High school football playoff picture getting clearer

Canfield, LaBrae among teams closing in on postseason

Staff report

Fifteen Mahoning Valley high school football teams are in playoff position in this week’s computer ratings released Tuesday.

Eight other teams are on the outside looking in.

The top eight teams in each region qualify for the postseason.

Canfield (6-0) and LaBrae (6-0) are the top seeded teams in their regions according to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

The Cardinals are atop the standings in Division III Region 9. Friday, Canfield will play Niles. Also in that region, West Branch (5-1) is 10th.

In Div. V Region 17, LaBrae is number one. Crestview (3-2) is in sixth place and South Range (4-2) seventh. The Rebels lost to the Raiders two weeks ago, but Crestview’s upset of Struthers has the Wildcats ahead of South Range. Friday, Garfield Heights Trinity plays at South Range while Magnolia visits Crestview.

In Div. I Region 1, Austintown Fitch (4-2) is sixth following last week’s loss to Massillon. The Falcons host Lakeside this Friday.

In Div. II Region 5, Boardman (4-2) is fourth following last week’s loss to Canfield. In seventh place is Warren Harding (4-2). Friday, the Spartans and Raiders will clash in Boardman.

In Div. IV Region 13, Hubbard (6-0) is third, one spot ahead of Poland (5-1) which is coming off a last-second loss to Struthers. Friday, Hubbard plays at Jefferson while Poland hosts East. More importantly, Poland and Hubbard will clash on Oct. 19.

Also in that region, Struthers (4-2) is fifth and East Liverpool (3-3) is seventh. The Wildcats will play at Campbell on Friday.

In Div. VI, Region 21, Southern (6-0) is third and McDonald (6-0) is tied for seventh.

Friday, Southern travels to United while McDonald hosts Mineral Ridge.

Not making the Top 8 this week are Western Reserve (6-0, 10th) and Springfield (5-1, 11th) who play each other on Friday.

In Div. VII Region 25, Valley Christian (5-1) is the number-two team and Leetonia (3-3) is seventh.

Friday, Leetonia travels to East Palestine while Valley Christian will play Rootstown on Saturday at Poland.