36 points (12 first-place votes)
  2. Tiffin Calvert, 42 points (7)
  3. Gibsonburg, 56 points (2)
  4. Lakota, 92 points
  5. Margaretta, 93 points
  6. Fremont SJCC, 122 points