High school football Week 1: previewing all 12 local games
It's officially high school football season. For the next 10 weeks — and beyond for many teams — Friday nights are for football all across the area.
Here's a preview of every local Week 1 game:
Game of the Week: West Holmes at Triway
Typically, Wooster versus Orrville would be the biggest game played in Wayne County during Week 1. But everything surrounding this rivalry makes it the area's marquee contest on the schedule to open the season.
COVID-19 has ruined the annual game in each of the past two years, cutting into the non-conference schedule during the shortened 2020 season and forcing Triway to cancel the day before the 2021 season opener. Both teams ended up winning their conferences last year, taking away what could have been one of the better Triway-West Holmes matchups in recent history.
It's all added to the build up of this year's game, which will surely bring a packed crowd to Triway.
Last year: n/a; West Holmes 14-1, Triway 7-2
Three players to know: RB/DB Sam Williams-Dixon, West Holmes; LB/TE Elisha Baldridge, West Holmes; QB Zack Miller, Triway
What to expect: Some of the best offensive talents in the area will be on display in Williams-Dixon and Miller. Stopping West Holmes' star back will be the focus for the Triway defense, but the Knights have full confidence in their passing game led by QB Mason Wolfe and WR Kyle Maltarich as well. Miller and Titans will try to keep up in a game that should feature plenty of points.
Wooster vs. Orrville
The area's most storied rivalry is obviously another huge game during Week 1. Wooster has won seven of the last nine meetings as both programs have gone through quite a few changes during that period. Last year, Austin Holter and Matt Zuercher were coaching their first games as head coaches of the Generals and Red Riders, signaling a new era of the Wooster-Orrville game. This one still carries a lot of weight, no matter what the records end up being at the end of the year.
Last year: Wooster 30, Orrville 6; Wooster 7-6, Orrville 2-8
Three players to know: LB/RB Michael Howman-Williams, Wooster; WR/LB Bronson Morgan, Wooster; WR/DB Brant Besancon, Orrville
What to expect: With Wooster retooling its roster and Orrville still rebuilding, this matchup has a little different feel than past years. Similar to last year's matchup, it may take two teams with a lot of new pieces a little while to get their offenses rolling, especially with defense looking like the strength of both teams.
Loudonville at Crestview (Thursday, 7 p.m.)
Last year: Crestview 45, Loudonville 25; Crestview 12-1, Loudonville 1-9
Three players to know: RB/LB Peyton Regan, Loudonville; DL/TE Owen Barker, Crestview; QB Hayden Kuhn, Crestview
What to expect: Loudonville gets perhaps its toughest opponent of the season right away in Crestview, who brings back many key pieces from its undefeated 2021 team. Despite only winning one game last year, the Redbirds put up points against the Cougars in Week 1, and they're hoping for more of the same this time.
Ashland at Norwayne
Last year: n/a; Ashland 3-7, Norwayne 8-4
Three players to know: Jon Metzker, Ashland, WR/DB; Jake Gill, Norwayne, RB/DB; Eli Stanley, Norwayne, QB/DB
What to expect: This is a good early-season challenge for both teams, which both have a ton of talent at the skill positions. Ashland is one of the only teams on Norwayne's schedule that can match the Bobcats' speed and strength and Norwayne will punch well above its Division V classification against the Div. II Arrows. A low-scoring game doesn't seem likely.
Chippewa at Mapleton
Last year: Chippewa 27, Mapleton 8; Chippewa 4-6, Mapleton 3-7
Three players to know: OL/DL Kyle Hart, Chippewa; RB/DB Isaiah Radebaugh, Chippewa; QB/DB Kollin Cline, Mapleton
What to expect: It should be a quick-moving game at Mapleton between two teams who like to run the ball. They both replace a lot of their main playmakers from a year ago, so it could very well be a low-scoring affair.
Dalton at East Canton
Last year: Dalton 41, East Canton 0; Dalton 11-3, East Canton 5-4
Three players to know: QB Ethan Stutz, Dalton; OL/DL Quentin Lehman, Dalton; LB/RB Jake McCullough, East Canton
What to expect: Another 41-0 blowout doesn't seem likely with Dalton replacing almost its entire group of skill position players. The Hornets ended up with a winning record despite the slow start and bring back some key pieces. Still, Dalton doesn't anticipate taking too much of a step back, and even if the scoring numbers are down, the 'Dawgs are happy to play a more grind-it-out style of game.
Black River at Hillsdale
Last year: n/a; Black River 8-4, Hillsdale 7-5
Three players to know: WR/DB Tyler Mrakuzic, Black River; QB Jake Hoverstock, Hillsdale; RB/DB Max Vesper, Hillsdale
What to expect: While these two schools are both in Ashland County, they have no recent history with each other. But if both programs continue on their recent trajectory, it could be an early-season staple on the schedule. These are two winning programs, and this game will be especially important for Hillsdale, with Lucas on the schedule in Week 2. This could be one of the best overall games on the local schedule
Northwestern at Keystone
Last year: Keystone 39, Northwestern 35; Northwestern 3-7, Keystone 9-2
Three players to know: QB Ethan Siders, Northwestern; WR/DB Nolan Hartsel, Northwestern; WR/DB Ryne Shackleford, Keystone
What to expect: Keystone has been on the collective mind of Northwestern players since Week 1 of last year. The Huskies are eager to bounce back after a tough 2021 and they have the pieces to be one of the area's most exciting offenses. However, Keystone should be exciting too and has the speed and skill to put up lots of points. Another game with both teams scoring in the 30s is very possible.
Rittman at Strasburg-Franklin
Last year: n/a; Rittman 2-7, Strasburg 1-8
Three players to know: RB/DB Artie Sonego, Rittman
What to expect: Both of these programs are in rebuilding mode and come into this game hoping to start their season on the right foot. Rittman hasn't had much recent success in the WCAL but has won seven straight nonconference openers. They have a good chance to make it eight.
Cleveland Central Catholic at Smithville
Last year: n/a; Cleveland Central Catholic 3-7, Smithville 2-8
Three players to know: RB/DB Niko Jackson, Cleveland Central Catholic; LB/TE Luke Raines, Smithville, QB Bryce Butcher, Smithville
What to expect: Central Catholic is far from a staple of Smithville's schedule, but the Smithies had to find an opponent late in the scheduling game after Tuslaw decided to play Conotton Valley instead. The unfamiliar Ironmen have struggled over the past few years and look to have a lot of roster turnover as well.
Waynedale at Tusky Valley
Last year: Waynedale 42, Tusky Valley 13; Waynedale 6-6; Tusky Valley 1-9
Three players to know: RB/LB Marquel Troyer; WR/DB Jaden Zuercher, Waynedale; WR/DB Beau Wolf, Tusky Valley
What to expect: Tusky Valley has won just five games over the past three years, including two season-opening losses to Waynedale during that time. This could be the most evenly matched the teams have been since the start of that stretch, however, with Waynedale replacing most of its top skill position players and linemen.
Conotton Valley at Tuslaw
Last year: n/a; Conotton Valley 5-5, Tuslaw 1-9
Three players to know: QB/LB Evan Rice, Conotton Valley; WR/DB Kamden Wright, Conotton Valley; QB Troy Harbeitner, Tuslaw
What to expect: Ahead of what promises to be another challenging conference season, Tuslaw hopes to start strong to set the tone for the year. With most of its experience coming in the form of quarterback and receivers, the Mustangs could take to the air more often than previous seasons. A young Conotton Valley team will be a good test to see where Tuslaw is at.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: High school football: game-by-game Week 1 preview
