VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

The scoreboard at Spartan Stadium won’t be the only one being watched by the Boardman High football team and coaches Friday night.

The Spartans (6-3), who play host to rival Austintown Fitch (1-8) at 7:30 p.m., must win to ensure themselves of a spot in the OHSAA playoffs that begin Nov. 2.

Boardman is fifth in this week’s Division I, Region 1 computer ratings. Only three teams — Mentor, Cleveland St. Ignatius and Euclid — have clinched playoff spots. Ten other teams, including the Spartans, will be battling for the other five positions.

According to the Web site joeeitel.com, Boardman will finish between No. 5 and No. 9 in the region. Even if they win the Spartans could miss out. The key game is between Cleveland Glenville (7-2), No. 9 this week, against Cleveland South (8-1). A Glenville loss would guarantee a postseason berth for the Spartans, win or lose.

The three teams rated between Boardman and Glenville (Lakewood St. Edward, Strongsville and North Royalton) all play teams with records of 7-2 or better, meaning if they win they could jump ahead of the Spartans.

A similar situation exists for Ursuline (7-2) in Div. V, which visits Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-1). With a win the Irish could jump from No. 6 to as high as No. 1 in the final ratings. A loss could drop Ursuline out of the top eight.

This week, 14 area teams are in position to qualify for the postseason.

Like last year, the outcome of the Canfield-Poland showdown Friday night will determine the postseason fate of both teams.

Mooney, Howland, South Range, Columbiana and Warren JFK have playoff berths clinched. In fact, Mooney has clinched the No. 1 seed in Div. IV, Region 13, and South Range, in Div. V, Region 17, has clinched a first-round home game.

The postseason schedule will have Div. II, Div. III and Div. V games on Friday nights and Div. I, Div. IV and Div. VI on Saturdays.

First-round games will be at home sites, with weeks 2-4 played at neutral sites. The state championship games will be played at Fawcett Stadium in Canton and Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.