Big conference showdowns highlight 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…Leipsic (6-0, 4-0) at McComb (3-3, 2-2 BVC)The projected and expected showdown of the season is next week when Leipsic travels to Liberty-Benton. For that to happen, though, Leipsic will have to win at Doc Miller Field and that's never been easy in this Route 613 Rivalry. Three of the last four matchups between the Vikings and Panthers have been decided by six points or less, including McComb's 27-21 overtime win in the second round of the 2021 playoffs. In getting off to a 6-0 start, Leipsic has relied on the top passing attack in the BVC, with sophomore quarterback Marc Kirkendall leading the league with 1,379 yards through the air. He's thrown 14 touchdown passes, with just three interceptions in 154 attempts. Leipsic graduated two top-notch receivers in Jayce Brecht (58 receptions, 862 yards, 7 TDs) and Aaron Ty Lammers (44, 708, 8 TD). The Vikings have found some quality replacements, though, in Avery Paris (36 receptions, 669 yards, 8 TDs), Aaron Hazelton (26, 334, 3 TDs) and Marquis Williams (11, 141, 1 TD). Leipsic leads the BVC in yards per game (385.7), but is eighth defensively, allowing an average of 299.3. McComb's offense has revolved around dual-threat senior quarterback Grady Schroeder, who has thrown for 732 yards and seven TDs while rushing for 506 yards and another six scores. The Panthers also have a special teams threat in Carter Frater, who has returned two kickoffs for TDs this season. Defensively, McComb has allowed the second fewest passing yards (442) and has four players – Gracin Romero (12), Carter Like (15), Jaxen Durain (11) and Griffin Amador (11) – with 10 or more tackles for loss.Convoy Crestview (5-1, 3-0 NWC) at Bluffton (5-1, 2-1 NWC) Convoy Crestview may not have the extensive football history of other Northwest Conference schools, but the program has produced gridiron notables like Jack Mollenkopf (Purdue coach) and offensive lineman Kory Lichtensteiger (BGSU; Vikings, Redskins). The Knights have another headline grabber in Braxton Leeth, a 6-foot, 195-pound senior who, according to the most recent stats posted on the OHSAA site, is leading the entire state in scoring (146) points and is No. 2 in rushing yards (1,426). Leeth rushed for 419 yards and seven touchdowns in a 62-41 win over parkway, and had 319 yards and matched his school record for TDs in a game (7) in a 55-48 win over Fort Loramie. Crestview leads all-NWC teams in rushing (256.3 ypg). Defensively, Bluffton is third in the NWC against the run, allowing an average of 133.5 yards per game. Bluffton has a player – junior quarterback Tayte Giesige – putting up some eye-popping offensive numbers as well. Through six games, Giesige has thrown for 1,470 yards. And with 25 TDs in his 70 completions, every third pass he completes is going for a score. In Kain Wright (13 receptions, 423 yards, 7 TD), Blayne Hill (18, 417, 6 TDs), Lleyton Miller (11, 192, 5 TDs) and Ethan Sprunger (7, 139, 4 TDs) Giesige has a capable fleet of receivers to connect with. A player Bluffton will have to be aware of is Liam Putnam. In Crestview's 35-0 win over Delphos Jefferson last week, the Knights' 6-3, 190-pound defensive end had a school record seven sacks. This game will have a major impact on the NWC standings as well. Crestview is at Columbus Grove next week and hosts Lima Central catholic (6-0, 3-0 NWC) in Week 10; Bluffton, coming off Saturday's 312-1 loss to LCC, hosts Fort Loramie next week, then wraps up the regular season with game at Allen East and at Columbus Grove. Carey (3-3, 3-0 N10) at Buckeye Central (3-3. 1-2 N10)Carey has been on a mission since starting the season 0-3. Next stop on that journey is in New Washington where the Blue Devils, making their last road trip of the regular season, go up against Buckeye Central. Defense has helped Carey turn things around. The Blue Devils gave up 77 points in losses to three strong opponents: Hopewell-Loudon (6-0), Galion (5-1) and Lima Central Catholic (6-0). In consecutive wins over Upper Sandusky, Seneca East and Wynford, though, the Blue Devils have allowed just 28 points. Spearheading that defense are Mace Puckett, Dash Puckett and Carter Bame. Mace Puckett has 59 total tackles and nine tackles for loss, Dash Puckett has 50 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, and Bame has 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. Every game from here out will determine some pivotal placing for Carey. As far as the N10 goes, Carey hosts Colonel Crawford (6-0, 3-0 N10) next week and Mohawk (5-1, 2-1 N10) in Week 9. The Blue Devils are sitting in a tie for 12th in the Division VI, Region 22 rankings that determine playoff position and pairings. In June, the OHSAA announced the football playoffs would be reduced from the top 16 teams in each region to the top 12.