WEEK 7: Blue Streaks try to build on 3-game winning streak

Sandusky will take a three-game winning streak and serious momentum into Friday's game against Norwalk at Strobel Field. After an 0-3 start, the Blue Streaks have handled Padua Franciscan (28-0), Vermilion (36-20) and Tiffin Columbian (41-13). That means a win against Norwalk — which has lost three straight games — would put Sandusky above .500 for the first time this season. "I tell the kids that we've come through some adversity, now it's about how they handle success," Sandusky coach Jamaris Brown said. "Are they satisfied or do they want more? That's the question this week." It's homecoming for Sandusky, which has won three straight against the Truckers, including decisive victories the last two years (45-7, 48-12). "It's homecoming and there can be distractions, but they know the main thing is winning the game," Brown said. The Streaks used a balanced attack to beat the Tornadoes on the road last week. Quarterback Jason Henlon completed 14 of 18 passes for 217 yards and Maky'veon Lately carried 15 times for 90 yards and four touchdowns. "He's been growing week to week," Brown said. "We weren't even thinking about him at running back coming into the season. He's one of those kids who says, 'What do you need me to do? I'll do it.' " Sandusky's defense has not allowed more than 21 points the last five weeks. Dennarius Walk leads the way with 67 tackles. Norwalk's offense has sputtered in recent weeks. The Truckers (2-4) haven't scored more than 20 points since Week 1 and have been shut out the last two weeks. Both SBC Lake Division teams are firmly in the playoffs. The Streaks are ranked 10th in computer points in Division II Region 6. Norwalk is No. 10 in Division III Region 10. For Norwalk, quarterback Brayden Viock has thrown 477 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 159 yards and one score. Rutgers commit Ben Rothhaar has 16 catches for 145 yards and a TD. "We have to do the best we can to play ball control and keep the ball out of their hands," Norwalk coach Keith Mora said. "We talk about stopping them from scoring quickly, but it doesn't benefit us to score quickly. "But with our struggles, we'll take the score however we get it. But it would be nice to take some time off the clock and try and shorten this game some." A look at this week's other area matchups: Columbian at Clyde Clyde (5-2, 0-1 Lake) hosts a Columbian team that has been blown out the last three weeks. The Fliers need this one to stay in contention in the Lake with a trip to Sandusky coming up next week. Brennan Wilson and Jonathan Lantz have both been effective at quarterback for Clyde, combining for 1,142 yards and 14 TDs. Hector Garza leads the Fliers with 45.5 tackles and Kam Shortridge has three interceptions and is Clyde's top receiver with 22 catches. Columbian QB Zach Shawberry has thrown six TD passes and Brady Bonnell has six rushing TDs. Bellevue at Huron Huron will take a state ranking into a home game against Bellevue. The Tigers are 5-1 and are No. 10 in Division VI in this week's Associated Press poll. Tigers junior QB Landon Hohler has 962 total yards and has accounted for 17 TDs. Tommie McDonald has caught 31 passes for 376 yards and five TDs. Jackson McNulty is putting together a standout senior season with a team-high 65 tackles and four QB sacks to go with three touchdown receptions. Bellevue (2-4) has been shut out three times this season. Ike Brown has six rushing TDs and Cooper Moyer has 16 receptions. Konner Dauch (48) and Nolan Hartman (46) lead the Redmen in tackles. Vermilion at Port Clinton Vermilion (5-1) needs to keep winning in order to host a playoff game in Division IV. The Sailors are No. 6 in computer points in Region 14. The top eight teams host in the first round. The Sailors shut out Norwalk 21-0 last week. Cohen Mooney had two TD runs and Vermilion held the Truckers' offense to 70 total yards. Vermilion has four dangerous options in its ground game. QB Aaron Mathis has rushed for 464 yards and 11 TDs. Backs Evan Kuhns (473, 5), Mooney (298, 4) and Logan Peterson (293, 1) lead an offense that averages 7.6 yards per carry. PC has lost four straight with a trip to Edison next week. Calvert at Margaretta Margaretta is just 1-5 but gave Division VI No. 3 Hopewell-Loudon a scare last week. The Polar Bears led 7-0 at halftime before falling 16-7. This game is the fourth straight at home for Margaretta — all against teams with winning records. The Bears travel to Lakota and Gibsonburg the next two weeks before finishing the season at home against Willard. Calvert (4-2) will hand off to RB Cal Warnament, who has rushed for 651 yards and seven TDs. Western Reserve at Monroeville Monroeville is 6-0 and ranked No. 6 in Division VII heading into a huge Firelands Conference showdown against Western Reserve. Both teams are 3-0 in league play. Eagles QB Even Benfer has rushed for 814 yards and 12 TDs and has thrown for 379 yards and three scores. He also leads the team with 39 tackles. RB Landen Roeder has rushed for 602 yards and 9 TDs. The Eagles face a huge test in pass-happy Western Reserve (5-1). The Roughriders rely on the arm of junior QB Hayden Keith, who has thrown for 1,382 yards and 14 TDs while completing 63 percent of his passes. Monroeville's most narrow margin of victory was 14 against Calvert in Week 2. Western has won its last three games by 35, 40 and 21 points. Danbury at Toledo Christian Danbury (2-3, 0-2 Northern 8) faces a huge challenge at undefeated Toledo Christian, which is 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the N8. The Lakers fell 48-14 to St. Mary Central Catholic last week. SMCC at SJCC St. Mary Central Catholic will play Fremont St. Joseph on Saturday in Fremont. It will be the second meeting between the teams this season. The Panthers won the first meeting, 40-6. In that game, Panthers junior RB Bryan Gibson rushed for 159 yards and two TDs. He carried 14 times for 207 yards and three scores in last week's 43-14 win against Danbury and was named Northern 8 Player of the Week.