Jake's List: Top 15 Richland County high school football games to catch in 2023

MANSFIELD — Week 1 of the 2023 high school football season is officially here.

Friday night, all nine football-playing schools in Richland County will kick off the season in one of the most anticipated nights of the year. So, as you gear up to figure out your route throughout the football-rich county, allow me to suggest these 15 games you may want to check out during the fastest 10 weeks of the year.

15. Mansfield Senior at Massillon, Week 3

It's Tygers vs Tigers in Week 3 again this season as the rivalry continues its rejuvenation. Last year, Massillon thumped Mansfield Senior 33-0 at Arlin Field, but this year, the Tygers have a veteran offense that is determined to get some revenge on that shutout loss. This one has historical significance and we will see if the Tygers can gain some ground.

14. St. Paul at Crestview, Week 8

This one should be a Firelands Conference championship game and when better to have it than Week 8? The Cougars are searching for their fourth straight Firelands Conference championship and St. Paul is looking to avoid its longest title drought since 1992. The Flyers haven't gone three seasons without a title in 30 years and the Cougars can make that happen.

13. Shelby at Madison, Week 1

This one was a thriller last year with Shelby coming away with a walk-off win in the final game at WW Skiles Field. This year, there is some more sentimental value to the Week 1 matchup as the rivalry introduces the Milliron Trophy, a traveling trophy awarded to the winner each year in honor of the late Grant Milliron, a Madison grad and Shelby supporter who was instrumental in the development of both schools' football stadiums.

12. Highland at Clear Fork, Week 9

The Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference could go to anyone this season. But this one could be a potential league championship matchup as it was last year in Week 10 when the Colts beat Highland to win the title. Highland has the leading rusher coming back in Dane Nauman and Clear Fork has one of the most successful senior classes in recent memory. This one will be a doozy.

11. Canfield at Mansfield Senior, Week 2

The Tygers didn't shy away from the competition during their nonconference schedule this year. To go with St. Vincent, St. Mary and Massillon, the Tygers went out and picked up the defending Division III state champs. Many are already pegging the Tygers to start 0-3, but there is a very good chance they start 2-0 before heading to Massillon and what a great way to start the season than with a win over the champs?

10. Shelby at Ontario, Week 9

Remember that Clear Fork/Highland matchup and the league title implications attached to it? This one has all the makings of a league championship game. It was an absolute thriller last year with Ontario pulling off the last-second win to clinch a playoff spot. Shelby has a ton of skill coming back and this may be the most complete Ontario team in the last decade. Expect another absolute thriller.

9. Clear Fork at Lexington, Week 3

The last time this game was at Lexington, Clear Fork won it in an overtime thriller. Expect the same fireworks. The Colts will be early in their season as they look to build some continuity heading into league play and Lexington has one of the best young skill groups in Richland County. By Week 3, these two teams should be in midseason form.

8. Lexington at Shelby, Week 2

This one might be the highest-scoring game in Richland County for the entire 2023 season. There will be so much skill all over the field on both sides of the ball that trips to the end zone will come fast and furious. This one will also feature two of the best sophomore quarterbacks in Richland County and two receivers who may end up going Division I. Come check this one out to find out who they are.

7. Lucas at Crestview, Week 5

Two of the best small-school Richland County football programs meet again this season. Lucas is looking for a 10th straight playoff berth and Crestview is on a quest for a fourth straight Firelands Conference championship. The Cougs won this one last year, but the Cubs are on a revenge tour after finishing the regular season 4-6. Expect a hard-hitting matchup.

6. Clear Fork at Shelby, Week 8

As you can tell, there is no rest for the MOAC. Week 8 could see a potential league championship matchup between Clear Fork and Shelby. This one is always a great matchup and it will mean a little something extra as both teams expect to compete for a league title. Winner of this one gets a leg up with two weeks left.

5. Mansfield Senior at Lexington, Week 6

This is such a fun game every year and with Lexington looking to build some momentum for what looks like championship-caliber seasons for the next three years and the Tygers bringing in OCC title expectations this year, this one could do a lot for both programs. A Mansfield Senior win gives the Tygers an easier road over the last four weeks. A Lex win gives the Minutemen a huge confidence boost and maybe even propels them into league championship conversations this year. A lot on the line in Week 6.

4. Lucas at Clear Fork, Week 1

There may be no better matchup in Week 1 than this one right here. The Cubs took the Colts to the brink last season falling by a single point 21-20 despite multiple opportunities to win. The Colts took that win and parlayed it into an MOAC championship season. This one will set the tone for both programs for the 2023 season so expect them to pull out all the stops to win. The Valley will be bumping.

3. Ontario at Lexington, Week 1

Ok, maybe this one is the best Week 1 matchup. It is always a great meeting between these two teams and you just never know who is going to come out with a win. This was my very first football game I ever covered as a high school sports reporter in 2013 and Ontario won with a two-point conversion in overtime to pull off a thrilling win. I expect it to be just as close this year.

2. Ontario at Clear Fork, Week 5

Yes, it is a mid-season game, but it might be the most important game on both schedules. This one will set both teams up for different stories in the second half of the season. Winner is clearly in the driver's seat for an MOAC championship. Loser might want to start preparing for the playoffs. It really is that important and one that cannot be missed if you are a high school football fan in Richland County.

1. West Holmes at Mansfield Senior, Week 4

Without a doubt, the top game of the 2023 season will actually be really early in the season. West Holmes at Mansfield Senior will likely determine the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship as those two teams seem to be in a class of their own when it comes to the league. West Holmes won it last year so the Tygers are hoping to knock off the Knights at Arlin Field to set the tone early. A win over West Holmes could give the Tygers a ton of momentum after a very strong nonconference schedule and set up an OCC run for the ages. Cancel your plans on Sept. 8 and come on out.

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11

2023 Richland County High School Football Schedule

Week 1 – Aug. 18

Lucas at Clear Fork

Crestview at Seneca East

Ontario at Lexington

Shelby at Madison

Mansfield Senior at St. Vincent-St. Mary

Plymouth at Oberlin

Week 2 – Aug. 25

Granville at Clear Fork

East Knox at Crestview

Lexington at Shelby

Lucas at Hillsdale

Madison at River Valley

Canfield at Mansfield Senior

Ontario at Centerburg

Willard at Plymouth

Week 3 – Sept. 1

Clear Fork at Lexington

Crestview at Highland

Smithville at Lucas

Madison at Ontario

Mansfield Senior at Massillon

Wellington at Plymouth

Shelby at Bellevue

Week 4 – Sept. 8

Clear Fork at Galion

Monroeville at Crestview

Lexington at Mount Vernon

Warrensville Heights at Lucas

Madison at Wooster

West Holmes at Mansfield Senior

River Valley at Ontario

Western Reserve at Plymouth

Shelby at Marion Harding

Week 5 – Sept. 15

Ontario at Clear Fork

Lucas at Crestview

Lexington at Wooster

West Holmes at Madison

New Philadelphia at Mansfield Senior

Plymouth at St. Paul

Galion at Shelby

Week 6 – Sept. 22

Clear Fork at Pleasant

Crestview at South Central

Mansfield Senior at Lexington

Lucas at Monroeville

Madison at Ashland

Galion at Ontario

Mapleton at Plymouth

Highland at Shelby

Week 7 – Sept. 29

Marion Harding at Clear Fork

Plymouth at Crestview

Lexington at West Holmes

Lucas at Lima Central Catholic

New Philadelphia at Madison

Ashland at Mansfield Senior

Pleasant at Ontario

Shelby at River Valley

Week 8 – Oct. 6

Clear Fork at Shelby

St. Paul at Crestview

New Philadelphia at Lexington

Plymouth at Lucas

Madison at Mount Vernon

Mansfield Senior at Wooster

Ontario at Marion Harding

Week 9 – Oct. 13

Highland at Clear Fork

Crestview at Western Reserve

Lexington at Madison

Fort Loramie at Lucas

Mansfield Senior at Mount Vernon

Shelby at Ontario

Plymouth at Monroeville

Week 10 – Oct. 20

Clear Fork at River Valley

Crestview at Mapleton

Ashland at Lexington

Arlington at Lucas

Madison at Mansfield Senior

Ontario at Highland

South Central at Plymouth

Pleasant at Shelby

^All games kick off at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's List: Top 15 Richland County high school football games to catch in 2023