BELLVILLE — Sandusky jumped out to a 23-0 halftime lead, but then had to stave off a Colts comeback as Clear Fork came back to make it an eight-point deficit, 30-22.
The Blue Streaks then sealed the deal with a safety and a touchdown to win, 39-22 in a non-conference opener Friday night.
Cordney Strickland was the first-half leader, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
After Clear Fork cut the deficit to eight, Sandusky clamped down and tackled a Colt in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing kickoff, quarterback Lucas Poggiali hit Tristen Jeffries with a 56-yard touchdown pass to seal the win.
Sandusky travels to play crosstown rival Perkins next week.
Columbus South 20, Oberlin 7: The Phoenix had a tough time on the road in Columbus, falling to the Bulldogs, who they routed at home last year.
Oberlin will travel to play McDonald next Friday.
Norwayne 7, Wellington 6: The Bobcats were an extra-point better than the Dukes in non-conference play at Wellington.
The win for Norwayne avenged last year’s 39-14 loss to Wellington last season at Norwayne.
Wellington travels to play Avon next Friday.
Bellevue 20, Perkins 17: The Pirates were a field goal short on the road at Bellevue as the Redmen go revenge for last year’s 34-12 loss to the Pirates.
Perkins will host Sandusky next Friday.
Orange 34, Bay 14: The Lions got revenge for last year’s 6-0 Rockets win, defeating Bay by 20 at their place.
Bay will host Westlake next Friday.
North Olmsted 35, Valley Forge 7: The Eagles pounded the Patriots, led by Mark Remy, who scored a pair of touchdowns.
Remy scored from 64- and 65-yards out, and finished with 184 yards on 11 carries.
Quarterback Mike Shoemaker threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Greg Bokisa. That put the Eagles up 14-0 in the first half.
North Olmsted had two goal-line stands defensively. The first one in the first half came after a Valley Forge blocked punt that put them on the 4-yard line.
North Olmsted will host Elyria next Friday.
Western Reserve 34, Black River 7: The Roughriders made sure this year’s battle with the Pirates wasn’t as close as last year’s 7-6 win, handing Black River a loss at home.
Next week, Western Reserve travels to play Margaretta, who defeated Wickliffe, 26-0 last night.
Cleveland Central Catholic 30, Columbia 22: The Raiders didn’t treat their home crowd to a win, as Cleveland Central Catholic knocked off Columbia in non-conference action.
Edison 35, Norwalk 18: The Chargers almost repeated last year’s score of 35-19 with a rout of the Truckers.
Next week, Edison will host Monroeville, who defeated Keystone, 28-7 last night.
Buckeye Central 48, New London 7: The Wildcats were routed on the road last night in Crawford County.
New London will play at Firelands next Friday.