While it seemed like only yesterday that it was the middle of summer and everyone was wanting to know who teams’ quarterbacks were going to be and how teams were going to be.
Well, here it is the next to last week of October and most things are sorted out, but there’s still a lot more work to do when it comes to sorting.
We know that locally through eight weeks of the campaign, Martins Ferry, Union Local, River, Shadyside and Beallsville are already in the playoffs. Let’s be honest, most of us expected those teams to be in the big dance, but you’ve still got plenty of work to do.
In Division IV, St. Clairsville is firmly planted on the proverbial bubble. The Red Devils went to the regional final last year, but were hit hard by graduation. The Red Devils come into Week 10 with a 6-3 record, suffering losses to the aforementioned Ferry and Union Local. However, a Week 4 loss to Bellaire could prove deadly to the Red Devils if they can’t knock off Harrison Central. The Red Devils are not in control of their own destiny, meaning they will need help if they wish to be a part of the postseason.
Speaking of the Huskies, they too are on the bubble. Harrison Central – which has never played in the football playoffs since it opened nearly 10 years ago – is currently sitting in 10th place with a 6-3 mark. The Huskies have lost to Ferry, UL and Buckeye Local (We’ll talk Panthers in just a few paragaphs). Harrison will need to beat St. Clairsville and still get some outside help. New Philadelphia is ahead and Minerva is currently in the eighth spot. The Quakers have to meet high-powered Dover, while the Lions are at 9-0 Louisville this week.
The Buckeye Local Panthers are in the postseason if it opened this week. Coach Ron Pobolish’s team has to be one of the surprise outfits of the year. Many expected the Panthers to be much-improved, but when they knocked off Martins Ferry in Week 1, it really opened some eyes. That win over the Riders is doing big things for the Panthers in terms of the second level points Ferry is providing.
Buckeye Local currently sits in seventh place entering this week’s home encounter with Brooke.
It’s going to be interesting how this week plays out. One thing’s for certain this season, expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to Buckeye 8 Conference games.
In case you’re looking to do some early playoff planning, Divisions II, IV and VI are ticketed to play on Friday nights throughout the postseason. The other three divisions are slated for Saturdays.
The state championships open the morning after Thanksgiving in Massillon and wrap up Saturday evening in Canton.
However, there’s a lot to do before those plans can be made for anyone.
PLENTY TO PLAY FOR
Don’t think just because Martins Ferry and River have sewn up not only spots in the postseason, but also an opening-round home game there’s nothing to play for for these teams and you could see the starters out early.
Not a chance.
Let’s start with the Riders. They hold a slim percentage points lead over Union Local for the OVAC 3-A lead and are also looking to nail down their first Buckeye 8 football title in the process, as well as the top seed in Region 15. Not even to mention the fact that they are playing Bellaire and SPARKY will be presented following the contest.
Now shifting down the river, to River. The Pilots have the home game and the playoffs and the PVC title wrapped up and for all intents and purposes the OVAC crown is also heading to Hannibal, but the perfect season is something Mike Flannery and his players have been working for and longing for since the quest came up short a year ago.
Needless to say, you’re going to see first unit players for as long as needed for these two high-quality football team.
BELLAIRE SHOWS HEART
You’ve got to give kudos to the Bellaire High football program and coaching staff. The Big Reds came into the 2008 campaign knowing they’d be better than they were in 2007 when they went 0-10.
They were drilled in their opener, but won three of the next four, including an impressive road win at St. Clairsville.
However, tough Buckeye 8 games at Harrison Central and at home vs. Union Local sent the Big Reds into a tailspin. Between player defections and injuries, the Big Reds had fallen onto hard times. They played an absolutely awful half of football at Edison, which cost them a possible win.
So, having lost three straight games, many thought Bellaire had just packed it in the for the year. Not quite. The Big Reds turned to a bevy of quarterbacks in last week’s game against Indian Creek and didn’t pass the ball as much as they’ve become accustomed. They relied on a tough defense and continued the Creek’s struggles with a 17-7 victory.
It’s nice to see kids and coaches battling through tough times and not just packing it in.
WIN AND YOUR IN
That’s what faces the Bridgeport Bulldogs this week. For the first time since 1996, the Bridgeport Bulldogs are in the hunt for the Division VI playoffs.
The Bulldogs – who began the season 5-0 – have dropped four straight to teams who will be a part of their respective state’s playoffs. Madonna, River, Beallsville and Shadyside all dealt reversals to the Bulldogs, but early wins over Rosecrans, Clay-Battelle and even St. John are carrying the Bulldogs in the computer poll. According to the unofficial ratings, Bridgeport sits in seventh place with total control of its destiny.
What’s interesting about Region 23 isn’t who’s in, it’s who’s not. Newark Catholic – the defending Division VI state champions – are currently on the outside looking in as are Danville and Steubenville Catholic. None of the three are mathematically eliminated, but the OVAC plus Malvern and Glouster-Trimble are ruling the roost.
EAST LIVERPOOL CHANGE
The Potters have fallen on hard times in recent memory, but it just got a little worse last Friday when allegations were brought against now former head coach Pat McNicol that he was paying players for performance.
That’s maybe the most bizarre thing I’ve heard around high school sports in quite sometime. How in the world did he think he was going to get away with such an act. Now, East Liverpool’s got to answer to the OHSAA and who knows what’s going to come from that.
Again, I am sitting here at my desk just shaking my head still and it all unfolded Friday. If it’s not enough that the Potters are struggling on the field, they’ve got even bigger problems off the field. While the prep football season has just one more week remaining, if the kids who were paid their ‘performance bonus’ there’s a chance those kids could have their eligibility looked at. If the fees were too much, there’s a chance you’ve sacrificed your amateur status. Lets hope it hasn’t got that far, but who knows?
One would like to think better days are ahead for the Potters, but when incidents like this begin happening, sometimes they just snowball on you.
PERFECTION SOUGHT
Only two Ohio-side OVAC squads come into this week with a chance at perfection. You’ve already read about the River Pilots who are trying to do the trick for the first time since 1997, but they are hoping to advance a little further in the playoffs. The Pilots were bounced in the first round that season.
Steubenville Big Red is no stranger to perfection. A win Friday gives Big Red their sixth straight perfect season. That’s absolutely unreal when you think about it. I know I am a consistent member of the Big Red bandwagon, but there are a lot worse wagons to be on that’s for sure.
Steubenville appears to be a lock for the top seed in Division IV, Region 13, which is the home to Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, which is coming off a loss to Youngstown Ursuline last week.
Big Red made it nine in a row this season with a convincing, yet hard-fought win over Wheeling Central, which showed some serious fights last Friday at Harding Stadium. I think that’s a series that should continue, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
PICK PARADE
It was a relatively easy week for the T-L Football Contest Pick Parade group. Four of the pickers produced perfect 13-0 weeks. This writer suffered a 12-1 week, which leaves him in solo possession of second place behind T-L Sports Photographer Mike Palmer and Sports Writer Mark Dierkes. Dierkes and I were tied for many weeks, but he pulled away with the perfect week.
The weekly contest for the general public to participate is contained in today’s edition, but the contest for this year’s title will continue for a few more weeks as Ohio begins postseason and West Virginia wraps up its regular season and gets involved in the playoffs.
Last week’s guest picker was former Shadyside High athletic standout Taylor Goff who posted a 11-2 week, which is one of the best weeks produced this season by the advertisers.
Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com