MHS’ Noah Miller (12) gains yardage against Westerville North. The Monarchs lost 31-9. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)

North Union’s Wyatt Arver (21) picks up yardage against Pleasant. The Wildcats opened the 2026 season with a 49-7 victory over the Spartans. (Photo submitted)

Brennan Peffer of Fairbanks picks up yardage on the ground during a 2025 game. Peffer scored a touchdown during FHS’ 45-21 loss at Colonel Crawford on Thursday. (Journal-Tribune file photo by Tim Miller)

Peyton Hanna jumps high and hits the ball over the net during a match against Marysville (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Zimmerman gets ready to pass the ball over the net. (Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Members of Triad’s football team are from left, front row, Logan Simms, Cayd Herron, Blayk Thomas, De’Von Minor, Landon Tomlin, Caleb Jordan, Wyatt Smith, Baylor Bahan, Waylin Holtsberry and Duncan Funderbaugh; second row, Jackson Williams, Connor Hayes, Jayden Minor, Luke Botkins, Silas Newland and Jordan Bland; third row, Hayden Ferguson, Carson Groves, Yuriel Guillen, Dallas Ross, Andrew Laughbaum, Karter Sarrazine, George Hartman, Ty Botkins and Dawson Hess; fourth row, Layton Mullins, Bentley Simpson, Galen Smith, Levi Hartman, Brady Funderbaugh, Westin Bahan, Liam Herron and Corbin Goehring; fifth row, Ashton Groves, Justin Haser and Bria Reid; sixth row, assistant coaches Braden Stambaugh and Erich Hopkins, head coach Tim Melvin and assistant coaches Brayden Webb and Eastin Huffman. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sarah Vollrath)

Fairbanks’ Carson Shope carries the ball against Triad during a 2025 game. Shope is one of the returning starters for the Panthers for the 2026 campaign, which begins Thursday at Colonel Crawford. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

Members of the Fairbanks football team are from left, front row, Daniel Bailey, Noah Mullett, Carson Shope, Reid Phelps, Cooper Phelps and Jackson Thomas; second row, Liam Kelly, Joseph Hatfield, Leo Winner, Brennan Peffer, Aiden Haffner, McClain Burns and Caleb Hoffman; third row, Max Winner, Carter Woody, Camden Rall, Lucas Berlin, Vinny Morton, Nevan Moore, Will Griffey and Connor Bjorkgren; fourth row, Casen Rankin, Grayson Burns, Raymond Alley, Koalton Willie, Caden Wills, Corin Burns, Graham Thompson, Landon Wright, Gauge Hutchinsand Robert Francis; fifth row, Grant Burns, Griffin Baum, Drystan Conley, Christian Sheets and Brody Kelley; sixth row, assistant coaches Mike Mays, Tjay Kemmere, Keenan Chapman, head coach Dave Carroll, assistant coaches Morgan Cotter, Kyle Whaley and Sean Diefenderfer. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sarah Vollrath)

Seniors on the Marysville High School football team are from left, front row, Aloysius Roseburrough, Reagan O’Dell, Rivers Hodges, Brycen Luelleman, Cooper Foughty, Carter Shank and Evan Beany; second row, Brady Watkins, Deacon Henry, Mo Saidy, Trevor Helmuth, Landon Wimmers and Colin Wimmers; third row, Oscar Olding, Owen Harbold, Shane Brickner, Carter Dunn, James Stevenson, Allen VanHassel and Keefer Stackhouse. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sarah Vollrath)

Members of the Marysville High School varsity football team are from left, front row, Evan Beany, Colin Wimmers, Carter Shank, Brycen Luelleman, Aloysius Roseburrough, Shane Brickner, Trevor Helmuth, Keefer Stackkhouse, Deacon Henry, Brady Watkins, Owen Harbold, Reagan O’Dell and Rivers Hodges; second row, Ryder Gross, Owen Morey, Collin Burris, Oscar Olding, Allen VanHassel, Landon Wimmers, Carter Dunn, James Stevenson, Cooper Foughty, Mo Saidy, Carter Paine and Austin McNamara; third row, Nolan Phillips, Javin Gillfillan, Jackson Firestone, Sullivan Stackhouse, Henry Brown, Brock Smith, AJ Shroyer, Bransen Allemang, Mason Potts, Luke Gibson, Carter Bohanan, Angelo Broussard and Jayden Foust; fourth row, Aiden Schultz, Austin Lamb, Owen Taylor, Alex Yendrek, Story Crotinger, Tucker Heminger, Gage Henry, Andrew Seibers, Lincoln Firestone, Bronson Davis, Griffen Beery and Ryder Young; fifth row, Collin McKinney, Kellen Williams, Leland Jarrells, Madoc Cavinee, Henry Allen, Dominic Thomas, Shane Bischoff, Noah Miller, Gavin Moore, Clayton Hover and Warren Robinson; sixth row, managers McKinley Heard, Olivia Yakali and Addison Young, trainer Darren Clancy, assistant coaches Kevin Brandfass, Ashton Schmutz, Stephen DeRoads and Brad McKinley and managers Katelyn Bickerstaff and Mikayla Pepper, trainer Ashley Hardbarger and manager Angel Moss; seventh row, assistant coaches Mike Braun, Jason Harrah, Tanner Powers, Jim Hodakievic and Andrew Bentz, head coach Mike Young and assistant coaches Kyle Burns and Ryan Fritch. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sarah Vollrath)

In the photo above, Marysville’s Maddie Armstrong (10) advances the ball down the field while Greta Hooper (5) of Fairbanks gives pursuit. Armstrong tallied the Lady Monarchs’ goal for the contest. The local teams battled to a 1-1 stalemate Friday evening. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)

Jonathan Alder’s Ben McCain (10) picks up yardage during the 2025 game against Columbus Academy. The Pioneers were scheduled to go up against Marion Pleasant Friday evening for their final preseason scrimmage. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)

North Union running back Wyatt Arver gains yardage running behind Peyton Wood during Thursday’s scrimmage against Fredericktown at Ohio Wesleyan University. (Journal Tribune photo by Bob Putman)

In the photo to the left, Marysville left fielder Brooklyn Gamby (7) makes a catch while centerfielder Brie Jennings backs up the play. (Journal-Tribune photos by Tim Miller)