The stretch run of the high school football season is upon us.

Just three games remain in the regular season, which is especially hard to believe, since it seems like just yesterday we were working on our pre-season football supplement.

If the Ohio playoffs started today, just three area teams – St. Clairsville, Harrison Central and River – would qualify.

That, too, is hard to believe. During my career at The Times Leader, which has included now 16 football seasons – that would be the fewest ever to reach the postseason.

Qualifying for the playoffs – quite simply – isn’t easy. You have to take care of your business and then receive some help on top of that from the teams you beat going out and winning games.

While the number three is disappointing, there are still three weeks go to, too. Barnesville is one of the schools currently on the bubble. The Shamrocks dropped a heart breaker to Steubenville Catholic last Friday and it pushed them outside of the coveted top eight.

The Shamrocks are a quality squad and are probably playoff worthy. However, they must take care of their business. That business continues Friday when a scrappy Monroe Central comes to Belmont County.

HANDLING ADVERSITY

Jose Davis was a big-time athlete at many levels. Through any kind of career – especially in sports – there is adversity from time to time.

How you handle it goes a long way in determining your character. Obviously, Davis has done a good job of instilling it in his Fighting Irish football team.

St. John Central had a rough seven days. It lost, on the field, to Madonna, after getting bottled up offensively. Then, last Thursday, the school was informed by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, that it had to forfeit its first four victories, so they went from 5-1 to 1-5 in a hurry.

Add in the fact that a visit from a talented Valley squad was on the horizon and St. John Central had every opportunity to fold its tent.

All the Irish did was cruise to a 34-14 victory.

St. John now begins a tough three-game stretch to close the season with Wheeling Central visiting for the home finale. Trips to Barnesville and Steubenville Central close out the schedule.

BIG COMPUTER LEAP

The Martins Ferry Purple Riders’ playoff hopes appeared to be completely finished when they hit the mid-way point of the season with a very uncharacteristic 1-4 record.

The Purple Riders went on the road last week and posted a solid 34-19 victory against Indian Creek. The Redskins are in Division IV and own four victories.

If you couple those things, it resulted in a upwards of a 10-spot leap for the Riders, who are currently 12th in the Division IV, Region 17 rankings. Obviously, Ferry has to continue to take care of its business and get help, but don’t count out the Purple just yet.

It should be noted, that this week’s game, which is the Riders’ home finale, against Reigning Sports Academy doesn’t figure into the OHSAA rankings. Ferry’s level two divisor will drop to 90.

PAYING RESPECT

I’ve covered the last two Barnesville home games. Each week I’ve been impressed that head coach Matt Johnson brings his players out of the locker room for the National Anthem and then goes back in before it takes the field.

I’ve wondered for many years why high school teams don’t come out on the field early enough to pay respect to the nation. College and professional teams are on the field prior to the Star Spangled Banner being played. Why not high school teams?

It’s a wonder more veteran’s groups haven’t voiced their displeasure. I am guessing that giving up the three minutes of a pre-game speech to come out for the Anthem won’t cause a football team to be any less prepared or motivated.

BYE WEEK

Steubenville is on quite the roll right not. Big Red has won all seven of their games and have done so by an average margin of nearly 35 points, including three games reaching mercy rule. Last week’s 60-6 win over a quality Brooke squad was played in Wellsburg, so mercy rule wasn’t an option.

The unfortunate thing for Steubenville is it will sit idle this week. Big Red is taking a bye after its scheduled game was cancelled. Originally, Steubenville was slated to play University Prep from Canada.

Big Red will seek its eighth win at home on Oct. 23 against Cardinal O’Hara from New York before closing the regular season with the highly anticipated game at St. Clairsville.

CHECKING IN ON THE LOCALS

FRED RAY, who is a Martins Ferry graduate, saw his Fairview, Ky. squad drop to 4-4 on the season after a 38-12 setback to Paintsville last Friday. Fairview visits Raceland this week.

JOHN MAGISTRO, who is the former head coach at Bellaire High School and a St. John Central graduate, led his Westerville Central Warhawks to a 41-21 victory against Westerville North. Central is now 7-0 and will meet Westerville South this week.

LEVI NELSON, who is a St. Clairsville High graduate, saw his Rittman Indians drop to 4-3 on the season after suffering a 20-6 loss to Jeromesville Hillsdale. Rittman meets Northwestern this week.

MIKE ORLANDO, who is a Steubenville Central graduate, watched his Archbishop McNicholas Rockets improve to 3-4 thanks to a 45-7 victory against Dayton Chaminade-Julienne.