by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine
Friday night lights are back, and opening week didn’t disappoint. From a breakout freshman debut in Bucyrus to Colonel Crawford’s fireworks under college stadium lights, local teams set the tone for what could be an exciting season. Here’s how it went down across the county:
Bucyrus vs. North Baltimore (L, 36–28)
The Redmen came out swinging with freshman QB Isaac Makeever making a memorable varsity debut — 198 yards passing, two touchdown throws, and two rushing scores. Bucyrus jumped to a 14–6 lead early, but losing senior back Demaris Munn-Page to injury on the second play changed the complexion of the game.
North Baltimore capitalized with 16 unanswered points before halftime, led by QB Luke Long (92 rushing yards, 2 TDs, plus 235 yards passing) and WR Cooper Clark, who torched the secondary with 13 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Bucyrus kept battling — Makeever’s fourth TD pulled them within two points late — but the Tigers sealed it with a 25-yard scoring run in the final minutes.
Coach Jon Butchko praised his young QB’s toughness but admitted the program “just needs to see one through from beginning to end.”
Wynford vs. Cardington-Lincoln (L, 32–27)
Wynford fell in a back-and-forth battle, rallying from a 14–0 hole to trade punches in the second half. Senior back Trenton Locker found the end zone late, but Cardington’s bruising ground game (340 rushing yards) proved too much to overcome.
QB Brayden Locker connected on two touchdown passes as the Royals piled up 21 third-quarter points, closing the gap to five. But missed chances in the red zone and a failed two-point try left Wynford chasing the game.
Despite the loss, Coach Cyle Skidmore said he was encouraged by the fight his team showed, noting that “we just ran out of time.”
Colonel Crawford vs. Fairbanks (W, 42–7)
The Eagles stole the show Thursday night at Ohio Wesleyan, unleashing a big-play offense that put Fairbanks away early. WR Parker Weithman was unstoppable in the first half, catching three touchdown passes of 40+ yards and grabbing an interception on defense.
Senior QB Peyton Baker and junior Brayden Holt combined for five TD passes, spreading the wealth across multiple receivers. Running back Connor McMichael added scores on the ground and through the air. By halftime, Crawford led 35–7, and the second half ran under mercy-rule conditions.
Coach Jake Bruner called it “a strong start in all phases,” setting the tone for a team that looks built for fireworks this fall.
Buckeye Central vs. Crestline (W, 22–7)
It wasn’t pretty, but Buckeye Central will take it. The Bucks surged to a 22–0 lead in the first half before a flood of penalties (30 combined) bogged things down.
QB Jack Phillips accounted for three touchdowns — two rushing and one passing — while his younger brother Alec hauled in a scoring grab and an interception. Sophomore back Austin Bogner churned out 112 yards to pace the ground game.
Crestline QB Kody Lawhorn threw for 173 yards and a late TD to Landyn Prosser, but turnovers and penalties killed any momentum. Coach Jordan Phillips credited his team’s ability to grind out a clock-draining drive in the fourth, saying it showed “how physical we can finish.”
Galion vs. St. Marys Memorial (W, 35–6)
Galion turned a scoreless first quarter into a rout, exploding for 21 points in the second. QB Ayden Schmidt scored on the ground and through the air, including a 50-yard strike to Jacob Chambers after a key interception.
The knockout came on the first snap of the second half when sophomore RB Kurt Hay ripped off an 84-yard touchdown run. Hay finished with 102 yards on just three carries, while junior Braxton Stuckman added another score to trigger a running clock.
St. Marys avoided a shutout with a late TD, but the Tigers’ balance on both sides of the ball set an early tone. Coach Matt Dick praised his team’s composure, and Schmidt summed it up simply: “We just played for each other.”
The Takeaway
Week 1 delivered everything from gritty comebacks to statement wins. Bucyrus showed it may have found its QB of the future. Wynford fell just short but proved it won’t back down. Colonel Crawford looks every bit the contender with a dynamic passing attack. Buckeye Central showed toughness in a sloppy opener, and Galion flexed dominance over a respected opponent.
As September approaches, rivalries deepen and playoff hopes begin to take shape. Week 2 brings new tests — and if this weekend was any indication, local fans are in for an electric season under the lights.
Reader Submitted Photos
FreeWire readers captured the spirit of Week 1 under the Friday night lights:
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Thank you to everyone who sent us photos on Facebook — keep them coming each week, and your shots may be featured in our Monday Quarterback series.
Editor’s Note: Scores and game details were compiled from a range of sources including MaxPreps, school athletic departments, local broadcasters, and regional outlets such as Crawford County Now, the Daily Chief-Union, Richland Source, and OH.Report. FreeWire does not rely on any single outlet’s reporting and independently verifies results where possible.
I appreciate your putting this on here. The other so called papers barely mention Wynford, however, you got the 2 players names wrong. Nice try thou