"We were 0-for-September," coach Jeff Gafford said. "We had opportunities to win several of those games and we didn't."

On Oct. 2, the Monarchs trailed Westerville Central by 10 points at halftime before they outscored the Warhawks 20-0 to win 27-17.

"We felt we finally got back on track in the second half of that game," Gafford said. "The defense forced two big turnovers and the offense started hitting again. The offense was running the ball down the field and together we were able to dominate the time of possession."

The win improved Marysville to 2-4 overall before last Friday's game against Westerville South. In the OCC-Cardinal, South was first at 3-0, followed by Olentangy Liberty, Dublin Jerome and Dublin Scioto at 2-1, Central, Marysville and Olentangy at 1-2 and Westerville North at 0-3.

Also, after six weeks Marysville was slotted 18th in the Division I, Region 3 rankings. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.

Marysville's final three games begin at Jerome on Friday, followed by games at North on Oct. 23 and home against Scioto on Oct. 30. Before last Friday, those three teams were a combined 5-13.

Jerome won two of its last three games to reach 3-3 overall before last Friday's game against Olentangy.

While the health of Marysville's offense looked to return to 100 percent against Central, Jerome's running game took a hit Oct. 2. Senior running back Steve Mehrer separated a shoulder in the Celtics 34-7 loss to South and will miss the remainder of the season.

Mehrer led the team in rushing with 421 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. Ian Hartitz (223 yards) and Cameron Wilson (202) were expected to pick up the slack last Friday. Jerome quarterback Ryan Gannon was 55 of 112 passing for 706 yards and four touchdowns.

The loss of Mehrer also put a dent in Jerome coach Mark Hundley's offensive strategy.

"As always, we want to control the line of scrimmage," Hundley said. "We want to run first and make them stop the run to open up some things in our passing game."

Mehrer was also the team's defensive leader. He led the team with 58 tackles, three interceptions, including returning one for a touchdown.

Last season, Mehrer rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries when Jerome beat Marysville 42-35.

Senior Nathan Weeks led Marysville's ground game after six weeks. He had 568 yards rushing on 107 carries and eight touchdowns.

Chris Coburn added 559 rushing yards on 87 carries and three touchdowns.

Hayes Chrispin returned to carry the ball five times for 18 yards on Oct. 2. He missed the Monarchs first five games with a broken collarbone. Chrispin is also Marysville's kicker and he was 4-for-5 on extra-point attempts.

Next game

MARYSVILLE at DUBLIN JEROME

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

•Last meeting: 2008, Jerome 42-35

•Dublin Jerome (3-3 overall, 2-1 in OCC-Cardinal) to date: Defeated Reynoldsburg 16-6; lost to Hilliard Darby 28-25; lost to Groveport 35-20, def. Westerville North 49-7, def. Liberty 23-13, lost to Westerville South 34-7; Played Olentangy last Friday

•Marysville (2-4 overall, 1-2 in OCC-Cardinal) to date: Def. Marion Harding 39-6; lost to Groveport 55-34; lost to Bellefontaine 21-19; lost to Olentangy Liberty 17-6; lost to Olentangy 21-7; def. Westerville Central 27-17; Played Westerville South last Friday

•Top Monarchs: Scott Arnold (OL/DL), Brendan Barrett (OL), Bryan Barrett (WR/DB), Chris Coburn (QB/RB), Dylan Dearwester (LB), Luke Fleming (QB) and Nate Weeks (RB)

•Top Celtics: Ryan Gannon (QB), A.J. Lowe (WR), Trevor Mendelson (DL), Sean Sward (WR) and Cameron Wilson (RB)