Friday Four: Spartans looking for GBC win No. 2

1. Columbus Grove (1-5, 1-3 NWC) at Delphos Jefferson (6-0, 5-0 NWC)

Last week: Columbus Grove - lost to Sidney Lehman, 28-13; Delphos Jefferson - defeated Crestview, 49-0.

Last meeting: Oct. 5 - Delphos Jefferson, 20-7

When Columbus Grove has the ball

In their previous four Northwest Conference games, Grove has averaged 348 yards. Yet they've pulled out one win. The Bulldogs beat Allen East 18-13, gaining 359 yards, of which 320 came on the ground. In their last conference game, the Bulldogs put up 404 yards and 307 on the ground.

Sean Osting (47 tackles, 6 sacks), Stuart Miller (46 tackles) and Derek Shivley (41 tackles) lead a Jefferson defense that gives up fewer than five points a game.

Edge: Delphos Jefferson

When Delphos Jefferson has the ball

After surviving a scare from Lima Central Catholic in Week 5, the Wildcats took some frustrations out on Crestview. The Wildcats get the ball rolling on the ground, with three players (Aaron Schuerman, Derek Shivley and Tyree Dewitt) totaling more than 300 yards. When needed, QB Josh Miller has shown the ability to effectively move the team with the pass (30 of 56, 507 yards, 6 TDs and 2 interceptions).

The Bulldogs give up 24 points per game. They have yet to hold an opponent to under double digits.

Edge: Delphos Jefferson

Odds and Ends: With a loss to Jefferson, Grove would be assured of its first losing season since a 3-7 mark in 1996 and second since 1991. ... Grove hasn't started a season 1-6 since 1987. ... Jefferson's win last year snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.

The Brass Tacks: A perfect Northwest Conference record is on the line for Jefferson.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Tom Usher's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Ross Bishoff's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Vince Koza's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Jon Scott's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Todd Walker's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Andy Young's pick: Delphos Jefferson

2. Sandusky (2-4, 0-1 GBC) at Lima Senior (2-4, 0-1 GBC)

Last week: Sandusky - lost to Napoleon, 30-11; Lima Senior - lost to Fremont Ross, 42-17.

Last meeting: Oct. 5 - Sandusky, 33-14

When Sandusky has the ball

The Streaks have the league's leading rusher in Eric Jordan (123 carries, 691 yards, 3 TDs), but he left last week's game with an ankle injury and didn't return. There is no word on his availability for Friday's game. Of Sandusky's 1,271 yards, 871 have come on the ground, so Jordan's readiness is of the utmost concern.

The Spartans aren't stopping many people, yielding 32 points per game. They are giving up over 6 yards per rush and 17 yards per pass reception.

Edge: Push

When Lima Senior has the ball

The Spartans can somewhat effectively rush the ball, with 134 yards per game and 3.7 per rush. RB Chaz Foster has 120 of the team's 214 carries, gaining 683 yards (5.3 per carry) and 4 touchdowns. Only one other player, Zane Allen, has more than 10 rushes (23 carries, 84 yards). QB Jason Ward is 26-of-71 with 412 yards, 3 TDs and 4 interceptions.

Statistically, Sandusky has the league's second-best defense, giving up 295 yards per game. Of that, only 186 is rushing. Jordan is going to Bowling Green to play linebacker.

Edge: Sandusky

Odds and Ends: Sandusky is the only GBC team the Spartans have beaten in league play. ... The Spartans are trying to win more than two games in a season for the first time since 2004, and for only the third time this decade.

The Brass Tacks: Could this be the week the Spartans win Greater Buckeye Conference game No. 2?

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Lima Senior

Tom Usher's pick: Sandusky

Ross Bishoff's pick: Lima Senior

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Lima Senior

Vince Koza's pick: Lima Senior

Jon Scott's pick: Lima Senior

Todd Walker's pick: Lima Senior

Andy Young's pick: Sandusky

3. Shawnee (4-2, 4-1 WBL) at Wapakoneta (2-4, 2-3 WBL)

Last week: Shawnee - lost to Defiance, 28-19; Wapakoneta - defeated Van Wert, 21-7.

Last meeting: Oct. 5 - Shawnee, 28-0

When Shawnee has the ball

Last week's 19 points were the first time since Week 1 the Indians scored less than 35 points. Job No. 1 for opposing defenses is to tackle RB Brandon Stephenson, and make sure you hold on. The senior has 947 yards on 133 totes (7.1 yards per carry), and most of that comes after first contact. He also has 15 touchdowns. QB Josh Miller has thrown for 7 TDs against just 1 interception.

Last week was the first time since a Week 2 win the Redskins held a team to less than three TDs. Overall, they give up 21 points per game.

Edge: Shawnee

When Wapakoneta has the ball

The Redskins hit the skids in Weeks 3 and 4, when they scored a total of 9 points. Otherwise, they have put up more than 20 points in three games.

The Indians are going to have to deal with the loss of LB Nick Truesdale to a broken foot. Fellow LB Zach Rosenbauer is still trying to come back from a broken collarbone; he played briefly against Defiance.

Edge: Push

Odds and Ends: Shawnee is 4-1 against Wapak in the last five games, with a 10-8 Redskins win in 2005. ... A win would give Shawnee its third straight non-losing season.

The Brass Tacks: The Indians need a big game to rebound from last week's loss.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Shawnee

Tom Usher's pick: Shawnee

Ross Bishoff's pick: Shawnee

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Shawnee

Vince Koza's pick: Shawnee

Jon Scott's pick: Shawnee

Todd Walker's pick: Shawnee

Andy Young's pick: Shawnee

4. Ottawa-Glandorf (3-3, 3-2 WBL) at Bath (2-4, 1-4 WBL)

Last week: Ottawa-Glandorf - lost to St. Marys, 21-20; Bath - defeated Elida, 30-13.

Last meeting: Oct. 5 - Ottawa-Glandorf, 52-0

When Ottawa-Glandorf has the ball

Since starting the season with two losses, and scoring a total of 10 points, the Titans are averaging 28 points per game. Two weeks ago against Elida, O-G piled up 405 total yards. Last week, they had 214 total yards, but QB Taylor Kuhlman had three TD passes.

In their four losses, Bath has given up an average of 37 points. However, Bath has allowed a total of 13 pionts in its two wins.

Edge: Ottawa-Glandorf

When Bath has the ball

In last week's win, the Wildcats effectively ran the ball, gaining 326 of their 412 yards on the ground. RB Gavin Painter had 145 yards on 17 carries, while freshman RB Aaron Smith carried 13 times for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns. In their previous two games, losses to Shawnee and Kenton by a total score of 86-8, Bath rushed for 93 yards.

The Titans give up 13 points per game, with two shutouts (Wapakoneta, Elida).

Edge: Ottawa-Glandorf

Odds and Ends: Bath has struggled through four straight losing seasons. ... The Titans are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings. O-G has outscored the Wildcats 150-55.

The Brass Tacks: Out of the Western Buckeye League title race, the Titans begin to focus on the playoffs, and need every win they can muster.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Tom Usher's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Ross Bishoff's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Vince Koza's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Jon Scott's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Todd Walker's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Andy Young's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Same old, same old

Last week, there were plenty of games and great matchups that jumped off of the page. Not so much this week; then again, that could set us up for some upsets. Our Game of the Week pits state-ranked St. Marys on the road against Van Wert.

Our Pick ‘Em contest rolls on as well. The Lima News sportswriter Tom Usher is still in first place, with everyone else seemingly battling for second.

Here's how the panel picks our Game of the Week:

Jeremy Schneider's pick: St. Marys

Tom Usher's pick: St. Marys

Ross Bishoff's pick: St. Marys

Mark Altstaetter's pick: St. Marys

Vince Koza's pick: St. Marys

Jon Scott's pick: St. Marys

Todd Walker's pick: St. Marys

Andy Young's pick: St. Marys

THE STANDINGS

Usher                27-3 (90%)

Bishoff              26-4 (87%)

Koza                 25-5 (83%)

Scott                 25-5 (83%)

Altstaetter          25-5 (83%)

Young                24-6 (80%)

Walker               23-7 (77%)

Schneider          22-8 (73%)