Sometimes, things just don’t make any sense. In Ohio, six of the top 10 Division I teams lost last weekend. The Division II-III and Division IV-VII polls saw 19 of their 20 ranked schools come away with victories.
In Kentucky, there was very little that upset the apple cart. This is the last week for district games and rivalries that could make a difference in playoff seeding. Contests are going to be closely contested in Week 9 across the river.
There are only two weeks left to make a lasting impression. Seniors know the end is nearing. It is time to find out who is going to step up and make their dreams come true.
Here’s a look at how things are shaping up in this week’s update:
RANKINGS – OHIO DI
What a strange weekend it was in Division I football. The teams that were ranked No. 3 through No. 8 coming into the week all lost. Outside of Colerain and Wayne, the old adage, “it’s not who you play, it’s when you play them” seems to be appropriate for the muddled group behind the top two.
Separating from the pack has been a difficult task with all of the squads knocking off each other.
Moeller is in a fight for its playoff life. The Crusaders get one last audition hosting St. Edward on Saturday. Just one victory in GCL South play would have made life easier for Big Moe down the stretch.
Colerain remains unblemished in GMC play. There are five teams behind them sitting at 3-2 in the conference. Mason and Fairfield are the only two GMC members in the top 10 with the Cardinals.
A big matchup in the GWOC National East will see up-and-coming Springfield go up against Wayne. Springfield is 5-2 in games decided by eight points or less this season. Wayne has won its last six games by an average margin of 38.8 points.
RANKINGS – OHIO DII-DIII
The top seven teams all won last weekend and retained their spots in the rankings. Nine of the top 10 schools came away victorious in Week 8.
Princeton dropped its second in a row and falls two places. The Vikings can’t catch a break in the GMC schedule as they are on the road at Division I No. 6 Mason.
Mount Healthy is in the middle of a trio of games that has the Owls being tested and defending their four consecutive SWOC titles. They are at Harrison this Friday night, and the Wildcats are in a “must win” situation to stay in the playoff picture. After that it is off to Edgewood for the Owls.
Kings can’t rest on its laurels. The Knights will welcome in a red-hot Loveland team that has won four of its last five. The Knights can sew up a playoff spot with a victory.
RANKINGS – OHIO DIV-DVII
It is beginning to sound like a broken record as our small-school poll remains unchanged for a fourth consecutive week. All of the top 10 schools posted victories for a third week in a row. All that may change this weekend. Clashes between ranked teams highlight the Week 9 action.
The scoreboard operator will get a workout as Taft and Dunbar play for the SOPL American Division title. Taft has scored 48, 47, 51 and 48 points during its current four-game winning streak. Dunbar has scored 50 points or more four times in the last seven games.
Clinton-Massie eked out a 14-13 win at Chillicothe last Friday. The Falcons' road doesn’t get any easier: They will meet up with once-beaten Wilmington, who is hungry for a signature win.
The combined record of the top 10 is an impressive 74-6. All but two of those defeats have been against other teams that are ranked in this poll. Clinton-Massie lost to Division II No.2 Turpin, who hasn’t lost and Dunbar fell to Division II No. 10 Princeton.
RANKINGS – NKY
The moment has finally come. Our top two teams and only unbeaten squads in the NKY Team Rankings will face off Friday night as Simon Kenton travels to Ryle. It promises to be a wild, high-scoring affair. One thing is for sure: It is a contest that will not only live up to expectations, but should surpass them.
Other games pitting ranked teams will see Conner at Cooper and a Saturday matinee with CovCath hosting Dixie Heights. There should be movement in the polls by this time next week.
NewCath finds itself back in the polls replacing Campbell County. The Thoroughbreds appear to be back on track, having won three of their last four tilts.
