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YORKVILLE -- The bad news is Week 1 did not go quite as planned for Buckeye Local. However, the good news for the Panthers, the way head coach Jim Hoover sees it, is the biggest test they will face is in the rear-view mirror.
That Week 1 test was Barnesville on the road, and the Shamrocks showed the successful formula that has led to their success for the past few seasons in pulling away for a 49-0 win.
"Like I told our kids, that was the toughest team on our schedule," Hoover said. "Hands down that's the best team we will see. We got it out of the way in Week 1."
The Panthers were held to 119 yards of offense in the opener, 46 of those coming from Noah Kourim. They'll look to get that going this week while continuing to shore up the defense.
They'll be looking to do that against another familiar opponent in Union Local on Friday night -- and in front of the home crowd.
The Jets are 1-0 coming off of a 20-8 victory against Shenandoah in Week 1.
"They're a good football team, they're big up front," Hoover said of the Jets. "They have some pretty solid wideouts, but the quarterback and tailback are young.
"They lost three linemen from last year, which was also a big loss for them. But they're a good, well-coached football team.
"I'm looking forward to the game on Friday night. It should be a good game, but we have to show up and be ready to play, that's for sure."
The young players in the Jets backfield Hoover referenced had big nights as sophomore quarterback Colby Carpenter threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman running back Brody Perzanowski rushed for 123 yards.
Hoover also isn't concerned about his team being caught up in the excitement of a home opener.
"I don't think it matters too much where we play," Hoover said. "We have been practicing at the school … as long as we have a field to play on the objective is the same."
To complete that objective and ground the Jets, the game plan is simple.
"We have to play assignment football," Hoover said. "We have to block, tackle and stay on our assignments."
The opening kick at World War II Memorial Stadium is set for 7 p.m.