Big BVC clashes headline this week's games to see

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… WEEK 5 GAMES Ada (3-1, 1-1 BVC) at McComb (2-2, 1-1 BVC) A year ago, Ada was one of the new kids on the BVC block when the Bulldogs lined up opposite McComb in a mid-season matchup. It shaped up as an initiation of sorts for the new guys, but Ada, which dropped a 44-43 decision to Arlington earlier, made a competitive statement with a 35-20 win over the Panthers. Ada would finish the season 8-3; McComb was 8-4. With matching 1-1 BVC records, both teams will be looking to stay in contention. Both teams flexed some offensive muscle a week ago, Ada beating Elmwood 50-20 and McComb powering past Arcadia 56-0. Both teams rely on dual-threat quarterbacks, with McComb senior Grady Schroeder throwing for 558 yards, rushing for a team-high 266, and accounting for nine touchdowns. Ada junior Blake Zoldaz has 664 yards passing, 266 rushing and 17 total touchdowns. Defensive the Panthers and Bulldogs feature the leading tacklers in the BVC, Gracin Romero with nine tackles for loss and 44 totals for the Panthers, and Zack Zimmerman with 40 tackles for Ada. Pandora-Gilboa (2-2, 1-1 BVC) at Arlington (4-0, 2-0 BVC) Three BVC teams remain undefeated this season and two of them could clash next week. Liberty-Benton, 4-0 and ranked seventh in the state in Division V, is likely to advance unscathed to that game, being a heavy favorite against an 0-4 Elmwood team. Arlington's bid to also remain unbeaten faces a rockier path with Pandora-Gilboa up next. The Rockets are 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the BVC, but opened the season with a 22-21 statement win over three-time state semifinalist Columbus Grove. The Rockets are led offensively by three senior veterans: quarterback Cory Gerten (558 yards, 6 TDs passing), 200-pound running back Ben Burkholder (400 yards, 5 TDs) and wide out Chase Meyer (26 recps., 307 yards, 1 TD). P-G will be going up against an offense (325.5 ypg, 34.5 ppg) and defense (135.8 ypg, 6 ppg) that both rank second in the BVC. Ayden Cavinee is the Red Devils top back with 338 yards and four TDs. The 200-pound senior is also Arlington's leading receiver with 185 yards and three TD receptions. Trenton Heacock, a dual-threat senior quarterback, has thrown for 485 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 201 yards and another four scores. Carey (1-3, 1-0 N10) at Seneca East (3-1. 1-0 N10) Seneca East started the season strong, Carey struggled out of the gate, but the Blue Devils and Tigers are tied for first place in the Northern 10 Conference standings heading into Friday's clash. Last year's outcome, a 34-31 Seneca East win, was typical of the competitive rivalry between the schools, who trace their battles for bragging rights back to the days of the Midland Athletic League. Seneca East's league-leading defense has allowed just 53.5 yards a game on the ground through four games. The Tigers have allowed just two rushing touchdowns. Mace Puckett heads up Carey's run game. The 200-pound junior back averages 5.7 yards per carry and 97.5 yards per game. Seneca East has displayed balance between the run (167.8 ypg) and the pass (148.3 ypg).