Games to see in football's second week

When it comes to high school sports, northwest Ohio has some of the strongest, staunchest fan support in the state. The local team obviously draws the most interest in this rural-rich, small-town area of the state. But there are also some games every week that coaches counting Harbin points and fans lining the fences and packing the stands will want to check the morning paper just to see "Who Won?" Here's a look at a few of them… Pandora-Gilboa (1-0) at Bluffton (1-0) Both teams are coming off impressive Week 1 wins. Both also figure to be front-line contenders in their respective conferences and this matchup, in addition to the backyard rivalry between the neighboring school districts, will go a long way in defining their prospects of doing just that. Bluffton's defense will have to contend with P-G's standout receiving corps of Colin Harris (10 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD), Aidan Morris (7, 76, 2) and Carson Meyer (5, 33), who combined for 22 receptions for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the Rockets' 25-22 win over Columbus Grove. Bluffton went more the ground route in its 42-7 win over Division IV Benjamin Logan. Landen Worcester rushed for 125 yards and three scores and Noah Bricker (45 yards, 1 TD) and Tayte Giesige (41 yards) added another 86 yards. The Pirates threw just four passes, but they were efficient with quarterback Garrret Bogart completing all four for 99 yards and a score. Liberty-Benton (1-0) at Columbus Grove (0-1) Elyria Catholic brought a historically impressive resume to Eagles Field on Friday but Liberty-Benton made all the noise that night by putting a 45-14 beat-down on the three-time state champions. Mason Modd stepped into the quarterback spot vacated by all-Ohioan Kam Garlock and put up some sterling stats of his own, completing 12-of-15 passes for 235 yards and four TDs. The Eagles did give up 368 yards total offense, but did not allow a point over the last three quarters of play. Columbus Grove has had an extra day to plan and strategize after last Thursday's last-second 25-22 loss to Pandora-Gilboa. Trenton Barraza, a 175-pound junior who had almost 2,000 yards rushing (1,678 yards 15 TDs) and receiving (232, 1 TD) last season and sophomore quarterback Landon Best are dual-threat weapons for Grove. Best had 85 yards rushing and 46 passing in the Bulldogs opener; Barraza had 70 yards rushing and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Eastwood (1-0) at Elmwood (0-1) With Elmwood's move to the BVC, this game no longer counts in the Northern Buckeye Conference standings. For the past few seasons, though, the dramatic highlights produced from this game could fill a Hollywood script. In 2021, Mason Oliver rushed for 355 yards and scored three times as Elmwood ended a 20-year skid against Eastwood with a 56-49 victory. A year later, Eastwood came out on top 49-48 in another thriller, but Elmwood turned the tables by beating the Eagles 28-7 in the Division V playoffs. Eastwood edged Ottawa-Glandorf 21-18 in its opener; Elmwood fell 31-6 to Evergreen. Despite the records, the Battle of the Woods, especially in recent years, has been classic prep football. Ada (1-0) at Riverdale (1-0) This Route 30 rivalry is a natural. And though the schools haven't met that often on the football field, that will all change next season when Ada joins the Blanchard Valley Conference. Both teams are coming off opening wins and looking to establish themselves. Ada got a big all-around game from Levi Green and held off Upper Scioto Valley 24-22 to chalk up its first Week 1 win since 2018. Green threw for 150 yards and rushed for 121. Riverdale showed great overall balance in its 53-8 win over Bucyrus. Heath Dunbar completed 15-of-19 passes for 226 yards and four TDs in that game. Landon Bailey had 125 yards rushing, Loukas Carter 91 and Kydin Red 50 as the Falcons balance that 226 yards through the air with 266 yards on the ground.