PREP FOOTBALL Niles has MAC title in sight, must defeat Alliance Friday

League championships will be settled at numerous venues around the Valley.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
Niles High football coach Phil Annarella wasn't sure how his team would react to an early-season slump.
Now, he has his answer. The Red Dragons (5-4, 4-1) will play Alliance (7-2, 4-1) on Friday night at Bo Rein Stadium for the Metro Athletic Conference championship.
Did he expect his team to do this well?
"Not after the beating we took from Steubenville, 51-7, but the kids didn't quit," said Annarella, crediting his Red Dragons' season comeback to "their attitude and making adjustments."
Niles started 1-4, including the loss to Steubenville on Sept. 17. But after losing the next game to Poland, the Red Dragons bounced back to win four in a row, all in the league.
Their 27-20 win over Salem last Friday set up the MAC title showdown against the Aviators.
"They are big and fast. It will be a David vs. Goliath match-up," said Annarella, who noted the play of Alliance running back Kendall Davis.
"He is faster than ever," the coach added, "and they are huge."
Around the Valley
League championships will be settled at numerous venues across the Mahoning Valley this weekend.
Chaney (5-4, 2-0) can win the City Series championship outright by beating Wilson (1-8, 1-1) on Thursday at Stambaugh Stadium. The Cowboys had already clinched a share of their seventh straight league title.
Fitch (8-1, 5-1) needs to beat rival Boardman (0-9, 0-6) at Falcon Stadium to secure the Federal League title outright.
In the Inter-County League, Mineral Ridge (8-1, 5-0) is in the driver's seat to win the title outright. The Rams, who haven't won the ICL since 1998, play host to Western Reserve (3-6, 0-5).
South Range (8-1, 4-1) and Springfield (7-2, 4-1) present an enticing ICL match-up for second place or a share of the title. Their game also has playoff implications in Division V.
Trumbull scenario
In the Trumbull Athletic Conference, Hubbard (8-0, 6-0) can clinch the championship outright by winning at Brookfield (3-6, 1-5).
"That's a tough place to play," Hubbard coach Jeff Bayuk said. "We're going to make sure we're ready, and we're going to do what we can to finish the season on a positive note."
The Eagles, who clinched a share of the TAC by beating Girard 56-28 on Friday, haven't won the league title since 2001.
Another attractive game in the TAC will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Girard (6-3, 3-3), where the Indians try to keep their playoff hopes alive against Liberty (8-1, 5-1).
In the Tri-County League, Crestview (8-1, 6-0) has gained a share of the title for the first time since 2001. The Rebels can win it outright by beating Southern (1-8, 0-6) at home Friday.
Mathews (6-3, 6-0) made its first year in the East Suburban Conference worthwhile.
After moving over from the Inter-County League, the Mustangs have gained a share of the ESC crown. They can win it outright by beating Pymatuning Valley (6-3, 5-1) at home.
SVC stalemate
The only conference to have settled its positioning is the Steel Valley. Cardinal Mooney's 55-27 win over Ursuline (5-4, 1-1) on Saturday night forced a three-way tie for the title, with Warren Harding (7-2, 1-1).
Mooney coach P.J. Fecko said there's no shame in sharing the crown with Ursuline and Harding.
"I'd put these three teams up against a lot of conferences in the state," Fecko said.
The Cardinals (6-2, 1-1) don't have much time to celebrate, not with state-ranked Columbus Watterson coming to Stambaugh Stadium on Friday night and a playoff berth available for the taking.
"For Game 10, we have an outstanding opponent," Fecko said. "It's too soon to worry about playoff points."