Week 10 has arrived with seeming light speed. Several teams have clinched a playoff spot or are positioned to do so. A couple are long shots at best.
However, the Northern 10 Athletic Conference and Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference titles are both unsettled heading into the last week of the regular season.
Bucyrus (5-4, 4-2) at Wynford (6-3, 5-1)
Wynford is on a 21-game winning streak against its backyard rival, Bucyrus, in the battle for the Copper Kettle. The first 21 games of the series had the Redmen with a 13-8 advantage, making the 42-game history 29-13 in the Royals’ favor.
This is as closely matched as the two familiar foes have been in the last five years. And much is still on the line for the winner.
Even though Wynford has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, a win guarantees the Royals at least a share of the N10 title. Bucyrus is still alive — albeit a long shot — in the Division VI, Region 22 playoffs.
The quarterbacks are key to each team. For the Royals, Dustin Brady is third in the N10 in passing with 1661 yards and 15 touchdowns. For the Redmen, Ben Seibert is fourth in the league, with 1399 yards and 17 scores. Bucyrus’ Andrew Pifer leads the N10 in tackles with 135. Cody Taylor is third with 99 for Wynford.
The Copper Kettle would likely need to ask for directions to Bucyrus High School should the Redmen pull off the upset, but they would be more than happy to clear a place in the trophy case for it.
Mohawk (5-4, 3-3) at Upper Sandusky (2-7, 1-5)
This Wyandot County grudge match is for more than just bragging rights. Mohawk is currently No. 8 in Division VII, Region 26. While a win doesn’t guarantee the Warriors a playoff spot, with Crestview and teams like Plymouth breathing down their necks, they certainly cannot afford a loss.
Despite its record, Upper Sandusky has proven dangerous in that the Rams can move the ball on offense. Quarterback Mason Vent leads the N10 with 1793 passing yards, good for 16 scores. Vent has also rushed for 562 yards and nine TDs, sixth in the league. Upper Sandusky is fourth in the league as a team with 309 yards per game. Diago Cazares is the top receiver in the league with 818 yards and seven touchdowns.
Mohawk will try to make it a defensive struggle with their league-leading defense allowing just 221 yards per game. Jesse Leeth leads the team in tackles with 62 and Mason Danner has 16 tackles for loss.
To pull off the upset, the Rams will need to limit turnovers and pile up enough offense to outscore the Warriors.
Buckeye Central (0-9, 0-6) at Seneca East (8-1, 5-1)
Seneca East has already clinched a home playoff game in Division VI, Region 22. The only thing remaining is for the Tigers to clinch at least a share of the N10 title. They are currently tied at the top with Wynford. A Seneca East win and a Royals’ loss gives the Tigers the outright crown.
Buckeye Central would like nothing more than to end the season by ending its 31-game losing streak. Unfortunately, it comes against the top offense in yards per game, total yards and points per game. The Tigers also have the stingiest defense overall.
Jacob Maxhimer continues as the second-leading rusher in the N10 at 97.7 yards per game and four touchdowns. However, the Bucks defense will have to contend with the league’s third-leading rusher in Skyler Walker who has 713 yards and eight TDs.
Quarterback Chase Foos is the second part of Seneca East’s one-two punch. Foos is second in the conference in passing with 1729 yards and a whopping 23 touchdowns.
The Bucks must hope Maxhimer and the ground game can milk the clock to keep the potent Tigers’ offense off the field as much as possible and not turn the ball over to have any shot at a huge upset.
Colonel Crawford (4-5, 2-4) at Carey (4-5, 4-2)
Though Colonel Crawford has been eliminated from the playoff picture and is not in title contention, this is far from a meaningless, season-ending game.
The Eagles can play spoiler to Carey, which, with a win has a very good shot at making the playoffs in Division VI, Region 22. A loss, however, would probably eliminate the Blue Devils and end the season with a losing record.
On the other hand, a Colonel Crawford win would stir the pot in Region 22 and keep playoff hopes alive for other teams, including Bucyrus should the Redmen knock off Wynford. It would also secure a 5-5 season for the Eagles.
To pull of the mild upset, Colonel Crawford will rely on workhorse running back Tristan Cross, who leads the N10 in rushing with 1389 yards and 15 touchdowns. Amazingly, Cross has lost just one fumble so far on 214 carries.
Carey’s offense revolves around quarterback Ethan Beringer who has passed for 950 yards and rushed for 504 more, accounting for five touchdowns. Beringer has been a bit turnover-prone, throwing six interceptions and losing four fumbles.
Defensively, the Blue Devils are led by Conor Williams, second in the league in tackles at 105 and first in tackles for loss with 25. For Colonel Crawford, Ethan Suter and Cross have 86 and 82 tackles, respectively.
Many eyes will be on C.D. Wentling Field Friday night for the outcome of this one.
Crestline (3-6, 2-5) at Vanlue (2-7, 0-7)
Crestline will try to end the season on a positive note with a win on the road. The Bulldogs will conclude an experimental year in Blanchard Valley Conference football.
Crestline is looking for respite after being beaten by a combined score of 125-14 the past two weeks by Riverdale and Pandora-Gilboa. Vanlue may off that relief.
The Wildcats are on a seven-game losing streak after opening the season with two wins. The two teams have lost to the same BVC opponents with one major exception — Cory-Rawson.
The Bulldogs defeated the Hornets, 51-20, in Week 7 while Vanlue lost to Cory-Rawson, 42-32, in Week 8.
Crestline is hanging its hat on that indicator will offset any home field advantage that the Wildcats might enjoy.
Galion (8-1, 3-1) at Pleasant (7-2, 3-2)
This game potentially has the most riding on it of all area games. Even though it sits second in Division IV, Region 14, Galion has not clinched a playoff spot. Pleasant is currently fourth in Division V, Region 18, but likewise has not clinched a spot in the postseason.
Also on the line for the two is the Mid-Ohio athletic League title — definitely a share for the Galion with a win and a possible share for the Spartans if Shelby also loses.
It could come down to the Tigers’ passing attack versus Pleasant’s ground game. Galion quarterback Wilson Frankhouse is second in the MOAC in passing with 1852 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Spartans’ Patrick Blubaugh is the league’s top rusher with 1209 yards and 16 scores.
With wins, both will probably host a playoff game. A loss likely won’t eliminate either team but would mean going on the road. The Tigers would no doubt be more comfortable at Unckrich Stadium for Week 11.
Other games
Ridgedale at West Muskingum
Highland at Northmor