Clyde-Bellevue highlights Week 1 slate

Bellevue and Clyde first met on the football field in 1897. The two schools played here and there over the next century and have been yearly rivals since 1994. Clyde enters Friday's Week 1 home showdown against Bellevue on a four-game winning streak against the Redmen that included a 34-0 affair last year in Bellevue. "We put a lot of stock into that game, no matter where it falls," Clyde coach Ryan Carter said. "It's going to be huge for us — the closeness, everyone knowing each other, the towns that are close in proximity." It'll be the first time Carter faces Bellevue without hall of fame coach Ed Nasonti on the other sideline. Nasonti retired after the 2024 season following 34 years and 260 wins as Bellevue's head coach. "It'll be a little different with them coming in with a new coach and Ed not being over there," Carter said. "They won't have that same type of system that he always ran. We don't know what to expect. We're trying to prepare for everything right now." Clyde will feature quarterback Jonathan Lantz and running back Adam Young on offense. Bellevue will look to quarterback Ike Brown, hoping to get off to a better start that led to last year's 2-8 record. The Redmen edged Sandusky in a scrimmage last week when Brown hit Caden Cramer on a 41-yard touchdown pass as time expired. "They're a rival right up the road and a similar-sized school," Bellevue coach Alex Shepherd said. "We gotta be able to compete with them and/or beat them. We wanna be a tough opener for them. That's the mentality we've gotta have. "We want people to say we're a tough opener. We've got to work hard, be physical and get to that level." A look at other area games in Week 1: Sandusky at Amherst With turf installation going on at Amherst, the Blue Streaks will travel to Avon Lake for their opener against the Comets. Sandusky will start Dale Johnson at quarterback. He played the first few games last year, going 26 of 88 for 536 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Once Jason Henlon recovered from a knee injury, he stepped in and led Sandusky to wins in seven of its next nine games. That included a first-round road playoff win over Oregon Clay. The Blue Streaks must replace do-it-all Amir Aaron, who had 65 catches for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns. Amherst went 6-5 last year, qualifying for the playoffs in the same Division II, Region 6 as Sandusky. The Comets were hot early, starting 5-0 before scoring just seven points in each of their last three games. Perkins at Clear Fork The Pirates will make the nearly two-hour trek to Belleville to take on Clear Fork. Perkins made quick work of the Colts last year, opening the season with a 55-0 win. The Pirates are led by quarterback Sam Schweinfurth, who threw for 3,002 yards and 40 touchdowns last season. His top target, Braylon Collier, caught 84 passes for 1,423 yards and 25 touchdowns, but graduated and is playing at Michigan State. Clear Fork was 4-7 last year, but won three of its last four regular-season games before a playoff loss to Ontario. Margaretta at Vermilion Vermilion started 4-0 last year, including a 26-0 shutout of Margaretta in Week 1. The Sailors, who got the first playoff win in school history, return Evan Kuhns, who tallied 135 carries for 849 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Vermilion will turn to 6-foot-5 Drake Hooks at quarterback to replace Aaron Mathis. Margaretta started slow last year, losing its first four games before going 5-2 in the SBC River Division. The Polar Bears will lean on a small roster of just 35 athletes. Jake Bouy completed 57 of 91 passes for 739 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions last year. Judah Keller led Margaretta with 103 carries for 531 yards and seven scores. Firelands at Edison The Chargers steamrolled through an undefeated regular season and into the playoffs last year before a regional final loss to eventual state runner-up Liberty Center. Bryson Wittmer returns in the backfield for Edison after 114 carries for 1,097 yards and 18 touchdowns. Edison will start Cole Leimeister at quarterback following the graduation of standout Abe Hermes. Hermes ran 127 times for 817 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Chargers must also replace Cy Finnen, who racked up 177 rushes for 1,108 yards and 12 scores. Edison topped Firelands 47-16 last year. The Chargers open the season with three straight home games and play at Freedom Field in five of the first six weeks. Oak Harbor at Huron The two former SBC Bay rivals meet for the first time since 2022 when the Rockets won 29-28 in overtime. Landon Hohler returns to pace the Tigers' offense after completing 109 of 196 passes for 1,316 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. Hohler rushed 126 rushes for 623 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Tigers will need to replace their top two receivers following the graduation of Tommie McDonald (49 catches, 579 yards, five touchdowns) and Jackson McNulty (18-325-4). Oak Harbor is 34-4 over the past three years under coach Mike May. The Rockets have had just two coaches since 1979 when Gary Quisno took over. He coached until the end of 2007 when May took over. Oak Harbor scored at least 31 points in each of its first 12 games in 2024 before a 24-21 loss to Liberty Center in a Division V, Region 18 semifinal. McComb at Monroeville The Eagles open a remodeled Marsh Field by welcoming in McComb, a school near Findlay in Hancock County. Monroeville has to find the pieces to replace Evan Benfer, who led the Eagles to a 10-2 mark and playoff appearance last year. Monroeville is 17-6 over the past two years following an 0-10 mark in 2022. McComb is coached by Kris Alge, the Panthers' coach since 1998. McComb was 8-4 last year after three straight 11-win seasons. The Panthers were Division VII state champions in 2018. Under Alge, McComb has advanced to the state semifinals in 2012, 2015 and 2016. Norwalk at Toledo Start For the second year in a row, the Truckers make the trip to Toledo to take on the Spartans. Norwalk topped Start last year, 26-7, but won just one game after that and finished 2-9. Norwalk will switch to the Wing-T offense this year, looking to control the game on the ground. Brayden Viock, who handled most of Norwalk's quarterback duties last year, transferred to South Central. Port Clinton at St. Paul (Saturday) For the first time ever, the Redskins and Flyers meet up on the gridiron. PC is led by quarterback Wyatt Yarbrough, who completed 94 of 198 passes for 1,425 yards, 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Malakii Pinkelton ran 106 times for 574 yards and seven touchdowns. St. Paul was 6-5 last year, knocking off undefeated Monroeville in Week 10 before a home playoff loss to Cuyahoga Heights. 8-MAN SMCC at Cardinal Stritch Hopes are high in Sandusky for St. Mary Central Catholic after going 9-2 last year. The Panthers' only losses came to Toledo Christian, including a 24-0 loss in the Northern 8 Conference championship game. Toledo Christian moved up to 11-man, making way for SMCC to be the favorites in the league. The Panthers lost just three seniors from last year's team. Grant Swain returns at quarterback while Bryan Gibson will be the top featured back. Stritch enters the N8 after not playing football at any level last year. SJCC at Danbury (Saturday) The Lakers could be right there at the end of the season in the Northern 8. Danbury brings back a wealth of talent including quarterback Tommy Dean, who set a school-record with 1,156 yards passing last year. Bruising running back Drake Turinsky returns after 77 carries for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns. Danbury and SJCC split two meetings last year, each winning on the other's home field.