By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director
Week 6 presents some matchups that could prove pivotal to league races as well as potential playoff spots.
At least five Northern 10 Athletic Conference teams and the Galion Tigers still hold legitimate hopes of making the postseason. This week’s results could weed out a few of them.
Wynford (4-1, 2-0 N10) at Seneca East (4-1, 2-0 N10)
This could be the game of the night in a week full of games of the night.
Wynford managed to hold off a determined Colonel Crawford team with a goal-line stand as time expired and the Royals prevailed, 14-7.
It doesn’t get easier this week when Wynford travels to Attica to take on a Seneca East team that tasted defeat for the first time last week at the hands of Mohawk. The Tigers dropped from first in Division VI, Region 22 and they were passed by the Royals, who jumped to the third position.
This will be a battle of the unstoppable force versus the immovable object. Seneca East leads the N10, averaging 415 yards and 32 points per game. Wynford is third in yards allowed at 231 and second in points per game surrendered at 13.
Mohawk (5-0, 2-0) at Colonel Crawford (3-2, 1-1)
Mohawk came up big last week, coming from behind to defeat Seneca East, 31-24. The Warriors maintained their hold on the top spot in Division VII, Region 26.
Colonel Crawford needs a win desperately if it has any designs on the N10 or the playoffs. The Eagles have fallen to 14th in Division VI, Region 22 but could rebound nicely with the computer points bonanza that a victory would bring.
Colonel Crawford will have to contain dual-threat quarterback Keith Jenkins to have any chance to win. Jenkins has rushed for 543 yards and five scores and passed for 438 yards and five more touchdowns.
The Warriors’ league-leading defense has allowed just 208 yards and 12 points per game, so points could be a premium.
Bucyrus (1-4, 0-2) at Buckeye Central (0-5, 0-2)
For the second straight week, Bucyrus hung around for two quarters with an N10 contender, but for the second straight week, the Redmen were shut out in the second half.
Bucyrus trailed Carey by just 21-14 at intermission but could not cross the goal line in the final two quarters.
The Redmen will get no sympathy from Buckeye Central. The Bucks have scored only 26 points in five games. Even if they can keep Bucyrus in its current pattern of no second-half points, BC still needs to score.
Avery Baldosser has been the bulk of the offense but will need help against the Redmen if the Bucks hope to get off the schneid.
For Bucyrus to win, playmakers such as Harley Robinson and Keaton Naufzinger must get the ball in space. Doing so for two halves could get the Redmen their second win.
Marion Harding (1-4, 0-2 MOAC) at Galion (3-2, 0-2 MOAC)
This is a make-or-break game for Galion. While the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference title is unlikely, the Tigers could still land a playoff spot. However, that would likely require at least a 7-3 record and the only loss in the second half cannot be to Marion Harding.
The offenses will feature two of the top receivers in the MOAC. Galion’s Isaiah Alsip is second with 25 catches for 401 yards and four touchdowns. The Prexies’ Andrew Brazell is third with 21 catches for 211 yards.
Tigers’ quarterback Elias Middleton leads the league in passing with 778 yards and is third in rushing with 464 yards. Galion needs a dose of Middleton to be able to rebound from back-to-back losses.
Crestline (2-3) at Lucas (3-2)
Crestline got well last week with its 59-7 shellacking of Gates Mills Hawken, which stopped a three-game losing streak. Lucas, however, presents a different challenge altogether.
Despite their somewhat deceptive 3-2 record, the Cubs are still second in Division VII, Region 27 and their losses have been to Division III Centennial and undefeated Division VI Northmor.
Lucas is averaging 30 points per game, so the Bulldogs’ defense will be tested.
Other games
Upper Sandusky (3-2, 1-1 N10) travels to Wyandot County archrival Carey (3-2, 1-1 N10) with each still clinging to playoff hopes. The Rams are currently 14th in Division V, Region 18 and the Blue Devils are 12th in Division VI, Region 22.
The loser is all but eliminated from the postseason, so more than county bragging rights are on the line. Both teams rebounded from losses in Week 4 last week. Upper Sandusky bounced Buckeye Central, 42-6 and Carey ran past Bucyrus, 42-14.
The teams are fairly evenly matched statistically so home field may tip the scales slightly to Carey’s favor.
Ridgedale (2-3) hosts Ashtabula St. John (4-1). The Rockets stopped a two-game losing skid with a 6-0 win over Fairfield Christian last week. The Heralds are sitting in the fourth spot in Division VII, Region 25.
Ridgedale will have to hope that the nearly three-hour drive will take some spark out of St. John’s offense, which has averaged 26 points per game. The Rockets have only scored six points in the last three weeks combined.