Eight teams already great; nine more on the bubble

October 28, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, eight Mahoning Valley schools have clinched playoff spots.

Nine other area teams remain in playoff contention, though some have much easier paths to Week 11 than others.

Those who have already punched their ticket to Week 11 include: Warren Harding (D-II), Cardinal Mooney (D-IV), Struthers (D-IV), South Range (D-V), LaBrae (D-V), Springfield (D-VI), Lisbon (D-VI) and Warren John F. Kennedy (D-VII).

Though not mathematically in, Howland (D-III), Hubbard (D-IV) and Jackson-Milton (D-VII) are virtual locks. Even with a loss tonight, all three are expected to advance.

For Lakeview (D-IV), the task is simple — win at Struthers and the Bulldogs have a near 100-percent chance of playing next week. A loss wouldn’t completely eliminate the ’Dogs, but they would need an incredible amount of help to remain in the top eight of their region.

Columbiana (D-VI) is currently in seventh place in Region 21, however it will receive few points with a win at Leetonia (1-8). The Clippers will need some outside help, but they face very favorable odds if they take care of business tonight against the Bears.

Liberty (D-V) and East Palestine (D-V), Brookfield (D-VI) and Western Reserve (D-VI), all must win and receive a considerable amount of outside help to keep their respective seasons alive. Even with victories tonight, all four schools face a less-than-50 percent chance of moving on.

Poland, which had made the playoffs an area-best nine straight years, will see its streak end this season. Crestview’s current eight-year run has also officially ended. Western Reserve is hoping to keep its eight-year streak alive.

Last year, a record 18 Mahoning Valley schools reached the playoffs. The area was represented in all seven divisions.