Northwest Conference Football Preview
The Northwest Conference is poised for an exciting and competitive football season, as teams gear up for another thrilling race for the championship. While Bluffton and Columbus Grove appear to be the early frontrunners, several other squads are eager to challenge for the title, making the conference a tightly contested battleground.
Last year, Columbus Grove emerged victorious, claiming the conference championship after a hard-fought win against Bluffton in a week 10 showdown that saw both teams undefeated in conference play. The two powerhouses are expected to once again be major contenders, with their previous matchup setting the stage for another intense week 10 rivalry game.
Bluffton, boasting a dominant offense and defense averaging a remarkable 51.7 points per game while holding opponents to a meager 3.3 points per game, has shown no signs of slowing down. Quarterback Tayte Giesige is a dynamic player, adept at both throwing and running, while running back Parker Lovell has been racking up yards with his explosiveness, averaging a whopping 15.4 yards per carry. Bluffton’s success is also fueled by a stingy defense led by returning Conference Defensive Player of the Year in linebacker Landen Worcester. Their ability to control the clock with a potent ground game and suffocate opposing offenses will be crucial to their success.
Columbus Grove, on the other hand, has been a consistent force in the conference, winning 3 outright conference championships in the last 4 years. Grove consistently has a powerful rushing attack spearheaded by returning Offensive Conference Player of the Year running back Trenton Barraza who currently leads the conference in rushing with 396 yards. Their defense is another asset, known for its ability to slow down opponents and force turnovers. They enter the season with plenty of experience and returning talent from last year’s championship team, making them a tough out each week.
While Bluffton and Columbus Grove are the favorites, a number of teams are eager to upset the established order. Allen East possesses a potent offense led by dual threat quarterback Jackson Thompson who has 346 yards rushing and 365 yards passing on the year. Allen East has encountered challenges on defense at times and will need to shore that up if they want to contend. Their high flying offense is coming into NWC play averaging 43.0 points a game. Crestview, armed with a strong passing attack led by quarterback Bryson Penix who is 2nd in the league in passing with 606 yards and receiver Isaiah Barton who leads the conference in receiving yards with 271 is another team that could make an impact. Head Coach Cole Harting is in his 2nd year leading the program looking to take the Knights to the next level in the conference this year. Spencerville is another team that may be poised for a breakout season after a solid 3-0 start on the season. They have gone back to their heavy rushing style offense which can cause problems for opposing defenses and help them win the time of possession battle thus keeping opposing offenses off the field. Spencerville’s rushing attack is lead by Zach Looser and Grady Smith who have both rushed for over 200 yards each already on the young season. Delphos Jefferson looks set to have an improved season with more experience and some key returners in Kardner Agner, Dean Trentman and Luke Rode. Newcomer LCC, known for its solid defense, has been searching for consistency on offense, but they are a team that shouldn’t be overlooked as they are expected to continue to improve each week under the tutelage of Head Coach Scott Palte. LCC is lead by Quarterback Brady Parker and Running back Matthew Quatman averaging 5.6 yards per carry for a total of 333 yards on the year. Fort Loramie, the other newcomer to the conference is set to make some noise as well. Although on paper their record doesn’t look impressive at 1-2, they aren’t to be overlooked as they have had a very tough non-conference schedule to open the season. Fort Loramie’s high powered passing attack is lead by QB Gabe Hart who currently leads the conference in passing yards with 724 and the Redskins statistically have 2 of the top 3 current receivers in the conference with Thomas Hoying and Maxwell Maurer.
The Northwest Conference is known for its competitive spirit, and this year promises to be no different. The conference should be very competitive with the potential to have 6 or 7 playoff teams this year. The race for the championship will be a tight one, with several teams capable of making a run. The season will likely come down to the wire, creating a thrilling battle for supremacy during the week 10 rivalry games. While Bluffton and Columbus Grove stand out as early favorites, the other teams in the conference are determined to prove their worth and make their own mark on the Northwest Conference landscape.
Key Games to Keep an Eye On That Could Have Big Impacts on the Conference Race and Playoff Seeding:
Week 4 – LCC at Allen East and Crestview at Ft. Loramie,
Week 5 – LCC at Ft. Loramie and Allen East at Crestview
Week 6 – Columbus Grove at Allen East and LCC at Bluffton
Week 7 – Ft. Loramie at Columbus Grove and Bluffton at Crestview
Week 8 – Bluffton at Ft. Loramie and Columbus Grove at Crestview
Week 9 – Allen East at Bluffton, LCC at Columbus Grove and Crestview at Spencerville
Week 10 – Columbus Grove at Bluffton, Crestview at LCC, Ft. Loramie at Allen East and Spencerville at Delphos Jefferson