The record for the Johns-town-Monroe High School girls soccer team may not look impressive, but coach Andy Buck begs to differ.

Buck has lined up a difficult schedule in an effort to prepare the Johnnies for the Division III postseason.

"We have played one team in our division (through six games), and that was Worthington Christian, which likely will be one of the top seeds in the district (tournament) next month," said Buck, whose team was 3-2-1 after defeating Lakewood 7-0 on Sept. 13.

"We were up on (Worthington Christian) 2-0 two minutes into the first half (on Aug. 28) and couldn't hold on (losing 6-3)."

After losing 9-2 to Division I Olentangy Orange in the opener Aug. 21, Johnstown tied Division II Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary at 1 on Aug. 25.

The Johnnies beat Division II Marietta 5-1 on Sept. 1 and defeated Division II Youngstown Mooney 3-2 on Sept. 8.

Against Mooney, Becca Gordon had a goal and an assist, and Taylor Ross and Marissa Sheets both scored a goal. Megan Gordon had two assists and Taylor Thomas had six saves.

"We took those long trips to Akron and Youngstown to get used to playing after long bus rides," Buck said. "If we play well and reach our goal of winning a district title, we may have to play after riding on the bus for a couple of hours. Those trips will help the girls be able to handle that situation should it arise."

The Johnnies have had a balanced attack, with Becca Gordon, Ross and Sheets all scoring four goals through five games.

"We're getting balanced scoring and that is tough to defend against," Buck said. "We won't have a 20-goal scorer, but that doesn't mean we don't have that kind of talent.

"And I'm also surprised at how well the back has come together for us. We have more depth in the back than we've had before. Elizabeth Blenk, Emily Cote and Jasimine Donnelly have been great for us."

After Lakewood, the Johnnies were to play four consecutive Division III teams, including Zanesville West Muskingum on Sept. 15. Johnstown plays at home against Tree of Life on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at home against Fairbanks on Wednesday, Sept. 19, and at Chillicothe Zane Trace on Saturday, Sept 22.

"The schedule is preparation for the tournament," Buck said. "Everyone gets into the tournament, but not everyone is prepared for it."

Loudonville next for football team

The football team opened its MBC schedule Sept. 14 against Centerburg and plays at Loudonville on Friday, Sept. 21.

Loudonville was 3-0 before opening league play Sept. 14 against Danville. The Redbirds defeated Smithville 23-6 on Aug. 24 before beating Ashland Crestview 55-20 on Aug. 31 and Jeromesville Hillsdale 29-28 on Sept. 7.

Last season, the Johnnies beat Loudonville 56-35.

The Redbirds are led by Justin Todd, who is in his first head-coaching position. Through three games, sophomore Kolton Edmondson led the team in rushing with 577 yards and four touchdowns on 65 carries.

Junior Ryan Weber had 254 yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries, and he had 27 tackles and four sacks as a linebacker.

Junior quarterback Coleman Quay was 7-for-17 passing for 83 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

On Sept. 7, Johnstown won its second consecutive game to improve to 2-1 with a 62-7 victory over Lakewood. The Johnnies totaled 396 yards, including 338 rushing.

Senior quarterback Tyler Thompson rushed for 150 yards on seven carries with touchdowns of 35 and 18 yards. He also was 4-for-4 passing for 58 yards with a 13-yard touchdown to senior Nick Sadinsky, who had two catches for 30 yards.

Sophomore Cody Farley ran for 63 yards on 12 carries with touchdowns of 14 and 12 yards. Senior Adam Carter and sophomore Elijah Dowell had 1-yard scoring runs, and junior Alex Workman added a 4-yard scoring run. Senior Preston Hiles made eight extra-point kicks.

The Johnstown defense limited Lakewood to 47 yards rushing and 103 total yards. Senior linebacker Daniel Mark Almendinger returned a fumble 30 yards for a score.

Through three games, Thompson led Johnstown in rushing with 214 yards on 26 carries and Farley had 167 yards on 31 carries. Workman had 133 yards and Carter had 116 yards.

Boys golf team preps for MBC

The boys golf team lost to Northridge 163-165 on Sept. 13 at St. Albans. John Carlisle (37) was medalist followed by Kaden Welch (40), Paul Michel (44), Steven Thiel (44), Dalton Hastings (45) and Sam Wirth (45).

The Johnnies enter the MBC postseason tournament Monday, Sept. 17, at Apple Valley with an 8-2 record in league play. They trail Northridge, which leads at 9-1.

"It all comes down to Monday, which is the way it should be," said coach Chris Carlisle, whose team also faces Centerburg on Thursday, Sept. 20, at Table Rock and competes in the Granville Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Granville Golf Course. "If we win, we'll likely share the title with Northridge and if (the Vikings) win, they win it outright."

In the league's preseason tournament Aug. 16 at Table Rock, the Johnnies finished second (360) behind Northridge (357) and ahead of Centerburg (391), Utica (393), Danville (399) and Loudonville (485).

John Carlisle was medalist with a 79 followed by Thiel (90), Hastings (96), Welch (96), Michel (99) and Wirth (100).

On Sept. 11, the Johnnies defeated Utica 163-201 in a league dual at Clover Valley. Carlisle (36) was medalist.

Johnstown finished seventh (334) in the 21-team Bexley Invitational on Sept. 8 at Westchester behind champion Bexley (299). Carlisle and Thiel both shot 82 followed by Hastings (85), Welch (89) and Michel (119).