Friday, September 18, 2015
Several years back, when the late Jack Pierson was coaching at Mathews, he was asked what he thought of his team following a Week 2 win over Windham.
“Ask me next week,” Pierson replied. “After three weeks, a coach knows what kind of team he has. After four weeks, everyone else knows.”
I thought about Pierson’s words of wisdom while looking over the slate of games which highlight the Week 4 schedule.
In late August, all signs pointed to a very average high school football season in the Mahoning Valley.
Perennial powers such as Austintown Fitch, Hubbard and McDonald were hit hard by graduation. A handful of programs, having lost three and in some cases four-year starters, were in search of new identities.
The season certainly didn’t start out on the right foot when 12 of the 17 schools in Mahoning County opened with a loss. In fact, more than half of the 44 schools in the tri-county area were defeated in the opening week of play.
Yet the perceived doom and gloom of a few weeks ago has since been replaced by a sense of anticipation for what promises to be an exciting seven-week stretch.
Through the first three weeks of the season, a number of fascinating storylines have developed.
If Pierson is correct, those storylines will become much more defined beginning tonight.
ON THE VERGE
Is this the year Warren Harding turns the corner while turning the tables on Austintown Fitch? The Raiders (3-0) can make a major statement tonight that will be heard by Division II programs throughout the state. Then again, the Falcons — who many believed were in a rebuilding mode — can once again solidify themselves as a major player in Division I, Region I.
Warren JFK has already garnered statewide attention. With just two seniors and a schedule that includes nine opponents in higher divisions, the Eagles were expected to struggle. Instead, JFK (3-0) is the state’s top-ranked Division VII school in the AP poll.
On Saturday, the Eagles host Crestview (3-0). While it may seem way too early to talk playoff implications, the fact is JFK can virtually lock up a postseason berth with a win over the Rebels.
Howland (2-1) and Poland (3-0) were the two preseason favorites in the Red Tier of the All American Conference. A clear-cut favorite may emerge tonight when the Tigers host the Bulldogs.
Hubbard (3-0) hasn’t missed a beat after losing a wealth of talent from its 12-1 team of a year ago. The Eagles will look to win their 26th consecutive regular season game when they host Lakeview (2-1). The Bulldogs are trying to rediscover themselves. After winning back-to-back games by a combined score of 56-0, the ‘Dogs were upset last week by LaBrae.
Mathews, Salem, Lisbon and Jackson-Milton all look to remain perfect. Meanwhile, Western Reserve — which knows a thing or two about regular-season perfection — is just looking to get to .500. The Blue Devils have reached the playoffs in each of the past seven seasons. However, that streak would be in major jeopardy should the Devils fall to 1-3. Tonight they host a 2-1 Springfield club which appears primed to make its own return trip to the postseason.
Niles (2-1) has already exceeded its win total of a year ago. The Red Dragons gave up 91 points in their first two games, but they can move to 3-1 with a win over East. South Range, hit very hard by graduation, lost its opener at JFK. However, the Raiders will look to win their third straight tonight when they travel to Mineral Ridge.
Meanwhile, Ursuline (1-2) is looking to get on track against a schedule that would test even the toughest of Division I schools.
Indeed, Pierson’s words may prove to be accurate. By the end of this weekend, we may have a much better understanding of the 2015 high school football season.
Then again, there is probably an even better chance that after tonight, the picture will become even more complicated.
After all, in the words of coaches everywhere, “On any given night … ”
Contact Steve Ruman at sports@vindy.com