High school football Week 2: previewing all 12 local games
A preview of every local Week 2 football game:
Game of the Week: Canton Central Catholic (0-1) at Norwayne (1-0)
Nobody in the area was more impressive in Week 1 than Norwayne, which rocketed out to a 27-0 lead over Ashland in the first quarter before eventually dropping 61 points on its Div. II opponent. But what happened in Week 1 goes out the window as soon as the Bobcats step on the field Friday night against Canton Central Catholic. The Crusaders have the ability jump on Norwayne if the Bobcats don't come into Friday's game with the same intensity they brought to the season opener. It should be another interesting chapter between two successful small school programs who are building history with each other.
Last week: Massillon Perry 51, Canton Central Catholic 28; Norwayne 61, Ashland 28
Three players to watch: QB Jack Talkington, Canton Central Catholic; RB/DB Jake Gill, Norwayne, WR/DB Roman Portis, Norwayne
What to expect: This was one of the most entertaining offensive games of the year in 2021 and it should be more of the same in 2022. One thing is almost certain — lots of points will be scored. The Crusaders allowed 51 points to Perry and the Bobcats have playmakers all over the field who can bust big plays and extend drives. Talkington could be the best QBs the Bobcats see during the regular season, and he's probably most dangerous as a runner. Using a 6-2, 225-pound frame to run through defenders, he'll be on top of Norwayne's scouting report.
West Holmes (1-0) at Orrville (0-1)
Last week: West Holmes 41, Triway 7; Wooster 40, Orrville 13
Three players to watch: RB/DB Sam Williams-Dixon, West Holmes; WR/DB Kyle Maltarich, West Holmes; QB Sawyer Hamsher, Orrville
What to expect: West Holmes and Orrville are at different points of a program cycle, with the Knights looking to compete for a state title and the Red Riders trying to rebuild themselves back into a top-tier team. Led by Williams-Dixon, Maltarich and star linebacker Elisha Baldridge, West Holmes has a top level of talent like nobody else in the area. Orrville will try to keep it close before moving into an easier part of its schedule.
Tuslaw (1-0) at Dalton (1-0)
Last week: Tuslaw 49, Conotton Valley 48 (2OT); Dalton 42, East Canton 13
Three players to watch: WR/DB Landon Shirley, Tuslaw; RB/LB Greyson Siders, Dalton; OL/DL Quentin Lehman, Dalton
What to expect: Both teams left Week 1 with plenty to be excited about. The Mustangs had their highest single-game point total since 2015 and Dalton dominated start to finish against East Canton. After scoring just seven points in last year's loss, the Mustangs hope to put up more points. However, Dalton's offensive line led by Quentin Lehman, Grayson Lehman, Colin Jones and Grant Johnson is one of the best in the area and will make things easier for playmakers like Greyson Siders and Sammy Tomlinson, who both had breakout games last week.
Wadsworth (1-0) at Wooster (1-0)
Last week: Wadsworth 24, Barberton 7; Wooster 40, Orrville 13
Three players to watch: DL Coen Grimm, Wadsworth; RB/LB Seth Chamberlin, Wooster; RB/LB Michael Howman-Williams, Wooster
What to expect: Going from facing Div. V Orrville to Div. I Wadsworth will definitely bring some differences for Wooster. The level of physicality and athleticism the Grizzlies bring will be something the Generals have to adjust to. A lower-scoring game similar to last year's 23-17 Wadsworth victory could very well be in order as both offenses figure things out in the early part of the season.
Hillsdale at Lucas (Saturday, 7 p.m.)
Last week: Hillsdale 34, Black River 6; Clear Fork 21, Lucas 20
Three players to watch: QB Jake Hoverstock, Hillsdale; RB/LB Braylen Jarvis, Hillsdale; RB/LB Andrew Fanello, Lucas
What to expect: Not many small programs do smash-mouth football quite like Lucas. The Cubs' old-school double wing offense basically stares at an opposing defense and dares them to stop the run. A one-point Week 1 loss to an experienced Clear Fork team was not a bad loss either. Lucas should be regional contender in Div. VII again and gives Hillsdale a very real test. The Falcons looked in sync in Week 1 and its experience at key positions really showed. Hillsdale QB Hoverstock can make big plays happen with his arm and legs, and those big plays can be the difference in a game like this.
Hawken (1-0) at Chippewa (0-1)
Last week: Hawken 35, Trinity 0; Mapleton 32, Chippewa 10
Three players to watch: RB/DB Isaiah Radebaugh, Chippewa; OL/DL Nate Morris, Chippewa; RB/WR/DB Dominic Johnson, Hawken
What to expect: Almost nothing went right during Chippewa's Week 1 loss to Mapleton. The Chipps will try to find more consistency on offense and limit Hawken's big plays as they try to bounce back. Keeping tabs on Hawken playmaker Johnson, who had 179 all-purpose yards and three TDs in Week 1 will be high priority for Chippewa.
Black River (0-1) at Northwestern (1-0)
Last week: Hillsdale 34, Black River 6; Northwestern 44, Keystone 33
Three players to watch: WR Tyler Mrakuzic, Black River; QB Ethan Siders, Northwestern; WR/DB Nolan Hartsel, Northwestern
What to expect: The Huskies offense was impressive in Week 1, and they have the weapons to keep putting points on the board. CJ Reed and Nolan Hartsel are tough matchups for Black River, although Hillsdale had most of its success on the ground against the Pirates. The Huskies defense will be eager to bounce back after giving up 33 points against Keystone, and will need to keep tabs on Mrakuzic, who Black River moves all over the field.
Marengo Highland (1-0) at Triway (0-1)
Last week: Highland 17, Fredericktown 14; West Holmes 41, Triway 7
Three players to watch: Dane Nauman, Highland; QB/DB Zack Miller, Triway; WR/LB Easton Barnard, Triway
What to expect: It gets a little easier for Triway after a Week 1 matchup with West Holmes, but not much. Highland running back Dane Nauman proved he's a lot to handle after rushing for 300 yards on 31 carries in Week 1, and at 6-foot, 215 pounds, he's hard to bring down. The final score wasn't indicative of the way Triway played in its opener. The Titans moved the ball well and Miller looks to have plenty of options to throw to. Expect Triway to put up more than a single touchdown.
Windham (0-1) at Rittman (1-0)
Last week: Lisbon 40, Windham 25; Rittman 32, Strasburg-Franklin 6
Three players to watch: RB/WR/DB Chase Eye, Windham; WR/DB Lucas Churchill; RB/DB Artie Sonego, Rittman
What to expect: Rittman is honoring its 1986 team Friday, with many of the players from the only team in program history to go undefeated during the regular season expected to be at the game. The Indians are hoping to build back into a contender in the WCAL down the road like they were in the 80s, and a 2-0 start would be a good building block. Windham will be a better test than a struggling Strasburg program, with 10 total starters back from a team that went 4-4 in 2021.
Smithville (1-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (0-1)
Last week: Smithville 49, Canton Central Catholic 6; Struthers 49, St. Thomas Aquinas 6
Three players to watch: RB/DB Gavin Copenhaver, Smithville; RB/WR/DB Gabe Copley, Smithville; WR/DB Julius Kimbrough, St. Thomas Aquinas
What to expect: The Smithies have a chance to match their 2021 win total before league play even begins. However, even though Aquinas has lost nine straight games dating back to 2020, it seems unlikely the Knights will turn the ball over as often as Cleveland Central Catholic, which coughed it up almost every possession last week against Smithville.
Waynedale (1-0) at Garaway (1-0)
Last week: Waynedale 21, Tusky Valley 20; Garaway 21, Bellaire 14
Three players to watch: WR/DB Timmy Short, Waynedale; RB/LB Marquel Troyer, Waynedale; Jarret Wallick, Garaway
What to expect: It'll be like night and day for Waynedale between Week 1 and 2, going from facing a struggling Tusky Valley program to a Garaway program that's been on the rise. The Pirates thrive on physicality and will look to take advantage of the Golden Bears' inexperience up front. Waynedale will hope to bust a few more big plays, which helped propel it to victory in the opener.
Utica (1-0) at Loudonville (0-1)
Last week: Utica 25, Centerburg 19; Crestview 49, Ashland 14
Three players to watch: QB Zach Heckman, Utica; RB/LB Peyton Regan, Loudonville; WR/DB Zach Frankford, Loudonville
What to expect: The good news for Loudonville? Crestview might have been the best team on its schedule. Most teams will be overmatched against a team like that, which was the case in Week 1. A matchup with a Utica program that hasn't won more than two games since 2015 gives Loudonville a golden opportunity to get back on track.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: High school football: game-by-game Week 2 preview
