2011 Central Ohio High School Football: Week 9

Tomorrow night, the penultimate week of high school football takes place for all but 192 football programs in Central Ohio. Teams that are above .500 are inching towards playoff contention, while other schools are winding down seasons were teams fell so short.

Big Games of the Week/Rivalry Games of the Week: Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-1, 5-0) at Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0, 5-0) and Brookhaven Bearcats (6-2, 5-0) at Beechcroft Cougars (7-1, 5-0)

Could this be the final Haven-Croft match? On Tuesday, it was reported that Columbus City Schools is considering closing Brookhaven High School, which would put an end to one of the state's inner-city sports dynasties, winning State Titles in Football, and Boys and Girls Basketball. The Bearcats, in fact, are the ONLY high school in the Columbus City School District to do all that, and win a State Title in Football. This could be a huge loss in the City League, but could other schools (Beechcroft, Mifflin, Northland, Whetstone, East, Linden) in the City League North benefit?

Picks: Marion-Franklin and Brookhaven

Rivalry Game of the Week: Brookhaven at Beechcroft & Eastmoor Academy at Marion-Franklin
Upset Pick: Brookhaven over Beechcroft (See Above)

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Coshocton Redskins (7-1) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
If the Hawks hadn't moved to Region 14, these two could might as well meet again, but that's not going to happen, because the Hawks would eventually have to get past those pesky Kenton Wildcats in the playoffs in order to do that.
Pick: Coshocton

St. Charles Cardinals (2-6, 0-1) at Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-5, 0-1)
This is do-or-die time for the Eagles, who need to win both of their final games for a slim sliver of a shot to get into the playoffs. This season has been disappointing for the defending Division III state champs, who lost all but four starters to greener pastures (graduation). But, the Eagles get it done in their home finale.
Pick: Watterson

Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-1, 5-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (7-0, 5-0)
This could be a long trek across the Scioto for the Bears, because Davidson has pitched four consecutive shutouts, including a defensive game last week against Coffman.
Pick: Hilliard Davidson

Licking Valley Panthers (5-3, 4-1) at Bexley Lions (5-3, 2-3)
The only Bexley win in recent history against the Panthers was by forfeit, so that means the Panthers will claw past Bexley in the Lions' home finale.
Pick: Licking Valley

Fredericktown Freddies (4-4, 3-2) at Centerburg Trojans (6-2, 3-2)
Pick: Centerburg

Dublin Jerome Celtics at Dublin Scioto Irish
Pick: Dublin Jerome

West Cowboys (5-3, 2-3) at Independence 76ers (5-3, 3-2)
Remember that 74-71 shootout a couple years ago? That was fun.
Pick: Independence

St. Francis DeSales Stallions (4-3) at Cincinnati LaSalle Lancers (6-2)
Do or die time for DeSales, who holds the longest-active playoff appearance streak in the state with 16 straight trips in the postseason. Not a good time to travel down Interstate 71.
Pick: LaSalle

Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions at Reynoldsburg Raiders (both 6-2, 4-1)
These two East Side suburban rivals are only minutes apart, but both need this win to get in. The host Raiders desperately need it, because they close out the year with Pick Central.
Pick: Gahanna

Liberty Union Lions (7-1, 5-0) at West Jefferson Roughriders (7-1, 4-1)
Can the Lions do what Grandview did in Week 4, and that is go out into West Jefferson and come out with a "W"? NO. But the Lions do play Grandview next week, coincidentally.
Pick: West Jefferson

Olentangy Braves (4-4, 2-3) at Westerville South Wildcats (5-3, 3-2)
Pick: Westerville South

Columbus Academy Vikings (5-3, 3-2) at Whitehall-Yearling Rams (4-4, 2-3)
Pick: Columbus Academy

The Greatest Pumpkin Show on Earth: Logan Elm Braves (8-0, 5-0) at Circleville Tigers (2-6, 2-3)
Pick: Logan Elm

"We're Playing for Pride Games":
East Tigers at Centennial Stars (both 1-7, 0-5)
Pick: Whomever scores the most points (Centennial)

Marysville Monarchs (4-4, 2-3) at Westerville North Warriors (0-8, 0-5)
Pick: North makes it 34 straight (Marysville)

Hilliard Darby Panthers (6-2, 3-2) at Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-5)
Pick: Westland gets swept by the City of Hilliard (Hilliard Darby)

Central Crossing Comets (0-8, 0-5) at Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-6, 1-4)
Pick: Thomas Worthington


SPORTS CORNER TOP 10 (plus 5) for Week 9:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (7-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (8-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (8-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (8-0)
5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
6) Johnstown Johnnies (8-0)
7) Eastmoor Academy Warriors (7-1)
8] Westerville Central Warhawks (7-1)
9) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (7-1)
10) Logan Elm Braves (8-0)
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11) Marion Pleasant Trojans (8-0)
12) Granville Blue Aces (7-1)
13) Beechcroft Cougars (7-1)
14) West Jefferson Roughriders (7-1)
T-15) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-1)
T-15) Pickerington North Panthers (6-2)
17) Pickerington Central Tigers (5-2)
18] Liberty Union Lions (7-1)
19) New Albany Eagles (6-2)
20) North Union Wildcats (6-2)
21) Brookhaven Bearcats (6-2)
22) Mifflin Punchers (7-1)
23) Reynoldsburg Raiders (6-2)
24) Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-2)
25) Olentangy Orange Pioneers (6-2)


PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Who Is In?: Only Marion-Franklin (8-0) at this point, according to Joe Eitel (http://www.joeeitel.com) has clinched from all the Central Ohio schools
Who's Basically Done Based on Schedule: Watterson (3-5), DeSales (4-3), Olentangy (4-4), Marysville (4-4), Reynoldsburg (6-2), Hilliard Darby (6-2), West (5-3), Independence (5-3), Bexley (5-3), Liberty Union (7-1), Upper Arlington (7-1), the Brookhaven (6-2)/Beechcroft (7-1) loser, Mifflin (7-1), and due to sanctions- Harvest Prep (5-3)
Who Can Clinch This Week With A Win: Westerville Central (7-1), Hartley (7-0), Hilliard Davidson (7-0), Eastmoor Academy (7-1)
Who Will Eventually Get In: New Albany (6-2), Pickerington North (6-2), Pickerington Central (5-2), Grandview Heights (8-0), West Jefferson (7-1), Dublin Coffman (7-1), Eastmoor Academy (7-1), Hilliard Davidson (7-0), Westerville Central (7-1), Hartley (7-0), Gahanna Lincoln (6-2), Johnstown (8-0), Olentangy Orange (6-2)