Stark County area's high school football games to watch | What to know about Week 3

Five Stark County teams arrive at Week 3 of the Ohio high school football season still unbeaten. Two of them, Canton South and Sandy Valley, meet Friday. That is one of our top five games to watch this week. Learn more about that game, as well as the rest of Friday night's games from around the area.

Here's a look at this week's games:

5 OHSAA high school football games to watch this Friday around Stark County

Canton McKinley (1-1) at Dublin Coffman (2-0)

What to know: The Bulldogs had their chances last week against Division II heavyweight Avon before multiple mistakes led to a 28-7 loss. Now they must take their show on the road to the Columbus area and face a Dublin Coffman team that is on the rise. ... McKinley's explosive offense was limited to one touchdown (a Nino Hill 2-yard run) and 240 total yards last week. Hill and QB Keaton Rode combined for 145 yards rushing. The Bulldogs almost had as many penalties (10) as first downs (12). ... Hill averages 7.0 yards a carry on the season. He exploded on the scene last year in a 28-26 loss to Coffman with 206 yards and two TDs. ... A bright spot last week for McKinley was its defense. DL Dior Garner was a force with nine tackles. LB Shaukeer Hatcher added eight tackles and a sack. ... Coffman, coming off a 7-4 season last year, beat Centerville last week 22-14. QB Quinn Hart threw an 8-yard TD pass to Eli Losey with 5:22 left to put the Shamrocks in the lead. Matthew Schramm kicked a 46-yard field goal two minutes later to add to the advantage for Coffman. Hart completed 14 of 20 passes for 142 yards and ran for 132 yards on 18 carries. Coffman LB Charlie Mitchell picked off two Centerville passes. ... Hart ran for 87 yards and a TD and completed five passes for 73 yards in last year's win against McKinley, a game highlighted by Coffman milking the final 8:18 off the clock while protecting the lead.

Week 3 football power poll: Stark County-Area High School Football Top 5 Power Poll after two weeks of the 2023 season

Brecksville (2-0) at Lake (1-1)

What to know: Not happy with their Week 1 offensive performance in a 12-7 loss to Alliance, the Blue Streaks made some adjustments and churned out 322 rushing yards in a 42-31 win at Boardman last week. One of those adjustments was putting Nate Baker at tailback, and the senior responded with 182 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Lake also played two quarterbacks, with senior Cale Jarvis and junior Noah Kubasky combining for 91 yards passing and four TDs rushing. ... Boardman's 31 points were a bit surprising against a Lake defense that allowed more than 24 points once in 14 games last season. Junior LB Charlie Christopher has led the Blue Streaks with 11 tackles in both games this season. ... The Bees defense is buzzing led by LB Evan Rizzo. Brecksville has allowed a combined 284 yards of offense in wins of 20-2 against Tallmadge and 27-6 against Maple Heights. The Division II Bees already have equaled their win total from each of the previous two seasons. ... Brecksville 6-foot-4 QB Colin Seibert tossed TDs of 77 and 56 yards to fellow senior Kyle Keener last week. Seibert finished 14-of-19 passing for 270 yards and three TDs. Keener caught four passes for 158 yards. Against Tallmadge in Week 1, it was sophomore RB Jacob Etervoich leading the way with 161 yards and a TD on 15 carries. ... This is the first meeting between Lake and Brecksville.

Mansfield Senior (1-1) at Massillon (2-0)

What to know: The Massillon Tigers continue to steer their way in the right direction. For the first time since 2019, the Tigers start the year 2-0 after shutting down GlenOak 56-7 last Friday. The last time the Tigers went 2-0, they made it to the state finals. ... Massillon QBs Jalen Slaughter and DaOne Owens rotated each series and combined for 9-of-14 passing for 278 passing yards and five TDs. Jacques Carter caught two of the TD passes, gaining 144 yards on just three catches. Defensively, the Massillon remains dominant and physical. ... Mansfield is coming off an impressive win over the reigning Division III state champs, Canfield. The Tygers are led by speedster Amarr Davis. Mansfield is dealing with a few injuries and won't be fully healthy Friday.

Canton South (2-0) at Sandy Valley (2-0)

What to know: For those who like games full of offensive fireworks, this is a must-see matchup. The Wildcats and Cardinals have been relentless early in the season. Both teams show no signs of slowing down. ... South scored 92 points against St. Clairsville and Dover and needed almost every single one to pull out wins. Quarterback Poochie Snyder has completed 73% of his passes for 539 yards this season. He threw for 344 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 91 yards and two TDs in last week’s 50-40 win over Dover. ... Receivers Tavon Castle and Tyler Pugh are valuable weapons Snyder can turn to. Like Snyder, ... Sandy Valley QB Nick Petro can do damage with his arm and legs. Petro has completed 72% of his passes for 312 yards and three TDs and has a team-leading 277 yards rushing and four TDs. ... The Cardinals are also led by WR Lukas Gilland and RB Chad Davis. Gilland has caught all three of Petro’s TD passes. ... Sandy Valley hopes to avenge last year’s 56-30 loss to the Wildcats and improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2019.

More high school football: Poochie and his Wildcat pals living it up in the good new days of Canton South football

Northwest (0-2) at Louisville (1-1)

What to know: Northwest is trying to avoid an 0-3 start for the first time since 2012. … The Leopards are attempting to go 2-1 for the first time since 2019. … These two teams met last year with Louisville winning 16-6. … First-year Louisville head coach Chris Kappas earned his first win with the program last week in a 22-0 shutout win over Zanesville. … Louisville QB Owen Burick is 34-of-58 passing for 455 yards with three TDs and two interceptions. … Louisville has two wide receivers over 100 yards receiving on the season — Austin Wade (115) and Braiden Hershey (104). … Northwest head coach John Demarco was the head coach at Louisville from 2010 to 2018. His record with the Leopards was 65-29. … Northwest has scored just 27 points on the season. … Northwest gained the bulk of its yards on special teams in Week 2 against Marlington. Joe Musleve had three kickoff returns for 98 yards while Landen Cross returned two punts for 44 yards. … Cross, a receiver, and RB Connor Satterfield have scored two TDs each for Northwest this season.

OHSAA Football: Week 2 Stark County Ohio high school football scoreboard, box scores — see who won Friday

Other Week 3 Stark County-area high school football games

Jackson (1-1) at Stow (0-2)

What to know: After hanging with Mentor in a 26-21 loss to open the season, the Polar Bears won in stunning fashion last week. Lucas Ecrement threw a 4-yard TD pass to Jamahl Phillips on the game's final play from scrimmage and Connor Mizeur added the PAT for a come-from-behind 36-35 win vs. a quality Mayfield team. Now the challenge for Jackson is to not let that be the pinnacle of the season. "At the end of the day it's one win," Jackson coach Jay Rohr said. "We're a 1-1 football team. That's not our goals and aspirations. That's kind of been my message to them. Now's the time to really execute in all three phases and play together. Great teams do that week in and week out once they get going." ... The Polar Bears want to be a great team. They might already have a great quarterback. Ecrement, a sophomore, threw for 365 yards, five TDs and no interceptions against Mayfield. Phillips caught two of the TD passes, while Kyle Benson went for seven catches, 178 yards and one TD. ... Stow, coming off a 1-10 record last year, has lost its first two games to Medina and Barberton by a combined 54 points. Sophomore Jacob Harrington, already in his second season as Stow's starting QB, threw three TD passes against the Magics last week. Harrington is threat to run, too. ... Although they've scrimmaged over the years, this will be the first meeting between Jackson and Stow in a football game that counts.

Austintown Fitch (1-1) at GlenOak (1-1)

What to know: GlenOak does not get a breather after last week's 56-7 nightmare in Massillon. Fitch is coming to Bob Commings Field with "team speed that is incredible," according to GlenOak coach Scott Garcia. The Falcons beat GlenOak 48-18 last year en route to a 10-2 record. ... There weren't many positives to glean from last week for the Golden Eagles. The 56 points are the most GlenOak has allowed in the series against Massillon and the most against any opponent since a 56-21 loss to Hoover in 2019. Jamar Johnson led GlenOak with 81 yards on 13 carries. The Golden Eagles avoided the shutout when Avantae Burt scored on a 1-yard run with 90 seconds left in the game. ... Fitch lost a 36-35 heartbreaker last week when Pennsylvania power Central Valley scored with 13 seconds left and converted a 2-point try to win it. Pitt recruit Davion Pritchard took a kickoff back for a touchdown for Fitch. He plays corner and receiver. ... Senior DJ Williams, a Ball State recruit, scored three TDs last week. He rushed for 1,164 yards last year. Freshman Deon'Dray Richard is another dangerous runner for the Falcons. Senior DeShawn Vaughn Jr. is back at quarterback. ... Four-star edge rusher Brian Robinson (6-5, 255) transferred out of Fitch to Westerville North over the summer, but the Falcons aren't exactly thin up front. DL Xavier Dahn (6-4, 250) is another Ball State recruit.

Euclid (1-1) at Perry (1-1)

What to know: A good effort against a really good St. Vincent-St. Mary team went by the wayside last week for Perry because of "stupid mistakes," according to coach Zach Slates. The Panthers dropped a couple of passes that could've been touchdowns. They had costly penalties. After scoring on their opening drive and then forcing a three-and-out, they fumbled away the ensuing punt, which led to a St. V-M score. "We can't do that type of stuff and expect to win games," Slates said. ... The 16-14 loss was a positive step for a defense that allowed multiple big plays in a season-opening win against Central Catholic. Slates feels the line has been the strong point of the Perry defense. Mike Millin, Carson Gidcumb, Landon Ristoff, Jonathan Klintworth, Micah Geis and Preston Dazey all are contributing up there. On the other side of the ball, the junior Ristoff had to step in at center last week for the injured Ty Giaquinta and graded out the best on the offensive line. ... The wing-T Panthers went cold after that opening possession and ran for 73 yards on their final 20 carries. ... Perry won at Euclid 42-21 last year. Euclid finished 1-9, with its closest margin of defeat being that game vs. Perry. Its only win last year came against Erie (Pa.), which is the team it beat last week 14-4 (that final score is not a misprint). Euclid lost 40-6 to Fitch in its opener this season. Euclid has lost 21 straight games to teams other than Erie.

Green (2-0) at Tallmadge (1-1)

What to know: A 2-0 start last year saw Green win 55-8 against Ellet and 51-41 against North Olmsted. This year, the Bulldogs are 2-0 with wins of 14-6 against Dover and 21-7 against South Range. Green's new 3-4 defense has impressed, led by DL Michael Schaal, LB AJ Fortunato and S Josh Just. CB Antonio Martin picked off a pass last week while also throwing for a TD and running for a score on offense. ... Green coach Mark Geis believes first-year starting QB Samino Manson is starting to find a rhythm. Manson was 13-of-22 passing for 158 yards vs. South Range. His 7-yard TD pass to Zach Baglia gave Green a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter. Geis wants to see his offense sustain more drives, pick up more first downs and keep his defense off the field. ... Tallmadge beat Green 47-46 in a wild overtime game last year en route to a 9-3 record. But the Blue Devils graduated veteran starting QB Ty Hurst and explosive WR Collin Dixon (now at Illinois) from that team. Ryan Loveless has taken over at quarterback for a Tallmadge offense that is looking to run a little more this year. ... Tallmadge OL-DL Ameer Yasin (6-6, 280) is an Akron commit. Senior OL-DL Vito Paonessa (6-5, 280) has a Dayton offer. ... This season, Tallmadge lost to Brecksville 20-2 and beat Ellet 10-0.

Cincinnati Dohn (0-2) at North Canton Hoover (1-1)

What to know: The Vikings look to bounce back after a humbling evening against Hudson last week. Hoover allowed 546 yards of offense in a 45-8 loss. The Explorers rushed for 444, with 345 of that coming from Ian Ludewig. The 37-point margin of defeat is Hoover's largest since a 41-0 loss to McKinley in Week 8 of 2011. ... Hoover's lone TD last week came on a 40-yard pass from Carson Dyrlund to Zach Braucher. ... Dohn, which was added to the schedule two weeks ago to fill a hole for Hoover, is a community school that is not in the Ohio High School Athletic Association. But the Panthers play plenty of OHSAA teams. They lost to Division III Dayton Thurgood Marshall 28-16 in their season opener and will face Youngstown East later this season. They lost to Covington Holy Cross out of Kentucky 32-14 last week.

Richmond Heights (1-1) at Central Catholic (0-2)

What to know: This will be an opportunity for the Crusaders to pick up their first win of the season. After opening the season against Perry and Norwayne, Central will face a Richmond Heights team that is playing varsity football for the first time since 2019. ... After allowing 37.5 points and 393.5 yards a game, the Crusaders defense is hoping for a big night. QB Brennan Betz has thrown for 363 yards and four TDs in his first two games for Central. ... The Crusaders are also led by WRs Jimmy Kane and Jack Hopkins and RB Dan Boron. ... After a decisive season-opening win over Chippewa, Richmond Heights was shut out by Linsly (W.Va.) 42-0 last week. The Spartans have nine games scheduled — all on the road.

Mineral Ridge (2-0) at St. Thomas Aquinas (0-2)

What to know: After two tough road games, the Knights hope to get back on track and end an 18-game losing streak in their home opener. ... An unbeaten Mineral Ridge team offers no let-up. The Rams edged Pymatuning Valley in their season opener and rolled past Orange 49-14 last week. ... Mineral Ridge is coming off an eight-win season that ended with a loss to Central Catholic in the first round of the Division VI playoffs. ... The Rams offense features RB Ian Erb, who ran for 1,379 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. ... Aquinas has been outscored 81-8 in its first two games.

Marlington (2-0) at Manchester (0-2)

What to know: Marlington is 2-0 for the first time since 2016. … Marlington QB Bryson McCord is 33-of-62 passing for 541 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. … Dukes WR Beau Himmelheber has caught 11 passes for 241 yards with three receiving TDs. He also has scored on a rushing TD and has an interception and fumble recovery on defense. … Manchester has lost 13 consecutive games dating back to a playoff loss to Kirtland in 2021.  .

Alliance (2-0) at Streetsboro (0-2)

What to know: Alliance is 2-0 for the first time since 2013. … Alliance QB Brendan Zurbrugg (Oklahoma) is 36-of-49 passing for 345 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Zurbrugg has also run 33 times for 185 yards with two TDs. … Streetsboro is 2-0 for the first time since 2020. … The Rockets rely on RB Preston Hopperton, who has run for 385 yards and eight TDs on 45 carries this season.

Harrison Central (2-0) at Malvern (2-0)

What to know: Malvern aims to reach 3-0 for the fourth straight season. … Two head coaches in their sixth years square off for the first time; Matt Chiurco is 34-21 at Malvern; Anthony Hayes is 25-28 at Harrison Central. … Malvern won 26-7 at Western Reserve in the 2023 opener and 28-0 over Conotton Valley in the home opener. … Harrison Central beat Claymont 36-19 and Buckeye Trail 26-14. … Harrison Central High School opened in 1999 as a consolidation of Cadiz, Jewett-Scio and Freeport Lakeland. The Huskies went 0-10 in their first three seasons but have been around .500 in most years since then, topping out at 8-3 in 2009.

Richmond Edison (2-0) at Minerva (0-2)

What to know: Minerva has lost 21 consecutive games. The Lions held a 21-8 lead against Crestwood in Week 2 but could not hold on for the win. … Richmond Edison has won 12 of its last 13 games. The Wildcats are averaging 34.5 points per game..

Girard (2-0) at West Branch (1-1)

What to know: West Branch RB Boston Mulinix is coming off a 200-yard rushing game. Mulinix has run for 248 yards and three TDs on 24 carries this season. … Girard has scored 42 points or more in its first two games led by RB Ahmad Curd, who has scored six rushing TDs and one receiving TD.

Fairless (0-2) at Claymont (1-1)

What to know: The Falcons find themselves in a rare spot heading into their final game before the PAC-7 season. They are 0-2 for the first time since 2016. ... Eliminating self-inflicted wounds is one step for head coach AJ Sarbaugh’s team to get back on track. Fairless turned the ball over four times in last week’s 45-14 loss to Tusky Valley. ... The Falcons were unable to generate much offense on the ground without injured RB Peter Killy. Sarbaugh said the status of his top rusher this week is still to be determined. ... QB Carson Colucci is capable of helping the Falcons regroup. He threw his first two TD passes of the season against Tusky Valley. ... The Falcons have had Claymont’s number in recent years. They beat the Mustangs 43-0 in 2021 and 2022. ... Claymont is coming off one its most lopsided wins in recent years, a 60-0 victory over John Adams.

East Canton (0-2) at Southern (1-1)

What to know: The Hornets hit the road in search of their first win of the season. After getting shut out in Week 1, East Canton was able to generate some points in a 42-21 loss to United. The defense has allowed 38 points a game and must now face a Southern team that generated 310 total yards in last week’s 38-6 win over Crestview. Quarterback Ryan Exline won’t throw much, but he and Landon Heffner make up a strong running game. They combined for over 200 yards rushing against Crestview.

River View (0-2) at Tuslaw (1-1)

What to know: Thom Liesecki was a competitive 4-6 in his first year as River View head coach. In Liesecki's second season, the Black Bears have lost to Morgan and Ridgewood by a combined 109-6 score. River View suffered through a 2-48 run from 2013-17 before going 19-28 from 2018-22. … Tuslaw aims to get Ethan Haer's completion percentage up from 43.5 %; his 15.8 yards per completion is strong. Spiros Smith has turned five catches into 136 yards. Joey Medure has run 40 times for 142 yards. Jacob Lyons leads the defense with 19 tackles. … Matt Gulling hopes to get to 2-1 for the third time in his five seasons as Tuslaw head coach.

Carrollton (1-1) at Ridgewood (2-0)

What to know: EBC member Carrollton fell 35-0 at IVC member Garaway in Game 4 last year. … Now Carrollton faces IVC power Ridgewood. … With a mostly new lineup, the Generals needed an early safety and free-kick return for a touchdown to beat Coshocton 22-21 in the opener. Then they blasted River View 57-6. … John Slusser, in his 20th year as Ridgewood head coach, won his 150th game in 2021. Fifth-year Carrollton pilot Jim Tsilimos notched his 200th career win in the 2023 opener. … Carrollton fell 20-14 at Philo in Game 2 despite leading 209-157 in net offensive yards. ... Ridgewood plays host to EBC member West Branch next week.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Week 3 Ohio high school football games to watch in Stark County