Versailles, and quarterback Ethan Wilker (#3), seek their own statement moment when they travel to New Bremen. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
At week 4 of the season, you’ll begin to see some separation between those who have found their stride as a football team, compared to those who are still looking for, as the marines say…a few good men.
Fresh off getting nine of ten right in Week 3, there was some surprise over select games not being closer last week.
We know now…that Xenia is either for real, or better than anyone suspected, with a 48-7 pasting of Sidney. And if you remember, Sidney was one of our teams of intrigue in August.
The game between Minster and Anna was thought to be a one-score game. In reality, it was a score just about every time Minster had the ball. They beat Anna 41-14.
We thought Troy would shake their early misadventures and grab a quality win over Butler on the road. It didn’t happen.
All of which tells us that it really does take a few weeks for high school football teams to get their sea legs, and for the more talented…to play with some consistency.
And that’s what we expect to see this week with matchups like Tipp and Piqua, Anna at Coldwater, and Versailles at New Bremen.
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To the games now, and that quest for the first perfect week of the season…..
Lehman @ Milton Union…One of the teams that I’ve been most impressed with through three weeks is Lehman, a team that lost what I thought was too much in the spring to be this good, this quick. At 2-1, they haven’t beaten any behemoths, but they’ve played with some consistency, and they played some defense, holding Ben Logan to 7 last week (21-7). We knew Milton Union would take some time, and that games with Valley View and Versailles wouldn’t be a positive experience, but last week they rebounded to beat Oakwood, one of the Bulldogs old rivals from the SWBL days. I’m not sure Lehman has ever beaten Milton Union, and I’m not sure they can do it this year, either. No team plays at home with more pride, and that makes a road game with the Bulldogs in West Milton a really tough night. I’m believing that the Bulldogs have found that stride we talked about in the open, and if Lehman is better than anyone thought, they’ll get a chance to prove it with back-to-backs this week and with Miami East next week. But I think Milton in this one, by a score.
Tipp’s Larkin Thomas has quickly evolved as a leader at quarterback.
Piqua @ Tipp City…Once again, Tipp is obviously better than many suspected at 3-0, and we’ll know for sure after Friday’s game with Piqua because Piqua, despite being 1-2, is a team that you never take lightly. But the Indians have had their troubles scoring, despite getting enough points against Stebbins to win last week. And Tipp is proving, once again, that it doesn’t matter who graduates, they have someone qualified, who’s waited for their chance to play, to step in and not miss a beat. Their anonymity might be their best weapon, but sophomore quarterback Larkin Thomas is quietly gaining confidence and the respect of future Red Devil opponents. Simply put, this will be another tough week for Piqua. If all holds to form from the first three weeks, Tipp wins over Piqua by a couple of scores.
Marion Local @ Delphos St. John…Not a compelling matchup, to be sure, but for their current size and roster no one plays harder than Todd Schulte’s Blue Jays. But the real interest here is the inevitable countdown to Marion breaking the St. John record of 57 consecutive wins. And you can only play so hard (if you’re St. John) against a team with the weapons that Marion Local has. The Flyers are the ultimate go time if you can…and they’ll win this one handily.
Versailles @ New Bremen…Unlike Anna and Coldwater, this is the game this week where people believe it will be better than anticipated. New Bremen has surprised by jumping out 3-0, but Versailles…not so much. At 3-0 Versailles has dominated as impressively as anyone in the area, outscoring Milton Union, Fort Loramie, and Delphos St. John 91-7. New Bremen hasn’t scored a lot, but their defense has been good enough to where they haven’t had to. But they’ll have to score to beat Versailles, and I don’t know if they’ve proven yet that they can. In the days of David Homan and Carson Bey this game was one of the best matchups in the MAC. That remains to be seen in 2024. That said, I have to pick Versailles by two scores…until New Bremen can prove 3-0 is their ticket to ride.
Not since the days of retired coach Max Current has Miami East gotten off to such an impressive start.
Northridge @ Miami East…This pick is not about its competitive value, but rather a welcome back after a decade of struggle for the Miami East Vikings. I cannot think of Miami East without thinking of retired coach Max Current and Scott Donaldson, and the best of times when those two had the horses to win at East. Now it appears that they do again, under Hunter Folkertsma, proving that last year’s 6-5 mark was no fluke…and the people in Casstown are thrilled to have winning football back. They are not to be confused with the Minnesota Vikings, but they’ve shown that they can score enough to win. They’ve also given up more points than you’d like against Carlisle and Northwestern. Northridge and Bob Smith are in full-blown rebuild mode, but they’ll have some speed at their skill positions, as usual. But at home, I like the Vikes to go 4-0…by as much as two scores. It’s go time for those that can.
St. Henry @ Fort Recovery…St. Henry is going to win this game. What remains to be seen is how much confidence they can build to face the likes of Anna, Minster, New Bremen, and Versailles…all of them just ahead. If Jim Lachey is reading (like I suspect he is), I believe that Josh Werling has poured the footer and is putting together a good foundation, even at 1-2. After this game they’ll be 2-2, along with the still-fresh memory of beating an Archbold team that a lot of people believed they wouldn’t…including me. It’s too early to single anyone out, but give them three weeks and a couple of more wins and St. Henry can be a handful in weeks 8, 9, and 10. The ‘Skins in this one…over a struggling Fort Recovery.
Covington @ Troy Christian…Twenty years ago Troy Christian upset Covington in one of the most heart-breaking playoff games in Covington’s history. And there have been more dark moments for the Buccs in recent years at the hands of the Eagles. But the bottom rail is on top this year, with TC struggling and Covington (2-1) playing some heartening football with a handful of seniors and a roster full of sophomores and freshmen. I said it two weeks ago, but it bears repeating…that if Covington can go .500, or even 6-4 this year, Austin Morgan would have to get some kind of love for Coach of The Year recognition. He’s been patient to teach and develop, and that’s all you can do when you win two games in three years. But not this week. I like the young Buccs to win, at Troy…by three scores.
Baylen Blockberger’s impressive play has Coldwater off to another impressive 3-0 start.
Crestview @ Fort Loramie…And yes, Division VI and VII dominates the page this week because the matchups in area II and III aren’t that compelling. But this one is. Loramie (1-2) is coming off a win over Covington last week, played well, and may have gotten the kinks out. Crestview is 2-1, but their two wins were against winless opponents. At home, with a little mojo now in their step, I like the Redskins to take the next step this week…more go time, if in fact they can. And if I’m right or wrong, I don’t expect anyone to call and bitch about it. ‘Skins, by a score.
Anna @ Coldwater…There will be some that turn up their noses at the matchups this week, but I wouldn’t be so quick to do so here. I’ve seen Coldwater, I’ve seen Anna, and in my heart I believe that Anna has the horses to challenge. I can’t quantify last week’s loss to Minster, but statistically, I’m not quick to dismiss Anna. Key…if Anna can run the ball with Zach Osborne and shorten the game. And if Anna quarterback Alex Shappie can throw the ball effectively ten times, that makes it easier for Osborne. What I’m saying is long drives, and keeping the ball out of Coldwater’s hands, gives you a chance. And then there’s this. Coldwater, too, is much better than anyone suspected in August. Baylen Blockberger at QB, and a maturing complement of skill players around him…it’s no fluke that they handled Valley View and Clinton-Massie the way they did. I well remember Anna blowing out Coldwater about five years ago, but this Anna team doesn’t have the same weapons. Again, don’t be surprised if it’s not better than you think. But I’m picking Coldwater…by a couple of scores.
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