SPORTS

Four teams have one conference setback but need help

Matthew Horn
Reporter
Clyde's Conner Long makes a tackle against Perkins.

Bellevue, Clyde, Genoa and Gibsonburg each has one loss and would need help to earn conference championships.

The Redmen (6-2, 3-1) visit Shelby (7-1, 4-1) in the Northern Ohio League this week. Sandusky is unbeaten in conference play with wins over Bellevue and the Whippets.

“The goal for the rest of the season is to win these last two regular season games and have a shot at hosting a playoff game,” Foos said.

Bellevue's Al Foos carries the football against Clyde.

Genoa (6-2, 4-1) plays host to Lake (3-5, 1-4) in the Northern Buckeye Conference. Eastwood is unbeaten. Otsego (5-3, 3-2) visits the Comets in Week 10.

“The team has been grinding and working really hard,” Comets quarterback Jacob Plantz said. “We think if we can win these next two big games, we can clinch a spot in the playoffs. That’s the goal right now.”

Genoa's Jacob Plantz carries the football against Oak Harbor.

Cardinal Stritch (1-7, 1-3) at Gibsonburg (6-2, 3-1) plays host to Cardinal Stritch (1-7, 1-3) in the Toledo Area Athletic Conference. Montpelier is unbeaten in the league, including a win over the Golden Bears.

“With two games left, our main goal is to control what we can control and win,” Gibsonburg quarterback Ryan Clark said. “Hopefully chips fall in our favor and we can compete in Week 11. To do that we have to focus on Cardinal Stritch and Hilltop.”

Gibsonburg's Kane Gomez, right, and Jaret Harrison celebrate against Danbury last week.

Clyde (6-2, 3-1) plays host to Huron (2-6, 2-3) in the Sandusky Bay Conference. Unbeaten Port Clinton visits one-loss Edison, which fell to Clyde, on Friday.

Danbury's Sam Tyson runs with the football against Gibsonburg last week.

Clyde is third in its region, Bellevue is fourth, Gibsonburg seventh and Genoa and Danbury are ninth.

Danbury (5-3) hasn’t won six games since 1981.

Fremont Ross (2-6, 1-4) at Toledo St. Francis deSales (0-8, 0-5)

Ross lost its last four games. Trevon Alridge rushed for a touchdown and Mikey Contreras kicked two field goals in the Little Giants’ 20-13 setback to Clay last week. Austin Busold rushed for 103 yards on 19 carries. Roger Burling had an interception. The Little Giants shut out deSales 41-0 last season.

Ethan Hertzfeld threw for 230 yards, including a touchdown to Adam Bihn in St. Francis’ 39-9 setback to Whitmer last week. Hertzfeld threw two interceptions. St. Francis allowed 370 yards on the ground. Jasean Rader rushed for 95 yards.

Shawn Newsome of Fremont Ross tackles Springfield's Bryant Koback.

Bellevue at Shelby

Al Foos threw for five touchdowns and ran for two more in Bellevue’s 62-0 shutout of Willard last week. Dakota McPeak (two), Ben Smith and Perry Haynes (two) caught touchdown passes, including a score from 66 yards out for McPeak. Treston Francis returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown. “Our strength this season is definitely the explosive plays we are able to create on both sides of the ball,” Foos said. “We’ve had some young kids step in and make some big plays. Guys like Treston and Hunter Singleton have filled in and done a great job.” Foos had five carries for 92 yards. Mike Pierce added a touchdown on the ground. Bellevue had 271 yards on the ground and allowed 23. The Redmen scored 34 points in the first quarter. Bellevue beat Shelby 42-14 last season.

Shelby is fourth in Division IV Region 15. Brennan Armstrong rushed for two touchdowns and threw an 87-yard scoring pass to Brady Hill in Shelby’s 49-7 victory over Ontario last week. Shorty Brooks ran for one score.

Huron at Clyde

Tanner Davenport had 12 catches for 220 yards and a touchdown in Clyde’s 27-21 setback to Port Clinton last week. Frank Sewell rushed for one score. Lucas Nicely completed 15 of 33 passes for 194 yards with two interceptions. Seth Vargo finished the game and was 7 for 11 passing for 119 yards and two touchdowns, including one to John Jackson. The Fliers trailed 27-7 but couldn’t finish the comeback. They were aggressive with play calls passing and moved the ball but struggled to finish drives until late in the game. The Fliers beat Huron 42-14 last season.

Jared Hohler completed 18 of 29 passes for 153 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in Huron’s 35-14 setback to Edison last week. The Tigers allowed 402 yards on 36 carries. Chris Davis had six catches for 61 yards, including a touchdown and added an interception.

Lake at Genoa

Jacob Plantz completed 9 of 12 passes for 229 yards, including touchdowns to Josiah Bradfield and Andrew Bench. “The biggest key to the passing game was the line doing an amazing job all night giving me time to throw,” Plantz said. “Matt Bradfield did an amazing job with his fakes getting the defense to bite on the play-action.” Plantz added an interception on defense. Matt Bradfield rushed for four scores. Josiah Bradfield’s touchdown covered 77 yards. “His work ethic,” Plantz said of what impresses him most about Josiah’s versatility. I have never met or seen a harder worker. He wants to be the best at what he does and that’s why hes’ so good at whatever he does. There isn’t anything Josiah can’t do.” The Comets had 408 yards of offense. Caden Cruickshank had a sack.

Lake was shut out 24-0 by NBC-unbeaten Eastwood last week. The Flyers topped Genoa 55-0 last season.

Cardinal Stritch (1-7, 1-3) at Gibsonburg (6-2, 3-1)

Madison Jaso had 154 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in Gibsonburg’s 43-6 victory over Danbury last week. Ryan Clark completed 11 of 19 passes for 225 yards, including touchdowns to Kane Gomez (two) and Isaak Arriaga. “Kane is a great target to throw to because he’s fast and has sure hands,” Clark said. “I know if I put it in na catchable area he’s going to go get it and make something happen with the ball in his hands.” Alex Richards added a score on the ground. Gibsonburg had 472 yards of offense and allowed 131. Gibsonburg beat Cardinal Stritch 50-14 last season.

Drew Staczek passed for 326 yards and four touchdowns, including 151 yards and three scores to Jeff Dunsmore in Cardinal Stritch’s 71-34 setback to Northwood last week. Cardinal Stritch has allowed at least 50 points in every loss and scored at least 50 twice itself.

Hilltop (2-6, 2-3) at Danbury (5-3, 2-2)

A 7-3 Danbury team could have playoff hopes with help. Logan Kenley rushed for a score in Danbury’s 43-6 setback to Gibsonburg last week. Kenley had 15 tackles. Justin Tibbels had 11 tackles, intercepted a pass and forced and recovered a fumble. Danbury beat Hilltop 32-13 last season.

Quinn Smith rushed for a touchdown in Hilltop’s 27-9 setback to Montpelier last week.

SJCC's Logan Black make a tackle last week against Crestline.

St. Joseph Central Catholic (2-6, 0-2) at Lakota (2-6, 0-3)

Tyler Gabel completed 14 of 21 passes for 294 yards, including touchdowns to Andrew Hovis (two) and Lucas Streacker in Lakota’s 63-28 setback to Margaretta in the SBC’s River Division last week. Streacker’s touchwon covered 75 yards and Hovis had one from 69 out. Streacker had six catches for 107 yards and Hovis three for 135. Trevor Franks rushed for a touchdown. Lakota lost its last five. Lakota topped SJCC 41-18 last season.

Rossford (5-3, 4-1) at Woodmore (1-7, 0-5)

DJ Wellons caught two touchdown passes from Donovan Reyes and rushed for two scores in Woodmore’s 39-35 setback to Elmwood last week. The Wildcats had a late drive stall inside the Royals’ 10-yard line. JT Atkin caught a 54-yard scoring pass. Reyes completed 18 of 30 passes for 286 yards. Wellons had five catches for 109 yards, Atkin had seven for 94 and Mason Beachler three for 65. Elmwood rushed for 321 yards.

Cody Orr rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns and added the go-ahead touchdown pass to Cota Sinclair in Rossford’s 28-24 comeback victory over Otsego last week. Rossford beat Woodmore 62-39 last season.

Margaretta's Logan Graffin scores a touchdown against SJCC.

Margaretta (4-4, 2-0) at St. Mary Central Catholic (2-6, 1-1), Saturday

Logan Graffin had 234 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries and two touchdown catches covering 99 yards in Margaretta’s 63-28 victory over Lakota last week. Graffin had scoring runs of 78 and 54 yards and a 67-yard touchdown catch. Graffin has 1,652 yards and 17 touchdowns on 223 carries. He's exceeded 100 yards in every game and has four touchdown catches. Nick Leibacher completed 10 of 16 passes for 223 yards, including two touchdowns to Angelo Frias. Leibacher rushed for one score and Seth Gasser caught a touchdown. Margaretta had 271 yards on the ground and allowed 57. The Polar Bears scored 36 points in the second quarter. Margaretta had four interceptions on defense.

SMCC allowed 409 yards of offense in a 42-0 shutout loss to Tiffin Calvert last week in the SBC’s River Division. The Panthers had 110 yards. The Panthers topped Margaretta 44-0 last season.

mhorn@gannett.com

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Twitter:@MatthewHornNH