Football season is upon us and some interesting games get it off to a great start.
Mohawk slid through the Northern 10 Athletic Conference undefeated last year to become the first team not named Wynford to win the title. Seneca East made a playoff run to the state semifinals.
Will there be sequels to these stories in 2019? We will see it all unfold beginning Friday night.
Galion at Bucyrus
The Battle of Route 19 kicks off the season for these two county rivals, the sixth oldest football rivalry in Ohio. It marks the 121st renewal of this cross-county matchup. These teams have played for the Seccaium Park Trophy since 1996 and Galion has had possession of the trophy for the past 10 years.
Each team has holes to fill from last year. Galion will need to replace quarterback Elias Middleton, a first-team all-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference selection. However, the Tigers welcome back all-league receiver Isaiah Alsip, among other, so the cupboard is not bare.
Bucyrus lost Harley Robinson-Koge, a first team N10 receiver, but return three-year starter at quarterback in senior Ben Seibert, who threw for nearly 1500 yards two years ago. First-year Redmen head coach Matt Makeever’s offense will try to recapture that form.
It’s the Tigers trophy to lose but this could be Bucyrus’ best chance to reclaim it in recent years.
Crestline at Buckeye Central
Both teams enter the season with a new coach — Jonny King for Crestline and Chad Jensen for Buckeye Central. The Bucks look to snap a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs and a 22-game streak overall dating back to Week 9 of 2016.
Each coach is dealing with low numbers as well, though both have over 20 players on the roster. King will have to replace quarterback Ty Clark, with that distinction falling to Kaden Ronk.
Jensen will have junior Brady Kerschner at quarterback with a year’s experience under his belt. The Bucks also have some size on the offensive line, with seven over 200 pounds and one — Danny Utz — at 325.
If Buckeye Central can avoid turnovers and minimize penalties, the Bucks might break both losing streaks.
Wynford at Liberty-Benton
Wynford had an uncharacteristic 6-4 record a year ago, failing to win the N10 championship for the first time in the league’s five-year history and missed the playoffs.
The Royals will look to get back to the playoffs this year but starting the season at Liberty-Benton is not taking the easy road. The Eagles also had an off year in 2018 but found a way to go back to Findlay with a 19-18 victory.
Wynford coach Gabe Helbert returns quarterback Dustin Brady and senior wide receiver Nate Imbody. The area media saw the Royals as the biggest threat to Seneca East in the N10 race. Friday night could set the tone for a comeback season.
Mount Gilead at Colonel Crawford
Colonel Crawford finished 5-5 last year but 7-3 was just out of the Eagles’ reach. Colonel Crawford dropped games to undefeated league champion Mohawk and Wynford, both by the same 14-7 margin.
Coach Ryan Teglovic has numbers, with a roster of over 60 players. His team was hit hard by graduation, notably the loss of quarterback Zye Shipman. However, junior Brock Ritzhaupt did get some experience while filling in for Shipman due to injury.
Colonel Crawford beat Mount Gilead 49-0 to open last season and should be favorites in three of their first four games before entertaining Wynford in Week 5. That county rivalry could tip the season for either of the teams.
Other games
Lakota at Mohawk
Margaretta at Seneca East
River Valley at Upper Sandusky
Ridgemont at Ridgedale