Week 8 Picks: Pickers, Richland County teams have some work to do in Week 8

Like a majority of Richland County football teams over the last two weeks, the NJ pickers took some tough L's last week.

Jake Furr went 7-2 in his picks and moved his season record to 47-7 while James Simpson II went 6-3 and is now 32-22.

Six Richland County football teams are looking to end losing streaks of at least two games. Which teams do it? Let's see if the pickers can figure that one out.

Clear Fork (6-1, 4-0) at Marion Harding (0-7, 0-4)

Jake Furr: I feel bad for the players at Harding. Seeing their coach leave just days before the season starts and now an 0-7 start just isn't how high school football should go. The Colts had a bit of a sweaty first half last week against Pleasant, but I think they get things straightened out as they head into the final two weeks of the season controlling their own Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference destiny. Pick: Clear Fork.

James Simpson II: Clear Fork has won five in a row and it will make it six this week. Pick: Clear Fork.

Crestview (7-0, 3-0) at Plymouth (3-4, 1-3)

JF: Plymouth hasn't taken down Crestview since 2014 and the Cougars have owned the rivalry since it began. Plymouth is on a three-game losing streak and I think it becomes four this week as the Cougars look well on their way to another undefeated regular season. Pick: Crestview.

JSII: Plymouth have been very up-and-down this season and Crestview's consistency will get them the W. Pick: Crestview.

Lexington (2-5, 2-2) at New Philadelphia (4-3, 3-2)

JF: New Philly is allowing just 11 points a game this season and has one of the best defenses in the entire Ohio Cardinal Conference. Lexington is on a two-game skid in which they have been outscored 89-14. A two-hour trip and an offense that is struggling to put up points isn't a recipe for success. Pick: New Philadelphia.

JSII: Lexington is on a slide while New Philadelphia is simply playing better football. Pick: New Philadelphia.

Linden McKinley (3-3) at Lucas (3-4)

JF: McKinley's three wins are against teams with a combined record of 2-16. The Cubs have played just one team with a sub-.500 record this season. Lucas' 3-4 is a lot different than McKinley's 3-3. Rolling with the Cubs to bring an end to their first three-game losing streak in 10 seasons. Pick: Lucas.

JSII: This one could possibly go either way but Lucas is due for a bounce-back performance. Pick: Lucas.

Mount Vernon (1-6, 0-4) at Madison (0-7, 0-4)

JF: This has to be the one, right? The Rams are on a 15-game losing streak and Mount Vernon is as beatable as any team, with its lone win a 28-21 victory in double overtime over winless Marion Harding in Week 1. That same week, the Rams gave Shelby everything it could handle in a 14-7 loss. This is the one. I am going with the Rams. Pick: Madison.

JSII: Mount Vernon or Madison? Who picks up a much-needed win? I'll say the away team. Pick: Mount Vernon.

Wooster (4-3, 3-2) at Mansfield Senior (5-2, 3-1)

JF: Wooster has been so hot and cold this year. A 21-0 win over New Philly and a 22-21 loss to Lexington proves we just never know which Generals team is going to show up on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, Mansfield Senior has been steady all year long with its two losses coming against Massillon and West Holmes, two teams with state title aspirations. I like the Tygers at home, where they won 42-0 the last time they played. Pick: Mansfield Senior.

JSII: Expect a competitive game with both teams trying to stay within striking distance in the OCC. The Tygers take it. Pick: Mansfield Senior.

Ontario (3-4, 0-4) at Pleasant (1-6, 0-4)

JF: The Warriors are on a four-game losing streak and Pleasant gave Clear Fork a scare for the first half last week, scoring the most points (21) in a game so far this year. Ontario is scoring in bunches, but is allowing way too many points during the last four games with an average of 47.3 allowed. I think this is the game Ontario puts it all together. Pick: Ontario.

JSII: Ontario ends the four-game slide. Pick: Ontario.

River Valley (5-2, 3-1) at Shelby (4-3, 2-2)

JF: This one is an absolute toss-up. Shelby is allowing way too many rushing yards lately, which has hurt the Whippets in a two-game losing streak. River Valley can run it and throw it but, with Shelby at home, I think it is a much better defensive effort. I am just worried about that offense when it gets in the red zone. So, I have to go with my gut in this one. Pick: River Valley.

JSII: This one should be fun. I expect a tight one. I'll ride with River Valley in this critical MOAC contest. Pick: River Valley.

Jake Furr and James Simpson II are the sports reporters for the Mansfield News Journal. You can follow all of their high school football coverage on Twitter at @JakeFurr11 and @JamesSimpsonII.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Week 8 Picks: Who will Jake Furr and James Simpson II pick this week?