5 Weeks In: Biggest Surprises, Bold Predictions & What Changes Next | Inside the 419

Five weeks are in the books, and the Northwest Ohio high school football picture looks a lot different than it did in August. On this special Inside the 419 Midseason Audit, Chris and Dan go back through the preseason receipts, revisit the teams that have changed their minds, break down the biggest unanswered questions heading into the second half of the 2026 season, and put four new bold predictions on the record. We discuss Perrysburg, Clay, Otsego, Liberty-Benton, Fremont Ross, Liberty Center, Archbold and more as the NLL, NBC and NWOAL races begin to take shape. On this episode: The predictions we got right — and the ones that missed Three Northwest Ohio teams that look completely different than expected The biggest questions heading into Weeks 6–10 Can anyone slow down Liberty Center? Is Otsego ready to control the NBC? What happens in the NLL Buckeye race? Four bold predictions for the rest of the regular season Which team has surprised you the most through five weeks? And what is your bold prediction for the second half of the season? Drop your picks in the comments and subscribe to Gridiron 419 for Northwest Ohio high school football previews, reaction shows, interviews and weekly coverage. Gridiron 419 — Covering the Game. Celebrating the 419. #NorthwestOhioFootball #HighSchoolFootball #Gridiron419 #ToledoFootball #NLLFootball #OhioHighSchoolFootball #InsideThe419 #fridaynightfootball 0:00 Cold Open – Five Weeks In 0:35 Welcome & Midseason Audit Setup 2:54 What We Got Right 6:47 What We Got Wrong 11:38 Three Teams That Changed Our Minds – Clay 14:04 Otsego Changes the Conversation 16:47 Liberty-Benton: What Happens Next? 20:31 Sponsor – Car Stereo One 21:29 Biggest Unanswered Questions – NLL Buckeye Gauntlet 26:16 Otsego vs. Eastwood & the NBC Race 27:26 Can Anyone Stop Liberty Center? 29:09 Sponsor – Victory Automall 30:33 Bold Prediction #1 – Fremont Ross Runs the Cardinal 31:37 Bold Prediction #2 – Otsego Runs the Table 32:35 Bold Prediction #3 – Liberty-Benton Finishes 5-5 33:18 Bold Prediction #4 – Archbold Ends Liberty Center’s Streak 35:00 Bold Prediction Recap & Viewer Predictions 36:40 Closing / Signoff