DIVISION 3 IS BRUTAL!

[93Bulldog]

Toledo Central Catholic was the DIVISION II champ last year ... they fell to D3
Trotwood Madison lost to Toledo in the D2 championship game ... they fell to D3
ASVSM was the D3 champ last year ... they stayed at D3
Tri-Valley was ranked in the AP top 5 in D2 last year ... they fell to D3

OTHER D2's that fell ... Big Walnut, Western Brown, Marion Franklin, Mifflin, Brookhaven, Louisville, Chardon ...

and Springfield Shawnee, Columbus DeSales, Granville and Thurgood Marshall stayed at D3.

OUCH!

Athens, who stayed at D3 as well will have a tough road ahead if they make it to the playoffs this year (or next).

[93Bulldog]

basically a lot of top teams in Division 2 dropped to Division 3.
Most of the top teams in Division 3 stayed at 3.

It's going to be a major logjam come playoff time ...

[Steely Dan]

Yea, let's see how the tough TVC schedule prepares Athens for the brutality that they will face in the postseason, since obviously, size doesn't matter, until you play schools your own size.

[bman]

The region that Athens and LE are in have five Division III playoff schools from last year, including regional champ Dover, regional runner-up Athens and regional runner-up West Holmes. Then add eight D2 schools, including regional semifinalist Tri-Valley, regional runner-up Marion-Franklin and playoff teams Beechcroft and New Philly. Also in there are DeSales, Brookhaven, Big Walnut.

[ironman02]

The region that Athens and LE are in have five Division III playoff schools from last year, including regional champ Dover, regional runner-up Athens and regional runner-up West Holmes. Then add eight D2 schools, including regional semifinalist Tri-Valley, regional runner-up Marion-Franklin and playoff teams Beechcroft and New Philly. Also in there are DeSales, Brookhaven, Big Walnut.

Absolutely stacked region. That's crazy!

[93Bulldog]

Yea, let's see how the tough TVC schedule prepares Athens for the brutality that they will face in the postseason, since obviously, size doesn't matter, until you play schools your own size.

yea, Athens played the same size schools last year and made it to the Elite 8.

what's your point?

[ironman02]

Division III, Region 12 - 27 Teams - 25 of those teams have made the playoffs in the past. Only Buckeye Valley and Centennial have not made playoff appearances.

Just last season, the following schools were in the playoffs: Athens, Beechcroft, Dover, Granville, Logan Elm, Marion-Franklin, New Philadelphia, West Holmes, and Tri-Valley. Some that were not in the playoffs are still traditionally playoff teams in more years than not.

Here's a breakdown of the playoff history for each team. Many recent qualifiers, several perennial powerhouses, and some past state champions.

Cambridge (3) - 2006, 2005, 2004
Carrollton (2) - 2004, 2000
Chillicothe (5) - 2008, 2006, 1999, 1987, 1986
Circleville Logan Elm (7) - 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2000
Columbus Beechcroft (15) - 2012, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000,1999, 1997, 1995, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1982
Columbus Brookhaven (14) - 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004 (1st), 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1992, 1991, 1990
Columbus Centennial (0)
Columbus Eastmoor Academy (9) - 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 (2nd), 2006, 2004,1993, 1984, 1981
Columbus Independence (6) - 2008, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1994
Columbus Marion-Franklin (9) - 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006,2005, 2004
Columbus Mifflin (4) - 2002, 1998, 1987, 1986
Columbus St. Francis DeSales (22) - 2011, 2010, 2009 (2nd), 2008, 2007, 2006,2005 (2nd), 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 (2nd), 2000, 1999, 1998 (1st),1997 (1st), 1996 (2nd), 1995, 1994, 1991, 1990 (2nd), 1987, 1985 (1st)
Deleware Buckeye Valley (0)
Dover (16) - 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1989, 1987, 1980
Dresden Tri-Valley (6) - 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006
Granville (5) - 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2003
Hebron Lakewood (1) – 2001
Jackson (9) - 2011, 2010, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996
Marietta (1) - 2002
McArthur Vinton County (2) - 2004, 1993
Millersburg West Holmes (5) - 2012, 2000, 1999, 1993, 1992
New Philadelphia (6) - 2012, 2011, 2008, 2005, 2004, 1974
Thornville Sheridan (16) - 2011, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1987 (2nd), 1986, 1985
Sunbury Big Walnut (8) - 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007 (1st), 2006, 2003, 2001, 2000
The Plains Athens (3) - 2012, 2011, 1990
Washington Court House Washington (5) - 2010, 2007, 2001, 1983, 1981 (2nd)
Whitehall-Yearling (4) - 2003, 1985, 1984 (2nd), 1981

[Steely Dan]

Yea, let's see how the tough TVC schedule prepares Athens for the brutality that they will face in the postseason, since obviously, size doesn't matter, until you play schools your own size.

yea, Athens played the same size schools last year and made it to the Elite 8.

what's your point?

Your feeble attempt to be coy with me is not even funny. If my point is not glaringly obvious, that simply illustrates how disingenuous you are regarding your home team and reality.

So, now, I get to play CAPTAIN OBVIOUS, and here's my point. THIS YEAR AIN'T LAST YEAR. There probably isn't going to be any "Elite 8" return for Athens. With the quality of the playing field more accurately reflecting what should be what DIII competition truly is (which is the point of you exclaiming that DIII is brutal, BTW), versus last year's competition, a repeat of last year isn't going to happen. The regular season schedule will not help you if you make it to the post season, and have to play quality opponents (again, which you have labeled as BRUTAL), with the same size pool of players (as yours) to field a team. Get it?!?!?

[bman]

LE has seven playoff appearances, also in 2011. OHSAA has wrong info there.

[93Bulldog]

and have to play quality opponents (again, which you have labeled as BRUTAL), with the same size pool of players (as yours) to field a team. Get it?!?!?

Nope, still don't see your point ... we play the same schedule as last year, we played the teams with "the same size pool of players" last year ... the region is "brutal" because it includes Columbus teams, last season did not ... yes, there are a few teams that dropped from D2 to D3 ... but we also no longer are in the same region as Thurgood Marshall, Kettering Alter, Archbishop McNicholas ... and had Athens dropped to DIV like Gallia Academy, they would have been in the same region as CLINTON-MASSIE (STATE CHAMP), Norwood (10-2), Batavia (11-1), Kettering Alter (8-2-1), Gallia Academy (9-3), Archbishop McNicholas (7-4), Bishop Fenwick (8-3), Minford (8-3), Circleville (6-5), Urbana (9-2) ... a TOTAL OF 10 PLAYOFF TEAMS and a STATE CHAMP ... not to mention Jonathan Alder, Dayton Dunbar, Carlisle (8-2) are also in the DIV, Region 15 division.

Athens is fine where its at ... nobody thought playing Gallia Academy, Jackson, Watkins Memorial, Warren, Waverly and Nelsonville-York would prepare them for the playoffs and they won two playoff games, beat the state runner-up from the previous year and went all the way to the Elite 8 ... the only difference this year is Athens will play Fairland (5-5) as opposed to Waverly.

everyone keeps saying Athens "won't be prepared for tournaments because they play in the TVC" ... but they have been to the elite 8 in football - and went to the sweet 16 in basketball before losing in OT to Warren, who made it to the final 4.

and I hate to burst anyone's bubbles - but that was with a group of sophomores ... they are only getting bigger, stronger, faster, better and more experienced with each passing season, games, tournament wins.

[93Bulldog]

the original statement about D3 being brutal had to do with certain teams dropping - combined with teams that didn't ...

when you have the top two teams in Division 2 (Toledo Central Catholic and Trotwood Madison) dropping to D3 ... then two of the top teams in D3 (ASVSM and Thurgood Marshall) staying put - it creates quite a logjam at the top ... 3 state final teams (two champions) ending up in one division is highly abnormal.

hence - the brutal division statement.

[Bighitsinc]

Yea, let's see how the tough TVC schedule prepares Athens for the brutality that they will face in the postseason, since obviously, size doesn't matter, until you play schools your own size.

Size is a non issue until....................
NEWSFLASH.............
Big fish flops in big pond

[moonshine]

the original statement about D3 being brutal had to do with certain teams dropping - combined with teams that didn't ...

when you have the top two teams in Division 2 (Toledo Central Catholic and Trotwood Madison) dropping to D3 ... then two of the top teams in D3 (ASVSM and Thurgood Marshall) staying put - it creates quite a logjam at the top ... 3 state final teams (two champions) ending up in one division is highly abnormal.

hence - the brutal division statement.

Now you know how it feels (when Logan was D-1) by the way I have some wine and cheese to go with your puppy food!

[93Bulldog]

Nobody is whining moonshine ... Athens was a D3 team last year competing against D3 teams in the playoffs.
Athens is a D3 team this year competing against D3 teams if they happen to make the playoffs.

same size fish, same size pond BIGHITSINC.

Just like EVERY team in the state, they just have new/different opponents in the region ... the D3, Region 12 traded the likes of Thurgood Marshall and Kettering Alter for some Columbus teams like Marion Franklin and Columbus DeSales ... And is that so bad? Thurgood beat Eastmor Academy (who is in the new D3 region) 42-13 last year ... Thurgood crushed Jonathan Alder 52-14 last year ... depending on who you ask, trading the Cincinnati/Dayton/Springfield power houses like Kettering Alter, Thurgood and Shawnee for central Ohio teams is actually a good thing ... but like I said, that depends on who you ask.

[93Bulldog]

Now you know how it feels (when Logan was D-1)

Athens has gone back and forth between D2 and D3 for the last 25 years - they have been D2 more so than D3 ... its nothing new, I know exactly how it feels, moonshine.

[noreply66]

Haven't gone over the regions yet.... but was wondering if so many schools are moving down will Athens be able to make the top eight for the playoffs? Seems like there might be a few that work their way in above the Dogs. The more Southeastern teams in the happier I am.

[indianabuck]

Haven't gone over the regions yet.... but was wondering if so many schools are moving down will Athens be able to make the top eight for the playoffs? Seems like there might be a few that work their way in above the Dogs. The more Southeastern teams in the happier I am.

I think that is a more fair question to ask. Athens can most certenly go 9-1 or 10-0, but in their region, is that going to be enough. Gallia, Jackson and Watkins can't always be relied on for a ton of wins. Also remember Nelsonville-York is D6 now, not D5. That is going to be less points for Athens too. I feel they can compete in the region, but my question is, can they get there?

[93Bulldog]

In 2009 Athens was D2, in a region that looks a lot like this one. and did not make the playoffs with a 9-1 record.

* That schedule wasn't nearly as good/tough as this years though ... Jackson, Watkins Memorial, Warren, Fairland ... instead of Federal Hocking, Bloom-Carroll, Belpre & Wahama.

Athens finished 12th in the region with that schedule in 2009.

[NYF]

Athens will be just fine. Another year older another year running this system. They do have some holes to fill up front. But I see the dogs winning more playoff games. Good group of kids !

[Spartan]

Too bad some of your hometown teams aren't even good enough to talk about. You should just worry about going .500 and dreaming of the playoffs.