WEEK 9: Port Clinton one win from SBC Bay title

The Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division championship is up for grabs. The only thing that is for certain is that Port Clinton is just one win away from clinching at least a share of its first league title since 2021. The Redskins (5-3, 2-1 SBC Bay) will get that opportunity when they host Bellevue (5-3, 1-1) on Friday. Bellevue can win at least a share with a victory over Port Clinton and Week 10 win at home against Vermilion. "When you begin the season, you hope to be playing meaningful games in October," PC coach Eric Leuthold said. "We are fortunate to have that opportunity the next two weeks. Our kids, district and community in general are excited about this opportunity and look forward to the challenges ahead." One big reason for the Redskins' success has been the play of quarterback Landon Leis, who stepped in after an injury to Wyatt Yarbrough. Leis has completed 92 of 186 passes for 1,400 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. "Any time you have to have an underclassmen step in to run the offense, it's challenging trying to put together packages for him to feel comfortable with as well as make sure that you try to attack various portions of the defense," Leuthold said. "Landon has improved in each game throughout the season. "We ask our kids to get one percent better each week and I believe each week you can point to at least one area, if not multiple, that he has continued to improve upon." Edison (5-3, 1-1) travels to Vermilion (4-4, 1-1) in another matchup of Bay Division teams with one league loss. Either could win at least a share of the league title with wins in the final two weeks of the regular season. "This is about as balanced as I've seen in this division," Edison coach Jim Hall said. "Any given night, any team can beat the other one." A look at area games in Week 9: Sandusky at Norwalk The Blue Streaks (1-7, 0-3 SBC Lake) have been eliminated from playoff contention, but will play for pride against Norwalk (2-6, 0-2). Dale Johnson has completed 63 of 151 passes for 1,026 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions for Sandusky. The Blue Streaks have totaled 191 carries for 503 yards on the ground, just 63 yards per game. Norwalk beat Vermilion in Week 6 before a close loss to Columbian in Week 7. The Truckers were blown out (48-3) at Perkins last week. Norwalk was able to move the ball on the ground during the second quarter against the Pirates, resulting in a 50-yard field goal by Thomas Vanderpool. Sandusky defeated Norwalk last year, 42-0. Huron at Perkins Sandusky Bay Conference crossover action takes place when the Tigers (3-5) travel to red-hot Perkins (5-3). Huron has suffered close Bay Division losses to Bellevue and Vermilion the last two weeks. Quarterback Landon Hohler has completed 166 of 227 passes for 2,111 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions while adding 10 scores on the ground. The Pirates have won four straight, outscoring opponents 196-23 in those games. Sam Schweinfurth is 116 of 178 passing for 1,823 yards, 20 touchdowns and an interception. Blake Parker leads the receiving group with 46 catches for 841 yards and seven touchdowns. Huron and Perkins haven't played since 2022, a 29-28 Perkins win. Bellevue at Port Clinton League title implications are on the line when the Redmen travel to PC's True-Lay Stadium. After losing two straight, Bellevue has bounced back with wins over Huron and Tiffin Columbian. Quarterback Ike Brown has completed 88 of 177 passes for 934 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. The Redmen continue to play without Mason Bova, but Nolan Hartman has racked up 53 rushes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in his place. Malakii Pinkelton has been equally impressive for PC. He has 116 carries for 697 yards and seven touchdowns. Gavin Cornell has caught 33 passes for 545 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, Port Clinton knocked off the Redmen, 29-26. Edison at Vermilion After starting the season 5-1, the Chargers have lost two in a row. Vermilion bounced back from a five-overtime loss to Port Clinton by defeating Huron last week. Cole Leimeister has completed 71 of 115 passes for 882 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions for Edison. Ryder Kramb has rushed 72 times for 356 yards and two touchdowns while Caden Clere has 60 rushes for 379 yards and three touchdowns. The Sailors are led by its ground game and Evan Kuhns. Despite missing a game, Kuhns has amassed 131 carries for 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns. Edison defeated Vermilion last year, 17-0. Lakota at Margaretta The Division VI No. 4 Polar Bears (7-1, 5-0 SBC River) have a chance to clinch their first league title since 2001 when they host Lakota (4-4, 1-3). Judah Keller leads Margaretta with 87 rushes for 786 yards and 13 touchdowns while quarterback Jake Bouy has thrown for 10 touchdowns. Margaretta played without Tyson Bailey in last week's 56-14 win at Tiffin Calvert. Lakota started the year 3-0, but has lost four of its last five. The Raiders are coached by 2020 Clyde graduate Ryan Lozier. Nate Griggson leads Lakota with 78 rushes for 555 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, Margaretta thumped Lakota 35-0. Clyde at Tiffin Columbian The Fliers (3-5, 1-1 SBC Lake) have won two in a row and look to keep their league title hopes alive at rival Columbian (4-4, 2-0). Jonathan Lantz has completed 125 of 206 passes for 1,394 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Clyde. Adam Young has picked up 585 yards on 130 carries with nine touchdowns. For Columbian, Logan Gooding has thrown for 1,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions. The Tornadoes got running back Masen Seitz back last week after he missed the previous four games. Seitz has totaled 57 rushes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Brock Siesel filled in with 64 rushes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Clyde defeated Columbian 33-14 last year. St. Paul at Mapleton The Flyers (4-4, 3-2 Firelands Conference) have alternated wins and losses the last five weeks, but look to make it two wins in a row at Mapleton (2-6, 1-4). Grant Kuhnle has completed 90 of 161 passes for 1,308 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Nick Pocos leads the ground game with 76 rushes for 485 yards and six touchdowns while Casey Fries has 40 carries for 356 yards and seven touchdowns. Mapleton has lost three games in a row, including a 6-4 decision to New London last week. St. Paul topped Mapleton last season, 30-0. Monroeville at Crestview The Eagles (6-2, 5-0 Firelands Conference) can clinch at least a share of the league title when they travels to Crestview (5-3, 4-1). Last week against Plymouth, Monroeville led 35-0 at halftime. Connor Bores ran eight times for 140 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles, who rushed for 402 yards. The Cougars won five games in a row before last week's 34-0 loss to Western Reserve. Last year, Monroeville slipped past Crestview, 31-16. 8-MAN Morenci (Mich.) at SMCC (Sat.) The Panthers (7-1) scored at least 30 points in the first quarter for the fourth time this season in defeating Cardinal Stritch 32-8 last week. With quarterback Grant Swain out due to an injury, SMCC has turned even more to its ground game. Bryan Gibson is up to 103 carries for 932 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Cullen Dillard, who has stepped in at quarterback for Swain, is second on the team with 274 yards on 35 rushes with five touchdowns. Morenci is 2-5 this season, having lost its last three games. SMCC defeated Morenci 35-22 last season. Danbury at Fremont SJCC (Sat.) The Lakers (7-1, 4-1 Northern 8) and SJCC (6-2, 4-1) meet for a second time this season. In a non-league game to open the season Aug. 23, Danbury defeated the Crimson Streaks 46-13. Tommy Dean has completed 40 of 58 passes for 1,006 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions for the Lakers. Drake Turinsky leads the ground game with 74 rushes for 724 yards and nine touchdowns while Dean has 73 carries for 395 yards and eight touchdowns. For SJCC, Zach Ohms is 115 of 184 passing for 1,638 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions. Liam Thiessen has racked up 55 catches for 756 yards and seven touchdowns. It's the beginning of a massive two-week stretch for Danbury as it hosts Chalker (6-1, 4-1) next Saturday in the regular-season finale. AREA FOOTBALL STANDINGS SBC Lake Team Conf. All Perkins 3-0 5-3 Columbian 2-0 4-4 Clyde 1-1 3-5 Norwalk 0-2 2-6 Sandusky 0-3 1-7 Friday, Oct. 17 Clyde at Columbian Huron at Perkins Sandusky at Norwalk SBC Bay Team Conf. All Port Clinton 2-1 5-3 Bellevue 1-1 5-3 Edison 1-1 5-3 Vermilion 1-1 4-4 Huron 1-2 3-5 Friday, Oct. 17 Bellevue at Port Clinton Edison at Vermilion Huron at Perkins SBC River Team Conf. All Margaretta 5-0 7-1 Hopewell-Loudon 4-1 7-1 Gibsonburg 4-1 6-2 Woodmore 3-2 6-2 Calvert 2-3 3-5 Lakota 1-4 4-4 Northwood 1-4 3-5 Willard 0-5 2-6 Friday, Oct. 17 Calvert at Woodmore Lakota at Margaretta Northwood at Hopewell-Loudon Willard at Gibsonburg Firelands Conference Team Conf. All Monroeville 5-0 6-2 Western Reserve 4-1 6-2 Crestview 4-1 5-3 St. Paul 3-2 4-4 New London 2-3 4-4 Mapleton 1-4 2-6 South Central 1-4 1-7 Plymouth 0-5 0-8 Friday, Oct. 17 Monroeville at Crestview South Central at New London St. Paul at Mapleton Western Reserve at Plymouth Northern 8 Team Conf. All St. Mary CC 5-1 7-1 Danbury 4-1 7-1 Chalker 4-1 6-1 Fremont SJCC 4-1 6-2 Holgate 3-2 4-3 Sebring McKinley 1-5 3-5 Stryker 1-5 2-6 Cardinal Stritch 0-6 0-8 Saturday, Oct. 18 Cardinal Stritch at Kennedy Catholic (Pa.) Chalker at Holgate Danbury at SJCC McKinley at Stryker Morenci (Mich.) at SMCC