Week 3 Picks: Interesting football matchups bring end to nonconference schedule

MANSFIELD — I don't know if my picks are just adding motivation to teams, but whatever the case may be, my picks record is really slacking this year.

I went 5-3 last week to bring my record to 8-6 through two weeks of the season. For reference, I only had 10 losses all of last season. Either way, when a Richland County team I pick against hands me an L, I sport it proudly. Let's see which team is going to bring me my next loss.

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

The Tygers gave me an L I will proudly support all season long last week. They knocked off defending Division III stat champ Canfield after I picked them to get beat. In Week 1, I picked the Tygers and they lost, so I am noticing a trend here. I want the Tygers to win every game they play so maybe I should just pick against them every week. But, my record has to improve. I will pick against them this week so they can go over to Massillon with a ton of motivation and show everyone how to really spell T-Y-G-E-R-S, but after this week, I fully expect Mansfield Senior to run the table.

Pick: Massillon.

Clear Fork (1-1) at Lexington (0-2)

This one could be very interesting. Lexington showed improvement last week on offense with three touchdowns as Joe Caudill got comfortable at quarterback and showed what he can do. Clear Fork struggled offensively being shut out for the first time in six years. Defensively, I think the Colts will just be way too much in this one. But I do think Lexington will take a major step forward in the progression of that young team setting them up to have a decent OCC season.

Pick: Clear Fork.

Crestview (1-1) at Highland (2-0)

This one is the most interesting game of Week 3. Crestview straight-up beat Highland last year 37-17 and was one of just two teams to hold Division V Player of the Year Dane Nauman to less than 100 yards rushing. I think the Cougars are just as talented this year on defense, but they are super young offensively. I love the step they took last week when they beat East Knox and I think they take another one again this week, but I just think with Nauman back and already with 311 yards rushing for the season, it is going to be tough sledding, especially in Marengo.

Pick: Highland.

Smithville (2-0) at Lucas (0-2)

The last two weeks, I picked Lucas to win and they lost by a combined seven points, so I am officially breaking the Jake Furr curse. Smithville is a team that has outscored its opponents 72-14 and looks like a sure-fire playoff squad already. The Cubs are just two plays away from being 2-0 so I expect it to be a close one, but I am going with Smithville with the hope of hearing Corbin Toms yelling from the sidelines about how I picked against his brother's team just to fire them up.

Pick: Smithville.

Madison (0-2) at Ontario (2-0)

The Rams were shut out last week and gave up 42 points to River Valley. Ontario pitched a shutout and beat Centerburg 35-0. So the logical pick here is obvious. I do think the Rams respond much better this week that they did after a loss to Shelby, but Bodpegn Miller is making a case for News Journal Offensive Player of the Year already and I think he has a monster game while Chase Studer runs all over the field.

Pick: Ontario.

Wellington (0-2) at Plymouth (1-1)

This is a tough game to pick. The Big Red alum in me wants to go with Plymouth. Last year's score is making me really think about this one. Plymouth won 50-42 in overtime, but with what the Big Red lost from a year ago, it is going to be tough. Yet, I have no idea what Wellington lost last year. So, I am putting my homer hat on and picking the Big Red to go 2-1 heading into Firelands Conference play, just like they did last year.

Pick: Plymouth.

Shelby (2-0) at Bellevue (1-1)

I love this old Northern Ohio League rivalry and it is always a good one when Shelby and Bellevue link up. I will be interested to see how the Whippets handle the physicality Bellevue brings into every game. Skill-wise, I think Shelby has more of it all over the field. Issaiah Ramsey and Brayden DeVito make quite the pair, but Miles Swisher, Skyler Winters, Nic Eyster and Casey Lantz are the unsung heroes of that offense. Bellevue will likely own the advantage in the trenches and that is where I believe most games are won.

Pick: Bellevue.

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

Twitter: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Week 3 Picks: Which Richland County does Jake Furr pick to win?