Pickerington Central (Ohio) at Pickerington North (Ohio)
What to watch: Pickerington North looking for its third-straight win in this crosstown rivalry. The Panthers shut out Pickerington Central when the teams met during the regular season and again in the playoffs last season. Prior to that North had never beaten Central in the five previous times the teams had met. Pickerington North (5-0) is fresh off a
35-6 win against Lancaster last week. Senior quarterback
Zephaniah Miller ran for more than 100 yards and had four touchdown passes, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Central has won its last three games after starting the season with a 38-33 loss to state-ranked Centerville. Senior Isaiah Richmond had more than 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Tigers' 28-17 win over Reynoldsburg last week.
Just the facts: Pickerington Central was 7-3 last season but missed the postseason for the first time since 2005. Pickerington North went 12-2 and was not eliminated until the Division I state semifinals. It was only the second time in 10 seasons playing football that the Panthers had qualified for the state playoffs. … Pickerington has been designated the "Violet Capital of Ohio." As such, it only makes sense that both its high school teams chose purple for their primary team colors.
Mitch Stephens: Pickerington North 21, Pickerington Central 17
Kevin Askeland: Pickerington North 24, Pickerington Central 20
Jamie DeMoney: Pickerington North 28, Pickerington Central 23
Stephen Spiewak: Pickerington North 14, Pickerington Central 10
Leland Gordon: Pickerington North 35, Pickerington Central 20
Colin Ward-Henninger: Pickerington North 28, Pickerington Central 17
Jamie DeMoney is in his 20th season covering high school sports and recruiting. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate.
