MANSFIELD, Ohio — The high school football season kicks off a day early this season when Shelby hosts Madison at W.W. Skiles Field on Thursday.
While the cross-county rivalry is the marquee matchup in Week 1, it’s not the only big game on the schedule.
Here’s a look at a few showdowns worth the cost of admission:
Madison at Shelby: What better way to kick off the season? The Rams boast one of the state’s most exciting playmakers in do-it-all senior Tyrell Ajian. The University of Kentucky recruit is the most sought-after prospect in north central Ohio since Lexington’s Courtney Avery. Shelby quarterback Brennan Armstrong belongs in that conversation as well. The left-handed junior has offers from Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio University, Kent State and Iowa State. The Rams and Whippets have met in the opener every year since 2003. Madison leads the series in that time 7-6.
Lexington at Ontario: The Minutemen turned things around in 2015. The Warriors hope to do the same in 2016. Lex set the tone for its first winning season since 2009 with a 26-19 win over Ontario in last year’s opener. The Minutemen welcome back a wealth of talent, including 1,000-yard rusher Hunter Biddle and sure-handed receiver A.J. Nickoli, but must replace quarterback Joey Vore. Chris Hawkins, one of the area’s most successful coaches, took over at Ontario and turned the keys to the offense over to wide receiver-turned-quarterback Trey Jordan.
Wadsworth at Ashland: After four consecutive season-opening losses to the Grizzlies, the Arrows finally got their first win in the series last year. Ashland quarterback Grant Denbow is a three-year starter who has thrown for more than 4,600 career yards. A big senior season could put Denbow on Ashland’s Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks, joining Taylor Housewright and Marcus Fuller. Former Loudonville coach Justin Todd took over at Wadsworth for Greg Dennison in February. Todd led Loudonville to three straight playoff appearances from 2012 to 2014 before spending last season as Mount Vernon’s head coach. The Grizzlies qualified for the playoffs nine times in Dennison’s 21 season, but finished 3-7 last year. Ashland made its ninth playoff appearance last fall, eight of them under Scott Valentine.
