BUCYRUS (Crawford County Now) — It’s hard to believe, but high school football season has reached Week 6.
A few things stand out as area teams prepare for the second half, some with eyes toward the OHSAA playoffs. The top 12 in each region will qualify for the playoffs, with the top four seeds getting a first-round bye.
Here are local 8 schools’ review, preview and this week’s OHSAA computer ratings:
REDMEN ON A ROLL: A 3-2 record might not have been on a lot of fans’ bingo cards, but Bucyrus — after an opening loss to North Baltimore (5-0) — has won 3 of its last 4 contests.
The 41-14 win over county rival Buckeye Central last Friday night puts the team in good position, although Seneca East is in town this week and brings a 4-1 overall record. The Redmen piled up 376 yards of offense in New Washington.
Bucyrus has shown big-play potential courtesy of Da’Shawn Cosey and the brothers Makeever — quarterback Isaac and running back Wyatt.
Isaac Makeever has thrown for 768 yards with 8 touchdowns and just one interception. He’s added 528 yards and 4 rushing scores. Cosey has 4 receiving touchdowns and fellow wideout Paten Deskins a pair, including a game winner against Riverdale.
Linebacker Hayden Butcher anchors the defense with 51 tackles, 3 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The Makeevers have combined for 83 stops, 6 TFL and a pair of interceptions.
Sophomore Cooper Kalb leads the league averaging 40.4 yards per punt.
Staying healthy and limiting turnovers will be keys down the stretch.
AHEAD: Bucyrus has dates with Upper Sandusky, Wynford, Tiffin Calvert and Colonel Crawford. All of those teams are 2-3, except winless Calvert (0-5).
RANKING: 16th in Division VI, Region 22.
WARRIORS WINNING: Mohawk (3-0, 4-1) also started with a tough loss at Margaretta and have won 4 straight since.
The Warriors are atop the league in total offense with 439 yards and 44.2 points per outing.
Andon Clouse is one of the top dual-threat QBs in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, throwing for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has 324 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
In last week’s 41-7 win over Wyandot County foe Upper Sandusky, the senior was 10-of-16 passing for 143 yards and rushed 11 times for 101 yards.
Levi Tiell leads the receivers with 457 yards and 8 scores. On the ground Kaden Bish has 396 yards, finding paydirt 6 times.
Aden Patrizi has 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 32 total tackles. As a team the Warriors are giving up a league-low of 162 yards and 11.6 points per game.
AHEAD: Mohawk travels to Wynford, followed by trips to Willard and Colonel Crawford before closing the season at home with rivals Carey and Calvert.
RANKING: 5th in Division VII, Region 26.
TIGER TALES: Galion sits at 2-3 and 0-2 in the rugged Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. This comes on the heels of making it to the Division IV Region 14 title game last year, losing to league rival Shelby.
Kane Hay leads the offense with 1,000 passing yards. He had 302 total yards in a 46-28 loss to Ontario (4-1). The other league loss was to unbeaten Shelby, 31-14.
Top receiver Jameson Glew caught 5 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown against the Warriors. Glew and Kurt Hay are top receiving threats combining for 41 catches, 660 yards and 6 TDs.
Linebacker Lachlyn Butcher leads a veteran defense with 51 tackles.
AHEAD: Coach Matt Dick’s squad goes to Highland this Friday, followed by Pleasant, River Valley, Marion Harding and Clear Fork in the tough N10 gauntlet.
RANKING: 13th in Division V, Region 18.
SENECA SAILING: Seneca East is in second place in the N10 with a 2-1 mark and an overall 4-1 record.
These Tigers opened some eyes around the region by giving state power Hopewell-Loudon all it wanted, before falling 30-22, in Week 4. Last week they beat Willard in a game closer than expected, 29-14.
Branson Robinson has thrown for 1,022 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jackson Gayheart has 477 rushing yards and 4 TDs.
The Tigers average 381 yards and 32.8 points per game, third in the N10 behind Mohawk and Hopewell-Loudon.
Eli Cline has 11.5 tackles for loss; Bentley Gayheart has 9.5 and Jackson Gayheart 9 TFL and 53 total tackles.
AHEAD: After the Bucyrus game the Tigers visit Carey, then host Lucas, Colonel Crawford and Upper Sandusky.
RANKING: 13th in Division VI, Region 22.
EAGER EAGLES: A challenging schedule has Colonel Crawford in an uncharacteristic place at 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the league. One of those losses came to unbeaten Hopewell-Loudon, a newcomer to the league that made it to the state semifinals last fall.
After a 16-0 loss at Carey last week the Black and Gold still have playoff aspirations and can get back on track hosting Lucas (3-2, 2-1) this week.
Roen Thew directs a spread offense and has accounted for 833 passing yards and another 404 rushing and 11 total touchdowns. Avery Powers (380 yards) leads the ground game and Parker Weithman (415 yards, 4 TDs) the air attack.
On defense Trey Bruner and Tyler Lash each have 35 tackles. Kyle Smith and Thew each have two interceptions.
The school’s rich history includes an historic 2025 season featuring a 13-2 mark and a trip to the D-VI state semifinals.
AHEAD: Wynford, Mohawk and road trips to Seneca East and Bucyrus finish the regular season.
RANKING: 19th in Division VI, Region 23.
ROYAL RUMBLING: Wynford’s season thus far has been a roller coaster ride. A season opening win at Cardington was followed by road losses to East Knox and Upper Sandusky.
The Royals (1-2, 2-3) got well with a convincing win over Buckeye Central two weeks ago as a strong ground game produced 492 yards.
Braylon Wells, a sophomore quarterback, has 673 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns. Deegan Lutz has rushed for 434 stripes and 5 scores.
Wells also has 35 stops, Gage Massey and Eli Cooper 26 apiece.
AHEAD: Wynford hosts Mohawk Friday with Colonel Crawford, Bucyrus, Willard and Lucas to follow.
RANKING: 21st in Division VI, Region 22.
BUCKS REELING: Injuries have taken a toll on the Buckeye Central football team. A win over Crestline provided a promising start, but 4 straight losses have left them at 0-3 and 1-4.
Star receiver Collin Perry is out with an injury suffered in the Wynford loss, while freshman Jackson Earnest has taken over play calling duties.
Madden Alt has rushed for 253 yards and 2 scores.
Dylan Heydinger has 4.5 tackles for loss. Earnest has two picks.
Numbers have been an issue for the Bucks in recent years, with this season no exception.
AHEAD: The Bucks host Willard, followed by Lucas, Calvert, Upper Sandusky and a finale at Hopewell-Loudon.
RANKING: 15th in Division VII, Region 26.
‘DOGS ON THE PROWL: Crestline also has had a rocky road to a 2-3 mark, with last week’s 37-0 home loss to Lakota the latest setback.
A 43-36 win over Mapleton proved the Bulldogs still have some bite. They also beat Ashland Crestview in Week 2.
Senior quarterback Kody Lawhorn has led the team, along with receivers Weston Clark and Ramon Hawk and running back/linebacker Quentin Kapp.
The ‘dogs can score points but also must shore up their defense to finish strong.
AHEAD: Canton Central Catholic (2-3) is next, with Toledo Christian, Conotton Valley, North Baltimore and Vanlue (0-5).
RANKING: 17th in Division VII, Region 27.
BOTTOM LINE: A lot of football remains, with several teams sitting in playoff spots. Rivalry games are coming up, conference races will be decided, and teams need to avoid further injury to stay in playoff contention.
STATE COMPUTER RANKINGS: Full rankings found here: https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/Football/2026/2026Week5Ratings.pdf