Region 9

[doubleplay643]

Starting to get a little clearer picture of at least the top 1-5 in Region 9 and some interesting match-ups are starting to take shape.

I know it is hypothetical and effort in futility now until all the games are played through Week 10, but if projected Harbin points pan out we should get something like this:

1. Athens
2. Marion Franklin
3. Dover
4. Logan Elm
5. Chillicothe
6. Brookhaven
7. Tri Valley
8. New Philly or Granville or DeSales

With the last 3-4 being in any order really, or a chance for West Holmes or Sheridan just depending.

The Logan Elm and Chilly match-up should be good as clearly Hinton and staff have a familiarity with the LE area, and given the proximity the gate should be big.

How does or will Athens match-up against any of the 6-8 teams depending on final 8 seed ranking? Because as Paladin would remind us they have played an awfully weak SEOAL and TVC schedule...will that hurt them or do they roll into Week 12?

[93Bulldog]

I don't think they "roll into week 12" ... too many good teams in the region ... an Athens vs Granville or Athens vs Tri-Valley in week 11 would be incredibly exciting as all three teams light up the scoreboard.

[doubleplay643]

Yep, everyone here in SE Ohio rooting for a strong Athens showing has got to wonder how do you prepare for that level of play when you have not unfortunately seen it from us or anyone else really. How do you coach that, or prepare for that...I assume it is a good problem to have, but has to be a little concerning to not know how the Bulldogs will react when someone goes up and down the field on them and/or heaven forbid stop them from scoring on a couple straight possessions.

I doubt there have been too many occasions this year when Athens has had to punt back-to-back...but nonetheless, looking forward to traveling up to The Plains to see Week 11 and get me a Big Mama's burrito or some Kisers BBQ lol.

[93Bulldog]

but has to be a little concerning to not know how the Bulldogs will react when someone goes up and down the field on them and/or heaven forbid stop them from scoring on a couple straight possessions.

Last year doubleplay643, Athens went 7 weeks (after the win over Jackson) without ever being tested, including the week 11 game vs Circleville. They got into the Shawnee game, went down early, saw the Braves drive up and down the field on them - and although they trailed late in the 4th quarter - were still able to pull out the win.

These kids have been in big games, not only on the gridiron but the basketball court as well. They are true competitors and won't have any problem adjusting week 11. Heck, they will get tested this week by Meigs!

[93Bulldog]

Athens 42, Warren 6
Meigs 43, Warren 18

Athens 48, Vinton County 12
Meigs 46, Vinton County 20

Athens held Wellston to 6 points.
Meigs held Wellston to 7 points.

Athens allowed Fairland to score 46.
Meigs held Fairland to 33 points.

Anyone who doesn't think Meigs will challenge Athens has probably never seen the Marauders. I have been down in Rock Springs two of the last three Friday's and have seen them play Vinton and NY ... they can, and will, challenge and push the 'Dogs.

[EasternDspy]

New Philly is really good they played Zanesville tough.

[doubleplay643]

The Meigs contest this week will be a good game I agree, couple of us were talking about it last night after the Jackson/Portsmouth game, and it is funny some of the same analogies to whom they have played and the scoring was brought up.

I still give Athens the edge by a couple scores, but out of all the games Athens has played the one game that has caught me as peculiar is the Fairland game, and the points allowed. That for some reason should be a little worrisome although I don't know the particulars of how the last quarter panned out (maybe Fairland second team scored 2-3 times on Athens second team I just don't know)...but it shows Athens is not invincible, and put them in a dog fight with the Marauders and throw in a couple turnovers or couple fluke plays, and well....you just never know.

[doubleplay643]

New Philly is really good they played Zanesville tough.

If New Philly played Zanesville tough, that is saying something. Zanesville is a good program this year and has a chance to make a run in D2 in week 11 and 12.

The #1 seed would not want New Philly in game one in Week 11 if that is the case.

[doubleplay643]

Standings as of pre-game #9:

1. Marion Franklin
2. Athens
3. Brookhaven
4. Logan Elm
5. Chillicothe
6. Dover
7. New Philly
8. Tri Valley

I Know - I Know, 2 more games of football left and this doesn't mean anything yet. But...some interesting games coming up that will shape out the top 8. In particular in game #10 New Philly and Dover go head to head, and I am no mathematician but a loss by one of them in that game could send them out of the playoffs with Granville, West Holmes and DeSales outside looking in right now. If Athens stays at #2, I think they would prefer to have at #7 someone other than a New Philly or Dover. A win by Dover or New Philly should jump them up a spot or two (lots of secondary points to be had), and a loss may send the other one out or to #8. Leaving Chillicothe at #7 which for Athens would be better I think.

Way to many coulda-shoulda-woulda scenarios to worry about with two more games but I do enjoy looking at the future match-up possibilities nonetheless.

[doubleplay643]

All but 12 teams have been mathematically eliminated and the order going into week 10 looks like this:

1. Marion Franklin
2. Athens
3. Chillicothe
4. Brookhaven
5. Logan Elm
6. New Philly
7. Dover
8. Tri Valley

DeSales looking in and this week New Philly and Dover play and Tri Valley faces a 8-1 Philo team. So my guess is DeSales will enter top 8 somewhere like #7 or #8 seed.

The winner of New Philly and Dover in their week 10 game grab big points and will move up to #4 or #5 perhaps.

Very interesting 1 vs 8 and 2 vs 7 coming up for Week 11

[93Bulldog]

It is crazy ... we won't know anything until late Saturday (DeSales plays at 1:00 Saturday afternoon)

so many different scenarios right now it could give you a headache just thinking about it.

[TigerBacker#1]

Playing Desales could cause a lot of headaches for the dawgs . Tough way to start your journey.

[ironman02]

It is crazy ... we won't know anything until late Saturday (DeSales plays at 1:00 Saturday afternoon)

so many different scenarios right now it could give you a headache just thinking about it.

Don't be lazy, bulldog. I want a breakdown of ALL the scenarios by tomorrow!!

My team is out of contention, so I'm not doing any math. I'm relying on you!

[ironman02]

For what it's worth, here is Drew Pasteur's projection for Region 9.

Region 9 Projections
1) Athens (The Plains) (10-0) 27.30
2) Marion-Franklin (Columbus) (9-1) 26.75
3) Dover (8-2) 23.21
4) Brookhaven (Columbus) (8-2) 22.73
5) Logan Elm (Circleville) (8-2) 21.90
6) Tri-Valley (Dresden) (8-2) 21.60
7) Chillicothe (9-1) 21.52
8 ) St Francis De Sales (Columbus) (6-3) 18.44

Looks like he has Dover beating New Philly and knocking them out, Chillicothe dropping down to 7 because the teams behind them have better opponents this week. I don't think Athens wants the #1 seed in this scenario. If I was them, I'd much rather take my chances with someone other than DeSales. I think this is a DeSales team they could potentially beat though.

[Paladin]

If you are going to look at Pasteur, check out the rankings for relative strength. In D-III, Top 15, only Marion-Franklin at #4 abd Dover at # 13 make the Top 15 statewide in D-III. But if you look at the Region break down, Athens is ranked 6th in the region (123.0) behind Marion-Frank., Dover, Tri-Valley, New Philly and DeSales. Several others are behind Athens but VERY close to them. The SE Region is the weakest in the state once again and Athens only ranks 6th there.

Very telling. I don't expect Athens to last very long.

BTW, his rankings and picks are very good. Whats missing is he doesn't factor in when key players are lost or a team has lots of injuries. He completely missed Logan because of this.

[93Bulldog]

Very telling. I don't expect Athens to last very long.

You said this last year.

look forward to proving you wrong again.

I02... on jjhuddle NORTH forum - they have a complete breakdown for region 9 ... 20 or so different scenarios.

[Paladin]

They didn't get out of the region, the weakest in the state last year. They won't get out of the region this year either and the region is again the weakest in the state. Live with it. They are living off smaller schools and weenie programs. Just a fact.

[danicalifornia]

Why does anyone bother replying?

[93Bulldog]

They didn't get out of the region, the weakest in the state last year. They won't get out of the region this year either and the region is again the weakest in the state. Live with it. They are living off smaller schools and weenie programs. Just a fact.

As I posted earlier ... jjhuddle has a NORTH forum ... go over their and hang out and post since you love that part of the state so much.

[ironman02]

I02... on jjhuddle NORTH forum - they have a complete breakdown for region 9 ... 20 or so different scenarios.

JJHuddle? What's that?