Several teams on the bubble

Teams such as Fitch, Poland and Chaney might not be able to afford another loss.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
Although the high school football playoffs won't begin until after Halloween, the witching hour has begun for several Mahoning Valley teams on the postseason bubble.
Upsets on last Friday's rain-drenched fields put several teams' playoff hopes in jeopardy as Week 8 approaches.
Among those squads who might need to win out to qualify for an extra game are Austintown Fitch (4-3), Howland (5-2), Poland (5-2), Chaney (4-3), Springfield (4-3) and Leetonia (4-3).
After losing 35-3 to Ursuline, Carl Pelini's Falcons take on Wilson this Friday at Falcon Stadium before playing host to Boardman on Oct. 18 and traveling to Warren Harding on Oct. 25. A win against the Spartans or the Raiders might be enough to launch Fitch into November.
After a 3-0 overtime loss to Niles, Dick Angle's Howland Tigers need a win at Poland Friday to stay alive in Division II Region 5. Howland closes with Struthers and Warren JFK.
Bulldogs in unusual situation
After stunning back-to-back losses to Chaney and Salem, Paul Hulea's Bulldogs must rebound quickly. Howland, Canfield and Struthers are Poland's final opponents.
Ron Berdis' Chaney Cowboys suffered a blow when Mooney defeated them, 17-13. The Cowboys, the No. 7 team in the Region 5 ratings last week, won't get much help from their final three opponents: Rayen, Canton Timken and Niles.
In Div. V, John Smith's Springfield Tigers lost to red-hot Lowellville, 38-14, but close against Western Reserve, McDonald and Jackson-Milton.
Following last Friday's 10-6 loss to East Palestine, Art Altomare's Leetonia Bears have fallen two games off the pace for the Tri-County League title. However, wins against Southern, Lisbon and Crestview could mean a Bears game in Week 11.
As for league races, Canfield (7-0, 3-0) can clinch a tie for the Metro Athletic Conference crown with a win at Salem Friday. If Howland defeats Poland, the Cardinals would win the title outright with a victory over the Quakers.
Jim Tsilimos' Lisbon Blue Devils will battle Brian Blevins' East Palestine Bulldogs for first place in the Tri-County League. Both teams have 6-1, 4-0 records.
Top ranked Harding
Warren Harding, the state's top-ranked Division I school, needed double overtime to slip past the Spartans in Boardman.
"We want to be a playoff team and when you're in the playoffs, you often run into inclement weather," Harding coach Thom McDaniels said. "Perhaps this experience will pay off down the road."
The Raiders should cruise Saturday against Canton McKinley before closing with Massillon and Fitch.
Boardman travels to North Canton Hoover Friday for a showdown with a future Federal League opponent. The Spartans close the season against Fitch and Mooney.
Lowellville, the Inter-County League's only unbeaten team, will look for its eighth win Friday at Mineral Ridge. The Rockets were ranked second in Region 21 of last week's computer ratings.
The Trumbull Athletic Conference is awaiting a Girard-Hubbard showdown -- in Week 9. Both schools, with 4-0 conference records, face road games this week. Hubbard (7-0) travels to Champion (2-5, 0-4), while Girard (6-1) heads to winless LaBrae.