In addition to the Mooney-Ursuline game you may have heard something about, several other very important football games are on tap Friday that will go a long way in determining which teams will be active for Week 11.

The other fascinating contest among the bigger schools has Howland (5-3) at Liberty (8-0, All-American Conference White champions).

Despite three losses, the Tigers are ranked sixth in the Division II, Region 5 computer playoff ratings. The top eight teams in each region advance to Week 11, with the top four hosting first-round games.

After a 31-7 romp over Lakeside to open the season, the Tigers dropped three straight games, including a 13-7 overtime loss to Hubbard (6-2) and a 20-14 defeat to AAC Red rival Canfield.

Then they rebounded into playoff contenders.

Can the Tigers lose one more game and still make the playoffs? Not likely, especially if the defeat comes this week. The Tigers’ Week 10 opponent is Div. VI Warren JFK (2-6).

Liberty, after last’s week’s thrilling 33-28 win over Hubbard, can earn a home playoff game by defeating Howland and Girard (8-0) for an unbeaten season.

The key for the Tigers will be how well Liberty’s sensational running back, Fitzgerald Toussaint, accumulates yards against a massive defense. Against Hubbard, Toussaint gained 250 yards on 33 carries, and most of them came in the second half.

“Everything we prepared for was what they ran,” Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said of Liberty’s schemes. “He had a great game. We missed a lot of tackles, but you know what? That also a credit on his part — he was running hard, breaking tackles.”

Liberty’s win has the Leopards number three in Div. III, Region 9. Hubbard is sixth so a playoff rematch is possible. The Eagles close with Struthers (1-7) and Niles (2-6), and should get in.

Trailing 26-7 to the Leopards, the Eagles rallied for three fourth-quarter touchdowns engineered by the arm of backup quarterback Matt Shelton. Liberty coach Jeff Whittaker said his defenders spent a lot more time on the field that usual.

“We’ve bent a little bit, but we’ve been playing great inside the red zone,” Whittaker said. “When you face a great passer like [Shelton], it’s hard not to break.

“We tried to get some [pass] rush on him. They made some great catches. It wasn’t like we were getting beat deep — we were there. They made some great plays.”

Several other big schools are in playoff contention, but need wins to assure they are still practicing in two weeks.

Three consecutive losses have dropped Boardman (5-3) to 11th in Div. I, Region 1. The Spartans must defeat Canton McKinley (5-3) on Friday to have any hopes of a second straight postseason appearance.

Canfield (6-2) and Poland (6-2) also are in contention. The Cardinals are seventh in Div. II, Region 7 while the Bulldogs are fifth in Div. III, Region 11. Assuming both win this week, the Canfield-Poland game in Week 10 should be exceptional.

In Div. IV, Region 13, it’s impossible to imagine Mooney (7-1) tumbling out of a playoff berth.

The interesting showdown in this region is Friday’s Girard (8-0)-LaBrae (7-1) game. Despite having a loss, the Vikings are 10th in the region, a spot ahead of the Indians. Friday’s winner will remain in contention.

A playoff spot for Ursuline (8-0) is assured in Div. V Region 17. A win over Mooney will earn them the top seed.

Among smaller schools, the Inter Tri-County League is loaded with playoff hopefuls and some excellent Week 9 matchups.

Thanks to a Week 6 win over South Range (6-2), Crestview (7-1) is fourth in Region 17, two spots ahead of the Raiders. The Rebels’ only blemish was a 42-36 overtime loss to Columbiana (6-2). Crestview closes against Springfield (4-4) and United (5-3).

Friday, South Range is home against Columbiana, seventh in Div. VI, Region 21.

Region 21 remains the area’s most competitive, with seven teams still in contention. In order, they are McDonald (8-0, fourth), Leetonia (7-1, fifth), Western Reserve (6-2, sixth), Columbiana (seventh), Youngstown Christian (6-2, eighth), Springfield (ninth) and Wellsville (6-2, 10th).

The big game Friday has McDonald traveling to Leetonia. A win for the Bears would assure them of a game in Week 11.

“It definitely doesn’t get any easier,” Leetonia coach Matt Altomare said of playing the unbeaten Blue Devils. “But this is why you work so hard in the offseason. It’s Week 9 and to be playing for something is great for the whole community.”

The past few Fridays have featured some surprises. This week’s schedule promises more of the same.

Enjoy the games.

XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.