by Logan Andrew | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
Friday night’s action delivered thrills across Crawford County, but none bigger than the game in Bucyrus. The Redmen put an emphatic end to a long skid, while Buckeye Central, Colonel Crawford, Crestline, Galion, and Wynford all notched impressive victories of their own. Let’s break down how it all unfolded:
Bucyrus vs. Triad (W, 42–21)
After weeks—if not seasons—of near misses, Bucyrus finally cracked the code. The Redmen rolled to a 42-21 win over Triad, snapping a lengthy losing streak and giving fans a glimpse of what could be a transformative season.
Freshman quarterback Isaac Makeever built on his promising debut, showcasing poise and polish beyond his years. He tossed touchdown passes to Christian Neal and Da’Shawn Cosey and added a score on the ground, commanding an offense that churned out points in each quarter. Bucyrus controlled the line of scrimmage, with the offensive line creating running lanes and the defense bottling up Triad’s rushing attack.
Head coach Jon Butchko said the victory “felt like multiple wins” as Bucyrus finally got the proverbial monkey off its back. The locker-room celebration echoed the relief of a team and town hungry for a breakthrough, and Butchko noted that seeing his players finish a game strong was every bit as important as the final score.
Triad kept the game close early, but Bucyrus pulled away in the second half with disciplined defense and opportunistic special teams play. By the final whistle, the Redmen faithful were chanting and cheering louder than they have in years.
Buckeye Central vs. South Central (W, 34–7)
The Bucks followed up last week’s opener with another statement, hammering South Central 34-7 at home. Senior quarterback Jack Phillips accounted for three touchdowns—two through the air and one on the ground—while sophomore back Austin Bogner racked up yardage between the tackles. Buckeye Central jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead and never looked back, forcing three turnovers and dominating time of possession.
Coach Jordan Phillips highlighted the team’s physicality: “We did the little things right. We tackled, we blocked, and we finished drives. That’s our blueprint.”
Colonel Crawford vs. Fairfield Union (W, 28–14)
Colonel Crawford continued its hot start by dispatching Fairfield Union 28-14. Junior wideout Parker Weithman added another long touchdown to his growing highlight reel, and running back Connor McMichael did damage on the ground and as a receiver. The Eagles’ defense stiffened in the red zone, turning away multiple Falcons drives and securing the game in the fourth quarter. Coach Jake Bruner called it “another step forward” for a team eyeing a deep postseason run.
Crestline vs. Vanlue (W, 48–6)
After a tough opener, Crestline erupted for 48 points against Vanlue, punctuated by big plays from quarterback Kody Lawhorn and a swarming defense that forced turnovers early and often. Lawhorn connected with receivers Landyn Prosser and Jeremiah Jones for scores, while running back Mason Carter punched in two touchdowns. By halftime the Bulldogs led 35-6, allowing backups to gain valuable reps down the stretch.
Coach Hastings Robinette praised his team’s focus. “We cleaned up the penalties and mental mistakes from Week 1 and played our brand of football,” he said. “This is how we have to compete every Friday.”
Galion vs. Carey (W, 41–14)
Galion delivered one of the county’s most impressive performances, throttling Carey 41-14. Quarterback Ayden Schmidt tossed two long touchdown passes to Jacob Chambers, and sophomore running back Kurt Hay ripped off another game-breaking run. The Tigers’ defense forced four turnovers, including interceptions by linebacker Trevor Shifley and safety Logan McCoy, setting up short fields for the offense. Coach Matt Dick credited the team’s balance and focus, while Schmidt noted, “We just played fast and loose—believing in each other.”
Wynford vs. East Knox (W, 28–12)
Wynford rebounded from its Week 1 loss by beating East Knox 28-12. Running back Bryce Locker carried the load again, churning out hard yards and scoring twice. Quarterback Brayden Locker added a rushing touchdown and hit Cody Albright on a perfectly placed fade for another score. The Royals’ defense bent but didn’t break, containing East Knox’s passing attack and swarming to the ball. Coach Cyle Skidmore noted that his team “played with an edge and controlled the trenches—exactly what we needed.”
The Takeaway
Week 2 showcased the depth and parity across Crawford County. Bucyrus’ cathartic win over Triad—one that “felt like multiple wins,” as Coach Butchko put it—signals that the Redmen are no longer content to simply compete; they’re ready to win. Buckeye Central looks every bit the Northern10 contender with a balanced offense and disciplined defense. Colonel Crawford continues to roll behind explosive playmakers, Crestline bounced back with an emphatic victory, Galion displayed championship-level balance, and Wynford re-established its physical identity.
As the season rolls on, rivalries will intensify and the path to postseason seeding will become clearer. But for now, local fans can savor a weekend in which all six area teams put one in the win column—proving that Friday nights in Crawford County are as compelling as ever.
Reader Submitted Photos
FreeWire readers captured the spirit of Week 2 under the lights—players leaping for catches, marching bands firing up the crowd, and fans of all ages celebrating in the stands. We’ll feature a selection of these snapshots in our “Week 2 Photo Gallery” later this week. Want to see your photos included? Send us your best shots via Facebook messenger or by tagging @FreeWireMagazine. Your picture might be part of next week’s Monday Morning Quarterback!
Editor’s Note: Scores and game details were compiled from MaxPreps, school athletic departments, local broadcasters, and regional outlets such as Crawford County Now, Richland Source, and OH.Report. FreeWire does not rely on any single outlet’s reporting and independently verifies results where possible.
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