Central Ohio High School Football: Week 8

Preview & Predictions Coming Later

Big Game of the Week ("Thing Two" at "Thing One"):
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0, 4-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0, 4-0)
This is a battle between two neighboring northwest Columbus suburbs. 20 years ago, this match would have been just "Dublin vs. Hilliard", as it was years and years ago. Once again this year, both teams enter this race with a perfect record. However, the loser of this game will need to step up their game in the final two weeks to make it, and both of these schools still have to match up against Upper Arlington in those weeks. This is why Sports Corner dubbed this match "Thing One" vs. "Thing Two", because these two are a one-two punch in the OCC Central Division.
Pick: Hilliard Davidson

Rivalry Game of the Week:
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-4, 0-0) at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3, 1-0)
This is the "Holy War" of rivalries. For the last 50 years, these two North side Catholic schools have battled it out on the field. Tomorrow night, the loser of this game will see their season end in two weeks after a disappointing season. Both teams need this win desperately. The Stallions have the edge, not just because of the home field advantage, but because Watterson's not the same team that went 13-1 and won the State Title up in Massillon last December (due to graduation).
Pick: DeSales

Upset Game of the Week:
Westerville North Warriors (0-7, 0-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (4-3, 3-1)
The last time the Warriors won a game was in the city of Westerville (against Central in 2008). Since then, it's been 32 consecutive Friday nights of agonizing defeat. It is possible that the Warriors losing streak will end in Westerville, where it began, as the Warriors could pull off an upset against a South team that has already lost to struggling teams in Grove City and Dublin Jerome already. Plus, this game has been a rivalry for the last 35 years, so an upset is bound to happen, don't you think?
Pick: Westerville North (in an upset)

Bonus Game:
Bexley Girls Soccer vs. Bishop Hartley Girls Soccer
Sports Corner doesn't do anything outside of H.S. football, due to time constraints, but on Saturday, Sports Corner cites this game because of the off-the-field controversy and the rivalry between the two. In the spring, former Bexley (and now Hartley) girls soccer coach Scott Dempsey's contract was not renewed by the Bexley School District, and so therefore he headed down the street to Hartley. Dempsey's daughter is a senior on the Bexley girls team, which won a State Title two years ago, so this game will be a family affair as well.

OTHER RIVALRY GAMES THIS WEEK:
Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4, 3-1) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1, 4-0)
The Scots have been in all of their City League games, upsetting West last week, and coming up short against Marion-Franklin the week before. Tomorrow, they head to Eastmoor Academy to play the Warriors in a game with big implications in the City League South, and for the Warriors, a win could clinch them a playoff spot (they are ranked # 1 in Region 10 in Division III).
Pick: Eastmoor Academy

New Albany Eagles (5-2, 3-1) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1, 4-0)
This is a MUST-win for New Albany in this "Battle of the Eagles", as a win over Big Walnut boosts their chances of playing in November after last season's disappointing exit from the playoffs. There is a 100 percent chance that the Eagles win this game, but which Eagles?
Pick: Big Walnut

Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2, 2-2)- The Mike LoParo Bowl
Last year at this game, Bradley coach Mike LoParo was the head coach on the opposite side of the field for Delaware Hayes, where he was the head coach for three seasons. Tomorrow night, LoParo is reunited with his former Pacers, on the opposite side of the field, as the Jaguars head coach.
Pick: Hilliard Bradley

Marysville Monarchs (4-3, 2-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-5, 2-2)
This will be an interesting OCC Union County rivalry, and probably the last meeting for a while, because of re-alignment in the OCC (Jerome will remain in the Cardinal Division, while Marysville's season next year will get brutal against the three-headed monster- Dublin Coffman, Hilliard Davidson, and Upper Arlington- in the OCC Central).
Pick: Marysville

OTHER BIG GAMES THIS WEEK:
Canal Winchester Indians (5-2, 3-1) at Logan Elm Braves (7-0, 4-0)
This could have been the Upset pick of the week, and could possibly still be an upset. However, the Braves are in a very competitive computer region (12).
Pick: Canal Winchester

Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0, 4-0) at West Cowboys (5-2, 2-2)
An upset loss to Walnut Ridge officially proved that the Cowboys were playoff pretenders, and not playoff contenders. Region 7 is very competitive, and the Cowboys missed the lasso. The Red Devils will lasso the Cowboys out of the playoff hunt and the City League South race with a win at Magley Field.
Pick: Marion-Franklin

Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-4, 1-3) at Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Reynoldsburg

Westland Cougars (1-7, 0-4) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1, 4-0)
Why is this game even being cited? Both of these schools were on opposite ends of blowout shutouts last week (Westland losing 55-0 at Thomas Worthington; UA romped Central Crossing 76-0, outscoring the Comets 160-6 in their last 2 meetings now). This will be an easy win for the Bears, and they'll need it, because with Thing One (Hilliard Davidson) next week and Thing Two (Dublin Coffman) the week after, that loss to Tri-Valley might come back to haunt UA on Oct. 30.
Pick: Upper Arlington

Westerville Central (6-1, 3-1) at Olentangy Braves (4-3, 2-2)
Another Upset Pick of the Week? The Braves are hungry for the playoffs (ranked 11th in Region 3 this week), and would like a big upset over Central (tied with Dublin Coffman for 2nd in Region 3 this week) to make a statement.
Pick: Olentangy

Danville Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2) at Johnstown Johnnies (7-0, 4-0)
Pick: Johnstown

Licking Valley Panthers (4-3, 3-1) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Licking Valley

Ironton Tigers (4-3) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-0)
Could this be upset week? The Tigers beat the Hawks down in the Deep South of Ohio last season, before Hawks got their revenge in the playoffs en route to a State Title. Can the Tigers give the Hawks their first loss of the season, or will the Hawks stay perfect before a date with Coshocton next week?
Pick: Ironton

Grove City Greyhounds (3-4, 2-2) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (5-2, 3-1)
Pick: Gahanna

Harvest Prep Warriors (5-2, 2-2) at Liberty Union Lions (6-1, 4-0)
Before the OHSAA came down on Harvest Prep like a hammer last Wednesday, this game had playoff implications all around. But now, only Liberty Union has playoff implications in this game, and could use a win before big dates with Grandview and West Jeff to close out the season, and this will be a much needed win for the Lions.
Pick: Liberty Union

Portsmouth Sciotoville Tartans at Grove City Christian Eagles (both 4-3)
Sciotoville needs a win to keep afloat in the Division VI playoff race, as does Grove City Christian.
Pick: Sciotoville

Northland Vikings (3-4, 3-1) at Mifflin Punchers (6-1, 3-1)
Another upset pick? Well, after Beechcroft bossed Mifflin around, Northland (who made the playoffs for the first time last year) may get its shot to win at Mifflin this week.
Pick: Northland

Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (5-2, 3-0) at Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-3, 3-0)
Pick: Clinton-Massie

ALL CENTRAL OHIO GAMES:
(South Central Ohio League)
Hillsboro Indians at London Red Raiders (both 1-6, 1-2)
Clarksville Clinton-Massie Falcons (5-2, 4-0) at Washington Court House Blue Lions (4-3, 3-0)
Miami Trace Panthers (3-4, 1-2) at Greenfield McClain Tigers (1-5, 0-4)

(Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference)
Marion Pleasant Trojans (7-0, 6-0) at River Valley Vikings (5-2, 5-1)
Marion Elgin Comets (2-5, 1-5) at Galion Northmor Golden Knights (1-6, 1-5)
Morral Ridgedale Rockets (0-7, 0-6) at Sparta Highland Fighting Scots (1-6, 1-5)
Mount Gilead Indians (4-3, 4-2) at Buckeye Valley Barons (4-3, 3-3)
Cardington-Lincoln Pirates (4-3, 4-2) at North Union Wildcats (6-1, 5-1)

(OCC Capital)
Delaware Hayes Pacers (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2, 2-2)
Watkins Memorial Warriors (3-4, 1-3) at Mount Vernon Yellowjackets (2-5, 2-2)
New Albany Eagles (5-2, 3-1) at Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1, 4-0)
Olentangy Orange Pioneers (5-2, 3-1) at Franklin Heights Golden Falcons (1-6, 0-4)

(OCC Cardinal)
Westerville North Warriors (0-7, 0-4) at Westerville South Wildcats (4-3, 3-1)
Westerville Central Warhawks (6-1, 3-1) at Olentangy Braves (4-3, 3-1)
Dublin Scioto Irish (2-5, 2-2) at Olentangy Liberty Patriots (3-4, 2-2)
Marysville Monarchs (4-3, 2-2) at Dublin Jerome Celtics (2-5, 2-2)

(OCC Central)
Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0, 4-0) at Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0, 4-0)
Westland Cougars (1-6, 0-3) at Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1, 4-0)
Thomas Worthington Cardinals (2-5, 1-3) at Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-2, 2-2)
Worthington Kilbourne Wolves (2-5, 1-3) at Central Crossing Comets (0-7, 0-4)

(OCC Ohio)
Grove City Greyhounds (3-4, 2-2) at Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions (5-2, 3-1)
Newark Wildcats (0-7, 0-4) at Pickerington Central Tigers (4-2, 4-0)
Lancaster Golden Gales (3-4, 1-3) at Pickerington North Panthers (5-2, 2-2)
Groveport Madison Cruisers (3-4, 1-3) at Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2, 3-1)

(Central Catholic League)
Bishop Watterson Golden Eagles (3-4, 0-0) at St. Francis DeSales Stallions (3-3, 1-0)

(City League South)
Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4, 3-1) at Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1, 4-0)
Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0, 4-0) at West Cowboys (5-2, 2-2)
Briggs Bruins (3-4, 1-3) at South Bulldogs (0-7, 0-4)
Africentric Early College Nubians (1-6, 0-4) at Independence 76ers (4-3, 2-2)

(City League North)
Beechcroft Cougars (6-1, 4-0) at East Tigers (1-6, 0-4)
Northland Vikings (3-4, 3-1) at Mifflin Punchers (6-1, 3-1)
Centennial Stars (1-6, 0-3) at Brookhaven Bearcats (5-2, 4-0)
Whetstone Braves at Linden McKinley Panthers (both 1-6, 1-3)

(Mid State League Buckeye)
Canal Winchester Indians (5-2, 3-1) at Logan Elm Braves (7-0, 4-0)
Teays Valley Vikings at Hamilton Township Rangers (both 3-4, 1-3)
Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-2, 3-1) at Fairfield Union Falcons (0-7, 0-4)
Circleville Tigers (2-5, 2-2) at Bloom-Carroll Bruins (1-6, 1-3)

(Mid State League Cardinal)
Fisher Catholic Irish (1-6, 1-3) at Grandview Heights Bobcats (7-0, 4-0)
Harvest Prep Warriors (5-2, 2-2) at Liberty Union Lions (6-1, 4-0)
Berne Union Rockets (1-6, 1-3) at Millersport Lakers (0-7, 0-4)
Licking Heights Hornets (3-4, 2-2) at West Jefferson Roughriders (6-1, 3-1)

(Mid State League Ohio)
Bexley Lions (4-3, 1-3) at Heath Bulldogs (2-5, 1-3)
Granville Blue Aces (6-1, 4-0) at Hebron Lakewood Lancers (1-6, 0-3)
Whitehall Yearling Rams (4-3, 2-2) at Newark Catholic Green Wave (3-4, 2-2)
Licking Valley Panthers (4-3, 3-1) at Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2, 3-1)

(Mid Buckeye Conference)
Danville Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2) at Johnstown Blue Devils (7-0, 4-0)
Utica Redskins (1-6, 0-4) at Fredericktown Freddies (4-3, 3-1)
East Knox Bulldogs (1-6, 1-3) at Loudonville Redbirds (2-5, 2-2)
Centerburg Trojans (5-2, 2-2) at Northridge Vikings (3-4, 0-4)

(Non-League Matches)
Ironton Tigers (4-3) at Bishop Hartley Hawks (6-0)
St. Charles Cardinals (2-5) at Jackson Ironmen (7-0)
Portsmouth Sciotoville Tartans at Grove City Christian Eagles (both 4-3)
Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-0) at Logan Chieftains (1-6)
Marion Harding Presidents (3-4) at Grafton Midview Middies (6-1)
Greenville Green Wave (2-5) at Fairbanks Panthers (4-3)
Dayton Meadowdale Lions (4-3) at Madison Plains Golden Eagles (2-5)
Dayton Ponitz Career Tech Golden Panthers (1-5) at Columbus Crusaders (2-5)- at Thomas Worthington H.S.
Westfall Mustangs (5-2) at Chillicothe Zane Trace Pioneers (3-4)
Bishop Ready Silver Knights (3-4) at Montpelier Locomotives (0-7)


Top 10 (plus 15) for Week 8:
1) Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (6-0)
2) Marion-Franklin Red Devils (7-0)
3) Jonathan Alder Pioneers (7-0)
4) Grandview Heights Bobcats (7-0)
T-5) Dublin Coffman Shamrocks (7-0)
T-5) Bishop Hartley Hawks (7-0)
7) Johnstown Johnnies (7-0)
8] Eastmoor Academy Warriors (6-1)
9) Westerville Central Warhawks (6-1)
10) Upper Arlington Golden Bears (6-1)
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11) Logan Elm Braves (7-0)
12) Marion Pleasant Trojans (7-0)
13) Granville Blue Aces (6-1)
14) Beechcroft Cougars (6-1)
15) West Jefferson Roughriders (6-1)
16) Big Walnut Golden Eagles (6-1)
17) Pickerington Central Tigers (4-2)
18] Pickerington North Panthers (5-2)
19) Liberty Union Lions (6-1)
20) New Albany Eagles (5-2)
21) North Union Wildcats (6-1)
22) Brookhaven Bearcats (5-2)
23) Mifflin Punchers (6-1)
24) Reynoldsburg Raiders (5-2)
25) Columbus Academy Vikings (5-2)
Dropped Out: West (5-2, previously # 22), Hilliard Darby (5-2, previously # 19)
Honorable Mention: West Cowboys (5-2), Hilliard Darby Panthers (5-2), Westfall Mustangs (5-2), Centerburg Trojans (5-2), Canal Winchester Indians (5-2), Amanda-Clearcreek Aces (5-2), Olentangy Braves (4-3), Marysville Monarchs (4-3), Independence 76ers (4-3), Westerville South Wildcats (4-3), Whitehall-Yearling Rams (4-3), Walnut Ridge Scots (3-4), Hilliard Bradley Jaguars (5-2), Olentangy Orange Pioneers (5-2), River Valley Vikings (5-2), Buckeye Valley Barons (4-3)
+ 15 Busters for Week 8: Hilliard Darby, Olentangy, Walnut Ridge, Olentangy Orange, River Valley, Hilliard Bradley, Canal Winchester, Amanda-Clearcreek
Top 10 Busters for Week 8: Logan Elm, Pleasant, Big Walnut, Beechcroft