Halfway through the 2010 Ohio High School Football Season (Week 5)

We have reached the midway point of the Ohio High School Football Season, and the fifth week of the season takes place this weekend, and there are some great games in the Central Ohio area.

GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (4-0, 1-0) at Walnut Ridge Scots (4-0, 1-0)
This is the battle of the unbeatens between the final two undefeated teams in the Columbus City League- Walnut Ridge does battle with the # 2 team in the state of Ohio in Division II football- Marion-Franklin. This will be another big test for the Red Devils, whose defense has already shut down Brookhaven, Dublin Scioto, and Ashland. The Scots have scored 51, 54, and 63 points against East, Linden McKinley, and South, respectively in the last three weeks, so something has got to give on Livingston Avenue this Friday.
Pick: Walnut Ridge

New Albany Eagles (4-0, 1-0) at Watkins Memorial Warriors (3-1, 0-1)
The red, hot New Albany teams soars to Pataskala to play the Watkins Memorial Warriors, fresh off a loss at Big Walnut. The Eagles have a deep threat at running back, while the Warriors have one at quarterback, so this will be a great matchup.
Pick: New Albany

Pickerington Central Tigers (3-0, 1-0) at Pickerington North Panthers (2-2, 0-1)
The Battle of Pickerington: Part IV. These two teams met twice last year, with Central winning both meetings, including the nailbiter during the first round of the playoffs last year. The fourth round of the Battle of Pickerington should live up to the hype, not just in Pickerington.
Pick: Pickerington Central

West Jefferson Roughriders (4-0, 1-0) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (3-1, 1-0)
This is a surprising matchup, as West Jefferson travels to play rival Grandview, winners of three straight. A Grandview win could turn tables not just in their Mid State League division, but in their Division V computer region as well. However, the Roughriders are just too strong.
Pick: West Jefferson


UNDERDOG GAMES OF THE WEEK:
Westerville North Warriors (0-4, 0-1) at Westerville Central Warhawks (0-4, 0-1)
The Westerville North Warriors (and Westerville North High School) have been around for 35 years. Teams used to be afraid to play the Warriors during the 1980s and 1990s, because the Warriors had a strong football program. However, since their neighbors to the north (Westerville Central) opened over seven years ago, North has struggled, winning only two games in the last three and a half seasons, and losing 19 straight games. The last team that North beat was Westerville Central, the only win for either school in 2008. Where and who does Westerville North play this week? Westerville Central. After Centennial ended their streak of futility a few weeks ago, can the Warriors get it done? It's possible.
Pick: Westerville North

Independence 76ers (0-4, 0-1) at Columbus South Bulldogs (1-3, 0-1)
The Independence 76ers at 0-4? All four of the 76ers losses were to solid teams (Beechcroft, Mifflin, Bellville Clear Fork, and Marion-Franklin). Columbus South had goals of being 3-0 going into City League play with somewhat an easy non-league schedule, as they beat Oberlin in their season opener. However, the bottom fell out during South's last home game against Harvest Prep, followed by snapping Centennial's 34-game losing streak, and a blow out loss last week at Walnut Ridge. The 76ers are looking for their first win, and could might as well get it at the expense of the Bulldogs.
Pick: Independence

OTHER SELECT GAMES IN THE CENTRAL OHIO AREA:
Sandusky Blue Streaks (3-1) at St. Charles Cardinals (4-0)
The St. Charles Cardinals are the last undefeated in the Central Catholic League, and they begin the hard part of their season against a good Sandusky team. The Cardinals are very good on defense, and very hungry for respect, because after this game, the Cards have to travel up to Karl Road to play a team (DeSales) they haven't beaten since Gerald Ford was President.
Pick: St. Charles

Harvest Prep Warriors (3-1, 1-0) at Licking Heights Hornets (3-1, 1-0)
On paper, this looks like a good game, with Licking Heights a "Battle of Broad Street" defeat from being 4-0, while Harvest Prep has won three straight. However, two of Harvest Prep's three wins were against really bad teams (Columbus South and Millersport), and that will not make an impression when it comes to computer rankings.
Pick: Licking Heights

Groveport Madison Cruisers (4-0, 1-0) at Grove City Greyhounds (1-3, 1-0)
Last week, the Grove City Greyhounds finally got their first win since returning to football this year. The Hounds return home to play an unbeaten Groveport team, who is 4-0 for the second straight year, winning four close games, and the Greyhounds may put the Cruisers in the "L" column for the first time.
Pick: Grove City

Granville Blue Aces (3-1, 1-0) at Bexley Lions (2-2, 0-1)
The Bexley Lions were upset last week by their neighbors to the east, Whitehall. This week, they have the undaunting task of hosting Granville. The Lions' slide might continue.
Pick: Granville

Licking Valley Panthers (2-2, 1-0) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (2-2, 1-0)
Licking Valley is on a roll, after knocking Bishop Ready and Heath from the ranks of the unbeatens, and the Panthers take their show on the road to Whitehall, where they play a Whitehall team that has won more games this year, then they have in the last four years combined.
Pick: Licking Valley

Upper Arlington Golden Bears (3-1, 1-0) at Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (1-3, 0-1)
Last week, Upper Arlington shut down Thomas Worthington, and this week, the Golden Bears travel up State Route 315 to play Worthington's other high school, Kilbourne, who is riding a three-game losing streak (Kilbourne's only win was against Westerville North), and the Golden Bears will make it four by completing a season sweep of the Worthington schools.
Pick: Upper Arlington

Westerville South Wildcats (3-1, 1-0) at Dublin Scioto Irish (2-2, 0-1)
The Westerville South Wildcats have been the only Westerville high school to win (until this Friday), winning three straight, with a strong ground game. The Wildcats will more than likely win their fourth in a row as they will run all over the Irish.
Pick: Westerville South

Fredericktown Freddies (4-0, 1-0) at Danville Blue Devils (4-0, 1-0)
Pick: Fredericktown

Eastmoor Academy Warriors (1-2, 1-0) at Briggs Bruins (3-1, 0-1)
As I said before, Briggs had the third toughest schedule among the remaining 3-0 schools (behind St. Charles and Hilliard Darby). Last week, the Bruins lost to Africentric, and now a potentially dangerous on offense Eastmoor team comes to play. The Warriors will win this one.
Pick: Eastmoor Academy

Northland Vikings (2-2, 0-1) at Columbus East Tigers (0-4, 0-1)
After a surprising 2-0 start, Northland sees themselves having to fight to keep up with the Joneses in the City League north. Could East play spoiler for the Vikings, having done so before? Indication says no, considering the Tigers have given up 50 points in three of their four games so far.
Pick: Northland

Gahanna Lincoln Lions (2-2, 1-0) at Lancaster Golden Gales (2-2, 0-1)
Gahanna could play a spoiler in a possibly wide-open OCC Ohio if they win down in Lancaster on Friday night. After back-to-back losses to state and national powerhouse St. Ignatius and rivals Pickerington Central, the Golden Gales want to get back on the winning edge.
Pick: Gahanna

London Red Raiders (2-2) at Jonathan Alder Pioneers (3-1)
This will be a great Madison County battle, as Independent Jonathan Alder hosts London, who is fresh off a blow-out win over previously unbeaten Greenfield McClain, and is looking to shock the Pioneers on their home field.
Pick: Jonathan Alder

Olentangy Braves (3-1, 1-0) at Marysville Monarchs (2-2, 0-1)
The Monarchs lost a heartbreaker in overtime last week against Olentangy Liberty. This week, Olentangy comes to town, and with a win, the Braves will surpass their win total from last year, and that will more than likely happen.
Pick: Olentangy

Brookhaven Bearcats (1-3, 1-0) at Whetstone Braves (0-4, 0-1)
Both teams had tough non-league schedules (Brookhaven- Marion-Franklin, Hilliard Davidson, and Dublin Coffman; Whetstone- Briggs, Thomas Worthington, and Dayton Dunbar), and now that City League North play is underway, it's all about getting that Division title. The Bearcats got their first win last week in an ugly 3-0 defensive battle against Northland, and if their young team can get their offense started, they could be just as dangerous as past Brookhaven teams.
Pick: Brookhaven

Buckeye Valley Barons (1-3, 1-2) at Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-0, 3-0)
Pick: Cardington-Lincoln

Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph Vikings (2-2) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (3-1)
Pick: Hartley

Hilliard Darby Panthers (4-0, 1-0) at Central Crossing Comets (1-3, 0-1)
Hilliard Darby is still on a roll, and travels to Grove City to play a Central Crossing team that has never won more than two games in a season in their school history. Look for the Panthers to claw the Comets on both sides of the ball.
Pick: Hilliard Darby

Circleville Tigers (2-2, 0-1) at Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (3-1, 1-0)
Since their opening loss at Hartley, Amanda-Clearcreek has been acing over the competition, winning three straight games.
Pick: Amanda-Clearcreek

Logan Elm Braves (1-3, 0-1) at Hamilton Township Rangers (3-1, 1-0)
Pick: Hamilton Township

Olentangy Liberty Patriots (3-1, 1-0) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-2, 1-0)
Pick: Olentangy Liberty

Mount Gilead Indians (2-2, 2-1) at North Union Wildcats (4-0, 3-0)
Pick: North Union

SATURDAY NIGHT GAME:
Heath Bulldogs (3-1, 0-1) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (4-0, 1-0)
This was a last second Licking Valley field goal away from being a battle of the unbeatens, as Heath travels to Newark High's White Field to play small school powerhouse Newark Catholic. Will the Bulldogs survive this Green Wave?
Pick: Newark Catholic


SPORTS CORNER TOP TEN (through September 18):
1) Hilliard Davidson (4-0, I.3)- vs. Thomas Worthington (1-3, I.3); defeated Westland (1-3, I.3) 70-6 last week
2) Marion-Franklin (4-0, II.7)- at Walnut Ridge (4-0, II.7); defeated Independence (0-4, II.7) 35-14 last week
3) Groveport Madison (4-0, I.3)- at Grove City (1-3, I.3); defeated Pickerington North (2-2, I.3) 23-20 last week
4) Big Walnut (4-0, II.7)- ??; defeated Watkins Memorial (3-1, II.7) 28-21 last week
5) St. Charles (4-0, II.7)- vs. Sandusky (3-1); defeated Marion Harding (0-4, I.3) 49-28 last week
6) New Albany (4-0, II.7)- at Watkins Memoral (3-1, II.7); defeated Hilliard Bradley (1-3, II.7) 49-12 last week
7) Walnut Ridge (4-0, II.7)- vs. Marion-Franklin (4-0, II.7); defeated Columbus South (1-3, III.10) 63-26 last week
8) West Jefferson (4-0, V.20)- at Grandview Heights (3-1, V.20); defeated Berne Union (??, VI.23) 35-0 last week
9) Bishop Hartley (3-1, IV.15)- vs. Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph; lost to Elyria Catholic (4-0) 34-28 in overtime last week
10) Fredericktown (4-0, V.19)- at Danville (4-0, VI.23); defeated ?? last week

DROPPED OUT: Bishop Watterson (3-1, III.10)- lost to Cincinnati Winton Woods (4-0, II.8) 23-14; Briggs (3-1, II.7)- lost to Africentric (2-2, V.20) 26-22; Watkins Memorial (3-1, II.7)- lost to Big Walnut (4-0, II.7) 28-21

HONORABLE MENTION:
11) Newark Catholic (4-0, VI.23)
12) Bishop Watterson (3-1, III.10)
13) Westerville South (3-1, I.3)
14) Watkins Memorial (3-1, II.7)
15) Johnstown (3-1, IV.15)
16) DeSales (3-1, III.10)
17) Mifflin (3-1, II.7)
18) Upper Arlington (3-1, I.3)
19) Jonathan Alder (3-1, IV.16)
20) Olentangy (3-1, II.7)
21) Briggs (3-1, II.7)
22) Hamilton Township (3-1, III.10)
23) Olentangy Liberty (3-1, I.3)
24) Grandview Heights (3-1, V.20)
25) Licking Valley (2-2, III.11)