WyWynford Royals/Northern 10 Athletic Conference News

Wynford Royals News

brought to you by

3690 Park Avenue West, Ontario, Ohio

OPEN Mon-Fri 9-6 & Sat 9-1

Wynford to Play Improved Buckeye Central in the Districts

          Wynford meets Buckeye Central, two teams in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, at Shelby High School on Wednesday night in a division VI district semifinal.

          The Lady Royals (18-5) destroyed South Central (44-12) in a sectional final last week.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says it was good to play at home.  “The advantage of your sectional now is the high seed hosts and gives the kids another opportunity to play on their home court and cut the net down and their own gym, which is very exciting for a championship.  So, get past that first hump and get on to the next game as soon as the net comes down,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Buckeye Central (6-17) has played some of the better teams on their schedule pretty tough the second half of the season.  Taylor-Sheldon says they know each other pretty well.  “There are no mysteries.  They have steadily improved all season long and had some great outputs from some of their best players.  They have been within 10 points of some of the best teams in our area.   Colonel Crawford and Willard in the last couple weeks of the season and our playing their best basketball right now,” she said.

          Buckeye beat Mid-Buckeye Conference champion Mansfield Christian (57-33) las week in a sectional final.

          Wynford won both regular season meetings (47-30) December 12 in New Washington and (38-24) on January 16 at Wynford.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they can’t take anything for granted.  “That's a big mental part of the game.  We try to show it as this is season two and we're 1-0 season two.  Have the perspective on going through your clips of the first two times and who that have played since then,” she told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “All of the teams that played since then trying to consider how they've improved, what's changed since the last time that you played and just do the preparation as best you can.”

Published 2/25/26

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Thinking Consistency

          Wynford hosts South Central on Thursday night in a division VI sectional final.

          The Lady Royals (17-5) finished third in the tough Northern 10 Athletic Conference and have won seven of their last eight games.

          Future hall of fame coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says she likes the attitude that her team has been showing.  “I think that we're doing a lot of things well right now.  Primarily, I think our attitude and our effort are both pretty great and I don't think there's a lot more that you can ask than that.  We've had some hills and valleys this season that took us a little bit to get over, but I think we focused on what our comeback would look like from those setbacks and focused on that to keep getting better and developing this team,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          South Central (6-16) was the seventh place finisher in the Firelands Conference.

          Taylor-Sheldon says this is a team that’s going to give great effort in the game.  “Well, we have some familiar opponents in the Firelands conference with Crestview and Western Reserve and New London, so we're pretty familiar with the Firelands conference even though we haven't played South Central this year.  I think their kids play super hard,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “They're led by Lamoreaux, who was their leading scorer and leading rebounder, just kids who play hard and compete.  We're hoping that we can just be consistent and give us the opportunities to score that we want and do our best to set the pace on defense.”

          Taylor-Sheldon believes getting off to a good start in the game is going to be important for them.  “I think especially if you’re on your own floor where you have have had the chance to be the most consistent.  I think coming out of your own locker room and in front of your home fans I think puts everything in the right direction to begin season number two,” she said.

Published 2/19/26

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Looking for Consistency

             Wynford wraps up the regular season with a non-conference game at Otsego on Thursday night.

             The Lady Royals won both of their games in Northern 10 Athletic Conference play last week in beating Mohawk (57-29) on Thursday and Bucyrus (66-16) on Saturday.

             Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they need to continue to play the defense they did last week.  “I think we're just getting primed to play in the tournament.  Hopefully, we'll finish this week at Otsego and be able to compete and defend like we've played defense the last two games so we can build on that,” she told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We’ve had a couple dips in the season, but we're able to dig ourselves out of those and be productive on the defensive and offensive end.  So, that would be our expectation.”
             Taylor-Sheldon says they will be challenged by Otsego on Thursday, especially their tremendous size.  “They are in a pretty competitive league.  Oak Harbor and Genoa that are at the top of their league.  They have two six-foot centers and that can play.  We are not used to necessarily playing up against that, but we're hoping to be able to defend and set the pace so our hour and a half trip isn't wasted,” she said.

             Wynford (16-5) will play host to South Central, of the Firelands Conference, in a sectional title game in division VI on February 19.

             Taylor-Sheldon says they need to play consistent basketball to have success in the tournament.  “I think being consistent has been our goal all season.  I think the best thing we can do to be consistent is to defend and then you do not have to rely on great shooting every night.  If we can be consistent on defense we'll be in every game here in our second season,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 2/11/26

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford to be Tested by Crawford

          Wynford and Colonel Crawford, two of the three leaders in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, will tangle in North Robinson on Saturday afternoon.

          The Lady Royals (11-2,6-1) kept their share of first by holding off Mohawk (58-55) in a “N10” play on Tuesday night.

          Coach Amy Taylor Sheldon says they did enough at the end to win the game.  “Two kids played fantastically from Mohawk and we didn't do a very good job adjusting.  Freshman and junior Mara Haynes and Katie Woodland.  So, we took some licks there inside and out, but we hung in there and executed and did enough to finish out the first half of the league.  So, pretty proud of our kids for hanging in there and I'm pretty proud of after losing the first league game winning the first half and getting ready for the first game of the second half,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Caroline Sheldon had 27 for Wynford, including the clinching free throws Tuesday night.

          Colonel Crawford (10-2,6-1) edged Seneca East (41-37) on Tuesday night to remain in a tie with Wynford and Carey for the lead.

          Taylor-Sheldon says the Lady Eagles have strong post play.  “There's a lot of things that are good about Crawford.  First of all, it's just they're defensive mentality.  They are gritty and play hard and get into you and defend.  They play very much as a team and you can see that on the floor for sure,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “They play from the inside out.  So, Emmi Powers and Robin Ehmann are at the top of the league in points and rebounds and field goal percentage.  They are quite the inside duo there, which you don't see very often in girls’ basketball.  So, that's kind of like refreshing, but tough to defend strong and quick post players with high accuracy.”

          In their first meeting, Crawford won (39-36) in overtime back on December 2.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they are going to face a test regarding how much better they have become.  “I think this time of year you're doing like your midterm and doing an inspection of where do we really think we can improve the second half.  Can we be consistent.  So, based on our midterm inspection we've done several things well, including you know setting the tempo.  There's some things that we need to improve upon on further inspection as well.  Offensive execution and just being more consistent.  So, hopefully we will pass that midterm on Saturday,” she said.

Published 1/08/26

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Doing Good Things

          Wynford plays host to Ridgedale in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          They play Bucyrus at home in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

          They picked up a huge win by beating Carey (45-40) on Saturday handing the Lady Blue Devils they first conference loss and staying a game behind Colonel Crawford.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they made the plays when it counted.  “It was a great win for us.  We played well early and they played well late and we did enough things right at the end in order to get the win.  They’re very athletic, very well coached.  Like I said, we made some free throws and took care of the ball when needed to and we were able to hold on,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          The Wynford coach says when you win it makes players more receptive to ways of getting better.  “I think it gives you an opportunity to actually have more constructive criticism after a win then after a loss because everybody's feeling so good about winning.  I think we can take how we want to improve much better than coming off of a loss.  So, there's lots of benefits in putting those wins in perspective,” she said.

          Wynford (8-2) has won its last six, all of them without the injured Brooke Fromnaugh, the “N10” player of the year last year, who is out with an injury.

          Taylor-Sheldon says Christmas break can be interesting and challenging, but they have found some ways to get through it.  “As you map it out you think about what you're going to put in that's new or what adjustments that you're going to make.  Also do your best to stay in condition because we take two days off for the holiday and kids are gone.  Just like my family.  I didn't grow up here and we want to make time for our families.  Sometimes you're getting kids get rest who have been injured,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “We try to have some fun over the holidays.  There's a couple special things like we have a white elephant gift exchange, a party and do some games at practice that we wouldn't typically do to kind of break up the monotony.  I haven't had a Christmas break since I was in the sixth grade because I played and I played in college and I coach now, so I don't know any other way other than to play basketball over Christmas break.”

Published 12/30/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Finding a Way

          Wynford has two tests this week as they host Crestview in a non-league game on Thursday and take the bus to Upper Sandusky for a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game Saturday.

          The Lady Royals have played some good basketball and coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says that has been in the face of some rather major adversity.  “We have we've spent a lot of this first third of the season trying to figure out how to replace Brooke Frombaugh, who was the player of the year in the “N10” last year.  So, that's been a big change for us to be honest.  Moving people around from the inside out.  Now, we're living and dying by the three, which is okay for now.  So, I think we're finding our way with that,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they have been forced to assemble their pieces differently.  “Some of the kids have played together, like Caroline (Sheldon) and Brooke have played every game together since first grade, so this is the first time they haven't played together, so that's different,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “You have to figure out a different way that you're going to get your points.  She probably would have been at least 15, if not around 20 a game, for us.  It's just not magic to find that, so we’ve shifted a couple things and some kids off the bench have played well.  So, we're just figuring it out.  Big Crestview game non-league game (Thursday).”

          Crestview (3-3) is coming off a (55-39) win over Lucas in a non-conference game on Tuesday.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they will be counting on their defense.  “Well, a good thing for us is I think we have some pretty good matchups defensively.  We've played, even when we haven't scored great on the perimeter, we have defended.  So, even the games we shot poorly we defended and made it close and we're able to win a couple ones.  So, I think if you stop (Tory) Kidney and try to take care of the rebounds the rest should take care of itself.  They're hungry, they're competing in the Firelands and we're trying to hold our own in the “N10”, so it's a good nonconference game for us,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Wynford (5-2,2-1) will be at Upper (0-6,0-3) on Saturday.  Upper took “N10” co-leader Colonel Crawford to the wire before losing (40-38) last Friday.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they better be ready to play.  “They're hungry, really hungry bunch of young kids who are just playing hard.  Only two real returners for that team from a really good stretch of years at Upper.  They have not gotten blown out.  They've just gotten beaten.  That's going to be a tough one.  We have to be ready,” she said.

Published 12/18/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Ready to go

          Wynford takes on Loudonville as part of the Barn Ball Classic at Smithville High School on Saturday.

          The Lady Royals finished third in the very tough Northern 10 Athletic Conference last year and brings some talent back.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they have competed well against a very competitive preseason slate.  “It’s been great we've had some really challenging scrimmages I think that really has pushed us to grow with some returners and some newcomers and some depth.  So, it's been a preseason like we haven't had in quite some time, so I think the kids have enjoyed it, but they're ready to get started,” she said.

          Taylor-Sheldon is one of the deans of basketball coaches in this area and she knows her kids are ready to play in a real game.  “We're kind of excited being invited to the “Barn Ball Classic.”  We haven't done anything like that before.  So, it’s been 30 years and to get an invite to play in a game like this on the first weekend it should be a lot of fun for them.  A lot of great girls’ teams there.  I know they've had it for boys for several years.  It’s the fourth year for the girls, so we're excited and we're hoping to have a great weekend,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Taylor-Sheldon also knows they will be tested by Loudonville, especially with the return of Mya Vermilya to the floor.  “Well, it would be interesting with Mya (Vermilya) returning after not playing last year.  They lost a lot of seniors, but they have their shooter on the perimeter.  I think she had 38 threes, #5, in truth I can't remember her name right now, but I know her number,” she told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “She averaged eight points a game.  A center, who can also shoot the three, returns.  The we'll see what Mya has done over the past year since she tore her “ACL” and see what that looks like for us.  I think we'll be able to challenge them and hopefully we can set the pace for what we're doing offensively and defensively and have a great opening weekend.”

Published 11/21/25

© Swankonsports.com

Follow our scoreboard for

Constant updates on Friday nights

At www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Your first source for all things sports

Wynford Will Have to be Very Good

          Wynford will play at Colonel Crawford in the “Iron Plow” game in Northern 10 Athletic Conference play on Friday night.

          The Royals (3-6,2-4) have won two straight games after breaking a five game losing streak.

          They spanked Buckeye Central (55-8) last week in league play.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they did a lot of good things.  “Our kids did a great job you know they're executing.  They were consistent.  It was a really good week of practice.  I think the kids were really positive, coachable, willing to listen and learn from those mistakes that we made you know in the past.  We kind of put everything together on Friday last week against Buckeye.  So, I have already told the kids how much I appreciate that out of them.  As a coaching staff we're trying to coach them up this week and focus on the things that we did right, but also focus on the things that we didn't do so great,” said Skidmore.

          Colonel Crawford (8-1,5-1) smoked Upper Sandusky (46-24) last week.  They share first place in the conference with Mohawk and Carey.

          Skidmore says against the Eagles they must be at their very best.  “Going into a game like we have with Colonel Crawford, who obviously is a very good football team, they've done some really good things this season.  So, we have got to pay attention to the fine details and really key on getting better with what we do and also getting that getting a lot better with the things we don't do right,” he said.

          Crawford averages five touchdowns per game and Skidmore says they just have a lot of players that can make big plays.  “The number one thing when you turn the film on they're very big up front, very athletic, seems like they're pretty well coached.  They put guys in the right spot.  They get the ball to their athletes.  Seems like they have a very talented running back in the (Conner) McMichael kid.  He does a very good job running football,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I like that the (Parker) Weithman kid as a receiver.  In open space, he is very talented and can make things and score a lot of touchdowns, very explosive.  Overall, a very good football team.  We're going to try to do our best to do everything right, to be consistent, and that's what we've kind of been focusing on this this whole week of practice.”

Published 10/22/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Wants to be Physical

          Wynford puts out the welcome mat for the longtime rival Buckeye Central Bucks in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          The Royals (2-6,1-4) rocked Bucyrus (49-22) last week and kept their hands on the “Copper Kettle” trophy.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they have been playing with a little more consistency.  “I feel like our guys are starting to be a little bit more consistent wanting to do things right.  When you do things like that and consistently in practice each and every day it usually shows up on a Friday night.  I feel like our guys have done that and they're going to keep doing that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “That's how (Monday) was at practice, so I'm just looking forward to each and every day with these dudes.”

          Buckeye Central (3-5,1-4) were taken to the woodshed in the “Battle for the Paddle” game losing (56-8) to Seneca East.

          Skidmore says the Bucks have some skilled guys that make plays.  “Number one thing is they have got some skilled guys.  They have a very talented quarterback.  I'm pretty sure their best receiver is the quarterback’s brother.  So overall, we have got to be able to stop this skill, match their skill.  Up front they seem to have some size and they're able to move guys here and there,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says for them the key is in the trenches.  “I think we can match their size and with our physicality as a football team we'll be able to do that up front.  We just have to be able to match their skill and get our guys in the right spot, right position, to make some things happen on Friday night,” he said.

Published 10/14/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Must do Fundamental Things

          Wynford looks for some success as they entertain Upper Sandusky on Friday night in action in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          They were hammered (62-6) by Seneca East in an “N10” game last week.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they kind of gut bullied by the Tigers.  “Seneca East truthfully is a very good football team.  They kind of had it.  They were big up front, physical up front and they were able to move us around.  In high school football if your able to push the guys and block them for five plus yards usually things are going to go well that for you that night.  They were able to do that, but they were also to be very explosive throwing the football,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “They made a lot of explosive plays running the ball also.  So, when you're able to run the ball whenever you want and move guys we consider big body guys, move them around with ease and throw the ball when you want to and be explosive.  Once your athletes make big plays.  When you're able to do that usually you're going to get a big win and that's what Seneca East got.   I think they'll have a lot of success this season in our league.  I think they’ll do big things.  I think we played a very good football team last Friday.”

          Wynford (1-4,0-1) hosts Upper Sandusky (1-3,0-1) on Friday night.  The Rams were smoked (33-7) by Carey last week.

          Skidmore says the Rams are always athletic on offense.  “When you play Upper Sandusky you know they're always going to have athletes.  They always have good receivers, always have a good quarterback.  They'll have some athletic offense linemen.  They always seem to have very athletic football players.  I think we match up pretty well with them,” he said.

          Skidmore says they have one of the best defensive players in the league.  “I think they'll have a really good football player in Ethan Lewis.  He plays inside linebacker and probably running back.  He's probably their most dynamic player.  He's able to run the ball effectively, he's going to read the offensive lineman and follow them.  As a linebacker he does a good job reading guards and tackling people.  I'm pretty sure he's leading our league in tackles and I only think it's even close.  So, he's very good in open space.  He is going to fill in the hole and tackle guys behind the line of scrimmage.  So, we got to get bodies on him and account for him when we're on offense and trying to run the ball.  If we can't account for him or block him or get to him with our scheme, then we're not going to have a lot of success moving football.  We have to be able to block that guy,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/16/25

© Swankonsports.com

You first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Has to Limit Big Plays

          Wynford is up at Western Reserve for a non-conference game on Friday night against the Riders.

          They picked up a win last week in downing East Knox (28-12) on Friday.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore feels they had good focus.  “I thought our kids did a very good job on responding from the first week and then taking some focus and learning from that and trying to do things right playing East Knox that whole week just in practice.  I thought our kids did a great job just staying focused and I always say trying to pay attention and focus on the little details.  So, I just thought overall we did that.  When you do things like that you take little steps up the ladder and that's kind of been like one of our main focuses.  We took a step improving on the little things and you have got to continue to grow and continue to keep going up that ladder,” said Skidmore.

          Western Reserve (1-1) was blanked (21-0) by Margaretta on week two.

          Skidmore says the Roughriders can do a lot of things and they’re physical.  “Western Reserve has very tough kids.  They're going to try to put us in some positions that we don't want to be.  They're going to try to run the ball, they're going to be able to throw it, the quarterback has a very strong arm.  They're able to do multiple things.  I think they're pretty tough and pretty stout up front.  They're able to get movement,” he told Swankonports.com on Tuesday night, “They have some skilled guys, some receivers if you give them space they're able to catch the ball.  They're going to be able to make some moves and make guys miss and be explosive.  So, we have to limit explosive plays, that's going to be big.  Limit their ability to get those athletes in space.  So, if we do that and we can match how physical they are up front.  If we're able to do that I think it would be a very good football game.”

          There is a question of who Western will have at quarterback.  Skidmore says they are preparing for Hayden Keith.  “You always expect the kid to play.  Always expect the best athlete to be in that position and always expect them to put their guy out there to make plays for them.  We don't change how we practice, just focus on you know what we can do to improve, what we can do to get our guys in the right spot.  So, we're always practicing like he's going to be there and he's going to be the quarterback and he's going to try and put them in a position to win the football game,” he said.

Published 9/03/25

© Swankonsports.com

You first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Needs Consistency

            Wynford will host another team out of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference in the East Knox Bulldogs on Friday night.

            Last week, Wynford opened the season with a (32-27) loss to Cardington.

            Coach Cyle Skidmore says they were just not consistent enough in their play.  “Just reflecting on how the game went.  I thought Cardington did a great job getting the ball to the guys they need get it to.  The running back is phenomenal.  He was the player of the year in their league last year and I think he's improved.  I think the kid has gotten better.  He looks like he was taking the offseason serious.  He's growing some muscles since last season.  The quarterback is good.  The guy can sling it a little bit and he can run.  They were big up front and they returned a lot of guys.  I just thought Cardington the kids did a really good job were playing extremely hard on the road,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I thought at times our guys struggled to be consistent to do things right.  To beat teams like that or that have improved, that have gotten better.  Cardington hasn't had the best record for the past couple of years, but those kids seem like they're playing like they want things to change.  It looks like they're coaching their kids up and doing things right.”

            Skidmore says their play needs more refinement.  “I just thought our guys played hard.  We have just got to keep focusing on being more consistent.  I feel like I keep saying that to the kids.  We have just got to focus on the fine details and try to improve on those.  I believe as a coach in the program that's going to put us in the right direction to win the games that we need to win,” he said.

            East Knox lost (25-24) to Johnstown Northridge on week one.

            Skidmore says they have some players that standout on film.  “The first thing that pops out is those kids play hard.  They're going to fly, they're going to do things right.  Very physical and aggressive on defense.  They try to take away gaps and slant angles.  So, upfront we have to be ready for that.  We have to scheme around that.  On offense I know this quarterback, I’m pretty sure he's starting since he was a sophomore.  Since we have played them every year he's gotten better.  It looks like he's just improved each season.  He's able to really throw the ball.  He really will stretch the field pretty good this year.  They have a really talented receiver.  I'm pretty sure he did some special things during the track season.  Going to state in the 100 and 200 and pretty sure it was the 4x4.  Just very explosive, so they're able to get the ball you know across the field in space to some very explosive players.  I know they lost their running back from last year, Blake Elliott, but I think they're able to do things that make up for that with the receivers and with the quarterback.  So, they've done a good job scheming and putting their guys in the right spot.  Our kids just have to show up on Friday ready to go. Ready to do things right and be ready from start to finish for a really tough, physical football game.”

Published 8/28/25

© Swankonsports.com

You first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Showing Signs

          Wynford will be a home with Cardington in non-conference play in their opener on Friday night.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they have started to put some things together.  “I think our guys have taken a step forward.  They're just looking to improve each and every day.  I think our senior leadership has grown.  I think our seniors are being leaders right now.  So, I think everyone's kind of focused in.  They know what's expected, especially being game week and school starting this week.  I think our guys are doing a very good job preparing themselves I think physically, mentally and just trying their best to do everything right,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says as of late their practices have been better, more consistent.  “I think we've grown as a team because we're able now to put consistent days together in practice.  Sometimes you have a really good day of practice, the next day is not so great and that just happens in the game of football seeing that as a football coach.  I think here lately we were able to have back-to-back days where its consistently good and that tells you a lot about how the kids are listening,” he said.

          Skidmore says the Pirates have last year’s Knox Morrow Athletic Conference player of the year in Wyatt Denney.  “The biggest thing with Cardington is their running back Wyatt Denney.  He was “KMAC” player of the year.  He did a great job for them.  He does a great job for them.  I think that's the guy that they kind of lean on on the offensive side of the ball.  They do a very good job with their jet play, with trap, with ISO,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Overall, I think it's a decent squad.  I think they're similar to how they were last year.  Very similar offense, same coach, I think he's doing a good job over there trying to build something and get them headed in the right direction.  I think they're doing that and I think you'll see that on Friday that they're trying to do things right, right now.”

          Skidmore says Denney is pretty good on defense too.  “I think on the defensive side of the ball.  Just like us, I think just like us at Wynford, they don't have a lot of numbers.  So. a lot of the guys play on both sides of the ball.  The running back is good on offense.  Well, he's probably, in my opinion, the best defensive player.  He’s the middle linebacker.  I think he's flows well very well to the ball.  He's going to be in every single tackle.  I think you'll see that he's going to try to put his body in the play and try to make something happen for their football team,” said Skidmore.

Published 8/20/25

© Swankonsports.com

You first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Refining Things

          With just over a week to go before the football season opens, the Wynford Royals are working on refining the basic things of football.

          They had a (3-7) season last year.

          They scrimmage Northmor on Thursday night in their final tune-up and open the season hosting Cardington on August 22.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they do bring back some players across the board.  “Just looking at the offensive side of the ball we bring back some talent, some guys that have a lot of experience playing on both sides of the ball actually.  The quarterback started half of season last year and did a pretty good job when it was his time.  He's also returning on the defensive side of the ball.  He played corner for us.  We have a pretty good receiving core this year.  One guy that we bring back is Eli Cooper.  Overall, he did a really good job last year as a receiver.  The biggest thing with Eli is he's a very consistent receiver.  He runs really good routes.  Basically, he knows whole playbook, the ins and outs of every position.  He's a great kid,” said Skidmore.

          That includes in the trenches, according to Skidmore.  “We have some good lineman, some good line experience.  I'm looking at one of our guards right now.  He started for us as a sophomore on a really good football team that went 7-5 and made the playoffs and won a playoff game.  He did a great job for us and he's doing really good job this year as a senior.  Looking at our tight end position overall he's a 6’3”, 230 lbs. tight end that started for as a sophomore one that same squad, so he's got a lot of experience there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “The running back spot Bryce Locker was part of that sophomore group that played on that squad, but he was an offensive tackle that year.  So, that should tell you what kind of running back he is, downhill, very aggressive, very physical and does a lot of good things.  So, basically we have 27 guys on our team, so that kind of tells you that our guys are going to be playing both sides of the ball.”

          Skidmore says to be a better football team they have to improve their execution of the little things.  “I feel like I've been preaching just the fine detail of the little things.  Just letting them know the little things are the things that add up in games that are close and tight.  When you're playing someone who's just as good as you.  Maybe they have very similar skill.  Same type of guys up front.  You kind of match well with them.  The guys that kind of pay attention to the little things and fine details that kind of separates you from them.  So, I feel like here lately we've been trying to preach that as a coaching staff to the kids.  You always hope as a coach that the kids soak it in and take it in and try to improve on those things,” he said.

Published 8/13/25

© Swankonsports.com

You first source for all things sports

“Out of Bounds” Fridays 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Western Reserve Drills Wynford in Districts

          Western Reserve may be an unexpected participant in the district final in division VI, but the eye test says different as they took Wynford to the woodshed with a (9-2) win a semifinal played Wednesday afternoon at Shelby High School.

          They banged out 10 hits with seven of the nine players in the batting order collecting a hit and all them reaching base safely at least once.

          Coach Josh Good says their plan was to try to take the ball up the middle hard.  “I think offensively we had the right approach.  In the first few innings we were driving the ball up the middle just right to the center fielder or the middle infielders,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “We just said keep the chin down, keep doing what we've done preaching, go middle away all game and eventually we're going to find the gap and we were able to.”

          Wynford is a team who’s pitching staff has been decimated by injury this season.  Brayden Campbell, one the best pitchers in the “N10” was not available on Wednesday among others.

          Coach Tom Smith says starter Drew Pope gave all he had on Wednesday.  “They’re a solid team.  I thought we were pretty even coming in, so I knew I'd be a good game.  Whoever made the least amount of errors.  Our top three pitchers are all hurt. Drew pitched good game until we ran out of gas there in the fifth.  We had an error that let them keep batting.  I think we had five unearned with Drew pitching.  Then after we went to the bullpen, we just struggled a little bit,” said Smith.

          The Royals did have a couple errors in the game.

          Western too a (1-0) lead in the first when Conner Harmeling singled and rode home on a double by Cooper Zunis.  Wynford would tie it (1-1) in their half of the first when Gage Massey walked and stole a base and scored on a double by Drew Johnson.

          However, Wynford only threated to score twice until the seventh when they tailed their other run.  “We never had any solid hits.  Seemed like everything was check swings and just didn't hit anything hard all day.  He pitched well all day I guess,” said Smith.

          With game still deadlocked at (1-1) going to the top of the fifth, the Riders got busy and put up a four spot.  Copper Roe singled to lead off and then after two outs six straight batters reached base.  After Harmeling walked and Zunis reached on an error Tyler Wood would come up with an RBI single.  Blake Welch was hit by a pitch and Austin Kolb followed with a two run hit.  Western was up (5-1) after the uprising.

          Good says they remained patient and took advantage of their chances to produce.  “I thought our boys persevered.  We've been preaching all year you have got to keep your head up at all times.  It doesn't matter how many outs we're looking for to score.  We’re looking to score quick.  They had two outs there and we were able to ply away for four runs there all of a sudden,” said Good.

          Western would add two runs each in the sixth and seventh innings.

          Harmeling went the distance for the Riders allowing four hits, walking two and fanning four, in getting a lot of soft contact.  “Connor was great on the mound.  He's been someone that we've been progressively letting go a little bit longer each outing throughout the year.  He's worked his tail off in the offseason, the weight room, building that arm strength up.  When you keep the ball down, and you don't walk guys, great things happen,” said Good.

Published 5/29/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Edges Carey

          Wynford kept itself in the race in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference as they downed Carey (3-1) Tuesday evening.

          They trail Mohawk and Upper Sandusky by a game.  Upper handled Seneca East (5-1) on Tuesday.

          It was a pitcher’s duel and Wynford coach Tom Smith says both guys were outstanding.  “The pitchers were both really good (Tuesday) night.  Brayden Campbell threw a complete game for us.  They had Carter Bame on the mound and he threw well.  We just struggled to hit his curveball.  It was a good game,” said Smith.

          Campbell is (4-1) on the season for Wynford and has an ERA of 1.00.  Smith says he has been a bulldog for them.  “He’s been great for us.  He's kept the runs down.  The other team are offensive struggled and helped us get some wins in the book here.  He did it again (Tuesday) night.  He shut them down late.  The last couple innings like were1-2-3 innings,” he said.

          Wynford (6-4,4-2) is at Carey (7-6,3-4) on Wednesday,

          Only winless Bucyrus is out of the race in the “N10”.  Everyone else is within three games halfway through the league season.

          Smith says it’s going to be a whale of a race.  “I think our league is pretty solid.  I don't know that we have any state teams, but maybe we do,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Mohawk, Upper, Seneca East, us, Carey, Buckeye Central everybody's pretty solid even Colonel Crawford is doing a good job right now.”

Published 4/23/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Rallies Past Buckeye

          Wynford scored three times in the bottom of the sixth and they beat Buckeye Central (4-2) in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference baseball played at Wynford on a blustery Wednesday evening.

          Royals coach Tom Smith says they made some key plays late to get the win.  “In our last at bat in the bottom of sixth we scored three and then held him.  In the seventh inning, they loaded the bases with no outs and we brought in a relief pitcher and struck out the first guy and then got a double play.  So, it was a great finish,” said Smith.

          Drew Johnson was able to slam the door for the Royals (4-1,2-0).

          Buckeye Central (5-1,2-1) put up two in the fourth inning to take a (2-1) lead, but were unable to hold on.

          Bucks coach Chad Jensen has confidence to his kids will battle back.  “I loved our guys fight and tenacity, but in the end, we didn’t get the job done.  However, are our players are resilient and we know where we want to be and will continue to work hard to get there.  It’s a long season and will work from this and get better,” said Jensen.

          The game at Buckeye originally scheduled for Tuesday had to be postponed.  It has been moved to April 25.

          There were a total of eight errors in the game played on Wednesday, five by Buckeye Central.

          Smith says his kids were able to buckle down late in the game.  “With weather I think both teams defense with a little shaky (Wednesday) night.  We both made errors in that weather and kind of helped the other guys out a little bit,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Then at the end we were able to make some plays in that seventh inning to get off the field and secure the win.”

          Smith says a lot of times in high school baseball it comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes.  “We gave them two early.  They actually made an error and we tied it at 2-2.  Then they made an error and that's how we ended up winning on an error.  So, we just made one less mistake than they did,” he said.

Published 4/10/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Edges Seneca East

          Wynford scored in the top of the eighth inning and they outlasted Seneca East (1-0) in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference play on a cold, windy day in suburban Attica.

          Royals coach Tom Smith says it was a true pitcher’s duel.  “Both pitchers were on (Tuesday) night. Brayden Campbell for us went all eight and only threw 96 pitches, so he was obviously very efficient,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “We played good defense behind him.  Brady Bloom for Seneca East we knocked him out with a two out base hit that scored the only run.”

          The big it for the Royals (2-1,1-0) came from freshman Reed Johnson.  “A freshman playing third base for us got a nice big hit, so he felt pretty good after the game,” said Smith.

          Campbell went all eight for Wynford allowing only three hits while striking out 12.  Bloom was outstanding too, going seven and two thirds, giving up five hits, walking four and striking out eight on the night.

          Seneca East (1-1,0-1) coach Rick Bowerman says they just weren’t able to get anything going with the bats.  “Just a great pitching performance by both pitchers.  We weren’t able to get anything going offensively, but Brady Bloom’s pitching kept us in the game.  Campbell kept pounding the strike zone, keeping his pitch count down.  We weren’t able to square up many balls and the ones we did were in the air and into a stiff wind.  In games like this, the team with the fewest mistakes usually wins and that was the case (Tuesday) night.  A walk and an error led to Wynford’s only run.”

          On a day like Tuesday it can be tough to stay focused, but Smith says his kids did a good job of keeping their minds on the task at hand.  “I thought our kids stayed focused and the whole game.  Like I said, they played really good defense and made some good plays out in the field.  Obviously, so did Seneca East to have a game go extra innings 0-0.  So, it was a great defensive game and a couple pitchers that were throwing strikes.  It was a good ball game,” said Smith.

Published 4/02/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Looking for Some Offense

          Wynford, a district champion last year, is looking to develop some hitters for the baseball season, which begins in just over two weeks.

          Coach Tom Smith says they are still working on putting together their starting lineup for this year.  “Well, we have got some young guys still fighting for spots.  We have got about three open spots we're trying to figure out who's going to fill those,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “How quickly those guys grow up probably determines how good we're going to do this year.”

          Smith says they have some depth on the mound this year, but their offense will probably not be as explosive.  “Pitching's not too bad. We have got a lot of arms.  We have just got to figure out which guys can locate the best and get outs for us.  Pitching wise we're okay our offense is down a little bit this year,” said Smith.

          Most of the top of Wynford’s lineup from last year was lost to graduation and Smith says they are going to need to manufacture some runs this season.  “These guys have got to grow a lot.  We lost three of our best four hitters from last year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “We have got to generate runs probably in a little different way this year, but hopefully we can get better every week,” he said.

Published 3/13/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Has Got to Handle the Press

          Wynford challenges Margaretta, the champion of the Bay Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference, in a division VI district semifinal at Willard High School on Thursday night.

          Last Saturday, they smoked Monroeville (77-39) in a sectional final at Wynford.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they just played very, very well.  “We were kind of clicking on all cylinders.  I thought we did great in the half court, great in transition, and on defense.  Monroeville won 13 games.  They were not at their full strength at the end of the year because of some injuries, but nevertheless we're playing some good basketball right now.  I'm proud of the work our kids have put in,” she said.

          Wynford (16-6) plays Margaretta (18-5) in a semi.  The Lady Polar Bears beat Bucyrus (54-33) in their sectional final.

          Taylor-Sheldon says Margaretta is big and strong.  “Well, we're obviously the underdog, but we are going to do the best we can to take away some of their strengths like we always do on the scouting report and work to handle their pressure and they size, they are a little bit bigger than us and a little bit stronger than us,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Hopefully, we can defend and rebound and execute the best of our ability.”

          The press is a big weapon for Margaretta, but Taylor-Sheldon is confident they can handle it.  “I think with our two guards at the top with Maradath Engler and Caroline Sheldon I hope we'll be able to handle that and make the extra pass and be strong with the ball in order to manage that,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 2/20/25

© Swankonsports.com

There will be a special edition of

“Out of Bounds” this Saturday night

10-11 PM

Wynford Names Court after Rob Sheldon

          If there were a Mt. Rushmore for boys’ basketball coaches in North Central Ohio Rob Sheldon would be featured.

          On Saturday night, Wynford Schools named the court at the “House of Thrills” gym in his honor before a game with rival Colonel Crawford.

          Rob says he got the job with a goal in mind.  “This was a school that had tremendous success but never won a district championship.  I had just won one up at Pioneer, the last year I was there.  The principal Don Miller said we're not accepting applications and he said where do you coach? I said North Central, we just played in the regionals.  He said can you come down tomorrow at 2:00,” he told Swankonsports.com Saturday night, “I got in after the interviews were closed.  The whole crux to the thing was we need to get this program to the regional tournament, but I also knew that if we didn't, I'd be looking for another job.  This school was loaded with talent.  You don't win 400 games because you're a great coach, you don't win national championships because you're a great coach you have great players to go along with some good assistants, so very blessed.”

          He accomplished that goal.  In fact, he won two regional titles in 1987 and 1989.

          More than 50 former players and coaches turned out to honor Rob.  “I try to be the toughest guy in America and even though it's been 23 years.  For all those guys to come back.  They came back from Florida, the came back from the East Coast I mean it’s crazy, it's crazy,” he said.

          Rob has two sons that are coaches, David at Colonel Crawford and Chris at Western Reserve.  Plus, his daughter in law Amy is the longtime girls’ coach at Wynford.

          David says it was a special night.  “I grew up in diapers in this gym and it’s why I'm doing what I'm doing.  Why my brother is.  My father hired my wife.  If you look at all the success, it’s because of that guy that started it and installed it.  It's just neat to see those guys.  The guys that were his assistants, the former coaches from all over the state came here.  It's a special night for the 73 year old that built this program.  This was the mecca back in the late 80s the 90s and early 2000s.  Just a lot of great memories for me growing up in the gym with those guys and why I'm doing what I'm doing,” said David.

          Oh yeah, they played a game Saturday night too and Colonel Crawford smoked Wynford (65-21) to maintain a share of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference lead with Mohawk.

          David Sheldon says again they again turned defense into offense.  “It was set up by our defense.  I thought our defensive pressure was good all night.  It allowed us offense.  You recognize inside, out is good.  Whether you're inside on a drive, score on a post feed, if they double you kick it out and we've got shooters.  We came over here and did we needed to in game six of the 14 game league journey,” he said.

Published 1/04/25

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Needs to Control the Tempo

          Wynford will be at home for rival Buckeye Central in their first game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Tuesday night.

          The Lady Royals (2-1,0-0) beat Mansfield Madison (62-29) in a non-league game on Saturday afternoon.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they have done some good things.  “We've had good scrimmage schedule preseason and had some good success in the last three games even though we dropped one to Pleasant.  We've worked on a lot of things that we want to prepare for the league.  So, got ready for Buckeye.  We split with them last year so we're hoping we can start 1-0 against them this year,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Buckeye (1-1,1-0) lost a tough one (35-32) to Willard in a non-conference game last Friday night.

          Taylor-Sheldon says Buckeye has a nice combination of players.  “There are several good things about the Buckettes.  They have a strong center, but a really great point guard, a really good shooting guard and then a couple kids who are role players who will step up and be strong for them,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “They battle and scrap every game that they play, so they have a lot of heart.  They're not like a great matchup for us, like player for player, because they don't have a couple of true post players.  We'll do our best to guard the perimeter and try to set the tempo of the game.”

          Taylor-Sheldon is especially impressed with the play of the Buckeye Central point guard.  “I think that Nevaeh Metzger, who's the point guard for Buckeye, is as tough and as resilient of a competitor that I have seen.  She's worked super hard in the offseason.  She never comes out of the game.  I just really respect and enjoy watching her play.  So, she sets the pace for the Buckettes.  She's so fast it's hard to keep up with that,” she said.

Published 12/03/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Ready to go

          Wynford travels to East Knox to meet the Lady Bulldogs on the opening night of the girls’ basketball season on Friday night.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says she thinks they are prepared, the kids are ready and so are the coaches.  “I think we have a median this year.  Since we were allowed to add another scrimmage this year we maximized our six scrimmages and had a lot of good competition.  I think the kids are ready and I feel like we're ready to tip off, so excited to get the season going,” she said.

          Taylor-Sheldon, the head coach at Wynford for more than a quarter of a century, says there are always going to be jitters because you are anxious to prove how good you can be.  “Usually, you have a couple new starters and you have some jitters and then you have some expectations, which is probably the biggest looming in positive and negative for some kids,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “You do as much as you can to prepare mentally and physically.  While it's just another game it's still the first impression of what your season is going to look like.  So, I think it's important for everyone to feel like they give a great first impression.”

          Taylor-Sheldon says East Knox has height and good guard play and will be a good test for them.  “We played them last year for the first time and we had seen them in the summer time.  They have a nice center, a six foot center, which is unusual for the “N10”, so that'll be a good challenge for us.  Two great perimeter guards that look to get the ball up and down the floor.  Hopefully, we can set the pace as well, so we're excited to have our tip off with them,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 11/21/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Matches up Well With Buckeye

          Wynford plays another traditional rival this week in the Buckeye Central Bucks in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action.

          They broke a four game losing skid with a (48-12) thrashing of Bucyrus in conference play last week.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says last week they did play more consistent football and it showed.  “I thought our kids were very consistent from start to finish.  I know I've talked to you before about being able to play a full game of football.  There's four quarters in a game.  I feel like we were finally able to do that as a team.  That's kind of been a goal of ours to start a game and finish the game and do things right throughout the whole game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I thought we did that and it kind of showed on Friday.  Bucyrus is one of our rivals, so our kids were all ready to go, fired up, all week, thinking about the game, talking about the game.  I'm just super proud of the kids on how we competed and how we were consistent.”

          Wynford (2-6,1-4) plays at Buckeye Central (2-6,1-4) on Friday night.

          Skidmore says the Bucks have the personnel to throw the ball.  “They are pretty big up front, they have bigger kids.  They throw the ball a little bit.  I think they have got two pretty good receivers.  A quarterback that can throw it when he needs to throw it.  He puts the ball in good areas and is able to read coverages.  So, we have to stop their pass game.  They have a decent little run game through zones, so we have got to be able to stop those,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore likes the matchups he sees, but knows they are going to have to play very well.  “I think we'll be able to match their size.  I think we'll be able to match their speed.  They are a decent ball team.  They are similar to us in that they haven't won a bunch of games.  I think her kids are going to be ready to go and complete and play their butts off,” he said.

Published 10/17/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Still About Consistency for Wynford

          Wynford makes the very short trip to Bucyrus to take on the Redmen in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Again, last week, the Royals played a good first half but were beaten (31-13) by conference leader Mohawk.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they do not play consistently.  “I tell the kids this every week.  I feel like I keep beating into their head trying to tell them and then preaching to them, we have to play a full four quarters.  You can't just show up the first quarter and second quarter we're going to do decent and then after halftime we just kind of dry out and stop and not be able to move the ball and be inconsistent and have penalties,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “You can't do that.  You have got to be consistent from the start of the game till the end of the game.  I'm hoping that doing that from week to week and telling the kids and preaching that to them from me, all the other coaches, the seniors, the leaders of the team, say that they're looking at Monday through Thursday as a full week and trying to put in a full consistent week of practice.  I'm hoping (Friday) that that really shows.”

          Wynford (1-6.0-4) is at Bucyrus (0-7,0-4) on Friday night.  The Redmen were demolished (56-12) by Upper Sandusky last week.

          Skidmore says these are two teams with a lot of same concerns.  “The Redmen have had their struggles.  It's the same as us.  We've had struggles, they've had struggles.  Looking at some of their athletes.  They're able to throw the ball.  They’ve got two receivers that come to mind that we got to keep our eye on.  They're able to get the ball in space and make big plays happen.  They've done that these past couple games.  They're in the same boat as us.  They've been kind of inconsistent, we've been kind of inconsistent.  I think this game is going to come down to who can really win it trenches and be the more physical team (Friday) night,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says this is for the “Copper Kettle” and that means something to both sides.  “This is their Super Bowl, this is our Super Bowl, that's how we look at it.  They're going to want to win, same for us.  So, we got to be ready to go from start to finish,” he said.

Published 10/11/24

© Swankonsports.com

Follow our scoreboard Friday night

For constant updates beginning with the kick

At www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford to Face Tough Mohawk

          Wynford hosts Northern 10 Athletic Conference co-leader Mohawk in a “N10” game on Friday night.

          The Royals lost their third game in a row when Carey blitzed them (49-14) last week in a conference game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says it the second half they got tired.  “I thought our kids came out ready to play.  We were pretty fired up.  It was a home game for us and I thought our kids battled in the first half.  Sometimes it's hard to compete with teams where they just one platoon.  They have got a lot of kids playing football.  A lot of our kids go both ways.  I thought our kids kind of just got gassed and tired.  We tried to fight and battle, but somehow when they have got athletes, well rested and ready to go and it sometimes doesn't go our way when that happens,” said Skidmore.

          Mohawk (5-1,3-0) smoked Buckeye Central (48-0) last week in an “N10” game.

          Skidmore says they are athletic and they are tough.  “The first couple of things that pop out are the athletes that they have got.  They got some a couple receivers and they're able to run the ball.  I think their quarterback does a good job with his reads in the pass game and also that they run him a little bit,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “All of their athletes are pretty explosive, especially the (Kahne) Hayman kid, he’s a phenomenal athlete, one of the better athletes in our league.  I think they're not super huge up front on the offensive line, but they're tough.  They're s very tough squad, they’re gritty and they're going to attack us.”

          Skidmore, who also played at Wynford, says he believes Mohawk football has a reputation for toughness.  “That's one thing I have got to say about Mohawk through the years they've always been like a tough team.  They've always tried to do things right and just attacking start to finish.  That's one thing that Mohawk has been known for,” he said.

Published 10/04/24

© Swankonsports.com

Follow our scoreboard Friday night

For constant updates beginning with the kick

At www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Must Stop Run

          Wynford will play host to the Carey Blue Devils in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          Last week, Upper Sandusky downed them (37-20) in a conference game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says their lack of depth cost them.  “I thought our kids battled.  There was a moment where we took the lead.  We ran a nice jump pass in the end zone and we took the lead and I thought our kids battled to get in that position.  At the end of the game Upper had more athletes, more kids out there.  I thought our kids got gassed.  We have got a lot of dudes going both ways.  That's just where we're at right now in our program.  They kind of took the game over at the end.  They were able to do some things and moved the ball.  I just thought our kids kind of were gassed.  They didn't give up, they kept fighting, but at the end of the day I thought Upper Sandusky wanted to win that game more,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford (1-4,0-2) entertains Carey (1-4,1-1) on Friday night.  The Blue Devils had a 27 game “N10” winning streak snapped last week then they lost (34-31) to Seneca East.

          Skidmore says Carey isn’t fancy, but boy are they physical.  “The first thing pops out is they're able to run the ball.  They’ve got some big backs.  They get in that sack “I”.  They got some studs that run the football.  #24, he's a big kid.  He reminds me of the Vallejo kid when they won the state championship.  They will run him on dive and he'll go right through the middle.  It's hard to tackle him.  So, they have got some size too up front,” he said.

          Skidmore says in order to win they are going to have to match that Carey physically.  “I hope that we can come ready to be physical.  It's going to be a very physical football game.  That's what Carey known for being physical and violent up front,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We have got to be able to match that and shut down their run because that's what they're going to do.  They're going to come over to our place and do everything they can to run the ball right at us,”

Published 9/26/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Has to Run it

          Wynford plays over at Upper Sandusky in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          It kind of got away from the Royals in the second half last week and they lost (36-15) to the Seneca East Tigers in the conference opener.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they played hard, but they didn’t execute well enough.  “I felt our kids played very tough from start to finish.  I don’t think we ever gave up.  I thought we were ready and we had the right schemes going.  I just thought they had some more explosive plays than we did.  They were able to throw the ball a little bit.  They kind of stopped some of our favorite run plays,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Run plays that we want to run and be able to do each and every game.  I thought they did a good job on defense.  So, I think overall Seneca East is a pretty good team.  I think they'll have some success in our league moving forward.  I think we played a good team.”

          Wynford (1-3,0-1) visits Upper Sandusky (1-3,0-1) on Friday.  Carey smoked the Rams (40-3) last week.

          Skidmore says this is another team that has athletes that can make plays.  “The first thing that pops out is they have a lot of athletes.  They have two receivers that they target a lot during the games.  They are pretty fast, pretty quick.  We just got to find ways to defend those guys and be able to stop their run game.  Our guys have to be able to run the ball and move the ball consistently up and down the field,” he said.

          If they are going to win Friday, Skidmore says they going to have to do a better job of running the football.  “If we're able to run the ball consistently and do good things and be able to move the ball that usually is good for us and stop their pass game.  Upper is able to throw the ball too, so that's something that we've been kind of focused on each and every day.  We've been trying to work on that and show our guys a consistent look and with the scout team.  Sometimes that can be hard at a small school having a scout team that can do that,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/20/24

© Swankonsports.com

Follow our scoreboard Friday night

For constant updates beginning with the kick

At www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Focusing on the Process

          Wynford opens play in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night as they travel to Seneca East to meet the Tigers.

          They picked up their first win of the year last week when they downed Western Reserve (33-22) in a non-conference game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore said it was the best game they have played so far.  “Our kids got there with a lot of energy.  They played extremely hard.  I'm kind of reflecting on the practices that we had that week.  We had some really good practices.  I thought the kids were focused.  I thought they keyed in on what they were supposed to do and how to get better at what we're asking them to do.  So, that's good to see our kids are listening, they're coachable, and they're starting to do things right.  That kind of showed when we played Western Reserve,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “Overall, I thought it was the best game that we played as a as a unit, as a team, from an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint.  I just thought overall, especially the first half was awesome.  That's the Wynford football that I want to see.  Then second half we had our ups and downs and our moments.  I would like to put a full game together and I think the kids want that too.”

          Wynford (1-2) is at Seneca East (1-2) on Friday night.  The Tigers were tamed (36-13) by Monroeville last week.

          Skidmore says this is a team that throws the ball well.  “I think they have got a lot of athletes.  Looking at a quarterback standpoint, he can throw the ball.  He's shown that in the last three weeks that he has the ability to stretch the field and sling it in the air.  I know they have got some decent receivers.  They do a lot of good things on offense with some of the routes.  They run some spread concepts that they have.  So, they do a great job.  They do have some big dudes up front, so we have got to match how physical their guys.  Try to beat them at the point of attack and do things on the defensive line and the offensive line also,” he said.

          Skidmore says they need to continue to have practices like they did last week.  “I think it's almost like take one day at a time.  Kind of focus on today.  What we can do today to get better to prepare ourselves for Friday obviously.  There's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Basically, in my eyes and the kids eyes, that's four quarters.  How are you going to treat the first quarter?  Well, how are you going to treat Monday?  Are you going to come to Monday practice and mess around, then that's going to be your first quarter.  So, we kind of divide it up like that a little bit and that kind of gives a little motivation and goals for the kids each quarter,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/10/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Consistency an issue for Wynford

          It’s the home opener on Friday night for the Wynford Royals as they host Western Reserve in a non-league football game.

          They will be looking for their first win as last week they fell (25-12) to East Knox.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they need to have more focus on what they are supposed to be doing all of the time.  “We still have got to become more consistent with the things that we do.  At times I feel like we have just those mental breakdowns and that's just being consistent and disciplined in practice and doing things right.  The kids need to make sure they listen to the coaches,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “When it's away game we need to get off the bus ready to go.  I felt that for the past two weeks, we kind of got off the bus kind of slow.  So, just be more consistent on those away games and get off the bus ready to rock and roll.”

          Western Reserve (2-0) thumped Margaretta (42-14) last week as Hayden Keith threw six Td passes for the Roughriders.

          Skidmore is impressed by the way they go about things.  “I really do think they have some tough kids.  I think Western Reserve is a pretty good community when it comes down to it.  They care about sports, they take pride in their sports, that type of thing.  I think their coaches do a good job over there with what they’ve got.  They put their kids in a position to be successful and I think that's why they're 2-0 right now.  I can tell their kids play hard, so they must care about the coach to  and care about the team and the things that they want to do over there,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says they have to find some ways to move the ball and get more points on the scoreboard.  “I think it's a pretty good program that's getting run over there.  I think it's going to be a very hard fought game up front in the trenches.  So, I think we just have got be ready to go up front.  We know we want to run the ball.  We have got to find ways to throw the ball on them.  I think with what we're doing and the way we have been more consistent so far this week we should do that,” he said.

Published 9/04/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Has to Stop the Run

Click here to listen to an interview with coach Cyle Skidmore

          Wynford is on the road again this week this time at East Knox to battle the Bulldogs in a non-conference game on Friday night.

          Last Thursday, they were thrashed by Galion (49-13) in their opener.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they had problems with Galion’s speed.  “Galion is a pretty good football team.  They're very well coached.  I think their coaches do a great job over there.  One of the biggest things I noticed this year is their kids played really hard.  I thought their kids were bought into what they were doing.  So, good job to the kids and good job to the coaching staff over there.  They just kind of outplayed us and their athletes were really good,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “They have a lot of speed on their team.  I know one of their players, he's a big time track kid, I’m pretty sure the Chambers kid won the 100 in the “MOAC”.  I don't have that type of speed and they got the ball to him and he did a lot of special things with that.  So, we found it difficult at times to match their speed and they made the most of it that night and they won the ball game.”

          Jacob Chambers had three TD catches last week for Galion

          East Knox lost (8-7) to Johnstown Northridge last week.

          Skidmore says they are a power football team.  “I think the first word that comes to mind when we talk about East Knox is I think they have a very good tradition over there.  I think they've always kind of done things well.  I think they're very well coached.  I know it was a low scoring game, but you look at the type of offenses that East Knox and Northridge run.  East Knox is more gun-T, wing-T type, very similar to Northridge you know like power “I”.  So, they're not very explosive offenses, so it's kind of similar to what we do.  So, not super surprised on the score.  Maybe they're just trying to find their rhythm at East Knox and I think they will.  I think they do some really good things on offense,” said Skidmore.

          In order to be successful on Friday night, Skidmore says they are going to have to control that run game.  “I think they have a couple really good ballplayers, especially the quarterback and running back, the (Blake) Elliott kid is a very good football player.  I think that they're running back is the best overall football player on their team.  So, I think they'll be looking to get him the ball, get him a lot of carries against us.  I think they're very physical at times up front, so we have got to match that physicality.  I think we'll have a better opportunity of matching their speed and putting our guys in the position to make plays,” he said.

Published 8/28/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Looks for Battle Against Galion

          Wynford heads for Galion to play the Tigers in a non-conference football game on Thursday night.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore thinks they are well prepared for the contest.  “I think especially this week, I feel like the kids have been pretty focused at practice.  I feel like they've been paying attention to their coaches, position coaches, and I think they've been bringing the energy at practice each and every day.  I think we figured out so some of the leaders that we have on the team, who they are.  They've been doing a good job this week leading the team and putting us in a good direction to compete against Galion and put us in a position to win that game.  We know the Galion Tigers are going to be a standout ball team.  I think their coaches do a great job putting their kids in position to make plays and compete.  They get their athletes in space.  I think they do a really good job with that.  So, I think we need to match that as a coaching staff and from a team perspective,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says a Thursday game is okay.  “I think it just changes some things.  We kind of treated Saturday like Monday.  It shortens the week a little bit.  It doesn't really bother me.  I don't even know how that came about.  Who picked Thursday.  I think it's just how the how it happened.  I do like the Galion game.  I think it's a good game for the Crawford County area,” he said.

          Galion won last year, also on Thursday, (28-20).

          Skidmore says the Tigers give them a lot to prepare for.  “I think their quarterbacks obviously very athletic.  He has the ability to throw a ball, stretch the field and then he has some agility.  He's a really good runner.  So, we have got to be able to defend the pass game and keep our eyes on him and do things right up front with the run game.  I think they got some decent defense linemen that look to penetrate and get up field.  I think they do a good job with that.  I think they're a very aggressive football team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I think we need to match that physicality up front on the offensive line against their defensive line.  I think that over the years they've done a really good job on defense putting their kids in good spots to make a play.  They line up good against us.  They know what they're doing over there.  I think overall they're very good football team.  I believe we're very a good football team.  We just have got to keep getting better and focusing on us as a team.”

Published 8/21/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Developing Potential

          Wynford took their first step in a scrimmage last weekend and now they need to take some more.

          Coack Cyle Skidmore says he saw some good things and some things they have to work on.  “Tiffin Calvert, they host a very good scrimmage.  We had the opportunity to play on a nice campus, Heidelberg University.  It was awesome, the kids really loved that experience.  Toledo Rogers was there also.  Tiffin Calvert is a great community.  They scrimmaged us, they fed us after it was over, just a really good experience for our kids,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “A couple things that I learned.  Obviously, we have got to get better at the point of attack.  Our guys up front, I think we just need to be more explosive in the hips, be able to move guys off the ball, the defensive line especially.  Work on our extension a little bit, linebackers flowing to the ball and then doing things right, getting the right reads, calling the right front, the right strength.  I saw at times on offense, we looked good running the ball, which that's kind of our goal, running football.  Also, I think Landon Miller and Brayden Campbell, who are fighting for the starting job as a quarterback, they looked really good throwing the football.  So, I think we'll have the ability moving forward.  We want to run the ball, that is our number one goal, control the line of scrimmage, run the football, but I think we can open some things up with those two guys having the ability to throw the football.”

          After a game or a scrimmage or a game, Skidmore says they really focus on learning.  “We record these things and it's a great learning tool for the kids.  When we come in the next morning and we talk about you know what's going on.  What we've seen, things that we have got to work on and sometimes that can be hard on the kids to see that they're making mistakes and the coaches coaching them up.  They have just got to improve.  The coaches have got to be there and watching the film as a whole group.  I think there's some room for improvement and that's with every scrimmage, every game.  We see things that we could do this and that better, a lot better as a whole group.  I think that's what the kids saw when they watched the film.  After seeing it. they're like wow, we can get better, we have the ability to do it, let's just kind of put everything together right now,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford opens the season on August 22 at Galion.

          Skidmore says right now they are working on refining the little things.  “I think we need to focus on the little things, the small things, the fine details.  Sometimes you can find that as a challenge if you don't focus on that everyday in practice.  So, that's kind of been good these last couple days and moving forward.  The little things, the small things that sometimes you don't think about.  We need to really focus on that cause when it comes into like a big game or a hard situation during a game how are you going to react in that, how are you going to overcome that.  So, those are some things that we have to be able to rely on.  It's just the fine details.  Knowing our rules, knowing our assignment, taking that first step correctly and that kind of stuff.  The little things matter right now,” he said.

Published 8/13/24

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source for All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Has to be Fundamental

          Wynford plays Millbury Lake in a division III regional semifinal at Patrick Henry High School on Thursday.

          The Royals won a district championship last week by beating Margaretta (7-5) and Oak Harbor (7-2) in the title game.

          Coach Tom Smith says they were confident.  “The boys played really loose.  The offense came around.  Seven runs a game, that's pretty good in tournament,” he said.

          Millbury Lake beat Ottawa Hills (8-4) to win their district title.

          Smith says they have a tremendous pitcher.  “Well, they have got a really good pitcher that’s going to Toledo I expect to see.  He throws in the mid 80s with a nice breaking ball,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “So, better pitching probably than what we see most of the time.  That's what you expect this time of year in the regionals.   I think they can put the ball in play top to bottom.  So, it's going to be a tough task.”

          Smith says they need to have some clutch hitting.  “We've got about put the ball in play and move runners when we do get them on and keep the pressure on them and get a couple across the plate,” he said.

Published 5/30/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Gets Win Over Crawford

          Grant McGwire hit two home runs and Wynford outscored Colonel Crawford (15-6) on Wednesday evening in play in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          Coach Tom Smith says they were able to get their offense going.  “We moved them around a little better.  Grant McGwire had two home runs, we had a couple, good successful bunts and put together a big inning.  So, little bit of everything,” said Smith.

          McGwire leads the “N10” with five home runs this season.  No other player has more than one.

          Wynford (15-8,10-4) has won six of its last eight games and Smith says they are staring to edge toward peak form.  “That's always the goal.  We're hoping to get there.  We've got about a week to get ready.  Hopefully, we can keep improving from here and have a good tournament run,” he said.

          The Royals are now done with league play, but Smith feels they have some good tests coming up as they get ready for the tournament.  “Our schedule is pretty full,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We play the Norwalk Truckers (Thursday), Pleasant Friday, Lucas Monday tuning up for sectionals.  Then we've already got a game scheduled for the following Monday against Tiffin Calvert hoping to be playing in the districts that week.”

Published 5/09/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

McGurie Grand Slam Lifts Wynford

          Wynford got another much need win on Tuesday night they beat Carey (4-1) in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on the road at Carey.

          Spencer Miller went the distance for the Royals and Grant McGuire, last year’s “N10” player of the year, hit a grand slam to provide the run support.

          Coach Tom Smith says those were the keys to their win.  “Well two things, Spencer Miller pitched a great game, complete game, gave up his only run in the seventh when he was getting a little tired and Grant McGuire hit a grand slam,” said Miller.

          Smith says his pitcher was a warrior on Tuesday night.  “He kept us in the game.  We didn't score until sixth inning and we kept telling the boys we have got to get some offense to help your pitcher out, he’s having a great game,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “Finally, we loaded the bases for Grant in the top of the sixth and he hit a grand slam on a full count.”

          Mohawk is still unbeaten in the league and Wynford trails by three games.

          Smith says they believe McGurie is going to get them big hits.  “When he comes up, we know he's going to hit the ball hard 90 percent of the time and it just that worked out this time we have a lot of runners on for him,” he said.

Published 4/17/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Edges Upper

          Wynford got a win they had to have Wednesday as they beat defending “N10” champion Upper Sandusky (5-3) in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

          The win keeps them three games behind conference leader Mohawk, who hammered Bucyrus (12-1) on Wednesday.

          Coach Tom Smith says the win was key for them.  “They are the tops in the league this year and so it's nice to get a split with them and give us a chance,” he said.

          Upper won (5-4) on Tuesday.

          Smith says they got a big pick me up from Drew Johnson on Wednesday against Upper.  “We got some real good pitching from Drew Johnson.  He came in and the second inning.  Our starter struggled a little bit and he shut them out the rest of the way and then the offense finally generated some runs,” said Smith.

          Johnson also had two RBI.  Grant McGuire had a big two run double that tied the game.

          Smith says they finally got some clutch hitting.  “That's what we've been lacking here recently, but (Wednesday) we had a two run double to tie the game and then got a couple more from the bottom of our lineup driving in some guys,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “That's when you normally win when the bottom of line up helps out.”

Published 4/11/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Gets Past Buckeye

          Wynford outlasted Buckeye Central (4-3) on wind day in suburban Bucyrus in Northern 10 Athletic Conference baseball on Wednesday evening.

          Spencer Miller went all seven for Wynford allowing six hits, but walking none and striking out six.

          Isaac Hiler also got the complete game for the Bucks.  He gave up two hits, but issued six free passes and struck out four.

          Wynford made three errors while the Bucks made four.

          Royals coach Tom Miller says his pitcher was efficient on a difficult day.  “It was a good pitcher’s duel (Wednesday) night.  It was cold and windy, so it was rough on guys.  Spencer Miller I think threw 75 pitches in seven innings, so he was pretty efficient,” he said.

          Miller says they have been getting runners in scoring position, but have not been getting the bit hit.  “Offensively, we seem to get guys on base, but we're having trouble getting those clutch hits to drive them in,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Buckeye Central played really good.  They made some really nice plays (Wednesday) night, a couple double plays to keep us from pushing them runs across.”

          It was Wynford’s (2-3,1-2) first “N10” win of the season.  Buckeye Central (3-1,2-1) trails conference co-leaders Mohawk and Seneca East by a game.

          Buckeye coach Chad Jensen says his kids did a lot of good things, just not enough.  “I’m proud of our kids.  We have Wynford everything that we had.  Just a couple of things here or there that made the difference.  We pitched well, hit well, it just wasn’t quite enough.  We believed we could win and just came up short.  We will learn from it,” said Jensen.

Published 4/04/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Rallies to Win

          Grant McGurie’s bases loaded, three run triple pushed the Wynford Royals past Huron (9-8) on Monday evening in a non-conference baseball game.

          The Royals were down five runs late, but were able to rally for the win.

          Coach Tom Smith says some younger guys were able to set the table.  “The top of the order has been hitting.  In the seventh inning (Monday) the bottom three hitters got on and got us back to the top of the order and then we were able to push them home,” he said.

          Wynford is going to be a pretty good team and Smith says a win like Monday will continue to build confidence with the team.  “I think it's going to be a huge shot of confidence.  We’ve got some young guys.  I have got a freshman and two sophomores starting this year.  I think two of those guys got on late in the game to help us out,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “I think just seeing that fight and not giving up and being able to come back when we were down 8-3 going into the bottom of the sixth, so it was nice.”

          The Royals begin a two game series in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference with Seneca East starting on Tuesday.

Published 3/26/24

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Rounding into Shape

          Wynford hopes to contend again this season in baseball in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          They were the champions in 2022.

          Coach Tom Smith says they have a number of players returning to the varsity roster.  “We have got six starters back, seven lettermen.  We lost one of our pitchers, but we have got three starters back.  So, we're kind of a veteran squad.  We have to fill a few holes,” he said.

          Smith says they have some improvement this month.  “The first scrimmage we struggled a bit defensively, which we'd only been outside I think one time, so to be expected, I think.  Scrimmage two, we looked a lot better defensively and offensively.  We just need to be able to get outside a little more, but looks like we're coming around,” said Smith.

          Wynford opens the season with Marion Harding, of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, on Saturday.  They play Seneca East in their opening “N10” series next Tuesday and Wednesday.

          Upper Sandusky is the defending league champion and Smith says they are the favorite this spring, but he thinks the Royals will be in the race.  “I think the league is pretty good top to bottom.  Upper Sandusky is kind of the team to catch, everybody's chasing them.  I think we're right there in the next pack.  We're probably number two right now,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “But the whole league, I think there are some teams that can surprise, some young talent.  So, I think anybody can jump up there and battle for that two, three spot.”

Published 3/19/24

© Swankonsports.com

Wynford to Slow it Down

          Wynford will host Millbury Lake in a division III sectional final game on Friday night.

          The Royals (13-9) had a goal to win the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this and that didn’t happen.

          Coach Mike Smith says this is a chance at redemption.  “I almost look at it as three seasons right now because the first half of our season was really good.  We were 9-1 going into the 11^th game, that's pretty good.  Then we hit some turmoil, had some problems here and there, and just threw us out of whack and just did not ever recover during the second half of the season.  I still think we're a pretty good team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “We've played some really good games against some really good teams.  Last week was anomaly, we just didn't play well.  We went to the buzzer against Crawford, went to the end against Upper.  I mean we've been there, so I can't fault my kids efforts, except for maybe last week when we just didn't show up.  We're looking forward to a chance to redeem.  I told him this is a way of putting everything else behind us.  Everybody's going to forget what your regular season was if you start winning tournament games.”

          Lake (16-7) beat Huron (72-61) on Tuesday night in a semifinal.

          Smith says the Flyers like to run the floor.  “We've seen them twice.  We drove up to Toledo twice.  So, in reality I think when we were all together and had everybody we were an image of each other.  It would be really exciting to see with us full strength against them.  I think we played the same up tempo.  They like to get out and run and they like to shoot threes.  Maybe not the greatest defensive teams, but it would have been exciting.  That being said, we're going to have to probably do some different things to slow them down a little bit.  So, we may have to take the air out of the ball a little bit be able more patient,” said Smith.

          Smith thinks it should be a competitive game.  “They're good team, they're really good team.  They were the fifth seed right behind us.  We battled back and forth for the four and five seeds, so we were lucky enough to get the four at the time and got the home game.  It's going to be a tough battle. They're a good basketball team, well coached, great athletes, no difference than “N10” this year,” he said.

Published 2/29/24

© Swankonsports.com

Don’t miss a special “Out of Bounds”

This Saturday night 10 PM to 11 PM

Your First Source for All Things Sports

Wynford Mentally Ready for Tournament

          Wynford hosts Bucyrus in a sectional semifinal in division III on Thursday night.

          The winner advances to play Colonel Crawford on Saturday night in North Robinson.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they are prepared and now they have to go out and play well.  “That's exactly what we talked about all week the second season and you know we're at 0-0 and what's it going to be in game number one in the second season and how have we prepared to do that.  I think that you know the hay is in the barn and we're ready,” she said.

          Wynford (14-8) meets Bucyrus (8-14) in a first round game.  The two Northern 10 Athletic Conference rivals spilt their regular season games.  Wynford won (55-36) December 22 and the Lady Red took the rematch (50-49) on January 27.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they have a couple of kids they have their attention and they have shown them a variety of defensive looks.  “We are very familiar with them.  We lost the second round, won the first round, so we definitely know what their strengths and weaknesses are.  I think everybody at this time of year wants to play their best basketball.  They have two double digit scorers at Bucyrus with Kemery (10.3 PPG) and Dennison (12.6 PPG) that you need to do your best to take care of,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Then again some great defense and some mixed up defense.  We've been face guarded, they’ve played us with some zone some, played some man.  So, we just try to cover all our bases and get our minds right to give us a chance to win a championship.”

          Wynford has two freshmen that were part of the District 6 teams in division III in Caroline Sheldon, daughter of the coach, and Brooke Frombaugh.

          Amy says you never know how young kids are going to react to tournament pressure.  “I think usually with young kids they're either terrified or they don't know any better.  So, I'm hoping that we don't know any better and that we'll be excited and geared up to play.  I know that we've had a great week of practice to look forward to revenging our last loss to them and I feel like we're ready,” she said.

Published 2/22/24

© Swankonsports.com

Don’t miss a special “Out of Bounds”

This Saturday night 10 PM to 11 PM

Your First Source for All Things Sports

Wynford Needs Momentum

          Wynford plays at Seneca East in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          The Royals (13-8,6-7) have lost four of their last five.

          Coach Mike Smith says it frustrating because they could have won all of those games.  “Finish the game once, just finish the game.  We get so close, we've been up in the fourth quarter I think of every game we've played and lost here in the last three or four.  We just don't get a stop here or there, have a little bit of a lapse on defense that costs us this.  I can't fault the effort of my kids.  They have played really hard.  Being down a man has been tough on us.  It's taking us a while to adjust to that.  I think we're starting to maybe turn the corner.  I thought last game against Crawford we played one of our better games.  I thought defensively were pretty good.  We actually slowed the pace down, which is unheard of for us, but we tried to keep our kids in the game as long as possible and it came down to the last few minutes we were right there,” said Smith.

          Wynford travels to Seneca East (16-5,9-4) on Friday night.  The Tigers must have a win to have a chance to share in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference title.

          Smith says Seneca East plays a very tough zone defense and they have some kids that can score.  “The 1-3-1 zone has caused a lot of teams to hesitate.  We've been working all week on attacking the 1-3-1 you can't hesitate against it because that's what they want us to do.  I thought we did that the first time.  We kind of threw the ball around the perimeter and didn't attack people.  Once we attack people we should get some pretty open shots and some good looks,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Offensively, they're pretty good.  They have got a couple kids that can score.  They are a hard team to guard.  We are going on the road again.  Last league game you want to go out with a win.  We can finish .500 in the league and we all know this league has been a bear this year, so hopefully that happens and we can come out with the victory.”

          Wynford will play either Millbury Lake or Huron in a sectional final next Friday and Smith says beating Seneca East will help them be more ready for the tournament.  “I know we have been losing some games here, but we haven't played bad, that's the thing.  We just have some small moments where we just haven't put it together.  It's not like we're getting blown out by teams right now.  We're right there, we just have got to figure out how to get over that hump and hopefully Friday we do so that the next Friday is a little bit more meaningful.  We ended up with a pretty good draw.  We get to play a sectional final game at our place, so we're still looking forward to that, but we want to finish the regular season in our league off with the win,” he said.

Published 2/22/24

© Swankonsports.com

Don’t miss a special “Out of Bounds”

This Saturday night 10 PM to 11 PM

Your First Source for All Things Sports

Wynford Wants to Play Fast

          Wynford hosts rival Colonel Crawford in yet another significant game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Right now, Crawford shares first place with Seneca East and Carey and they need a win in this game if they hope to claim the title.

          On Tuesday night, Wynford lost (61-56) to Northmor, the co-champion of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

          Coach Mike Smith says they had a chance at the end.  “I thought we played a really good game.  Got out ahead of them.  Again, we're a little shorthanded, so we're kind of running out of bodies to put in and I think our kids got a little tired at the end.  We had a shot to tie the end with about six seconds left and got a good open look, we just didn’t knock it down,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “We battled back we were down like I think six with like under a minute to go and we got a good shot to tie it.  So, that's all you can ask for and hopefully we can do that on (Friday) night and get a shot at winning the game.”

          Wynford (13-7,6-6) entertains Colonel Crawford (14-5,9-3) on Friday night in “N10” play.  The Eagles fell back into a share of the conference lead when Seneca East beat them (53-44) last Friday.

          Smith believes the Eagles are disciplined and skilled on both ends of the floor.  “Defensively, they're outstanding.  Offensively, I don't think people give them enough credit.  They run sets, they run plays, they know who their shooters are, they get those guys to the ball, those guys have made some shots this year.  Just fundamentally very good, well coached as usual, just a tough matchup,” said Smith.

          Back on January 6, Trevor Vogt scored at the buzzer to lift Crawford over Wynford (65-63) in North Robinson.

          Smith says tempo is a factor in this game.  “They like the slower pace and we don't care for that pace, but trying to get them to play faster is really hard to do.  I thought we did a pretty good job the first game and honestly probably should have won that first game, but we gave the ball away with a few seconds and they hit a buzzer beater that beat us so should be another great game,” he said.

Published 2/16/24

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Must Get Better at Defense

          Wynford will entertain the Mohawk Warriors in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Last week, they lost to defending league champion Carey (63-49) on Thursday.  They outscored Bucyrus (82-73) in an “N10” game on Saturday night.

          Coach Mike Smith says Carey was just more physical than them.  He says on Saturday they were able to overcome the Bucyrus passion for the game.  “I thought Carey played a really, really good game against us.  They're physical play probably hurt us a little bit.  We didn't have our 6’6” guy, so it is a little easier to drive down the middle.  So, I think they took advantage of him not being there and they out rebounded despite quite a bit,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “The Bucyrus game, I'm not sure about that one, we gave up a lot of points, but we scored a lot of points.  I have said it before, Bucyrus plays one game a year and that's to beat us.  We went to their place and they were highly motivated to try to do that and we still won by nine or 12 or whatever it was, but it was a lot closer game than the first time and I knew it would be.  I didn't know it would be that close, but they played pretty well that night.”

          The postseason tournament begins in about three weeks and Smith says by the time they get there and they are going to have to be better on defense.  “Shore up defensively, we just have not put that together all year.  I think we're probably one of the better offensive teams around the area, but you have got to play both ends of the floor and especially when you get to tournament time.  You know that's going to win or lose games if we can defend it's a defensive end.  So, it’s something we're spending a lot of time on and hope to see a little bit of improvement over the next week, couple weeks, just to see if we're getting better.  Hopefully, going into the tournament with a little bit better demeanor about playing defense,” said Smith.

          Wynford (13-5,6-5) plays at home against Mohawk (12-5,7-4) in “N10” play on Friday night.  Mohawk beat Upper Sandusky (41-33) Saturday night as part of a five game winning streak.

          The Royals beat Mohawk (66-55) back on December 29, but the Warriors have lost only once since.

          Smith says they have hit their stride.  “I think they struggled a little bit at the beginning of the year without having A.J. Hess from last year and it's just taking them a little bit of time to kind of gel together.  They have great shooters, they're very well coached, and they're playing a lot better defense than they have in the past.  They are playing a lot more man than they did, so they're finally kind of figuring that out.  I think they're just putting all the pieces together at the right time,” he said.

Published 2/06/2024

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to be in Top Form

          We have been saying this for a couple of weeks, but this seems like a must win for Wynford as they host Northern 10 Athletic Conference co-leader Carey on Thursday night.

          They are at rival Bucyrus on Saturday night.

          After losing (57-52) to Upper Sandusky in an “N10” game last Friday, the Royals rallied to beat Marion Elgin (70-58) in a non-conference game on Saturday.

          Coach Mike Smith was happy to get out of there with a win.  “It was a better game than I thought it would be.  Their record is a little deceiving.  I thought maybe, that was our third game of the week, so I think we were running on fumes.  I didn't still have my 6’6” post player.  So, all in all I thought we went down took care of business and a win is a win right now,” he said.

          Wynford (12-4,5-4) will entertain Carey (9-5,7-2) on Thursday night.  The Blue Devils fell into a share of first place in the conference with Seneca East and Colonel Crawford after a (55-54) loss to the Tigers last Friday.

          Smith says even two games back thy are still in the race.  “It’s going to be another one of those nights, another battle in the “N10”.  At least this time we got them at home.  My kids have had a great week of practice.  They're fired up to try to get one from them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “I told them, this is the funny thing, we're still not out of this.  I know it seems like it, but we still have people ahead of us that we can still beat.  This thing might end up in a three or four way tie yet.  I don't know, it's just crazy this year,” said Smith.

          Carey won the first game (66-59) on December 16.

          Carey is a physical basketball team and Smith says they have to be physical without fouling so much this time.  “I don't think we handled it real well the first time.  I thought we were better than we were like last year when we played them.  We knew kind of knew what to expect from them.  We had so many fouls called on us last game, which was kind of odd.  I think they shot 35 foul shots against us.  I don't think we shot six.  So, not sure how that worked out.  You just kind of expect that you're going to get bumped around.  They're all football players, they great athletes, they're well coached and this is going to be another one of those nights where you just have to bring it.”

Published 1/31/2024

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Expects Battle

          Wynford entertains Upper Sandusky in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Two games behind Carey in the standings it’s a must win for the Royals.

          They beat Cardington (69-61) in a non-conference game on Saturday.

          Coach Mike Smith says a good second half produced a solid win for the Royals.  “They were really good.  I think the record was 9-4 coming into the game.  They play very similar to us, probably even faster than we do.  It was a real challenge.  We had to play a really good second half.  I thought our kids responded and played really good defense the second half and kind of took them out of what they wanted to do.  I told them that's going to end up being a good win for us come tournament time,” said Smith.

          Wynford (11-3,5-3) is at home for Upper Sandusky (8-6,3-5) on Friday night.  The Rams beat Galion (65-52) in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.  They lost (35-33) to Colonel Crawford in an “N10” game last Saturday.

          Wynford won the first game (66-57) on December 14.

          Smith says the Rams are good on both ends.  “Probably one of the most improved teams from last year and even through this season.  When we went to their place, we were up I think 20 at one point they battled all the way back, we ended up winning by six or eight in a tough environment,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Hopefully, being at home helps us.  Coach (Jeff) Winslow does a heck of a job at Upper.  They play defense, they play basketball the right way, it's going to be a battle.  We have got to get this one.”

          Upper’s leading scorer Holden Daris (16.4 ppg) did not play against Galion and Smith says the Royals have some concerns too.  “I think he'll probably try to go (Friday). We're battling some injuries ourselves, so I don't know hopefully everybody's available, but I don't know for sure.  So, we'll see what happens.  It’s the next man up if somebody can't go.  I'm sure they're thinking the same way.  So, should be a great game,” he said.

Published 1/26/24

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Has to Run the Table

          Wynford probably isn’t going to win the Northern 10 Athletic Conference title this year, but they can still have a good year.

          They host Buckeye Central in a conference game on Saturday night.

          Seneca East beat them (69-61) last week and coach Mike Smith says they just didn’t make the plays at either end.  “Our three losses have been to really good basketball teams.  I don't feel ashamed at losing to the three we've lost to, but they were all three games we could have won, probably should have won, just got a little behind in the fourth and just couldn't catch up.  Just didn't shoot real well, we didn't defend real well, I wasn't real pleased with our defense last week, but we've been working on that.  That's been a priority this week, so hopefully it's better against Buckeye.”

          Wynford (9-3,4-3) pounded Buckeye Central (3-8,0-7) in the first meeting (83-27) on December 8.

          Smith predicts it will be closer this time.  “I don't think it'll be a 50 point game this time, probably a lot more competitive.  They have gotten better.  We're going a whole week here without playing.  We are at home, we haven't been at home very much, so I'm looking for a little bit more competitive game on Saturday,” he said.

          Smith knows in order to get a piece of the “N10” they have to run the table.  “And we need a little help.  Three losses, I don't know if that's going to get us where we want to go, but we talked about this, you still fight until the very end and hopefully we end up if it's not first, we're in the top two or three and you can look at it as a pretty successful year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “This has been an odd year for the “N10” I think because the top six teams can all beat each other and I think your seeing some of that, except for Carey, they've won every game.  The rest of us I think just beat each other up.”

Published 1/17/2024

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Good on Both Ends

          Wynford, a game back in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference standings, opens the second half of the conference schedule on Saturday afternoon at home against Buckeye Central.

          On Tuesday, the walloped Seneca East (69-32) in a conference game.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says their defense fueled their offense.  “We were really in sync on Tuesday.  It was another game where we played really well on defense and that created our offense.  Had some depth from the bench in scoring with all seven with the kids scoring.  Frankly, it's easy to be fearful of Seneca East because they definitely play well in streaks and have beat some of the teams on the top, but we were prepared and tried to capitalize on their weaknesses and then capitalize on our own strength.  So, that was great everybody on the bench got in the game so that was a good game for us to finish the first half of the league,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they need to work on their offensive versatility because opponents are going to try and take things away from them.  “Of course we hope that you know we can continue game to game, but we're playing pretty well offensively right now so and I think that's been a catalyst of our defense, so we did work a lot on that also we looked at what might be some things that people try to take away on the second half of the season and just kind of make our strengths stronger,” she said.

          Wynford (10-2,5-2) beat Buckeye (48-35) on December 5 at Wynford, but Taylor-Sheldon says this will be a different Buckeye team on Saturday.  “It'll be a little bit different team this time.  They have a player back that wasn't there at the beginning of the year in Grace Collene, so it gives them extra double digit scoring.  We're just going to have to be consistent and do the things we've done well.  They play so hard, attack the basket, get to the foul line.  They have Metzger, one of the best free throw shooters and one of the assist leaders in the league,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Again, everybody in the bottom half right now can beat everybody in the top half.  We have one team alone at number one, two tied for second and two tied for fourth, so I really think the league is anyone's game and these first games in the second round will be really important for everyone.”

Published 1/12/24

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Must Win

          Wynford finds itself in a must win situation as they are at home for Seneca East in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          After a (65-63) loss to Colonel Crawford on Saturday night they find themselves two games behind Carey, as does Seneca East.

          Wynford coach Mike Smith says the Tigers have shown their pretty good.  “There’re a very good basketball team, well coached, pretty athletic.  They went over to Crawford and beat them, so that's something we didn't do.  They got beat by Mohawk this weekend, which was a little surprising, but Mohawk’s a tough place to play, anywhere in this league is a tough place to play, we found that out a couple times already.  So, we have got to be ready to go.  The team that wins puts themselves ahead of the other team, so neither one of us can afford to get three losses in this league,” said Smith.

          Wynford (9-3,4-2) hosts Seneca East (6-3,4-2) on Friday night.  The Tigers are coming off their poorest performance of the year in a (54-30) loss to Mohawk on Saturday night.

          Smith says they have some scorers.  “They play very similar to us, so it might be a high scoring game, we'll see.  They've been playing a little bit of 1-3-1 zone this year.  I’m not sure if they'll do that against us with our shooting, but we'll see.  Luke Mason and the (Lucas) Bordner kid are really good players.  Bordner I think hit for 25 or 26 last year against us in one of the games.  So, we know he can shoot.  They're just well coached and just probably as athletic as we are, so it should be a really good game,” he said.

          It is a very competitive “N10” this year, but Smith says they cannot afford to fall three games back this early in the season.  He calls this game a must for the Royals.  “It’s huge, I think Jeff Winslow at Upper said that he thinks the same thing I do whoever comes out this might have two losses.  So, right now I think we're sitting okay as we still have Carey ahead of us and still have Crawford ahead of us again,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “We still play everybody again, we just need a little bit of help.  My guys, I guess put us behind the right ball a little bit and we'll see how things go.  We're not out of this yet.”

Published 1/10/2024

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Crawford Beats Wynford at the Horn

          Trevor Vogt picked up a loose ball and went the length of the floor and made a running one hander at the buzzer to lift Colonel Crawford to a (65-63) win over Wynford in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game at Mac Morrison Gym in North Robinson on Saturday night.

          Both teams trail “N10” leading Carey by two games.  Carey (6-0) in the league, beat Bucyrus (75-47) on Saturday.

          Colonel Crawford did not lead the entire second half until Vogt’s winning shot.

          They tied the game at (63-63) on Logan Goddard’s three from the right wing with :31 left in the game.

          Wynford coach Mike Smith called time out to set up the final play.  Grant McGwire got the ball just behind the three point arch and tried to take it to the rim, but slipped down right of the lane and Vogt picked up the ball, sprinted down the court like a gazelle and floated through the air and dropped it in and the Crawford faithful erupted.

          Colonel Crawford coach David Sheldon says they made the clutch plays in the final seconds.  “The possession before, we do a great job making the extra pass and Logan Goddard hit a big three.  Then we had the transition from trapping and fouling to back to this end and they called timeout to set something up.  We switched the ball screen, if you look.  We talked in the huddle and we made a switch and we sort of doubled. McGuire slips and Trevor, the great athlete that he is, he should be All-Ohio in three sports, picks it up and goes coast to coast like we see him hurdling out on the track, and makes an incredible play,” said Sheldon.

          Wynford had chance to put the game away, but Ashton Warren missed three and Weston Prenger one free throw in the final 80 seconds, leaving the Royals with a (63-60) lead with :43 remaining.

          Smith says the final play really didn’t cost them the game.  Instead, he says they didn’t put the game on ice when they had the chance.  “That didn't lose the game.  It was our rushed shots and missed free throws.  It was almost similar to last year's game, very similar, and they got the last shot this year and we got the last shot last year.  Hats off to David (Sheldon), they played a heck of a game.  They were ready for us.  I didn't think we played particularly well the whole game.  There were times I thought we handled it pretty well.  I don't think we attacked the basket a lot (Saturday) and that's due to them,” he told Swankonsports.com, “I'm sure they were trying to take that away.  We're going to go back to work, that's all you can do, life moves on.  I told them you learn a life lesson.  You always have got to be prepared for whoever you're playing.  This league is not easy, this is a hard league.  So, we have got to buckle up and get ready for Seneca East because we have got another hard one next week.  Hats off to David and his kids, they played really well.”

          Crawford’s last lead before the final buzzer was at (26-24) with 1:26 left in the first half after an old fashion three point play by Conner McMichael, but they never went away either.  You always got the feeling that they were close enough.  Back to back threes by Ashton Warren gave the Royals a (30-26) edge at the intermission.

          6’5” sophomore post Payne Degray led Crawford with 19 points on seven field goals all of them around the basket, and five eight free throws, and Goodard had 18, all on threes. Vogt had 14.

          Sheldon says they were able to get clean looks from the perimeter because they made the extra pass.  "The key was against that 1-2-2 you can't run our stuff, you have got to make basketball plays getting into the middle.  We did a good job of getting into the middle either Payne (Degray) would take it or Conner McMichael would take it and when they got stopped we got kick out threes to Goddard and (Kaden) Bruner.  That's the thing we talked about, we have got to make the extra pass against them because they got 6’6”, 6’5” in the middle with (Sam) McMillian and (Ashton) Warren.  That was why we got the open looks,” said Sheldon.

          Smith says they didn’t make good close outs and left the Eagles open too much.  “We knew Trevor could get threes, we knew Goddard could get threes.  We didn't get to them a lot of times and I'm sure he's saying the same thing that they didn't get the us either, but they had one more shot than we did and it went in, so, again, hats off to them,” he said.

          The Royals held the lead for the entire second half before losing in the end.  In fact, they led by nine (57-48) with 5:35 to play in the game after a McGwire free throw.

          Wynford had 11 threes on the night, seven of them in the first half.

Ashton Warren was tremendous in the first half scoring 15 of his game high 21 points for the Royals, all coming on threes.  McGwire added 13, Prener 11 and Sam McMillan 10.

Sheldon says they gambled a little bit in leaving Warren open.  “Hats off to Warren.  They're so explosive.  I've been here 18 years and those athletes and that team reminds me of 2005 to 2011 when (Tim) Ehresman was coaching them and they were making regional runs, they are so explosive.  We were helping off Warren a little bit, he was shooting 19% going into game on threes and hats off to Ashton, he's a great senior player, he made big threes for them.  Our guys never panicked.  Sometimes you have got to give and take when you're going against an explosive team,” he told Swankonsports.com after the game, “Logan Goddard he does what he does.  We know he can shoot it and by them gambling it paid off because he got open looks because his teammates did a great job of making extra passes to put him positions to make shots.”

Published 1/06/24

© Swankonsports.com

Wynford Wants to Play Faster

          Wynford, a game back in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, plays at Colonel Crawford in a key conference matchup on Saturday night in North Robinson.

          They beat Mohawk (66-55) in a conference game last Friday.

          Coach Mike Smith says they were able to handle the Mohawk pressure.  “I think it was good for us to go over there the week before Crawford because it was very similar.  They got up in us and put on a lot of pressure.  I thought our kids handled that really well showing our maturity and our veteran leadership.  We stepped up and hit a lot of foul shots in the fourth.  I think we ended up with 22 free throws in the fourth, so good job on our part executing the late game situations.  Just a great atmosphere and again a hard game in the “N10” and we have got another one coming up this week,” said Smith.

          Wynford (9-1,4-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com in the boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, is at rival Colonel Crawford (7-3,3-2) on Saturday night.  The Eagles dropped out of contention in the conference for now after a (46-40) loss to Seneca East last Friday.

          Smith says they are going to have to make the Eagles play faster than they want to play.  “They're going to play defense like always.  Very contrasting styles with our up tempo versus their slow, methodical set play type offense that I think only a few people are supposed to shoot the basketball, which is a lot of times his way of doing things, but it works,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They've probably played better than maybe even David (Sheldon) thought they would this year.  Their defense has kept him in a lot of games.  It'll be hard for us to hopefully get the tempo where we want it.  I think that's probably the most important thing in the game is pushing the basketball and getting them to play our style.”

          Smith says they have to take advantage of some things in terms pf matchups.  “We play a little full court and three quarter court trapping style defense that's our forte, but we've been pretty good at man to man this year.  So, we've switched back and forth and look forward to having to do both.  I think we can match up pretty well with them.  Our size is probably a little bit bigger than they are, our quickness maybe is a little bit quicker than they are, but you just never know.  We are going on the road again I think it's a broken record.  I think we've been on the road 95% of the season so far,” he said.

Published 1/03/2024

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Counting on its Defense

          Wynford, a game back in the “N10”, will be at Mohawk to lock horns with the Warriors on Friday night.

          They are at Plymouth in non-conference play on Saturday.

          Last week, they destroyed Bucyrus (79-48) in a conference game.

          Coach Mike Smith says they did a lot of good things.  “I thought we played pretty well, shot the ball really well in the old gym, packed house, great environment.  I thought maybe Bucyrus would play little bit better against us, but we came out and matched their energy and I thought our kids just played really well and did a really good job playing and took them out of about everything that they wanted to do,” he said.

          Wynford (7-1,3-1) is at Mohawk (4-3,2-2) on Friday night.  The Warriors and coming off a (50-46) loss to Upper Sandusky in “N10” play last Friday night.

          Smith says he knows that Mohawk is good and can shoot. “We're going on the road again in the “N10” and it's a tough environment, hard place to play.  I read some of his comments of how they're not shooting consistently right now, but they are very capable of hitting threes.  Watching them on tape they have four or five really good shooters, so we'll have to get out and contest the three point line.  Again, just trying to take them out of things that they're comfortable doing.  Hopefully, we shoot the ball well over there because it's a pretty tough place to shoot,” said Smith.

          Smith says he feels they have a bull’s eye on them because they are Wynford.  “I don't know if they want to get into the speed of our game.  We're probably a little bit better athletically and probably a little bit bigger and longer than they are.  Hopefully, our trapping defense and our ability to defend well will carry us through this game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “I'm sure they're going to play hard.  Everybody wants to beat Wynford.  Seems like that's the goal is to beat Wynford.  I know they've had some success against us.  We beat them once last year and lost once last year.  So, I know they haven't had the wins that they want this year, but I'm sure they're going to come out and play extremely hard against us.”

Published 12/29/23

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Needs to Refocus

          Wynford has fallen a game back in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference standings after a loss to Carey and they have a chance to get back on the winning track at home Friday night against Bucyrus.

          Last Saturday, they lost (66-59) to defending conference champion Carey.

          Coach Mike Smith says they didn’t get to the foul line enough.  “I thought we played well enough to probably win that game.  We got out shot from the foul line I think 28 to 12 or something like that and that was really the difference in the game.  We had more two point field goals, I think we were tied for three-point field goals, but the line kind of cost us.  It wasn't that they made a ton, but more than we did, more than we got to the line.  I told the kids afterwards now we have to take care of business and try to get back to Carey and when that comes back around hopefully we've taken care of that business and we have got another shot at them and it's a meaningful game the next time also,” said Smith.

          Smith says this week they have gotten back to work because they want another shot at Bucyrus in January with a lot on the line.  “We've been really good in practice.  We're pretty veteran and I think we're able to put things behind us knowing that we played really well and went on the road and fought like crazy and came up a little bit short I think that says a lot about our kids and how they've matured over the last year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “I know last year we went up there and lost by about 25, so we've made a lot of strides.  Again, I really don't think anybody in this league is going to go undefeated, so hopefully that's the case.”

          Wynford (6-1,2-1) hosts Bucyrus (1-5,0-3) on Friday night.  The Redmen were pounded by Colonel Crawford (58-23) in a “N10” game last Saturday.

          Smith says Bucyrus will play with a lot of energy and they have to match that.  “It really doesn't matter because again this is their Super Bowl.  They love to play Wynford, we're about a mile apart.  They're going to play with everything they have and come into the game thinking they have a good shot at beating us.  It's at our place.  We're playing in the old gym in a throwback game this week.  There would be a lot of excitement, should be a big crowd, it’s always a big game between us and Bucyrus,” he said.

Published 12/20/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Wants to Get on Break

          Wynford is at Carey on Friday night in a key early season girls’ basketball matchup between co-leaders in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          The other leader, Colonel Crawford, plays at home against Bucyrus.

          The Lady Royals dominated Crestview (61-26) in a non-league game on Tuesday night.  They have won their first six games, including a (37-30) win over Upper Sandusky last Saturday in a conference game.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they have played well early, but she knows the “N10” is going to tough every night.  “Yeah, we're happy about our start.  It’s been quick out of the gates, we've played a variety of different teams and now getting into the heart of the league, which I think is going to be very competitive,” she told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “I think this is the probably the most parody I've seen in our league in quite some time.  I look back over the last decade see who’s been on the top Seneca East, Buckeye Central, Carey early in the “N10”.  Most of the teams best players have graduated with exception of Colonel Crawford and Upper Sandusky, so I think you have a lot of kids who are coming off JV teams and a lot of freshmen who make up the heart of the league play this year.”

          Wynford (6-0,2-0) is at Carey (4-0,2-0) on Friday night. Carey beat Seneca East (46-35) last Saturday in a league game.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they have got to keep the Lady Blue Devils off the offensive glass.  “They are fast, athletic.  They lead the “N10” in offensive rebounds per game at almost 17 a game.  So, we have to understand the number one objective is to block out,” she said.

          Against Carey, Taylor-Sheldon says they want to execute their fast break offense and get some clean looks at the basket.  “Yeah, because that's our best offense is running off the break, so hopefully we can gain some momentum by going stop, score stop, and in terms of trying to get out on the break instead of having to get into a set every time.  So, that way if we keep them off the glass then we should be able to control the boards and therefore get to set the pace of the game,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 12/15/23

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Faces Tough Weekend

          Wynford is one of the favorites for the Northern 10 Athletic Conference title this season and they will be tested this week as they play at Upper Sandusky on Thursday night and Carey on Saturday night.

          They closed out a stretch of three games in four days with a (74-65) non-conference win over Edison last Saturday night.

          Coach Mike Smith says they played well early, but had to hang on.  “We were up I think 25 and I think we were running out of gas at the end and let it slip away a little bit ended up winning by I think nine.   I thought Edison's kids played really hard and they competed with us and just glad to get out of that week with three wins.  It was an awesome week for us,” he said.

          Wynford (5-0,1-0) plays at Upper Sandusky (1-2,0-1) on Thursday night.  The Rams lost (40-38) to Colonel Crawford last Friday in their league opener.

          Smith says Upper is a tough place to play.  “Again, kind of a mystery team maybe from last year.  They didn't win a whole lot of games, but they were in probably every game they played last year.  Seemed to kind of get off the same start this year, but going over there probably one of the toughest places to play in the league.  I know (coach) Jeff (Winslow) will have his kids ready to play and they will play as hard as they can.  I know they want to beat us probably more than anything since we beat them twice last year. So, we have got our work cut out for us (Thursday).  We'll have to play really well,” said Smith.

          Carey (3-2,1-0) is the defending conference champion.  They beat Mohawk (46-34) in their league lid lifter.  They lost (52-35) to Willard on Tuesday night in non-conference play.

          Smith says they are physical and play great defense.  “I think they're maybe a little bit of football mode yet from going pretty deep into football playoffs.  They're all football players that play basketball.  I'm sure it'll get fixed and they'll be right where they were last year, close to the top of our league.  They're always physical, they play hard, they play great defense, and again it would be a really tough test for us to go over to Carey,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We seem like we're the road warriors right now because most of our games have been on the road.  So, that's a good thing for us I think because we're a little bit used to it.  This will be by then it'll be our seventh game compared to their I think their fourth or fifth.  So, we played a little bit more competition so far.  They've played a really good schedule though, so the teams they lost to have been really good teams.”

Published 12/14/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Focusing on Improvement

          Wynford will play three games in the next four days here on the second week of the boys’ basketball season.

          They play at Crestline on Wednesday in non-conference play, at Buckeye Central on Friday in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action and on Saturday host Edison in a non-league game.

          They went (2-0) last week with wins over Van Buren (76-74) in overtime on Friday and Monroeville (60-49) on Saturday.

          Coach Mike Smith says mission accomplished.  “Well, I told the kids our goal last Friday was to go 1-0 and we accomplished that.  Then turned around on Saturday and our goal was to go 1-0 Saturday and we accomplished that.  So, overall an 2-0 weekend to start the season on a positive note.  Hopefully, we'll jumpstart the rest of our year,” he said.

          Smith says they won both games, but really didn’t shoot the ball very well in either.  “Well, actually we haven't shot the ball really well, which is kind of odd for us.  Last year, we shot it really well.  We didn’t hit a whole lot of threes compared to last year in the first couple of games, but what I did like was I think people were trying to take our threes away and we got to the foul line 54 times in two games, which is pretty outstanding,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We're getting to the rim, scoring off the twos, and still averaging about 68 points a game.  So, if we get our three-point shooting clicking, I think that'll just obviously go up and just make us that much better.”

          Crestline and Buckeye Central are teams dealing with a lot of youth this year.

          Smith they must be focused on the Royals getting better.  “We talked about that (Tuesday) in practice.  You're not really practicing for these two games, you're practicing for yourself to get better and if we improve as a team, as individuals, then when we go to play these teams, it should take care of ourselves,” he said.

Published 12/06/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has the Parts

          Wynford, who looks like a contender in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this year, plays two non-conference games to open the season this weekend as they are at Van Buren on Friday and home for Monroeville on Saturday.

          Last season, they won 13 games overall and shared fourth place in the conference.

          Coach Mike Smith says they can be better than that this year.  “We are probably the hunted instead of the hunter now.  So, I think our kids are up to the challenge hopefully.  Friday night's going to be a tough opener.  We have got to go an hour away and play a decent basketball team.  We saw them this summer a few times, played against them a couple of times, they were good games, so I would think this is going to be a pretty intense battle on Friday,” said Smith.

          Smith says he believes they will be a very good shooting team this year and they have the kind of size to be good on defense.  “I thought our shooting from last year, we had most of our shooting back, we've shot the ball pretty well in scrimmages, maybe not as well as I want us to, but again that's that comes with scrimmages, the lights aren't on, it's not really a pressurized situation,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “I think our shooting, our overall length, we’re long, we can cause some trouble defensively with our length.  You never know, I don't know, right now it's kind of up in the air to see how we respond to things.  I expect us to, but you just never know with high school kids how that's going to work out.”

          Smith expects a test on Friday night against Van Buren and he says that what you want early in the season.  “Last year, we went up to Monroeville the first game, so we traveled on the road last year and we came out victorious.  I thought that kind of set the tone for our season.  Maybe we were a little unsure how good we could be and I thought you know winning that first game was probably a good thing for us.  You always want to start 1-0, but with that being said it's a very long season and one game doesn't define your whole season,” he said.

Published 11/28/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Eager to Play

          Wynford was supposed to start the girls’ basketball season this week, but instead will play its first game next Thursday against East Knox.

          Veteran coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says there have been some ups and downs.  “Well, we have a combination of eight freshmen and five everyone else.  So, we have certainly are getting our rollercoaster of what is experience and what is that inexperience, but I feel like we're closer to meshing as a team every day,” she said.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they have made good progress with what is a young group of players.  “I think part of it is getting solid scrimmages and we had a great summer together in June.  I think that with our scrimmages and just time getting the reps together this year.  We have a JV team, so that makes a big difference as well.  So, we feel like we've made a lot of progress, but I'm sure everyone is itching to play,” she said.

          Last year, Wynford did not have a JV team and that made it difficult to practice.  Taylor-Sheldon says unfortunately that’s a trend across the state.  “It was difficult every day to practice, absolutely.  I'll be interested this is a greater phenomenon all the time it makes me sad to be honest, but I also know that there's more things for kids to do than ever, there's a lot of more things that are in competition to play during what is a long, physical season for girls,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “There's kind of a divide there that I hope, but it doesn't seem like that's going to change.  (Berlin) Hiland High School, who I would say is the most successful girls basketball team and the State of Ohio, does not have a JV team.  So, I think that that will be something to consider moving forward whether it's junior high, high school, what that looks like I don't know.”

          Amy says this is a team that plays with a lot of energy and has developed skills too.  “I don't not sure that we know that yet.  I would tell you that we have high energy.  I think we're very eager.  I think that so far when we've been up, we've been really up, and when we're down, we have been really down.  So, I think that's probably indicative of our lack of experience, but I think it will be a really fun team to watch.  Even with young kids, we have a pretty good balance of inside and outside.  Some kids I think will surprise people as three point shooters because they've worked on their game and then some post players, who are freshmen, that are fast in transition and hopefully we'll make an immediate impact,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 11/21/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

High Expectations at Wynford

          Wynford is going to be one of the favorites in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this season.

          They had a good year last year and coach Mike Smith says they bring a lot of kids back from that squad.  “I have four starters back from last year's group that won 13 games, so I would call us a veteran group.  One guy off the bench that played a lot for us and we brought up probably two or three JV kids from last year, so I would say mostly veterans with a little bit of mix of some younger kids.  I do have all juniors and seniors though, there's no sophomores or freshmen, so I would say probably pretty much veteran group this year,” said Smith.

          The Royals open the season at Van Buren on December 1.  Their first “N10” is December 8 at Buckeye Central.

          Smith says so far the preseason has been very good.  “It's been very good so far.  So, anything we do we don't really have to explain a whole lot after year three our kids have really bought into what we're doing and any drill we do, any offense we run, it's pretty much in grained in them by now.  It's been really good to see that happen over the last three years.  I think we're obviously headed in the right direction over the last three years,” he said.

          This is Smith’s third year as the Royals head coach.  He is also a Wynford grad.

          Smith says there are high expectations at Wynford this year and he has told his kids that this month.  “High school kids you never know.  I really like what we're doing though as a group.  We have great leadership.  I have two or three guys that have played almost three or four years now,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “I told him at the beginning of this season you know you're the hunted now.  We're not the hunter anymore, so we're going to have to match that and hopefully were ready to do that.”

Published 11/16/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Must Limit Mistakes

          Wynford will be tested on the road again this week as they travel to Bluffton for a division VI regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

          They had an exciting win last week, as Kaiden Blair stopped a Tinora ball carrier at the one tard line in overtime, forcing a fumble, and helping to preserve a (31-28) win in a first round game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says their kids just wanted it more.  “Tinora played a really good football game.  Those kids are extremely physical.  They're obviously well coached.  I thought they were very disciplined.  They did a lot of good things.  We made a lot of mistakes also on both sides of the ball.  That game came right down to the very last play.  I told the kids that all week, and all the other coaches told the kids, that they're going to start fast and they're going to have to finish fast and I thought they get did a really good job with that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “We didn't let up at all.  Our kids played a very, very hard football game.  Tinora is a physical team.  They're very physical up front, so we had to match the intensity and do things like that when it came down to the trenches.  We were able to do that with the run game that we had during that game.  I thought it was awesome that a kid that we didn't have kicking extra points or anything all year, or field goals, he came in and he was four for four and he made the game-winning field goal for us.”

          Wynford (7-4) is at Bluffton (10-1) on Friday night.  The Pirates walloped Paulding (63-6) in their playoff opener.  This season they have six times scored more than 40 points and they have posted seven shutouts.

          Skidmore says they are fast and explosive on offense.  “It pops right up the scores that they've had each and every game.  I mean they've done a great job on the offensive side of the ball getting the ball to their explosive athletes.  On film, they're very, very explosive, very quick.  They have a very talented running back, he’ll find a seam.  They run a lot of inside zone and a lot of jet and they do a great job getting in space.  If they get out, it's going to be hard to get to them and tackle them because they're extremely fast.  Another thing, they're big upfront.  Their offense line is pretty big. their defense line is pretty big,” he said.

          Skidmore says the Pirates just don’t make mistakes and that means they can’t afford too either.  “Overall, they're just a very talented football team and they don't make a lot of mistakes.  I'm pretty sure their quarterback has zero interceptions on the year.  They don't make mistakes.  In the films they don't fumble it, like there are like no fumbles.  So, it's like wow they're explosive, they're big, and they don't make a lot of mistakes.  We've been telling our kids that all week they don't make mistakes.  We have to match that.  We have to do that too.  We can't make those little mistakes or have a false start like we did against Tinora.  We just can't do that stuff, no personal fouls, nothing stupid, we can't have that,” said Skidmore.

Published 10/31/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to Play Hard

          Wynford makes the trip to Defiance Tinora for a first round playoff game in division VI on Friday night.

          Last week, the Royals (6-4) hammered Upper Sandusky (46-18) in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

          They have won five of their last six games and coach Cyle Skidmore says he thinks they are starting to peak.  “I think our kids are doing a tremendous job each and every day.  It's been that way for a while now.  We're playing our best football.  Our kids are doing a great job getting better, listening to the coaches, learning from each and every game that we have played and just continue to do things right and have the put the program in the right direction.  I think our kids are going to be prepared for this game.  I think they're ready to go.  I think up to this point they've been doing everything right.  I think our coaches have done a tremendous job preparing our kids and I think overall everyone is just excited in the Wynford community for this football game,” he said.

          Tinora (7-3) has outscored its last three opponents 129-0 and carry a five game winning streak.

          Skidmore says the Rams play hard on every play.  “I think they have got a rich history over there when it comes to football.  They have a good tradition, a good culture, another good program, good community.  I have a little history with them, a little experience with Tinora.  Actually, my senior year, I'm with a Wynford grad, we made it to the third round playoffs we met up with Defiance Tinora at Ohio Northern football stadium and they beat us 17-0,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Those kids played hard then and you turn the tape on now those kids play extremely hard.  I've been saying that all week telling our kids, putting it in their head, these kids play hard and we have to do our job each and every play.  We have to match their level of intensity, their level of play and we have to get after from start to finish.”

          Skidmore says this is the kind of team that is never out of a game because they are explosive.  “We're playing good teams from here on out.  There's no off weeks.  These teams are going to have the ability to have explosive plays, they have athletes and they have good players.  They could get down a couple scores, but they could come back within a couple of plays.  It only takes a couple of plays from a couple of good athletes to make a big difference in a game.  They have the ability to do that.  They have a really good quarterback, he's able to run the ball and he's able to throw the ball on the perimeter and he does some special things.  They have good receivers and a really good running back.  Our kids have to be prepared (Friday) they have to be ready to go,” said Skidmore.

Published 10/27/23

© Swankonsports.com

Our scoreboard updated every five minutes

On Friday night at www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Wants to be Physical

          Wynford already has a ticket for the postseason, but they don’t want to take a trip, they were rather be home on week one and they have that chance.

          The have to win at home against Upper Sandusky on Friday night in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action and if they do they could get that number eight spot in their division VI region.

          Last week, they amassed 595 total yards in outscoring Seneca East (66-34) in an “N10” game.  They scored 33 points in the second quarter.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they won the point of attack.  “I thought our kids played really well.  We were very dominant up front.  I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage the majority of the game.  We came out hot and we finished the game strong.  I thought our players did a great job getting in space, especially our running backs making cuts when they had to make cuts and making explosive plays pop.  I thought we did a good job throwing the ball.  I think we had 200 passing yards, around that.  We did almost everything.  Obviously, there's things you see on film like wow if we just focus this week on the fine details, we could be so much better.  That's going to be the main focus this week.  Focus on those little things.  Those little mistakes that you make during the game.  Let's say, you have a missed assignment one play on the backside, whatever, and you took the playoff or something like that.  You didn't block to the whistle.  Just the little things are what we're going to focus on this week,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford (5-4,3-2) plays host to Upper Sandusky (4-5,3-2) on Friday night.  Carey manhandled Upper (61-14) last week.  The Rams could make the division four playoffs, nut they need a least three teams ahead of them to lose and have some other things happen.

          Skidmore says their game plan is to run it and again control the line of scrimmage.  “Upper has some really good athletes.  The quarterback Holman does a good job throwing the football.  He has the ability to run the ball also.  They have some good receivers, very talented when it comes to athletic ability, but I believe our athletic ability matches their talent absolutely,” he told Swankonsports.com on Sunday evening, “I think this game is going to come down to who can run the football, who can be more consistent up front, who can stay on their blocks, who can come off their blocks on defense.  I think the game is going to be won in the trenches because I think both teams have the ability to have explosive plays and to put their players in space.  I just think this game is going to come down to who's more dominant up front and that's what we're going to try to do.”

          Skidmore says in order to move up in the playoffs they have to win and that’s their focus.  “Our kids believe that we have more after this, but we have to preach to our kids that none of that's going to happen unless you win this game, you take care of business on Friday.  Our main focus has to be the Upper Sandusky Rams and beating them on Friday.  Doing everything that we can to make our team better, our program better this week, and the rest will take care of itself.  If we're supposed to have a home game, we'll have a home game, if we're not, we’re not.  So, we're going to focus on Upper Sandusky right now,” he said.

Published 10/16/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Must Control Foos

          Wynford is at home for the Seneca East Tigers in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          A win gives the Royals a big boost toward the playoffs.  Right now, they stand 12^th in their division VI region, the top 16 get in.

          Last week, they lost a heartbreaker (37-34) to rival Colonel Crawford to drop out of the conference race.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says his kids gave it all they had.  “Colonel Crawford's a very good football team.  They have some really good coaches and some really good players and they do a lot of good things.  I thought we put our kids in a great position to win Friday night it just didn't come out the way we wanted it to.  The first thing I took from that football game is our kids just fought from the start to the finish and they didn't give up.  So, I'm super proud of how our kids handled the whole game.  It's not the way it's not what we wanted.  It is what it is.  I think we got better from that game.  I think we learned a lot in our film session and I'm hoping that we can take that and advance that into this Friday,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says his kids have come out this week and been focused on beating Seneca East.  “You always worry after a big game.  it's like, oh, are our kids going to be negative or are they going to be down?  Our kids have been extremely positive.  They know what could happen if we take care of business this week and next.  They know that you know it's not just going to end in regular season play.  We have opportunities ahead of us.  So, they've stayed positive, they've got after it and they've done a good job being laser focused.  We always talk about tunnel vision in practice,” he said.

          Wynford (4-4,3-2) hosts Seneca East (5-3,4-1) on Friday night in the “N10”.  The Tigers blasted Mohawk (30-7) last week.

          Skidmore says they have do something about Tiger quarterback Blake Foos.  “The first thing that pops out at me when you turn the film on is they have a really good quarterback.  He does a good job running the ball.  I think he's leading the league in rushing yards.  So, you have got to find ways to put your kids in positions to defend a player like that on the field.  He also has the ability to throw the ball.  That's one thing we're going to remember because last year he beat us on the ground and in the air,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We have got to be able to defend his run game and the pass game.  I'm not taking anything away from the other players, their big up front, I think they're able to move people and do some good things.  So, I think we have to be physical, we have to be dominant and we have to control the line of scrimmage and we have to make sure we can stop the quarterback.”

Published 10/12/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford to Have Fun With Crawford

          Wynford is over at Colonel Crawford for a big game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Both trail Carey by a game in the conference standings and the winner will likely be eliminated from the race.

          Wynford smoked Buckeye Central (45-0) in an “N10” game last week.  The Royals outgained Buckeye 380 to 147.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they pretty much dominated the game.  “I thought our team kind of just controlled the game from the start to finish.  On offense we were able to move the ball up and down the field without a problem.  We were able to throw the ball at times and take advantage of things and how they align to us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I thought overall we were just way more physical than Buckeye and I think that's something that Buckeye takes pride that they can be physical.  I know they have low numbers right now, but I think our kids just dominated the game from start to finish.  I am just super proud of that how our kids started and finished the game.”

          Wynford (4-3,3-1) is at Colonel Crawford (6-1,3-1) on Friday night.  The Eagles are coming off a (41-6) destruction of Upper Sandusky last week.

          Skidmore says they are a very disciplined team, but they are explosive too.  “They're an explosive team, they're really disciplined on both sides of the ball.  That's one of the biggest things that pops out they're going to do things right.  They don't make a lot of mistakes on either side of the ball.  They have a really talented quarterback and a talented running back.  Up front they will be able to move guys around.  It seems like the kids know their job, know their role.  I think they're just overall really good football program right now.  So, we have to kind of match that level and put our kids in the right position to make plays and do things right,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says they are excited to play in a big game like this one.  “I'm excited, I know our coaching staff is excited, I know our kids are really excited.  This is the one of the games that you think about all season, all preseason in the summer, this is just one of those games that is in our mind, it's in the kids’ is mind.  I know at Crawford they take this game very seriously just like us.  They're a proud program over there also.  So, I think overall this is a game that a lot of people are going to want to come see and both teams are going to want to play their best game yet,” he said.

Published 10/04/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to Have Focus

          Wynford will host Buckeye Central in on Friday night in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          They took Bucyrus to the woodshed last week, hammering them (70-18) in league play.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they did a lot of very good things on offense.  “I thought things started clicking for us on offense.  I thought we were definitely dominated line scrimmage with all the rushing yards that we had.  Kaiden Blair had five touchdowns.  I think that says a lot about the guys up front and how they took care of business on Friday.  Then we saw opportunities in the pass game.  I mean we had 200 something yards passing the ball and that doesn't usually happen for the Wynford Royals here lately.  So, overall I mean running the ball, passing the ball.  I think I saw growth out of Ashton Warren, our quarterback.  I'm hoping that we can continue that going into this Friday against Buckeye Central.  James Rindfuss, he's leading the league in yards on receptions and stuff.  So, we have got good athletes and we're just trying to put our athletes in space and do some special things with them,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford (3-3,2-1) entertains Buckeye Central (2-4,0-3) on Friday night.  The Bucks lost (42-14) to Seneca Etas last week in a conference game.

          Skidmore says the Bucks have a lot of weapons on offense.  “Buckeye Central, they're big up front.  Their quarterback the (Derex) Dean kid #10 is very talented.  I think he reads coverages pretty well and he's pretty agile on his feet.  So, he kind of puts this in a situation where we have got to focus on the quarterback.  Then his brother is the running back.  So, I mean they do a lot of special things in the pass game.  I mean they will get in empty and then try to sling the ball on us a little bit.  So, we just have got to be prepared, know what we're doing and have our kids disciplined, know the rules because sometimes you can have a busted coverage or something and that could be a big play.  We have to limit the explosive plays that Buckeye Central has the ability to make,” he said.

          Skidmore says he knows Buckeye will come to play and that means they have to do the same.  “I do respect the Buckeye Central football program.  I always have being a Wynford person.  I think they're a very disciplined program.  The kids are awesome kids.  They play hard from the start of the game to the very end of the game, whether they're winning or losing.  I think that overall it is a proud community and program,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I'm telling right now they're going to show up at Wynford and they're going to try to play lights out and they're going to try to win the game.  I mean that will be their goal.  They're not just going to roll over because they haven't really won a lot of games.  We were that same situation last year.  So, we know how that is.  We know that our kids played extremely hard when we weren't winning games.  They're going to do the same thing.  So, we need to show up Friday ready and got to be prepared for a Buckeye Central team that is wanting to beat us.”

Published 9/28/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Must Beat Bucyrus

          The last time Wynford lost a football game to Bucyrus, the current players were not even born and they want to keep that streak alive.  They host the Redmen on Friday night in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

          In their best offensive showing of the season, last week, the Royals belted Mohawk (41-21) in a conference game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they did a lot of good things.  “I'm super proud of our kids and how they played.  I thought we finally put it all together and we were able to you know run the ball and throw the ball when we needed to and take advantage of how they aligned to us.  You know what Mohawk is a tough team.  They do a lot of good things.  They do a good job on defense.  They’re a tough physical team, but we put 41 points on.  I mean that's the kids.  I mean our kids did an awesome job competing at a high level.  I thought it was one of those games where, like wow, I'm proud of these kids and super happy with how our offense went and how we played,” said Skidmore.

          The Royals had around 500 yards of total offense.

          Wynford (2-3,1-1) welcomes Bucyrus (0-5,0-2) this week for the annual “Copper Kettle” game.

          Skidmore says it is very important to the program that they win this game.  “Our kids know what this week means.  We always say focus one week at a time, but this game is always in the back of your head, back of your mind, you're thinking about it, it's a big rival week for us.  We have a standard, we don't lose to Bucyrus.  We want to win and we want to compete at an extremely high level.  We're not taking time off, taking nothing easy.  I know Bucyrus has been having a rough start of the season.  They haven't really had a chance to win any games, but we are focused on us and what we can do to get better and what we can do to light the scoreboard up and stop them on Friday,” said Skidmore.

          Bucyrus has the athletes to score points.  They lost (68-42) to Upper Sandusky in a conference game last week.

          Skidmore says the pressure will be on their defense.  “My first thought when I look at Bucyrus is they have a lot of athletic kids.  They have a lot of athletes at receiver.  I know they have a different quarterback now playing.  He throws the ball and he puts it right where he wants it.  He does a good job getting it to the athletes and a good job following their system and what they want,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Our db's and our linebackers have got to do a good job Friday getting in their  coverages.  Our defensive line, I mean they have to get pressure on the quarterback.  I mean we have to make sure he gets rid of it quick and we just have got to do everything to the best of our ability to put the program in the opportunity to win the game.”

Published 9/20/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to Find a Way

          Wynford, after getting pounded last week, has to regroup as they head for Mohawk for a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          Defending “N10” champ Carey hammered the Royals (34-0) last week.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they flat out got beat.  “I mean Carey's tough.  I mean they have got a lot of kids playing football right now.  I just think when you think of Carey, you think tough and physical.  They do a lot of good things on offense and defense.  They're big and they're disciplined and their kids play hard.  They have got a lot of good athletes right now.  When you combine all those things together usually you have got a pretty good football team.  We showed up there and that's what we found out.  I mean Carey is a good football team.  They lost their first two, but I think they're going to get things rolling here and they're going to really good in our conference, they are a solid team,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says they need they have to learn and get better as a football team.  “It's not what we wanted, obviously, I don't think any team says hey if we show we're going to lose right.  The goal for every team is to show up to win and do everything to the best of your ability, but that doesn't always happen.  So, sometimes there's life lessons you know to be learned that you don't always win, you don't always get what you want, but you have got to find ways to get better and to improve and to really focus on the kids and the football team and how to make us better as an overall program,” he said.

          Wynford (1-3,0-1) visits Mohawk (1-3,1-0) on Friday.  The Warriors blasted Buckeye Central (56-15) in their conference opener last Friday.

          Skidmore says they are good on both sides of the ball.  “I think they have got a good quarterback.  He's been doing that for a while.  He has the ability to throw it, to put the ball where he needs to be.  He's got a couple receivers he throws to in Chester and Hayman and they run good routes, they have good hands and when the ball gets put in a position to catch it they're going to catch it,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I think they do some decent things up front.  I think they're pretty tough up front.  I think they try to move guys around. Defensively, I think with Mohawk you always think of a sound defense.  They're going to put guys in the right spots and they're going to try to stop you.  Overall, Mohawk is a good football team.  They've always done some really good things.  I don't think their record speaks for who they are right now.”

Published 9/13/2023

© Swankonsports.com

Join us this week at the

Bellville Street Fair

Come say hi at our booth

Wynford Starts With Carey

          It’s a tough assignment for Wynford as they kickoff play in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night at Carey, the defending league champion.

          They have played three close games this year, losing two of them, including last week (28-20) to the Western Reserve Roughriders.

          They gave up a couple of scores early and coach Cyle Skidmore says they were not mentally prepared for the game.  “I think our kids didn't come out fast getting off the bus.  I just don't think we were ready to go for the start and that kind of showed in the first half.  It took a little bit of adjustments getting aligned correctly and getting the kids coached up at halftime and coming out in that second-half ready to go.  We just started off kind of slow.  When it's a tough game and you know they're going to be good you have to play all four quarters.  Every quarter is a difference maker in a game like that.  We just started off the first half not the way that we started off the Galion game or the Pleasant game.  That's what took place against Western,” said Skidmore.

          Carey (1-2) pickup its first win last week in beating Lima Central Catholic (28-14) in non-league play.

          Skidmore says don’t be fooled by Carey’s record, this is again a very good Carey football team.  “Carey is Carey and they're always going to have good ball club.  They've done that year after year.  They're never horrible, they always have a really good football program and they do things right.  They take pride in being physical up front and being physical the whole game from start to finish,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “They're really big up front, so we're going to have our hands full.  They do some really good things on offense.  We have to aligned correctly and be able to stop their dive, iso and double iso and some of their play action stuff. It's going to be a solid ball game for us and we're going to have to come out and play all four quarters.”

          Skidmore says Carey is not fancy, but they are very disciplined and they execute what they do very well.  “That's their goal, they're going to they're going to come out and say we're going to run the football and we're going to line up like this and we challenge you to come stop us.  They're not trying to be sneaky, they're not trying to do any trick plays. They're lining up in the stack “I” and they're going to run the football right at you and they're saying we're not going to get out of this until you stop us.  If you can't stop us, we're going to stay in the stack “I” the whole game.  That’s exactly what they're doing,” he said.

Published 9/07/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to Win up Front

          It’s a matchup Friday night between two teams that are solid and have a similar approach to the game as Wynford will be at Western Reserve to tangle with the Riders in non-conference play.

          Wynford (1-1) last week held off Marion Pleasant (22-20) to win their first game of the season.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they executed well, but above all else they played really hard.  “I mean our kids played tremendous game.  They played a good game on offense and on defense.  The first thing I noticed when I turned the film on I'm like, wow, our kids are playing hard, they're playing tough, they're playing physical, physical up front, I mean they're doing some really good things.  I think that's a positive and going into this week and continuing moving forward focusing on just like the little details.  I know I keep on saying that, but there's a lot of truth to that.  I think when you’ve got kids that just want to battle and play and win games, well that's half the battle getting our kids motivated to play football.  So, just focusing on the little details and doing things right each and every day and having good practices throughout the week I think that's going to go a long way,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “Pleasant hats off to them, they played a tremendous game.  They did some really good things on offense by stretching the field, spreading you out trying to cover them is a challenge at times.  Thay ran a decent defense against us.  They stopped us and they did some good things there too.  I think they're going to have a good year.”

          Western Reserve beat Margaretta (44-43) in an overtime thriller.

          Skidmore says this is a team that has a run first mentality, just like them.  “Western Reserve they do some good things on offense.  They're very similar to us in a way, but they're more in the gun and we're more under center.  So, we're very familiar with what they're trying to do when they're on offense,” he said.

          Skidmore believes its going to be important for them to control the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense.  “I think it's really going to come down to who is more physical up front.  Is there offensive line going to push our defensive line, stuff like that.  I know people say that a lot, but I think for this game there's a lot of truth to that.  They have talented skill players, well so do we.  So, you just have got to have those guys up front to kind of control the game for us,” said Skidmore.

Published 8/31/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Focused on the Little Things

          Wynford entertains the Marion Pleasant Spartans, out of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, on Friday night in a non-league game.

          They lost their opener to Galion by a score, (28-20), in a game that was played last Thursday night.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says the Royals gave great effort, they just have to clean up some things.  “The first thing that comes to mind is our kids play tough.  Our kids never stop fighting and they played to the last second of the game.  There were opportunities for us to take the lead.  We just never succeeded in doing that.  We have got to get better on our special teams, that's another thing.  So, this week in practice we've been focusing our specials.  Just kind of you know paying attention to the small things, the little details and trying to get better with that because our kids are playing hard and we have just got to focus in and get better each and every day,” he said.

          Skidmore believes his team will get a lot better in practice this week and then show that on the field against Pleasant.  “I think you really do learn a lot after the first game.  You know what's going to work and what's not going to work.  You see some of the weaknesses that you know are there and the eye in the sky don't lie and you see a lot watching the tape and the film on our guys really get to see what we need to improve on and coach our kids up on.,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “The kids get to watch the film also and be like wow you know this is what the coach means, this is what he wants.  So, you do see a lot of improvement from week one to week two just based off of that.  You are getting a live person in front of you that this isn't like a practice person you know you get someone else in a different color jersey and it's full go.”

          Pleasant (1-0) edged North Union (21-15) in their opener.

          Skidmore says he has great respect for Pleasant.  “I think you have to respect the Pleasant football program, the community, the tradition that they have.  It is a rich tradition over that way.  They take pride in their football program.  I know they've had some down years and so have we.  I think they're much improved and we're much improved, so I think we match up pretty well.  I think our kids are ready to go.  I think our coaches are going to put kids in the right position.  I think it should be a really good ball game,” said Skidmore.

Published 8/22/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Point of Attack Key For Wynford

          Wynford, hoping to improve a lot as a football team this year, has a tough challenge on week one as they host the Galion Tigers, of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, on Thursday night.

          Second year coach Cyle Skidmore says that preparing for a Thursday game is a lot different.  “Oh yeah, it's been a little different.  We kind of treated Saturday as a Monday and kind of treated (Monday) as a Tuesday.  We gave them Sunday off, so it's kind of messed with the schedule a little bit, but I mean I think our kids are fine with it and getting pretty used to it and are going to be ready for Thursday,” he said.

          Skidmore says Galion is an excellent team.  He says they are good up front and have skilled players that can make plays.  “First things first that conference is a strong conference.  There's some really good teams in that conference.  Galion is going to be competing for a league championship this year for sure in their conference,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They're returning a lot of good players up front, they have a really good offensive tackle, the quarterback is really talented, very shifty, can carry the ball, running back, Gabe Ivy, he's a really good athlete in space, he makes people miss and also they got some good receivers you know, they have the ability to run really good routes and catch the football.  So, we have got our hands full.  We've been practicing and doing things right each and every day that's all you can do.”

          Galion, last year, was a big play team, and Skidmore says they can’t let them be that on Thursday night.  “That's going to be one of our goals to make them drive the field.  Plus, for us on offense, I think hold the ball as long as possible you know marching down the field, take our time.  We have good athletes also.  I think our athletes match up really well with their athletes and I think it's going to be a very good ball game.  I think it's going to come down to you know the guys in the trenches,” said Skidmore.

Published 8/15/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford With High Expectations

          Wynford finished in sixth place in the football standings in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference standings last fall, they expected a higher finish this year.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they have gotten nice progression from the off season though the preseason here this month.  “I mean I've seen tremendous growth as a team.  I think that comes from what we did all winter in the weight room, all spring in the weight room and we had a really good summer, really good lifting in the morning and we had really good camp days and it's just kind of transitioned into what we're doing now as a team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “The biggest thing is the growth as a team overall and I'm noticing that our kids are playing for one another and doing things right each and every day.”

          A big plus for the Royals this year is their relative experience.  Skidmore says they have a lot of kids that return from last year.  “I would say we're pretty experienced up front, we're returning some guys.  Our quarterbacks returning, running backs returning, receivers returning, on defense we're returning basically all our linebackers, majority of our “D” line, our safeties are returning.  So, kind of just replacing a couple of guys here and there, but we got some experience underneath our belt.  I think that's going to help us to start the season for sure,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford’s first game is next Thursday at home against Galion in non-conference play.

          Skidmore, a former player at Wynford, says expectations are always high and this season is no exception.  “I think we always have a high standard at Wynford.  We always expect our kids to compete at a high level.  We always expect to win.  I don't think it matters too much who we have got it.  I think it's it comes down to at Wynford we expect to win.  We have got to start turning things around and putting things in the right direction and getting some wins under our belt for sure,” he said.

Published 8/10/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” every Friday night 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Downs Seneca East

          Wynford kept itself in second place in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference with a (5-2) win over Seneca East on Wednesday evening.

          Spencer Miller went the distance for the Royals (16-6,9-4) and limited the Tigers to seven hits.

          Coach Tom Smith says he does a good job of being economical when he takes the hill.  “Spencer's been pretty solid most of the year.  He's 7-1 now and he fills up the zone and keeps getting some weak contact,” said Smith.

          He threw 78 pitches on Wednesday and 54 were strikes.

          Wynford only had four hits on the night, but Smith says they were able to cash in and score some runs.  “They gave us a few free bases on top of that and we took advantage a couple times.  Grant (McGuire) hit a home run in the top of the seventh and that opened it up a little bit,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win on Wednesday night, “We were up 3-2 and he had a two run homer there and seventh to help us out.”

          The Royals are the third seed in the division III district tournament, which begins next week.

          Smith says they are at least starting to peak.  “I think we're getting close.  I think Seneca East is comparable to Huron, which is a team we will potentially play in the sectionals there.  So, I think hopefully it's getting us ready with what we're playing this week, we're getting close,” he said.

Published 5/11/23

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source For All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday From 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Gets Big Win

          They are going to need some help, but Wynford kept itself in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference race with a (10-1) over rival Colonel Crawford on Tuesday evening.

          They trail Upper Sandusky by three games and have already loss to the Rams twice this year.  The Royals (12-4,6-3), #4 in the Swankonsports.com baseball coaches poll in the small school division, plays at Colonel Crawford on Wednesday and two games each against Seneca East and Buckeye Central left on its “N10” schedule.

          A six spot the sixth inning put the game away for the Royals.

          Plus, they got a quality start from Spencer Miller, he permitted six hits and struck out four in throwing only 80 pitches on the night.

          Coach Tom Smith says he got good defense behind him too.  “Spencer's a pretty efficient pitcher on the mound and the big thing is we played good defense (Tuesday) that hasn't always been the case this year,” said Smith.

          Smith says defense has cost them at times this year, but not Tuesday night.  “I think obviously you always say defense wins championships and so we've had some really good defensive games, but we've lost a couple because probably because of our defense,” he said.

          Leading (4-1) going to the bottom of the sixth, the Royals would score six times.  Smith says they finally wore down Colonel Crawford starter Brennan Hamilton.  “I think other than the first inning we generally got a guy on base or two, but Brennan Hamilton did a nice job of keeping us at bay, keeping us from putting up crooked numbers and we finally got to him in the sixth inning and he ran out of pitchers so they had to go to the bullpen,” Smith told Swankonsports.com after the win.

Published 4/26/23

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source For All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday From 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Gets Big One

          Wynford was almost in a must win situation on Tuesday evening and they responded with an (8-1) whipping of the Carey Blue Devils in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action.

          They are scheduled to play at Carey in the rematch on Wednesday.

          Coach Tom Smith says their pitching was pretty good again.  “Mitch Miller pitched good.  Our pitching's been pretty solid so far in our four games,” he said.

          Smith says Miller was able to keep Carey batters off balance.  “He moves the ball around real well, so he was using the whole strike zone and just kept them off balance, changing speeds constantly and they hit a lot of weak contact (Tuesday) night,” sad Miller.

          Now, Wynford certainly has the capability to get a lot of hits and score a lot of runs and Smith says they made some strides in the right direction.  “A little bit better than we have been, but still just a little too many high flyballs.  We put together a couple good innings and got some runs there with some line drive hard hits there for a couple rounds,” said Smith.

          Wynford and Upper Sandusky were billed as the top two teams in the “N10” and Upper beat the Royals twice (7-3) last week and (4-0) on Monday, so Smith says the win over Carey was crucial for them in terms of the league race.  “We could have went two different ways coming off two tough losses like that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We either respond and start a little streak, so hopefully that's what we did or we could have laid down and lost a couple more, so hopefully it looks like we're headed in the right direction.”

Published 4/05/23

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source For All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday From 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Will Hit the Ball

          Wynford was the Northern 10 Athletic Conference baseball champion last season and they can definitely do it again.

          Plus, coach Tom Smith says they hope to make a longer tournament run than they did last year.  “Hopefully. we will get a little further in the tournament this year.  Other than that goals, hopefully the same, trying to try to win the league and try to make a tournament run,” said Smith.

          Grant McGuire was the league MVP last year.  He is back and Smith says they have some other guys that can hit the ball too.  “We have got six returning starters.  I think all of them hit over .300 last year.  So, our offense looks pretty good so far,” he said.

          Pitching is a little bit of a concern for the Royals this year.  Smith says they are going to have to come up with some depth.  “Depth is my concern.  We have got our number one and two back, but beyond that we don't have a lot of varsity experience.  So, we have a couple of guys that have to step up and give us some depth there on the mound, but we have got one and two back, so we have got a good top end[JS1] ,” said Smith.

          Upper Sandusky finished second in the conference last year, but Smith calls the Rams the favorite this spring.  “Upper Sandusky's probably the favorite, but we're right there challenging with them and Seneca East, we're probably in the top three teams,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Top to bottom the league should be pretty solid this year.  Some of the young teams growing up a little bit and a couple teams that have some really good young talent.  So, we should be pretty good top to bottom in the league.”

Published 3/15/22

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source For All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday From 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Expects Patient Genoa

          Wynford, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, plays Genoa, the runner-up in the Northern Buckeye Conference, in a division III sectional semifinal at Monroeville High School.

          After losing five games in a row, the Royals (13-9) won two last week in beating Crestline (61-46) on Tuesday and Buckeye Central (68-55) on Friday.

          Coach Mike Smith says they got little healthier and they shot the ball pretty well.  “We had a five game losing streak and again we had some sickness and we were getting some kids back from injury.  I thought we played pretty well the last two games.  We had 17 threes against Buckeye, so maybe we're getting our shooting touch back just in the nick of time, so hopefully that carries over to (Tuesday).”

          Genoa (15-7) lost to “NBC” champion Rossford (44-31) last Friday.

          Wynford likes to push the pace of the game, but Smith says the Comets are going to be a very patient with the ball.  “They do a lot of things really well.  They have some height, they have got some speed, two really good guards, very patient offensively, and they run a lot of sets,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “It's kind of a contrasting styles I think.  They like to slow things down a little bit and run a lot of set offense, where we try to push the ball and get out and transition and shoot some threes.  So, we're going to have to defend.”

          Smith says they have faced a lot of teams this year in the “N10” that try and do a lot of the same things.  “You know Crawford, Buckeye, Carey kind of runs that way now so we've had some experience against some “N10” teams.  Genoa might be a little bit different beast, I don't know, we'll see.  I have watched them on tape a lot.  They do a lot of good things, so we're going to have to play really well, but that's really what you expected in the tournament,” said Smith.

Published 2/21/23

© Swankonsports.com

There will be a special “Out of Bounds”

Saturday from 10 to 11 PM

First Source for All Things Sports

Wynford Takes on Western Reserve

          Wynford, of the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, meets Firelands Conference champion Western Reserve is a sectional semifinal in division III on Wednesday night at Monroeville High School.

          Wynford coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon, a future hall of fame coach, says when it comes to the tournament it is a different approach than the regular season.  “I think in terms of pressure it's how the coach frames what's going on.  Some teams have cashed it in by now and have no interest in you know moving on, some think they do, but they don't want to put in the work and then there's people who feel like they're on a mission,” she told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “So, I think that in terms of framing what we want to for the tournament we always start out second season 0-0 and that we try to go from there, build a plan and try to work the plan as best we can.”

          Wynford (12-10) takes on Western Reserve (16-5) in a first round game on Wednesday night.  The Lady Roughriders are outright champions of the Firelands Conference this year, going unbeaten in their conference.

          Taylor-Sheldon says Western has very good guard play.  “(Coach) Carli Ashley has done a great job with that program over the last three years.  Some really great athletes, a great point guard, some really consistent three point shooters.  For us, we've had success with the better teams on our schedule, the teams who have had the most wins and haven't done as well against some of the teams in the middle of the road, but we think it's a good matchup for us and we are prepared for (Wednesday),” she said.

          Taylor-Sheldon says they need to find a way to guard Western’s big kid in the post and that I something that have struggled with this year.  “I think the biggest thing with them will be we struggled to guard Emily Klopp of Mohawk and so we struggled with bigger post players inside, but have done a better job on the perimeter.  I thought we did a great job against (Kate) Siesel (of Buckeye Central), against the guards from Upper and against the guards from Crawford.  So, it's been a little bit harder for us to defend inside and they have a 6’2” center in the middle, so we'll be challenged on the inside and the outside,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 2/15/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford With More Challenges

          Wynford plays host to Seneca East in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night an then plays at “SBC” River co-leader Old Fort on Saturday night.

          Last week, they lost two “N10” games to good teams in Mohawk (71-55) on Friday and Colonel Crawford (57-45) on Saturday night.

          Coach Mike Smith says they didn’t played pretty well in the face of adversity.  “It was a tough weekend for us.  Friday night, I didn't have my big 6’6” guy, who was sick, so we were a little undermanned.  I thought our kids hung in there though.  I think we're down 10 going to the fourth and just kind of ran out of gas.  Credit Mohawk for closing that game out,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “Saturday, I thought we played well enough to win. We just could not get the game closer than seven or five.  Crawford hit free throws that they didn't hit in the first game and kind of closed us out.  They both were very competitive games and I thought we played pretty well for being a little bit undermanned.”

          Wynford (11-7,7-5) plays at home against Seneca East (12-7,6-6) on Friday night in league plays.  The Tigers lost to the same two schools as Wynford did last week with losses to Colonel Crawford (61-36) on Friday and Mohawk (61-30) on Saturday.

          Seneca East won the first matchup this year (79-77) in overtime on December 30.

          Smith thinks Friday night will be the same kind of game.  “The first game I think was what 79-77 in overtime, so maybe we're not the two best defensive teams, but I guess we both know how to score.  So, I wouldn't doubt if it's a high scoring game again this this week.  Hopefully, this time we come out on top because we kind of gave that one away the first time,” said Smith.

          Old Fort (15-3) smoked Hopewell-Loudon (61-42) on Tuesday night to move into a share of their conference lead.

          Smith says they are as good a team as they have played this year.  “I think they might be one of the best, if not the best, team we've played this year.  I watched that game (Tuesday) night and they played magnificent basketball (Tuesday) night.  They didn't miss many shots they defended well and pretty much took Hopewell out of everything they were going to do and Hopewell is a pretty good team,” he said.

Published 2/09/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford With Huge Weekend in “N10”

          It’s a do or die weekend for the Wynford Royals as play at Mohawk on Friday and at Colonel Crawford on Saturday night in Northern 10 Athletic Conference games.

          Right now, they trail “N10” leader Carey by two games, so a loss this weekend might eliminate the Royals form the conference race, especially if Carey beats both Buckeye Central and Bucyrus as expected.

          Coach Mike Smith says they know what is at stake for them.  “It’s a huge weekend.  Luckily we beat them both the first time, but I'm sure they're going to be quite ready to face the Royals on Friday and Saturday.”

          Wynford got Mohawk (73-69) in double overtime in their first meeting at Wynford on December 17.

          Smith says they have the ability to put the ball in the basket.  “They have really good shooters and are very fundamentally sound,” he told Swannkonsports.com on Thursday evening, “The first game we were up quite a bit on them and they fought their way back, so they're going to battle the whole time if we get up again on them.  It will be a tough environment to play in, hopefully our kids are ready to go.”

          Wynford beat Colonel Crawford (55-53) in overtime last Tuesday in a game that was rescheduled from before Christmas.

          Smith says there won’t be any secrets and it is going to come down to who makes they best plays at crunch time.  “We match up pretty well together again.  We just played them last week, so there's no secrets between the two of us.  We basically know each other's offense and each other's defense, so it's basically coming down to who makes the best plays and who executes the best,” said Smith.

Published 2/03/23

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday and Saturday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Still Wants to Get Better

          Wynford picked up a big win on Friday night and they have two more opportunities as a team to get better this week.

          They host Plymouth in a non-conference game on Thursday and Seneca East in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Saturday.

          On Friday night, they beat longtime rival Colonel Crawford (36-32) in an “N10” game.

Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says that was a win they have been looking for.  “That was a great win for us.  I was really proud of our kids mental and physical preparation for the game.  I thought they played very hard.  We didn't play at our best at times for sure, but we pulled it together and were able to finish the game,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “I think we had had beaten the people below us and we had beaten Buckeye Central but we hadn't beaten anybody in between.  That was disheartening at times so I feel like we are improving here at the end of the year or at the right time.”

Taylor-Sheldon says now with two weeks left in the regular season they want to become more consistent in what they do.  “I am hope that we can do some things we haven't done all year and see the things that we've been working on since Christmas and really execute really well the things that we have all year and just work on being as consistent as we can,” she said.

Wynford (9-8,6-5) would be favored in both games this week against Plymouth (5-13) and Seneca East (1-16,0-12), but Taylor-Sheldon says they have to go out and be at their best.  “They have two nice players at Plymouth, of course there's been some you know coaching turnover there, but it seems like he has them playing hard and executing what he wants to do, so we'll be ready for Plymouth on Thursday and then we have senior day with the Seneca East on Saturday,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

Published 1/31/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Wants to Run the Floor

          Wynford hosts Colonel Crawford in a must win game for the Royals in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action on Tuesday night.

          A loss would drop them three games behind Crawford and Carey.

          Carey whipped Wynford (61-37) on Saturday night.

          Coach Mike Smith says they didn’t handle the big game atmosphere very well.  “I think my young group just didn't know how to handle a big game situation.  Their physicality really it really took a strain on us and we just didn't handle things very well. That credit goes to them because their players defended us probably as well as anybody's defended us this year,” he said.

          Wynford (9-4,5-3) hosts Colonel Crawford (12-3,7-1), #4 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, on Tuesday night.  This is their first meeting of the season because this game was originally supposed to be played on December 23.  Crawford has won its last seven games.

          Smith says they need to play better than they did on Saturday.  “It’ll be another great “N10” battle.  What’s going to make (Tuesday) kind of special is we’re going to go back and play in the old gym, so it's kind of a throwback night. Coach (David) Shelton and myself both played at Wynford, so it should be a big crowd,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “Looking forward to trying to get back into it here after Saturday.  Hopefully, we can play a little bit better (Tuesday) and shoot the ball a little bit better maybe play a little bit better defense.”

          Braxton Baker is the second leading scorer in the “N10” (20.3 ppg), but Smith says lately the Eagles have gotten great play from Jacob Maddy (13.7 ppg) and he knows they will have to defend him too.  “They look for each other a lot of time when trying to get the ball inside and then try to go look for Baker outside or him cutting to the basket.  The other guys are a little tentative on their shot, but they're still capable of hitting those shots.  So, we'll have to be careful who we are  closing out on and making sure that we're following our game plan,” he said.

          Tempo might be a big factor on Tuesday too.  Smith says they want to play faster than Colonel Crawford.  “That's one of probably the keys to the game is who's going to win the battle of the tempo.  I didn't think on Saturday we dictated the tempo.  I thought Carey probably dictated that tempo, but again a lot of that had to do there with their defense.  We're having a pretty good year shooting the three and we didn't get a lot of threes against Carey, but that's going to be a big key probably (Tuesday) night if we can get some better open looks and get it out in transition I think we got a better chance of winning,” said Smith.

Published 1/24/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Has to Be Physical

          Wynford, in a share of second place in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, plays at first place Carey on Saturday night in a big league game for both sides.

          The Royals made a tremendous comeback last Friday when they rallied down seven with less than a minute to play to beat Upper Sandusky (77-74) in overtime.

          Coach Mike Smith says the just found a way.  “I knew it was going to be a tough game even though their record you know was like 2-9.  They played a tough schedule, played everybody pretty close this year, except maybe Carey once.  We were down seven with 30 seconds to go in regulation and somehow my kids found a way to get it done.  We hit a lot of threes, thank God we can shoot the ball,” said Smith.

          Smith says it was the kind of game that can boost your confidence.  “I told them down the road it was kind of a tournament atmosphere with the crowd.  It was probably the biggest crowd they've had this year.  Kind of rival, close distance between us, but that'll hopefully benefit us when we get to the tournament time,” he said.

          Wynford (9-3,5-2), a game behind Carey and Colonel Crawford, plays at Carey (10-2,7-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, on Saturday night.  Carey lost for just the second time this season when unbeaten Liberty-Benton beat them (54-32) on Monday night in a non-conference game.

          Smith says the Blue Devils shoot it well and they are physical too.  “They defend really well and shoot the ball really well.  The first game we had them down going to the fourth quarter and they just they just took over in the fourth quarter.  I thought we were pretty evenly matched.  This is a game we have got to  win if we want to stay in the race.  It puts us right back in it again if we get this one,” said Smith.

          Carey won the first meeting (59-47) on December 10.

          Smith says to turn the tables this time they must handle Carey’s physical play.  “I think if we handle their physicality because a lot of play football.  I’m not sure kids handled that really well the first time.  They bump you a little bit, they get up in you,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “That was probably the first team that we really did that to us.  So, we've played a few teams that have done it now like Mohawk, Crawford will do it, Upper does that.  So, hopefully we're a little bit more, maybe a little bit more, ready for that this time.”

Published 1/17/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Plays Improved Upper Sandusky

          The Wynford Royals return to action in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night as they travel to Upper Sandusky to meet the Rams for the second time this season.

          On Tuesday night, they thrashed Mansfield St. Peter’s (79-34) in a non-conference game.

          Coach Mike Smith says they were able to get a lot of players into the game on Tuesday.  “We got a chance to actually rest our starters the fourth quarter.  We didn’t play any of them the four the quarter, so they should fresh and ready to go on Friday,” said Smith.

          He added they were also able to play some junior varsity kids.  “We even had some JV kids that dress with us into the game (Tuesday) night.  I think everybody that was on our bench got a significant amount of playing time,” he said.

          Wynford (8-3,4-2) plays at Upper Sandusky (2-9,2-5) on Friday night.  The Rams played one of their better games of the season in a (47-45) loss to Colonel Crawford last Saturday.

          In the first meeting between Wynford and Upper, the Royals prevailed (62-51) on December 3.

          Smith says he believes the Rams are greatly improved.  “It kind of worries me going over there.  I have seen some vast improvement.  I know their record doesn’t show it,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “They were playing a lot of 2-3 zone at the beginning of the year and now they are going back to their standard man to man, pressure the ball.  they just look a lot better than they did at the beginning of the year.  It will be a tough road to haul for us on Friday.”

          Smith says perimeter defense is going to be big for them because Upper has a lot of shooters with three point potential.  “Even their post players.  They play a little five out, like we do.  Every kid they put on the floor is capable of hitting a three.  So, we are going to have to do a good job defending that,” he said.

Published 1/11/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Needs Another Solid Effort

          Wynford has really hit its stride here since Christmas with four straight wins and they face another challenge on Tuesday night as they play at Upper Sandusky in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

          They beat Buckeye Central for the first time in six years (45-39) in an “N10” game on Friday night.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they played outstanding team defense.  “We did play well.  Of course, you always have lapses, but on the whole, I think our kids kept to their own personal accountability for what they were supposed to do defensively as an individual and as a team and that team defense helped us to win.  Offensively, Grace Stucky also had a great season high point output.  So, we were really happy with how we played,” she said.

          Stucky had 22 points against Buckeye.  She averages around 12 a game, which is fourth in the conference in scoring.

          Buckeye has had really good perimeter shooting this season, but Taylor-Sheldon says they executed their defensive game plan very well last Friday and were able to take some things away.  “I think we tried to have the mentality that always expecting it they could drive it.  Contest on the perimeter and just try to invest more in tendencies and things like that.  So, I felt like we had a pretty good game plan and they didn't shoot well, which is very unusual for them.  They're a great perimeter shooting team and we happened to shoot well.  So, we were happy to get one on that Friday night,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Wynford (7-4,3-3) plays at Upper Sandusky (9-4,5-2) on Tuesday night.  The Lady Rams lost a tough one (39-33) in overtime to Colonel Crawford last Friday.  They trail the Lady Eagles and Buckeye by a game in the conference standings.

          In their first meeting this season, Upper beat Wynford (47-31) on December 2 at Wynford.

          Taylor-Sheldon says Upper has a team with a lot different skills that makes them tough to guard.  “I think Upper probably has the most comprehensive team play.  I mean you have three shooting guards, you have a great forward that can handle the ball and shoot the three, and then you have a big center that can rebound it and you know make layups,” she told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “So, I think they are probably the most well-rounded team that's on our schedule, especially offensively.  They hit nine threes against us the first game of the year and they haven't produced that since, but doesn't mean that they don't have the potential to do that on any one night.  So, we're going to have to put two really good back-to-back league game efforts together in order to win.”

Published 1/10/23

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Must Be Improved on Defense

          Wynford fell two games back in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference chase and they need a win at Buckeye Central in a conference game on Saturday night.

          Last week, they lost (79-77) in overtime to Seneca East in conference play.

          Coach Mike Smith says defensively they just weren’t very good.  “Offensively I thought we played a pretty well-rounded game, but our defense was not where it needs to be.  So, needless to say we spent the entire week defensively this week.  So, I would be really disappointed if we don't play a little bit better defense this week,” he said.

          Against the Tigers, Smith says they allowed Isaac Mason to get into the lane too much and create things.  He says they weren’t good individual defenders.  “I thought we allowed way too much dribble penetration into the lane.  They got some easy buckets off of that.  We knew that going in with Isaac Mason, who's a really good penetrator,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “Just didn't lock down on him and he ended up I think with 28, which is more than he's been scoring this year, but we knew he was capable of that.  We just didn't, we over helped and we just didn't do a real good job of individual defense.”

          Wynford (6-3,3-2) is over at rival Buckeye Central (4-7,1-4) on Saturday night.  The Bucks fell (44-40) to Upper Sandusky in a conference game played on Thursday night.

          Last week, they put up a season high in a (67-53) win over Bucyrus.

          Smith says Buckeye has some capable shooters and they need to play well to win it.  “Statistically they're averaging a pretty low percentage, I think it's in the 40s, but that was a little odd last week.  Bucyrus, they get up and down the floor a little bit maybe that has a little bit to do with it.  They have a couple good shooters.  They go to the glass really well.  We're going to have to play again a good game.  It's going to be a good “N10” game,” said Smith.

Published 1/06/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday and Saturday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Defense Again the Key for Wynford

          Wynford, who trails Carey by just a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference Standings, plays at Seneca East in a conference game on Friday night.

          While a lot of teams didn’t get to play at all last week due the weather late in the week, Wynford beat Plymouth (69-45) on Tuesday.

          Coach Mike Smith says that was a good thing.  “I thought we got a little bit of a hangover against Plymouth.  It took us a while to get started, came out the second half and again kind of dominated them and thought we played pretty well in the second half,” he said.

          Wynford (6-2,3-1) plays at Seneca East (6-2,2-2) on Friday night.  The Tigers beat North Baltimore (59-26) in a non-league game last Thursday.

          Smith says Seneca East is one of the area’s most improved teams.  “They've improved probably as much as anybody from last year.  I know Isaac’s brother Luke (Mason) plays now and as a freshman, probably can't tell, he's small, but he plays like a veteran out there.  They seem to be spreading the ball around a lot more.  I know Isaac obviously doesn't have to score 30 points a game right now.  They have pretty balanced scoring.  It'll be a good test for us on the road,” said Smith.

          On Friday night, Smith says they are going to have to play good, solid defense to beat Seneca East.  “We are going to have to obviously play pretty good defense.  We still have to shut down (Isaac Mason), shut him down as much as you can because he's still capable of scoring,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “They have three or four other guys that we're going to have to pay attention to.  I think offensively they are going to have a tough time matching up with us.  It will probably come down to defense again just like any “N10” game does.”

Published 12/28/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford Feeling it

          Wynford, a winner of three in a row, plays at home against Colonel Crawford in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          It’s part of a boys-girls doubleheader.

          Wynford beat Plymouth (69-45) in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.  They also beat Mohawk (73-69) in double overtime in a conference game on Saturday night.

          Coach Mike Smith says Saturday night was a tremendous win for the kids.  “That was awesome.  I thought we played as veterans even though we have a lot of young kids.  We handled every situation with poise.  It was just a great high school basketball game.  We got out ahead like 14 or 16 and they battled all the way back and got it to overtime.  Then we made the plays in the second overtime with free throws and that was a big win for us,” said Smith.

          With wins in six of their last seven games, Smith says they are a confident basketball team.  “I think our kids have been brought in for the last year and a half probably learning our system and I think they enjoy the way we play you know fast pace, putting pressure on people, being allowed to have the green light to shoot threes whenever they're open.  It's been a faster transition than I thought probably would happen,” he said.

          Wynford (6-2,3-1) hosts Colonel Crawford (5-2,3-1), #4 in the Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, on Friday night.  The Eagles lost a non-conference game (56-54) to unbeaten Crestview on Tuesday night.

          Smith says the Eagles are a very good team.  “They're very good even though they've lost a couple games.  I think they're kind of in the same situation we are because we lost a couple games against really two good teams and they've done the same,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday evening, “I will say, I applaud what David's done at Crawford to win 58 straight games in the regular season that's just unheard of.  It's hard enough to win two or three in a row and that's just a testament to how well he's built Colonel Crawford’s program.”

          Smith says they will have to handle Crawford’s physicalness.  “I think they're very similar to Carey and probably Mohawk with a lot of pressure on the ball.  I didn't think we handled it as well against Carey, but I thought we did the opposite against Mohawk and kind of attacked them.  So, as a team you have got to handle the basketball, you have got to, make good crisp passes and you have go to attack their pressure,” said Smith.

Published 12/22/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

Wynford in the Race

          Wynford faces a double weekend in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference this week.  They are over at Bucyrus on Friday night and entertain unbeaten Mohawk on Saturday night.

          They held a two point lead going to the fourth quarter last Saturday, but fell (59-47) to Carey in an “N10” game.

          Coach Mike Smith says they didn’t make enough shots in the final quarter.  “Last week, I said it was going to come down to who defends the best and they did a little bit better job in the fourth quarter defending us.  We didn’t score enough in the fourth quarter.  I thought our kids fought really hard to gets us back into it.  Our third quarters have been awesome.  We are outscoring people by about 30 in the third quarter, but we couldn’t sustain that,” he said.

          Wynford (3-2,1-1) is at Bucyrus (1-4,0-2) on Friday night.  Colonel Crawford destroyed the Redmen (75-26) on Saturday night in conference play.

          Smith says Bucyrus gets inspired to play them.  “Bucyrus is struggling a little bit this year.  They have a lot of new kids.  I think they have one kid back that started for them last year,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “It is one these teams that you almost hate playing because you know on paper you are probably a lot better than they are, but it is always Bucyrus’ super bowl when they play Wynford.  We are a mile apart.  The kids know each other and they always seem to play harder in this game.  So, we are going to have to come out from the start and establish things, so we don’t let them in the game.”

          Mohawk (5-0,2-0), #3 in the first Swankonsports.com boys’ basketball coaches poll of the season in the small school division, will be coming to take on the Royals on Saturday night.

          Smith says they have to be able to attack that aggressive Mohawk zone defense.  “They are long and athletic and shoot the ball really well.  They kind of remind me of Carey.  Defensively, they get after you.  We are going to have to shoot the ball pretty well out of their zone.  They like to play a lot of zone.  Although, they have played a little more man this year than normal.  I told the kids you have lost a league game, but everything is still in front of us.  We get Bucyrus on Friday and knock Mohawk off, we are right back in it,” said Smith.

Published 12/13/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Kids Responding

          Wynford plays twice at home this week as they host Ridgedale in a non-league game on Thursday and Carey in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Saturday night.

          They earned a win in the conference opener last Saturday in beating Upper Sandusky (62-51) after trailing at the half.

Coach Mike Smith says they came out in the third quarter smoking.  “We had a little slow start.  In the first half we were behind actually by six.  We came out in the third quarter and probably play the best quarter we have played all year.  I think we outscored them 25-5 and ended the quarter up 13.  It was a really good performance in the second half by our kids,” said Smith.

Smith says he had to remind the players of some facts at halftime and he didn’t want to have to do that.  “The only thing I didn’t like was I had to get on them a little bit at halftime.  I don’t know if we were really completely ready to play the first half.  Upper was a desperate team coming in at 0-2.  I knew they were going to do that to us,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “They play hard.  They had a couple kids that were hurt or sick, but I warned them beforehand that a team that is down is always a little more angry and play a little harder.  They listened to me at halftime as we came out and played a really good second half.”

Ridgedale is (1-2) on the season, but again, Smith says they need to be careful in their approach.  “I don’t think they are as talented, obviously, as we are, but again you have to be ready to play each and every night in high school basketball.  Offensively, they aren’t too bad.  Defensively, I think we can exploit a few things.  I know they will come in and try and play hard,” he said.

Wynford (2-1,1-0) plays Carey (2-0,1-0) on Saturday night.  The Blue Devils downed Seneca East (65-54) last Saturday in a conference game.  They also had a nig third quarter.

Smith says defense again will be key.  “There should be some threes flying Saturday night because they like to shoot the three and we like to shoot the three.  It will come down again in the “N10” probably to who defends the best and whoever does that will probably come out the victor,” he said.

Published 12/07/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Hosts Upper in “N10” Opener

          Wynford entertains Upper Sandusky in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Saturday night.

          It is the league opener for both schools.

          Wynford (1-1) beat Monroeville (70-66) in its first game and then lost (63-54) to Hopewell-Loudon on Tuesday night.

          Coach Mike Smith is really pleased by what he has seen so far from his team.  “I really can’t ask for anymore.  We were really excited.  We got a road win opening night.  For the first time in five years, we have been 1-0.  So, that was pretty exciting to the kids.  We played a really good game against a solid Hopewell-Loudon team that is probably a regional type team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “They have all of the assets.  They have two big guys.  Their guards are good.  I thought we handled ourselves pretty well.  We ended losing by nine.  We got it down to five and didn’t get a stop.  They came down and hit a three and kind of put the game out of reach.  I thought we played pretty well.”

          Upper Sandusky (0-2) lost (72-63) to Galion in non-conference play on Wednesday night.

          Smith calls them dangerous.  “I am a little worried now because they are 0-2.  So, they are going to be a desperate team coming into our place on Saturday.  They play typical Jeff Winslow basketball.  They play hard and they try and defend really well.  It is a well rounded team.  I know they are disappointed being 0-2 and they are going to be excited to come to our place and try and knock us off,” said Smith.

          Upper has traditionally been a very good outside shooting team over the years and Smith says they are this year too and they can also score inside the paint.  “They shot the ball pretty decent (Wednesday) night.  Their big guy inside, Kessler, had a decent game.  They try and go inside, outside, which is typically what most teams try and do.  So, we are going to have to defend all parts of the game,” he said.

Published 12/01/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Counting on Defense

          Wynford expects to be a better basketball team this season and we start to find out if that is the case on Saturday night as they travel to Monroeville for a non-conference game against the Eagles.

          Coach Mike Smith says they have looked good in scrimmages, but games are completely different.  “It is amped up probably a hundred times on game night.  You don’t have the crowds at a scrimmage like you will at the games.  The first night especially you are going to draw a big crowd.  Going on the road makes it a little more difficult for us, but I think my kids are excited.  We have had a great preseason and they are looking at coming back 1-0 this week,” he said.

          One of the reasons Smith is excited is how well they have played on defense during the preseason and he hopes that continues.  “When you look at the stat line.  We tried to compile all of the stats together for the five scrimmages that we had.  We held all five opponents to 30 percent shooting or under, which is really outstanding.  I am not sure of the competition.  I thought we won ever scrimmage we played.  We tried to keep track of quarters and we competed.  I think we won almost every quarter except for a couple all preseason.  The kids are buying into our defensive side.  I think that is going to take us a long way,” he said.

          Monroeville, out the Firelands Conference, lost one the better players in the area, Isaac Roeder to graduation, but Smith says they still return guys that can play and are a concern.  “They have two guards that are coming back that have a lot of experience.  I think they are both three year lettermen.  They probably carry their team.  I haven’t seen a whole lot of them.  We have watched a couple of scrimmages that they have played on film,” he told Swankonsports.com, “They run basically the same thing they did last year, they just don’t have Roeder to go to now.  It will be interesting to see how they approach the game this year without that go to guy, but the two guys that have coming back are really good players.”

Published 11/25/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday and Saturday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Ready to Get Rolling

          Wynford entertains River Valley in a non-conference girls’ basketball game on Friday night as they tip off what they hope will be a successful season for the Lady Royals.

          Future hall of fame coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says her group is small in terms of numbers, but talented and ready to go Friday.  “We have a very excited and experienced group here on basketball season eve.  We have had a really good preseason.  We have been competitive in our scrimmages and made some tweaks and improvements and we will be ready for Friday night,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          Wynford wants to get out on the fast break this season and Taylor-Sheldon says that starts with being able to rebound the basketball.  “We want to run the floor and that starts with a good rebound.  If we do that, I think we are pretty good in transition.  I think we play really hard.  I think along with communication that will really be to our benefit,” she said.

          River Valley, out of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, is a bigger school than Wynford.  Taylor-Sheldon says the Lady Vikings are going to be a challenge for them and they have good floor balance.  “We saw them in a preview last weekend.  They have had some really fantastic seasons and postseasons the last several years.  Tim has done a great job over there.  They don’t have as many returners we do, but they are going to be competitive,” she told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They have some inside, outside balance and two good seniors and a post player.  I feel like we will be challenged, but we open with River Valley every year.  It is kind of a gage against a big school for us.”

Published 11/18/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday and Saturday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Looking Good

          Wynford won five games last season and they hope to win a lot more this year.

          Coach Mike Smith, in his second year, says he has liked what he has seen in practice so far.  He says a big goal this year is to be better on defense.  “I am pleasantly surprised right now.  I think our kids after year one of learning a new system they come in this year and everything that we tell them they know already.  It has been a lot easier for them and there is no transition period now,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They have worked really hard.  Obviously, we have to work on our defense.  We have concentrated a lot on our defense and lowering our defensive average and get a few more wins that way.”

          Wynford opens the regular season on November 26 at Monroeville.  They host Upper Sandusky December 3 in their first Northern 10 Athletic Conference game of the year.

          With this being Smith’s second year, he says things are a lot smoother.  “The kids know me and I know them a little bit better.  Luckily, we have three starters that played a lot last year coming back.  Our JV team was, I think, 14-7.  We have a couple of sophomores that are going to move up and play with us.  So, a good combination of experience and youth mixed together,” he said.

          The Royals open scrimmage play Tuesday night against Fremont St. Joe.

          Smith says he believes they will be tested, but not overwhelmed this preseason.  “I think a lot of it depends on your success from the previous year because there are probably some people that are not going to reach out to you to play if they knew you have struggled in the past.  I think ours this year is kind of a mix of both.  So, I think for us gaining some valuable experience and maybe getting some winning under our belt will help propel us through the first part of the season,” said Smith.

Published 11/08/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Girls With Some Obstacles

          The Wynford girls basketball team has some talent this year, but there just aren’t very many of them and that is more than a little bit of a problem.

          They played in their first scrimmage of Wednesday night against Ashland and Bellevue.

          Coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon says they made some improvement during the scrimmage.  “Well, I was happy with our effort, which I always am, but we have a little different angle this year because we only have nine kids on our whole team, no JV team this year.  So, this is really the first time in 10 days or so that we have been able to go truly five on five.  So, we had a pretty slow start, but some pretty solid stuff in the middle.  We have created a baseline and go up from there,” she said.

          Taylor-Sheldon says with only nine players it is very difficult to create game like situations in practice.  “We used to really not too long ago be able to scrimmage against the freshmen boys or the JV boys and they consider that a scrimmage now, so you are not allowed to do that.  So, that is difficult for us.  We are doing 3 on 3 one side of a set at a time.  In the past we have even had JV players double up on a varsity player.  So, I need to be a little more creative.  Find different ways to get what we want out of practice production,” said Taylor-Sheldon.

          When looking at improvement, Taylor-Sheldon says they have to get more consistent and get better at some new offenses they need to run this season.  “I think right now for us it is consistency.  This is one of the smallest teams that we have had, so that is a little different for us,” she told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “I haven’t had a single post offense in my career, so we are doing a couple of different things there just trying to figure out how to get balance and how much trouble we may be in.  The kids that we do have are experienced, but I think it is still a different team every year and taking what you learned over the summer and moving forward from there.”

Published 11/03/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Still With a Chance for the Playoffs

          Wynford plays at Seneca East in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          The Royals (2-6,2-3) still can make the postseason playoffs and a win in Attica would give a boost to their chances.

          They were beaten handily by rival Colonel Crawford (49-7) last week in an “N10” game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says the Eagles were just the better team that night. “Colonel Crawford is a really good team they have some really good players and they are well coached.  They maintained the game pretty well and they controlled the ball.  They won the turnover battle.  Things just didn’t go our way.  That is not what we played for, but that happens in the game of football,” he said.

          Seneca East (6-2,4-1) rallied to win in the fourth quarter for the fourth time this year beating Mohawk (34-31) with a touchdown run by quarterback Blake Foos on the last play of the game.

Skidmore says Foos is a handful.   “They are big up front.  They have a really good quarterback that can throw the ball and he runs the ball pretty well.  I am pretty sure he is leading the league in rushing yards.  He can do both.  We are prepared for that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “Our kids know what it is going to take to win this game.  I think overall Seneca East is a very good team.  I think they are really well coached.  It is going to take a lot from our kids.  I think our kids are prepared.  They have practiced really hard for this opportunity and I think we are going to make the most of it.”

          Currently, Wynford stands 18^th in division VI, region 22.  The top 16 make the postseason and the Royals would earn a lot of second level points from beating Seneca East.

          Skidmore says their only focus has to be winning.  “We are still focused on getting another win for the season.  We are so focused on that we don’t think too much about the playoffs.  I think the biggest things is beating Seneca East and rest will take care of itself.  If the kids can take care of business.  I know they will and the playoffs will take care of themselves,” he said.

Published 10/14/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Must Win up Front

          Wynford entertains rival Colonel Crawford in a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game on Friday night.

          The Royals (2-5,2-2) have now won two in a row after a (35-15) win over Buckeye Central on Friday night in conference action.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says they stopped the Buckeye running game and at least contained their passing attack.  “I thought Buckeye came out and had some decent athletes.  They have some big kids up front on the offensive and defensive line.  They tried to challenge us.  They got the ball in space.  Their quarterback does a good job, his stats show that.  He gets the ball to their best athletes.  Their coaches do a good job calling the plays.  I think he runs the ball well and he throws the ball well.  It was a challenge for us and I thought our defense stepped up in stopping the pass game and shutting down the run game.  I think we have a pretty solid defensive line.  Hats off to our team and our kids responding well in getting our second win,” said Skidmore.

          Colonel Crawford (5-2,2-2) suffered their second straight loss when they were upset by Upper Sandusky (30-29) in overtime last week.

          Skidmore says make no mistake about it, Crawford is a really good team and he is particularly impressed with their offensive line.  “First things first, Colonel Crawford is a really good football team.  Their kids play hard and they have really good athletes.  Another thing that really stands out it their offensive line.  Their offensive line does an incredible job staying on blocks and creating a new line of scrimmage.  Their pulling guards are some of the best pulling guards I have seen in the league,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “They have a really good quarterback.  He is a senior.  He does a good job running and throwing the ball.  So, he gives us a couple of threats there and we have to focus in on him.  Their run game is pretty good too.  You have to be able to stop their run game.  If we can control the line of scrimmage and stop the run game hopefully our “D-line” and linebackers do a good job, which I know they will.  I know our kids are ready to play.  I am sure Colonel Crawford’s are ready to play.  This is a big game for the program and the seniors and the whole community.”

          Wynford has now gotten itself into playoff contention, moving into the 16^th spot in division VI, region 22.

          Skidmore says they aren’t concerned about playoffs right now.  He says winning Friday night is all they are thinking about.  “This is a big game for us in putting our program in the right direction and the kids know that in getting that third win.  We don’t focus too much on the playoffs.  We focus on the task at hand.  We don’t want to fucus too much on the future.  Focus on beating Colonel Crawford, that is the only thing that matters.  That is our goal for Friday.  Just beat Colonel Crawford and everything else will take care of itself,” he said.

Published 10/05/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Feeling Better

          After winning for the first time this season last week, Wynford takes its act to Buckeye Central to take on another rival in the Bucks in Northern 10 Athletic Conference action on Friday night.

          They put a second half score together and beat Bucyrus (20-14) in an “N10” game last week.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says it as their most consistent performance of the season.  “I think Friday we played a complete ballgame.  We had been struggling doing that.  We were either really good in the first half or decent in the second, but I think Friday we played good in both halves of football.  I think that was the positive thing I took from this game,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday, “I thought Bucyrus did a good job getting the ball to their athletes.  They have a really good quarterback.  They had some good receivers.  Bucyrus did a good job and that is why it was such a struggle for a while in that game.”

          Skidmore says it was important to get the monkey off their backs and get that win.  “The kids really needed that win.  It meant a lot to the kids.  First of all, it is our rival.  This is year 25 for us in keeping the “Copper Kettle”, so the kids took this game serious.  The biggest thing was when that game was over seeing how happy our kids were.  That just meant the world to the coaching staff and the me especially,” he said.

          Wynford (1-5,1-2) is at Buckeye Central (3-3,0-3) on Friday night in “N10” play.  The Bucks fell to Seneca East (33-15) in their conference game last week.

          They have shown the ability to throw the ball, but Skidmore thinks first they have to stop Manny Mullins and the Buckeye running game.  “Buckeye does a good job getting the ball in space, getting the ball to their best athletes.  Their running back is pretty decent, he runs the ball pretty hard.  He has a good amount of yards in that game running the football.  He is a hard runner.  It takes a couple of guys to bring him down.  He doesn’t just get taken down by a shoelace tackle.  You have to really wrap him up and secure your tackle.  They are big up front.  They have some bigger kids on the team.  I think the most important thing for us to do is to control the line of scrimmage and control that game clock and control how long we have the football,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/27/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Has to Run it

          Wynford and Bucyrus play for the “Copper Kettle” on Friday night as the Royals make the short trip for a Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

          Wynford was edged last week (12-8) in an “N10” game last Friday as Zaiden Fry scored twice for the Warriors.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says it was Mohawk that made the key plays.  “Mohawk is a tough team.  They are a good football team.  They have played some decent teams too.  They were ready to go.  They have some good athletes on the field.  They were able to get the ball in space.  They got the ball to one of their best athletes and they did a good job with that.  So, hats off to them,” he said.

          Wynford (0-5,0-2) will play at Bucyrus (1-4,0-2) on Friday night.  The Redmen lost (54-21) to Upper Sandusky last week.

          Skidmore believes it will boil down to who can run the ball.  “I think this game is going to come down to who can control the line of scrimmage.  Who can run the ball at the end of the day.  I know they can pass the ball a little bit, but I think that is one of our strong suits on defense, I really do believe that.  I think we will have no problem with that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday evening, “I just think it is going to come down to being able to run the ball and controlling the line of scrimmage with the big guys up front and taking care of business and I think they will be fine.”

          Malachi Bayless is second in the “N10” in passing and Skidmore says they no they have to contain him.  “Their quarterback is probably their best athlete.  They try and put that kid in position to make plays.  They do a good job with that.  That’s why he has some success.  Their coaches are putting that kid in good position and be the best athlete that he can be.  We have been preparing for that all week and we have our eyes on the quarterback.  I think we will be fine with that,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/23/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford is Battling

          Wynford, still in search of its first win of the season, will hosts Mohawk Friday night in a game in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference.

          Last week, they were beaten (42-0) by defending state champion Carey in “N10” play.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says Carey is deep and they were able to run the ball successfully against the Royals.  “The biggest thing is Carey is a good football program.  They have been for a while.  The first thing for me that comes to mind is their tradition.  The culture that they have there right now.  Another thing is those kids don’t play both sides of the ball.  They have so many kids that they have the ability to play one side of the ball.  Their kids don’t get tired.  They run the ball and they are just going to run it, run it, and run it and if you can’t stop it, you are going to have problems,” said Skidmore.

          In their first four games the Royals have lost to Otsego (3-0), Marion Pleasant (1-3), Lucas (3-1) and Carey (4-0) and Skidmore hopes they have learned how to become a better football team.  “I know for a fact that we have played some tough teams, all four of them.  They all do a good job on the football field.  They all have good traditions.  I hope that what we are doing and the teams that we have played has made us battle tested.  That is what I tell the kids.  We have been through some battles and we know how to handle it and I think that is going to make us better.  It is going to make us tougher.  When we are in those situations again, we hope it comes through the right way,” he said.

          Mohawk (1-3,1-0) won their conference opener in beating Buckeye Central (42-12) last week.

          Skidmore says Mohawk is a good football team, but he believes they can have some success too.  “Mohawk has a good football program.  They have tough kids.  They have some athletes that they try and get the ball to.  The Zaiden Frey kid is a tremendous athlete and thy try and get him the ball.  We have the ability to stop him.  We have the kids to do that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “I think we are going to take care of business up front.  I think we are going to be able to run the ball a little bit.  Mohawk is a tough team and it is going to be a battle.  I hope our kids are going to be ready to go, which I know they are going to be.  We are practicing hard and I think that is going to go a long way on Friday.”

Published 9/14/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Takes on Carey

          Wynford is at home for defending Northern 10 Athletic Conference champion Carey in the conference opener for both on Friday night as the Royals tough schedule continues.

          Last Friday, they were beaten (42-14) by Lucas in a non-conference game.

          Coach Cyle Skidmore says Lucas is a very good team.  “Look, you have to give props to Lucas.  They do a tremendous job.  You can tell the kids are really well coached.  Those kids love to play football and those kids fly around.  It is also a hard thing to do with a shout team to mimic their offense is a challenge,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “I knew it was going to be a challenge.  You can just tell by the way the kids play and how physical they are up front.  I knew it was going to be a challenge and that’s what it was.”

          Carey (3-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com football coaches poll in the small school division, beat Toledo Waite (42-6) last week.

          Skidmore says again they are very good and it starts up front.  “I think up front their offensive linemen are really big.  I think they play with some physicality.  I think they like to get the job done and that is probably why they have so much success running the football.  I think they have some good running backs back there carrying the ball.  I think when you have a good offensive line and some pretty good backs and a pretty decent quarterback you are going to have a lot of success on offense,” he said.

          Wynford, running out of the wing-T formation, also wants to run the ball a lot.  Skidmore, a former lineman at Wynford, says like usual they game is going to won or lost in the trenches.  “It is always the guys up front.  I always preach to our dudes it is the guys up front.  You are going to win or lose us the game.  You have to take care of business up front.  If we can do that and we are able to run the ball good things are going to happen for us.  I think our kids are going to respond well after the past games that we have played I think we have gotten better.  I think we are going to put ourselves in a good position to have a competitive and really good game,” said Skidmore.

Published 9/07/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Has to be Physical

          Wynford hosts the Lucas Cubs in a game between teams that want to be physical on Friday night at Wynford.

          Pleasant blanked Wynford (8-0) last week.

          First year coach Cyle Skidmore has installed the wing-T and he says the players just need to know their assignments better.  “It is just being more disciplined, especially up front and just putting all out there on Friday night.  Just being disciplined, we have to do a better job with it, blocking our rules and doing things the right way every play.  Sometimes we struggle finishing drives.  We have good plays here and there and we just can’t seem sometimes to put it together.  I think this week we have really tried to focus on that and at the end of the day we have played some really good teams these past two weeks and I think that has something to do with it too.  They are pretty solid on defense.  It’s just a learning process and keep getting better, we will be fine,” said Skidmore.

          Lucas (1-1) got past Hillsdale (14-13) on Saturday night.

          Skidmore says he is impressed by the discipline showed by Lucas on every play and on both sides of the ball.  “Lucas is a really good program.  They have done a really good job over there putting stuff together.  Their offense is totally different from anything we see all year.  Another thing, those kids are just physical kids and they know what it means to play football.  It seems like all 11 kids that are on the field do things the right way.  That is the first thing I notice on film is they do things the right way.  All 11 of them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Sometimes that is hard to get done.  Whatever they are doing over there they are doing a fantastic job.  We have to respect that.  We have been telling our kids all week that we have to match their intensity, match how physical they are on offense and defense and we will be fine if we can do that.”

          Skidmore adds that not only is Lucas different with their double tight, double wing, but they are also physical in the trenches.  “(Tuesday) was mainly a defensive practice and we had our scout team trying to run their offense.  It is really interesting, it really is.  The biggest thing is it is different than what we see and they make it really challenging with how physical they are up front.  It’s super challenging just based on how they play up front.  It is a hard offense to defend,” he said.

Published 8/31/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Plays Pleasant

          Wynford takes to the road for the first time this season as they are at Marion Pleasant of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference on Friday night.

          The Royals built a (12-0) lead last week, but fell in the end (18-12) to Otsego.

          First year coach Cyle Skidmore hopes they learned from that loss.  “Obviously, Otsego is very good team.  They have a good tradition over there.  They built a good culture.  They haven’t lost a regular season game in two years.  They just got the better of us.  They are a good team.  I just hope our kids can learn from it and be able to bounce back and see (Friday) as an opportunity to get our first win,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says there was no problem with effort last week.  He says the kids always play hard.  “I thought it was a really clean game.  Not a whole lot of penalties, especially from us.  I saw our kids fight and battle.  They never got tired.  They never got down on themselves.  They just kept on fighting and trying their hardest to win the game.  I am proud about that, I definitely am,” he said.

          Pleasant (0-1) lost their first one last week when they were waxed by North Union (42-6) on Friday.

          However, Skidmore says Pleasant is one of the most tradition rich programs in this area.  “When it comes to Marion Pleasant, I think you can look at a team like that and understand that they have a good tradition.  I mean they have won four state championships I am pretty sure in their school’s history,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “So, you always have to come ready to play.  I think they are always going to give you a good game.  I know they have been struggling here lately, but I don’t think that shows the true tradition of their program and the culture that they have there.”

Published 8/26/22

© Swankonsports.com

Score updates every 5 minutes on Friday night

On our scoreboard at

https://www.swankonsportshosting247.com

Wynford Ready for Big Challenge

          Wynford has lost to Otsego three times in the last two years and they get another chance when they host the Knights in a non-conference game on Friday night at their place.

          Cyle Skidmore, a former player at Wynford, is in his first year as the head coach of the Royals.

          He has really been happy with how the preseason camp unfolded.  “I think our athletes put in a lot of work and they have gotten after it.  I think we will see a prepared and ready to rock and roll football team this Friday night.  Otsego is a really good team and really well coached.  With the history with us, Otsego has gotten the better of us the last two years.  They are a good team and they are going to come out ready to play.  I think with what we did in the preseason and how great our off season was you are going to see a Wynford team that has put in the work, that is for sure,” said Skidmore.

          Skidmore says they have not been harping on recent setbacks to Otsego, but rather the focus they need to have every week.  “We have been telling the kids don’t talk about it, be about it, do it, get the job done.  These kids this week haven’t said a word.  They have been laser focused.  All they care about right now is going 1-0.  Our job is to go 1-0.  If you take care of business each week and you go 1-0, 1-0, guess what happens at the end of the season, good things happen.  So, you have to focus every Friday.  Have your focus on that game and good things will happen and that is what we have been doing so far,” he said.

          Skidmore says against Otsego has some great personnel in the skilled positions and up front this year.  “I think you will see a quarterback that can throw the ball.  He is a junior, he is a decent athlete.  This is his first year being the starter as the quarterback.  He was more of a defensive guy last year.  They have a new coach, who is a good quarterback coach.  You will also see a running back who got good time last year.  When we played them in the playoffs, he played the whole first half.  He is a good running back.  He is hard nosed and he did a good job,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “Up front they are returning two guys, their center and their right guard.  The biggest thing about the right guard is he is big, he is explosive and he gets the job done.  We have to be aware of that with our “D-line”.  One of their really good receivers, #6, started last year for them and is a tall lanky kid and has really good hands and runs really good routes.  Personnel wise we know who they are and what they do.  So, hopefully we put everything together this week, which I think we will because our kids really care, I think we will be fine.”

Published 8/17/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Hoping for Balance

          Wynford has a new football coach this year in former star lineman Cyle Skidmore and the Royals are putting in the kind of work the program is noted for here in the preseason.

          Skidmore says he wanted the job when Gabe Helbert resigned because of the passion he has for Wynford.  “I’m from Wynford.  So, first things first, I love Wynford.  For me, that’s home, that’s where I want to be, and I care about the Wynford kids a lot.  That is one of the biggest reasons why I thought it would be good because of how much I care about the place,” he said.

          The work ethic has been really sound so far this summer and into preseason, according to Skidmore.  “The biggest thing is we have some really good kids.  During the summer conditioning program, especially in June, all of the kids were showing up and doing everything I ask them to do and getting after it.  Overall, we had a really good summer, especially in June and July.  That was really awesome and that leads into what August is probably going to look like.  I imagine our August will be really good,” said Skidmore.

          Wynford meets Northwestern and Wooster Triway in a scrimmage on Saturday and Northmor next week.  They open the season at home against Otsego in a non-conference game on August 19.

          When it comes to offensive philosophy, Skidmore says he thinks they can do a variety of things when they have the ball.  “At this point I think we have some really tough kids, they have really bought in. We are going to have to dominate the line of scrimmage and I think those guys can play that role and that is going to help us run the ball pretty well,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “The other thing,  (junior) Ashton Warren, who will be our quarterback this year has a really good arm.  We have some more learning to do.  We have to get after it more.  At this point, we are pretty good at doing both in practice, but there is a lot more we have to do.  We have to get better for sure.”

Published 8/04/22

© Swankonsports.com

“Out of Bounds” after Friday night games 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” each week 10 AM to 1 PM

We are Your First Source for Everything Sports

swankonsports@gmail.com

Wynford Claims Share of “N10”

          Wynford is going to at least share in its first Northern 10 Athletic Conference baseball title since 2016 after beating Buckeye Central (12-2) in five innings in a conference game Thursday evening at Wynford.

          They play Buckeye again Friday in New Washington and coach Tom Smith says they want to be greedy and claim that title to themselves.  “Absolutely, we want to win it all (Friday),” he said.

          Avery Langenderfer banged out three hits and had thee RBI on Thursday.  Teammate Cainen Allen had three hits and two runs batted in.

          The Royals (17-3,12-1), # 3 in the Swankonsports.com baseball coaches poll in the small school division, totaled 14 hits.

          Smith says it has been a team effort with the bats.  “We are hitting good right now top to bottom one through nine.  The bottom of our order is just putting the ball in play and generating a lot of runs,” Smith said.

          Nine of their hits on Thursday came from hitters six through nine and Smith says those kids have been doing an excellent job.  “(Thursday) we had a couple of our big guys lead off an inning and didn’t get a hit and six, seven, eight, nine all got a hit after we scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the lineup.  They are producing a lot of runs for us,” he said.

          Spencer Miller went all five innings to get the win against Buckeye (10-8,8-4) allowing eight hits and two runs.

          Smith says their pitchers have been putting them in positions to win.  Spencer and Sam Collene both have been pitching well all year,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win on Thursday, “Spencer started out a little slow in the first inning, but came around and shut them out after we gave up those two runs in the first inning.  Defense played well again, especially our outfield, they are really running balls down when they are hit their way.”

Published 5/13/22

© Swankonsports.com

Your First Source For All Things Sports

“Out of Bounds” every Friday From 10 to midnight

“Sports Saturday” every week 10 AM to 1 PM

Wynford Keeps a Share of First Place