It’s finally here. Week 8.
The week we all have been waiting for. Shelby-Ontario week. The undefeated showdown, the likely Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference championship bout, the biggest battle of the season.
Let’s take a quick look at what is in store for us with the Week 8 Preview.
What we learned in Week 7
- It is no secret the Plymouth Big Red want to do everything possible to get back to 11-man football, but this season might be looked at as one that gets the program on track. After a 48-16 win over Holgate, Plymouth is 3-4, tying them for the most wins in a season since 2022. Isaiah Miller ran for 206 yards and three touchdowns and caught a 23-yard TD. He added 17 tackles, six for loss and two sacks. The Big Red could find themselves in the 8-man football playoffs after Week 10. Could this ignite something within the school to make football a priority again?
- The Lucas Cubs need to win a big game to get in the playoffs. After a 49-6 win over Buckeye Central, the Cubs proved they can win games they are supposed to. But to get into the postseason for a 13th straight season, they are going to need an upset or two against Seneca East and/or Hopewell-Loudon. Brady Guegold can single-handedly lead a team to victory, so look for the Cubs to use him early and often in Week 8.
- The Shelby Whippets can win ugly if they have to. In a game that had 26 penalties, Shelby beat Clear Fork 28-21 even though the Whippets didn’t play their best game by a mile. Michael Shepherd threw for 182 yards and Bray Bowman had 129 yards receiving, so it wasn’t all ugly.
- Ontario’s depth is a difference maker. In a 27-12 win over Marion Harding, the Warriors were without the heart and soul of their team in Gavin Miller and lost starting quarterback Sean Tanner late due to injury. Both had taken every snap at QB this season. Zane Curry got more time at running back and ran for a TD while Trey Remy found himself back under center and threw a TD pass. Cardae Brown continues to be the biggest surprise of the season with 75 receiving yards, a touchdown and another interception on defense. There is a lot to love about the Warriors’ depth.
Most Intriguing games of Week 8
Ontario (7-0, 4-0) at Shelby (7-0, 4-0)
We could stop right here because every single eye will be on this battle of Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference unbeatens. Shelby leads the all-time series 12-5 and has only lost to the Warriors once in the regular season since 2015. The four meetings from 2022-25 have been separated by 28 total points. Excluding last year’s 42-0 Shelby victory, this has been the most competitive rivalry Richland County has had in the last five years. Strangely, the first-ever meeting between these two schools located less than 10 miles apart was in 2008, despite both teams having rich football histories dating to the 1960s for Ontario and the late 1800s for Shelby. We are going to break this game down more in a separate scouting report, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner can clinch at least a share of the MOAC championship next week. Shelby has already clinched a playoff spot and Ontario controls its own destiny, but the winner here could easily clinch a Top 4 spot and a very important bye week in Week 11. That would go a long way for two teams expecting to compete for regional championships.
Wooster (2-5, 2-2) at Mansfield Senior (1-6, 1-3)
While this one doesn’t have the implications as the one above, it’s still going to be interesting. The Tygers play a Wooster team that has been very up and down. The Generals beat Madison, lost to Lexington and beat New Philadelphia and even gave OCC-leading Dover a game last week. The Tygers’ win is against Lexington, so they have a shot in this one. With it being at Arlin Field on Homecoming, don’t be shocked with a TY W.
Danbury (4-3, 3-2) at Plymouth (3-4, 2-3)
It’s been six years since Plymouth enjoyed a .500 season. The Big Red has a solid chance to get there this season; their next three games are winnable, especially with the way Isaiah Miller is playing, and they could sneak into the 8-man playoffs as one of the Top 4 teams.
Lucas (4-3, 3-2) at Seneca East (5-2, 3-2)
The math isn’t crystal clear, but it looks like the Cubs need to win two of their last three games to make the postseason. They could sneak in with just one win, but it would be cutting it close. Consider this one a must-win. The Cubs have Hopewell-Loudon next week before finishing with Wynford. A win over Seneca East would go an extremely long way in the computer points.
Key Players to Watch in Week 8
The two key players to watch this week come from the Shelby-Ontario matchup. And it comes down to who can win their position.
The running backs are going to be extremely important to the success of both offenses. Ontario’s Max Ciroli has 805 yards and nine touchdowns, while Gavin Miller has 300 yards and six TDs. Shelby’s Gavin Baker had 412 yards and six touchdowns and Luke Blevins had 240 yards and a score. Both teams support dynamic duos and it will be on those guys to set the tone. Whichever team runs the ball the best will win.
Richland County High School Football Week 8 Schedule
Lexington (1-6, 1-3) at New Philadelphia (3-4, 3-1)
Clear Fork (5-2, 2-2) at Highland (3-4, 2-2)
Ontario (7-0, 4-0) at Shelby (7-0, 4-0)
Wooster (2-5, 2-2) at Mansfield Senior (1-6, 1-3)
Madison (3-4, 1-3) at Dover (5-2, 4-0)
Danbury (4-3, 3-2) at Plymouth (3-4, 2-3)
Western Reserve (7-0, 4-0) at Crestview (1-6, 0-3)
Lucas (4-3, 3-2) at Seneca East (5-2, 3-2)
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: In Week 8 football, running backs to have major impact on Shelby-Ontario outcome
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