Richland County Football Power Poll: Crestview Cougars make a statement in Week 6

Richland County high school football teams need to have short memories.

Just three of the nine teams picked up wins in Week 6 as the second half of the 2022 season didn't start out exactly how everyone had wished. It started out perfectly for the top three teams in this week's Richland County Football Power Poll, though.

Let's check out where the teams rank, how they did last week and what they have to look forward to in Week 7.

1. Crestview (6-0, 2-0)

The Cougars made a giant statement in the power poll rankings with a 31-6 win over Lucas last week. The Cougs controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, which allowed Adison Reymer to run for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. The defense also held the Cubs to 113 yards rushing, which is no small feat. With all of their nonconference opponents out of the way, the Cougars turn their focus to the Firelands Conference championship, and they need a win over South Central on Friday night to take the next step. The Trojans boast a pass-heavy offense that has to have the Cougars secondary excited as it has nine interceptions in the first six games.

2. Clear Fork (5-1, 3-0)

The Colts showed their big-play ability last week in a 48-28 win over Ontario as Trystyn Robison returned a kickoff 85 yards for a score and Aidan Perry picked up a blocked punt and returned it 85 yards for a TD as special teams took center stage to help the Colts improve to 3-0 in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. They are tied atop the standings with Highland, their Week 10 opponent, and have to take care of business the rest of the way if they hope to make that Week 10 game mean something. They have a nice tuneup game this week at home against Pleasant (1-5) before really turning things up in the final three weeks.

3. Mansfield Senior (4-2, 2-1)

The Tygers got back to playing Tygers football in Week 6 with a dominating 41-0 win over Lexington to pick up a nice homecoming victory. Aaron Thornton set the tone by stripping the ball from the kick returner on the opening kickoff and returning it for a touchdown to get the Tygers on the board just 12 seconds into the game. Duke Reese had the best passing performance of any Tygers QB in the last 10 seasons with 313 yards on seven completions. Amarr Davis and Nate Dismuke torched the Lexington secondary and the defense pitched its first shutout since Week 11 of the 2019 season, a year in which the Tygers shut out four opponents. If the Tygers continue to play as they did on Friday night, they have to be considered favorites to make it out of the region. But, first, a trip to Ashland for a high emotions game.

4. Shelby (4-2, 2-1)

The Whippets' quest for a fourth consecutive MOAC title took a major hit Friday night in a 34-27 loss at Galion. Since joining the MOAC, Shelby has just two league losses, both to Galion. After allowing just nine points combined over the previous two weeks, the Whippets surrendered their most points in a game this season. Now, they have to play from behind if they hope to get back into the title race, but the good news is they still control their own destiny. The Whippets sit behind Highland and Clear Fork in the standings and travel to Highland in Week 7 and to Clear Fork in Week 8. It is a tough stretch to end the season for Shelby with Highland, River Valley, Clear Fork and Ontario left.

5. Lucas (3-3)

The Cubs dropped their second consecutive game, 31-6 to Crestview, for their first two-game losing streak since the 2020 season when they played an MOAC schedule and still made a run to a regional final. They managed just 113 yards rushing, which might be the lowest total in a very long time for the Cubs. Lucas has three losses against teams with a combined record of 17-1. But, there is no time for the Cubs to feel sorry for themselves. They bring in Lima Central Catholic on Friday night for a homecoming game that is sure to be another tough test.

6. Ontario (3-3, 0-3)

The Warriors are in the middle of a three-game losing streak and all have come against MOAC opponents, including a 48-28 loss to Clear Fork on Friday night. Despite allowing two big special teams plays, the Warriors were right in it midway through the third quarter, trailing 34-21, as they took haymakers and kept on fighting. That is a sign of a team that is growing and maturing on a week-to-week basis. Now the Warriors travel to Galion to play a Tigers team that figured things out last week and knocked off one of the MOAC favorites. Do the Warriors have an emotional win in them? We will find out.

7. Plymouth (3-3, 1-2)

The Big Red went up against a Firelands Conference giant and came out with a 35-20 loss to St. Paul, a team they haven't topped since 1994. They may have lost more than the game, though, as Shae Sparks was carried off the field in the first half due to an injury and could not return despite trying to after halftime. If he can't come back this week, the Big Red will have their hands full on the road at Mapleton.

8. Lexington (2-4, 2-1)

The Minutemen went from winning one of the toughest games of the year in a major upset over Wooster in Week 5 to laying an egg in a 41-0 loss to Mansfield Senior in Week 6. They need a short memory because defending Ohio Cardinal Conference champion West Holmes, one of the best Division IV teams in the state, is coming to town after destroying opponents with running-clock wins in each of the last five weeks.

9. Madison (0-6, 0-3)

The Rams showed a little bit of improvement on the offensive side during a 49-14 loss to Ashland in Week 6. After scoring just seven points combined in the last two weeks, the Rams got on the board twice against the Arrows, so you have to take the good with the bad. Defensively, the Rams left a lot to be desired. They host New Philadelphia — a team that doesn't give up a ton of points nor scores many — Friday night.

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11

Last weeks rankings

1. Crestview

2. Clear Fork

3. Shelby

4. Mansfield Senior

5. Lucas

6. Ontario

7. Lexington

8. Plymouth

9. Madison