Wednesday, October 27, 1999
'Bubble' teams get final shot at playoffs
A look at who's in, almost in
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Who's in and who's out of the state football playoffs? Steve Shuck, a local expert on the Harbin computer ratings that establish playoff positions, spelled out the results that will determine which teams make it and which teams' seasons will end Friday.
In Division I, St. Xavier, Elder, Centerville, Fairfield, Oak Hills and Huber Heights Wayne are in. Lakota East needs a victory over Columbus Bishop Watterson to lock up a spot.
“Lakota East will be fine with a win, but that could be difficult against Watterson, the No.5-ranked Division II team in the state,” Shuck said.
“If East loses, they'll drop approximately five points, putting them in a very tight contest with Moeller.”
The biggest game of the weekend has Mason hosting Lebanon. If Mason wins, the Comets are in.
“A Mason wins gets them to around 25 points, moving someone out,” Shuck said. “That someone could be Moeller.”
Other teams that could make it with victories are Anderson (plays St. X) and Winton Woods (plays Fairfield).
“Winton Woods and Anderson have opponents who, with a win, would provide them with enough points to join Moeller and perhaps Lakota East in the close battle for eighth,” Shuck said.
“Sycamore and Lakota West are close, but everything would have be break perfect for either to make it.”
Shuck has Kings, Lebanon and Edgewood already in the Division II playoffs, with Chillicothe, Springboro and Dayton Carroll clinching if they win.
McNicholas and Marietta are on the bubble pending the outcome of two games: Turpin at Kings and Sidney at Vandalia Butler.
“Turpin hasn't been men tioned all season, but the Spartans find themselves in an opportunistic position,” Shuck said. “They can add almost five points by beating Kings and possibly make it.”
With a victory over Sidney, Vandalia Butler also could sneak in, possibly unseating Marietta or McNicholas.
Another Division II team that Shuck hasn't eliminated is Harrison.
“A victory over Lakota West would give Harrison a little more than four points,” Shuck said. “It would guarantee nothing but would give them a chance, pending other results.”
Purcell Marian is in the Division III playoffs with a victory (Saturday) over Mount Healthy. New Richmond is the only other Cincinnati team with a chance to qualify.
“Eaton and New Richmond are in a virtual lock for eighth place, and Graham is just a fraction behind,” Shuck said. “Eaton is the only team of the three with a projected loss.”
Eaton plays at Valley View (8-1); Springfield Central Catholic (8-1) is at Graham. New Richmond plays Williamsburg, and the Lions are the heavy favorites.
In Division IV, Wyoming, Hamilton Badin, Indian Hill and Madeira are in, and Finneytown has a slim chance if Valley View loses to Eaton.
Undefeated Waynesville has clinched a Division V playoff spot. Deer Park has an outside shot is Sidney Lehman and New Albany falter against lesser opponents.
Cincinnati Country Day will be the lone area qualifier in Division VI, as coach Tim Dunn's Indians are expected to finished second behind Delphos St.John's with a victory over North College Hill.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association will announce the final Harbin Rankings on Sunday, along with the first-round pairings.
As previously determined, the top four teams in each division will host first-round games. The matchups will be No.1 vs. No.8, No.2 vs. No.7, No.3 vs. No.6 and No.4 vs. No.5.
Ohio football computer ratings
This week's football schedule
Sports Stories
