Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Staff report
The Ohio High School Athletic Association did not release its weekly football ratings on Tuesday, citing technical difficulties.
However, thanks to the wonderment of the Internet and the website joeeitel.com, most area teams know their fate, or what has to happen to get an invitation to the postseason.
The joeeitel.com website is an unofficial calculation, but in the past it has been a pretty efficient gauge as to what teams are advancing.
In Division I, Region 1, the eitel website projects that Austintown Fitch (8-1) has clinched a playoff spot, but both Warren Harding (7-2) and Boardman (6-3) must win and get help to qualify.
Boardman, of course, visits Fitch on Friday night, and a Spartan win would also create a four-way tie for the Federal League championship.
Harding’s path is a little more difficult, because the Raiders’ opponent, Cleveland Heights, has just four wins.
In Div. II, Howland (9-0) is not assured a playoff spot, but it would take an extraordinary number of circumstances for the Tigers to be left out.
Howland, which plays host to Chaney (1-8) on Friday, must lose that game and six of eight other teams in Region 5 must win, and have all their defeated opponents also win all their games.
In Div. III, Region 9, Cardinal Mooney (5-3), Hubbard (7-2) and Poland (6-3) have all clinched playoff positions, and all could be playing at home in Week 11, if they win on Friday.
In Region 11, Salem (7-2) is playing a de facto playoff game against East Liverpool (8-1) on Friday night. The Quakers must win and have either Dover lose to New Philadelphia or Richmond Edison lose to Indian Creek to advance.
The Potters are already in the playoffs and can secure a home game with a win against Salem.
In Div. IV, Region 13, Campbell Memorial (8-1), which plays at Struthers, clinches a playoff spot with win, and most likely a home game.
Lakeview (7-2) and Champion (6-3) play in another de facto playoff game on Friday. Both must win, but may also need some help. Lakeview is in the far-better position — unoffically, seventh, while Champion is 13th.
In Div. V, Region 17, Ursuline (9-0) has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the region. Crestview (8-1), which plays Mineral Ridge (6-3) for the ITCL Tier One championship, needs a victory to advance. South Range (7-2), the Rams and United (6-3) — which plays South Range — all need wins and help.
In Div. VI, Region 21, Western Reserve (8-1) has clinched a home playoff game and McDonald (7-2) qualifies with a win over Southern (8-1). The Indians, in Region 23, would also qualify with a win. Mathews is also mathematically alive in Region 21, but currently sits 12th and needs help.
