Former Buck Chaz Jordan and his teammates at Mount Union are the NCAA Division III Football Champions. They defeated Wisconsin-Whitewater 31-26 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl this past Saturday in Salem, Virginia. The win was their 3 Championship in the last 4 seasons and 10th Championship overall. Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated the Purple Raiders in 2007 to be Division III Champs.

Chaz finished the game with 11 tackles from his Free Safety position. He had 2 interceptions on the season and returned 7 Kickoffs for 153 yards. Jordan's fellow Purple Raider Nate Kmic finished out his college career with 8,074 rushing yards, the most of any running back at any level in NCAA history. Congratulations to Chaz and the Purple Raiders on their Championship!

Buckeye Athletic Director has decided not to renew the contract with Highland after the two teams playing each other in football for 57 years, or the entire time Buckeye has existed as a school system. They Hornets held a 33-22-2 series record over the Bucks and were 6-4 since 2000 against Buckeye. Last week the contract with Cloverleaf was renewed.The Hornets will be replaced on the 2010 schedule in Week 2 by Elyria Catholic.

The Panters and the Bucks have met 6 times, in 1954 and 1955 and then from 1989 through 1992, with the two teams splitting the wins in those games. The Panthers are in Division 4 Region 14, have a record of 3-1 this season and are currently ranked 10th in that region.

We also bid farewell to the Pride of Highland band who have always been entertaining during halftime and their great selection of football fare at the concession stand when we were at their field. A rivalry and big piece of Buckeye Football history has gone by the wayside.

Two Buckeye seniors made the 2008 All Gazette Football Team, Cory Reisner and Cody Muhek. Cory was named as a running back and Cody as an offensive lineman. Receiving Honorable Mention were three Juniors, Kelton Keller at Defensive End, Mike Kelly at Punter and Rick Smetana at Kicker. Congratulations to all 5 of these young men on their county honors.

Reisner Highlights: Medina County career leader in rushing touchdowns (54) and fourth in single-season rushing touchdowns (25)… 3,613 career rushing yards rank fifth in area all-time. … Ranks second in county in career points (364). … Led county in scoring (164). … Rushed for 1,454 yards and team-leading 23 touchdowns as junior. … Touchdown total in 2007 was second behind Wadsworth’s Dru Jones.

Buckeye coach Billy Burke on Reisner: “He’s a very rare player coaches get once in a lifetime. He’s a great football player, a throwback-type of football player.”

Muhek Highlights: Key component on squad that led Medina County in rushing, averaging 312.0 yards per game. … Spearheaded squad that led area in rushing touchdowns (37). … Bucks led seven-school region in total offense (367.5). … Second-team All-Northeast Inland District selection in Division III. … First-team All-Patriot Athletic Conference selection.

Buckeye coach Billy Burke on Muhek: “Cody Muhek is a kid that loves to play football and loves the physical nature of the game. He’s really worked hard to make himself the player that he is.”

Chaz Jordan and Cory Reisner both went over the 100-yard rushing mark against Brookside. They had 280 yards on 27 carries, last year Dustin Supan put up 306 yards on 21 carries. The Bucks have had twin 100-yard rushers 2 other times this season. They also did it against Oberlin and Black River.

Ed Catanese of Brookside picked off a pass and went 95-yards for a TD against the Bucks in Week 9.  Prior to that when was the last time that Buckeye had been burnt for an INT for a TD?  Answer Week 7 of the 2004 Season as Josh Heim of Manchester returned an INT 70-yards for a score, a string of 22 games.

The Keystone Wildcats scored against Buckeye in the first quarter of their Week 8 game. When was the last time the Bucks had given up any 1st quarter points?  Answer: Week 7 of the 2004 Season to the Manchester Panthers in a 10-7 loss. That is a string of 20 games.

Black River returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 7's game. When was the last time the Bucks had a touchdown scored on a punt return against them prior to that?  Answer: Week 3 of 2001 by Highland in a 31-8 loss.

Buckeye scored 50 points or more in 3 consecutive games this season, they did it once last year against Oberlin, winning 62-0. When was the last time Buckeye gave up 50 points or more in a game?  Answer: The Clear Fork Colts beat the Bucks 56-27 in 2000.

The Midview Middies shut out the Bucks 21-0 in Week 3 this season. When was the last time the Bucks suffered a shut out?  Answer: In Week 6 of 2000 by the West Holmes Knights 42-0. The Knights were the culprits the last 2 times as they put up a 55-0 score in Week 6 of 1999.

Chaz Jordan scored 26 points against Black River which was within 6 points of tying the Bucks' All Time record for points scored in a game.  Who holds that record?  Answer: Alan Kiene with 32 vs. Avon in 1970 and Jim Tighe with 32 vs. Lincoln West in 1997.

On Thursday night November 8th the Buckeye Football awards were held at the high school for the 2007 Season.  This years winners of All PAC honors were:

First Team - Cody Muhek, Jake Wuensch, Darrin Read, Cory Reisner, Dan Novotny, Mike Kelly and Josh Varney.

Second Team - Josh Bennett, Tucker Gregor, Jesse Horton, Darren Boulton and Shawn Cordes.

Honorable Mention: Kelton Keller

Cody Muhek garnered "PAC Offensive Lineman of the Year".

Dan Novotny was the receiptient of the Coke Academic Award and also received the Iron Antler Award.  The player who received the 30th Annual Golden Buck Award was Josh Varney.  Congratulation to all the award winners and the 2007 Bucks on their 2007 Season and their 2nd PAC Stars Division Championship! Nice job everyone and GO BUCKS!

The football awards for 2008 were handed out on Wednesday, November 5th. The Golden Buck Award winner was Cory Reisner, who also picked up the Most Valuble Player Award. Cody Muhek won the Iron Antler Award and Zach Yohman was named Most Improved Player.

Named to the Patriot Athletic Conference 1st Team were:

Named to the PAC 2nd Team were:

Receiving Honorable Mention was:

The 2008 All Inland District Team has been announced and 4 Bucks were named to that Squad in Division III. Getting First Team honors were Senior Offensive Lineman Cody Muhek and Senior Running Back Cory Reisner. Honorable Mentions went to Junior Lineman Kelton Keller and Junior Quarterback Mike Kelly. Congratulations!