N10 Football: Bold predictions, players to watch, top games for 2024 season

Football in Ohio is a week away and you needn't look much further than the Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum, Mansfield News Journal, and Marion Star for all the coverage you need in the greater are.

We've teamed up to break down the area conferences — Rob McCurdy has the MOAC and KMAC , Jake Furr is the OCC guy — with my focus being the Northern 10. Let's take a look at the conference as a whole and what you can expect on the gridiron.

THREE BOLD PREDICTIONS FOR 2024

Title race will come down to the final week

The Northern 10 has been dominated by Carey and Colonel Crawford each of the past four seasons with the Blue Devils winning each of the last three titles. But this season is much more balanced at the top with these two in contention again, along with Wynford, Seneca East, and Mohawk returning a ton of talent. Don't be surprised if the champions are decided in the final week … and I don't know if anyone will run the table.

Offensive Player of the Year will be a skill player; Defensive Player of the Year will be...

I don't expect a quarterback to take offensive honors this season with so much talent at running back and receiver. Seneca East's Taylor Young is probably the best wideout returning as an All-Ohioan, Colonel Crawford's Connor McMichael and Wynford's Anthony Evans are absolute workhorses in the backfield, and Carey's Eli Steen is just a nightmare to tackle. On defense, I think CC's Payne Degray locks that up after a breakout sophomore season saw him earn All-Ohio honors.

Five teams win playoff games

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see five or six N10 teams qualify for the playoffs in its current expanded form. And of those, I'd be shocked if fewer than three end up hosting at least one game. We could even see some postseason rematches with Colonel Crawford and Wynford together in Region 23, Carey and Seneca East are in Region 22. Mohawk is always in a tough Region 26, but the Warriors have proven they can win when it counts.

TEN PLAYERS TO WATCH

Payne Degray, Colonel Crawford, DE, jr.

Degray tallied 75 tackles, 28 for loss, six sacks, and forced three fumbles on defense earning honorable mention All-Ohio. He also caught one pass for five yards as a tight end.

Eli Steen, Carey, RB, jr.

Steen logged 171 carries for 1,193 yards, 15 touchdowns and one fumble as the Blue Devils successfully defended their league title. On defense he had 13 tackles, five for loss.

Kaden Bruner, Colonel Crawford, LB, sr.

Bruner's 79 tackles and two interceptions are the most among returners on the Eagles defense, and 17 tackles for loss is second only to his teammate Degray. He also caught three passes for 30 yards as a tight end. A relentless linebacker, he earned second team All-Northwest District in Division VI.

Taylor Young, Seneca East, WR, sr.

Young caught a league-best 61 passes for 627 yards, and four touchdowns along with 24 rushing attempts for 127 yards and a touchdown. He's the lone returning All-Ohioan on offense. Had 10 tackles, one for loss, and one interception on defense.

Kaleb Bish, Mohawk, DB, sr.

Bish recorded 27 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and his five interceptions is the most among returners in the league. He earned honorable mention All-Ohio, too. And on offense he caught 26 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

Connor McMichael, Colonel Crawford, RB, jr.

McMichael logged 75 carries for 943 yards and seven touchdowns as the third option in the running game. He also caught 11 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns, along with recording 72 tackles, nine for loss, two sacks, and an interception on defense.

Kaleb Francis, Upper Sandusky, WR, sr.

Francis' nine receiving touchdowns are the most among returners, he had 34 catches for 487 yards also rushing three times for 36 yards. On defense he had 14 tackles and two interceptions.

Bryce Locker, Wynford, DE, jr.

Locker tallied 91 tackles, 17 for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a tenacious defensive end. He also blocked for a rushing offense that totaled 3,056 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Dash Puckett, Carey, LB, jr.

Puckett recorded 102 tackles, nine for loss, and 0.5 sacks on a stifling defense. And he should be one of the leaders for the Blue Devils on that side of the ball.

Anthony Evans, Wynford, RB, sr.

Evans rushed for 1,241 yards and 10 touchdowns on 167 carries, along with catching 13 passes for 177 yards and another score. He returns as the league-leader in rushing. He also recorded 37 tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery on defense.

FIVE CAN'T MISS GAMES

Week 4: Bucyrus at Buckeye Central

These teams open league play with potentially the lone winnable game on their schedule in the conference. Both teams lost a ton of talent from last fall, but no matter what, they always play each other tough. Bragging rights are on the line.

Week 5: Seneca East at Carey

A midseason clash between title contenders can really set the tone for the final five weeks. A trip to Carey is never easy, and if Seneca East wants to make some noise, this is the time to do it.

Week 8: Carey at Colonel Crawford

The championship game each of the last four years and there's no reason to think this one won't be the biggest game of the N10 season. Whether the outright lead is on the line, or keeping pace at the top, this is a MUST WIN game for both programs.

Week 9: Carey at Mohawk

A tough test for the Blue Devils right after facing Colonel Crawford. Back-to-back weeks against potential title contenders can make or break a team. Having to do both on the road, though? Carey is going to have to be at its best.

Week 10: Colonel Crawford at Wynford

Does it get any bigger than this? The Battle for the Iron Plow closes out the regular season and it very likely could have league title implications on the line for both teams. Last season provided another thrilling installment in this bitter rivalry, and everyone is hoping for another one to cap off the season. I'm already counting down the days.

zholden@gannett.com

419-617-6018

Twitter/X: @Zachary_Holden

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: N10 Football: Bold predictions, players to watch, top games for 2024 season