NOTEBOOK | Postseason news and notes

Full slate: The Valley has 14 teams in the playoffs -- tied for second-most in area history. There were also 14 teams from 1999-2001 and 15 in 2002. "I think that says a great deal about the football in this area," said Warren Harding coach Thom McDaniels, who has qualified for the playoffs the past four years, best in the area. "I'm very proud to be from this area and to have also coached in Stark County. If you care immensely about football, then why not be where it matters most?" Ten area teams qualified last season.
League notes: Every Steel Valley Conference team earned a playoff berth --the first time that's happened since 1990 -- and five of the eight teams from the Federal League are in the playoffs (Fitch, Canton GlenOak, Canton McKinley, Massillon Jackson, Uniontown Lake). "This should go a long way toward whatever hard feelings might have come about from Fitch and Boardman leaving," said Fitch coach Neal Kopp. "No disrespect to the Steel Valley because all three teams made it, but I can't think of another public school conference in the state where five of the eight teams make it. And the three teams that didn't [Boardman, Massillon Perry and North Canton Hoover] have been in the playoffs several times in the past three years."
More league notes: The Northeastern Buckeye Conference had four playoff teams (West Branch, Northwest, Carrollton and Louisville). The Metro Athletic Conference (Canfield, Alliance), Trumbull Athletic Conference (Hubbard, Liberty), Inter-County League (Mineral Ridge, South Range) and Tri-County League (Crestview, Leetonia) each had two playoff teams. For the first time since 1999, no City Series team made the playoffs. The East Suburban Conference, which Mathews won, also had no playoff teams.
Back in the big dance: Mooney is making its second straight trip to the playoffs and 18th overall -- by far the most in the area. Other area schools with at least six playoff appearances are Warren JFK (14), Ursuline (12), Chaney (eight), McDonald (eight), South Range (eight), West Branch (eight), Warren Harding (six), Poland (six) and Campbell (six).
Still searching: Area schools that have never made the playoffs are Wilson, Salem, Jackson-Milton, Mathews, Sebring, Southern and United.
Undefeated, again: Beaver Local finished the regular season 10-0 for the second straight season and has an area-best 22-game regular season winning streak. The Beavers have made the playoffs three straight years, losing to Steubenville 28-21 in last year's regional semifinal. Big Red, the state's top-ranked team, could meet Beaver Local against this year.
Streaking: Hubbard (9-0) was the only other area team to finish undefeated this year, winning nine straight after an opening-night rainout against Albert Gallatin (Pa.). Gallatin went 1-7 this season. Area teams with the best records not to make the playoffs were Springfield and Mathews, which both went 7-3.
State champs: Former state champions in the playoffs include Mooney (1973, 80, 82, 87), Ursuline (2000), Warren Harding (1974, 90), West Branch (1994) and Warren JFK (1991).
Vindicator staff report