Richland County Football Power Poll: Warriors historic start keeps them at No. 1
MANSFIELD — For the first time in 22 years, the Ontario Warriors are 6-0 to start a season.
That alone is more than enough to make them the logical choice for the No. 1 spot in this week's Richland County Football Power Poll for the fourth consecutive week. But just for fun, let's look at what they did last week as well as every other team in Richland County with this week's power poll.
Who is the MVP? Jake Furr's Mansfield News Journal Midway Richland County Football Awards
1. Ontario (6-0, 3-0)
In a 59-35 win over Galion Friday night, the Warriors withstood several haymakers from the Tigers to walk away with their sixth consecutive victory to start the season. Bodpegn Miller went 15-for-21 for 329 yards passing with two touchdowns while running for 95 yards and two more scores. Chase Studer ran for 115 yards on 21 carries and Quin Frankhouse caught four passes for 191 yards and a TD as the Warrior offense was prolific. Defensively, the Warriors struggled in the first quarter allowing 21 points, but only gave up 14 the rest of the way including just seven in the second half when Galion started with great field position on a fumbled kickoff return by the Warriors to start the third quarter. Craig Power got in on the scoring action with a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. Ontario is tied at the top of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference standings with Shelby and cannot get caught looking ahead to Week 9. This week, the Warriors host a very dangerous Pleasant team looking to wreck the league and Richland County Power Poll standings.
2. Mansfield Senior (4-2, 3-0)
The Tygers put up their best defensive performance of the season in a 37-10 win over Lexington putting them all alone in first place in the Ohio Cardinal Conference. With five total sacks, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions and three total turnovers, Mansfield Senior took a huge stride in their quest for their first OCC title since 2017. Since beginning league play, Mansfield Senior has outscored its opponents 110-59 for a 17-point margin of victory. The Tygers have beaten Lexington six straight times and are now all alone atop the OCC standings for the first time since being 7-0 in 2013. Symirr Phillips was the highlight player of the game with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Tygers host Ashland in Week 7 in another massive OCC game.
3. Shelby (5-1, 3-0)
The Whippets made a huge statement in a 48-14 win over Highland on Friday night to remain perfect in MOAC play. Sophomore quarterback Brayden DeVito had a big weekend throwing for 201 yards and two touchdowns while running for 91 yards and two more scores to give him 26 total touchdowns on the year. The following morning, he took a trip to Huntington, West Virginia to visit Marshall University. Sklyer Winters has a huge game going over the century mark again and scoring three times. But it was the defense that stood strong holding the MOAC's leading rusher, Dane Nauman, to just 65 yards. The Whippets are playing some of the best football of any team in Richland County and has a massive road test this week at River Valley.
4. Lucas (4-2)
The Cubs made it four straight with a 31-28 win over Monroeville on Friday night. Aidan Culler caught a 60-yard TD pass and booted what turned out to be the difference in the game 30-yard field goal. Logan Toms continues his silly pace with 108 yards on 15 carries with two more touchdowns as he lived up to the billing of the best Richland County running back of the first half of the season. Lucas proved it belongs in the Firelands Conference and that having the Cubs in would provide the rest of the league with a very fun and exciting game each and every week. Now, they just have to be let in. But, they aren't even focused on that. They are looking at a road game at Lima Central Catholic next week.
5. Lexington (3-3, 2-1)
The Minutemen ran into a bit of a buzz saw in the Tygers last week with a 37-10 loss against one of the most veteran teams in Richland County. Still, the Minutemen played well outgaining the Tygers in total yards 297-260. Brayden Fogle caught eight passes for 199 yards and a TD while Joe Caudill threw for 260. It was a game the Minutemen can only grow from, and they will as they get set to travel to West Holmes on Friday night in a game that will tell Lex a lot about the direction of the season.
6. Crestview (2-4, 1-1)
The Cougars got in the win column after a three-game losing streak with a 41-7 win over South Central. Ayden Reymer ran for 305 yards on just 24 carries with four touchdowns as the Cougars pull to .500 in the Firelands Conference and still control their own league title destiny. It starts with a homecoming game against Plymouth this week before ending the final five weeks with St. Paul, Western Reserve and Mapleton. It will be a tough stretch, but if the Cougars can win out and someone can knock off Monroeville along the way, Crestview can guarantee themselves a piece of the league championship.
7. Plymouth (2-4, 0-3)
The Big Red dropped a tough one to Mapleton on Friday night 42-12 to fall to 0-3 in league play and 2-4 overall. They may have lost more than the game as Eli and Ethan Keefe both left the game with injuries that may keep them out for quite a while. So, the Big Red head to Crestview next week shorthanded looking to pick up their first FC victory.
8. Clear Fork (1-5, 0-3)
The Colts skid hit five games last week with a 30-22 loss to Pleasant where they gave up 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to remain winless in the MOCA. They hope a home game against Harding this week can get them back on track.
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9. Madison (0-6, 0-3)
The Rams battled Ashland, but came up short with a 35-7 loss in Week 6 as they continue to look for their first win of the 2023 campaign. Khris Adkins-Tolbert ran for 57 yards on 19 carries for the Rams. They host New Philadelphia on Friday night.
jfurr@gannett.com
740-244-9934
Twitter: @JakeFurr11
Last Week's Rankings
1. Ontario
2. Mansfield Senior
3. Shelby
4. Lucas
5. Lexington
6. Crestview
7. Plymouth
8. Clear Fork
9. Madison
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County Football Power Poll: Ontario Warriors stay at No. 1
