Marion Local and Minster are close in team offense, the Flyers’ defense will make the difference in their game with the Wildcats. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
At the final quarter pole of the season, key games mark this week Friday ‘Picks’. Perfect seasons, conference titles, and being that ’16th’ team in the region is all on the line.
It’s funny how when you get to know the teams a little better you become more successful with doing this. And by Week 9 we’re beginning to know them pretty good.
Last week we had our second perfect pick night – two weeks in a row – and this week we’ll try to extend that with some key matchups that can mean a share of the league title…or a better seed in the post-season.
Of course, the Friday Picks are brought to you by the Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio, there to serve you in various locations, if and when you need them. The only thing that matches their work is their compassion for you, the patient. So, if and when…contact the Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio…sponsors of the Friday ‘Picks’ on Press Pros.
Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio proudly sponsors the Friday Night ‘Picks’ on Press Pros.
Without further ado…here’s are best picks for Week 9, and a few games that might go right down to the last possession.
St. Henry @ New Bremen…No question, this is one of the sleepers. A pair of 4-4 teams that are going to make the post-season, New Bremen currently at #8 in Region 28, and St. Henry at #10. I think both teams are poised to finished the season on a winning note, but somehow I’ve sensed all season that if St. Henry gets healthy they’re capable of winning out, plus a couple of playoff games. New Bremen has played teams tough all year, and they’re going to play St. Henry tough, as well. But gut instinct tells me that the Redskins win a key game on the road this week…by a touchdown over New Bremen.
Preble Shawnee @ Ansonia…Preble is undefeated, and Ansonia is again the Cinderella team in Region 28 at 7-1. Ansonia is moving up two divisions to play Division V Preble, out of Division 20, and a team that’s pretty much had its way with everyone this year. They’re averaging about 50 points per game, and are giving up about 12. Logic tells you that if a team has speed, a credible passing game, and is bigger than you are, they have to be favored. And Cinderella or not, you have to like Preble to bring some reality to the Ansonia’s season. Another tremendous effort by the Tigers this year, but Preble should win this…by two scores.
Sidney has the athletes (Julius Spradling) to put points on the board against Piqua.
Sidney @ Piqua…Sidney is 4-4, Piqua is 3-5, and these two teams have been just as big a rivalry on the field as Piqua and Troy back over the years. They’re not crazy about each other, they play for a trophy called the “Battered Helmet’, and Piqua is just outside of the playoff picture, sitting at 18th this week in Region 8. The Indians have struggled to score at times, and Sidney has struggled to keep other teams from scoring. But Sidney’s athleticism is going to present a problem for Piqua, who’s scoring about as many points as they give up. And respect it or not, the Yellow Jackets have scored 40 points or more in three of their last four – 43 last week against Butler. Sidney currently sits at 14th in the Region 8 list, while Piqua is at 18. While the incentive is there, the lack of consistency makes me wonder which Piqua team might show up. This has been pretty much back and forth for the past few years, and I think Sidney, this year…by a score.
Stebbins @ Tippecanoe…Tipp is going to win this game as a tuneup to meet Xenia next week in a matchup of the unbeatens…because Xenia plays Greenville Friday night, whose only scored 55 points all season. So you’re actually getting two picks here in one. But Stebbins (4-4) has shown they can score, and Tipp will hope to get a look at some people hurt that might just be coming back at the right time for Xenia. Maybe, maybe not. It doesn’t seem to have hurt them. More about the Red Devils next week, but this one should prove to be no problem. Tipp by three scores.
Fairborn @ Troy…We haven’t looked at Troy for a couple of weeks, but the Trojans are playing people too tough (winners over Piqua, and lost to Xenia by just three points) to stumble against 3-5 Fairborn. But a warning to Tipp, perhaps, the Trojans did give up 35 to Stebbins last week. It’s been an up and down year for Troy, but at 4-4 they finish with Stebbins and Sidney and should grab one of those last three seeds to the post-season in Region 8. I like ’em to win this week…by two scores.
Coldwater’s ranks second in team defense…and seeks 9-0 on the road at Versailles.
Coldwater @ Versailles…Except for their record you haven’t heard a lot about Coldwater (8-0), and that’s because their record, since Clinton-Massie, hasn’t been that flashy. Their one true test was a field goal win over Minster back in week 5. And since then the Cavs have just kept their heads down and prepared for the final two games on their list – Versailles (5-3) and Marion Local. But don’t let anonymity creep into your thoughts about Coldwater…they’re very good. And, they’ve been as healthy as you can be for this point of the season. Versailles has been a little dinged up, and it shows with consecutive losses to Marion, Anna, and Minster…a stretch in which they’ve been outscored 96-7. And this week won’t be any nicer to the Tigers, who currently sit 9th in the Eitel rankings. They finish with Coldwater and St. Henry, and you know that they want to turn things around. But not this week, I’m afraid. Orange and black on orange and black…Coldwater wins, by three scores on the road.
Troy Christian @ Lehman…Troy Christian can’t wait for basketball season, and Lehman has its sights set on the post season. Sitting #3 now in the Region 28 list, the Cavaliers will finish no worse than that, even with a road game with Northridge next week for an outright, or shared TRC title. TC is winless and has just 13 points for the season. Lehman is 7-1, soon to be 8-1, and are having as much fun as anyone in area football. And yes, you can make the point that they haven’t really been tested. And I agree. But you’d better understand that while the schedule hasn’t been impressive, their talent is. Turner Lachey, CJ Olding, Evan O’Leary, Da’Ron Pride, et. al…except for sheer roster size this is as talented a Lehman team as we’ve seen recently. And with respect to that we recognize them in this week’s ‘picks’. No problem here…Lehman wins with a running clock.
Northridge coach Bob Smith has had plenty to be excited about…his Polar Bears need a win over Milton Union to stay in the hunt for the TRC title.
Milton Union @ Northridge…Impressively, since a stumbling 0-3 start Bob Smith’s Northridge team has won five in a row, albeit against the bottom of the Three Rivers Conference. And you can say the same about Milton, who’s won five of six during that span against the same teams. Milton’s only loss, since dropping their first two against Versailles and Valley View, has been to Lehman. These two match up pretty well, offensively, with Northridge featuring quarterback Dorreyon Davis and running back Teon Hill. Milton counters with quarterback Ryan Kimmel and running back Charlie Lane. But all that said, the speed advantage here goes to Northridge, and in a close matchup of 5-3s someone is bound to break a big play. I give the nod to Northridge, at home, playing for no worse than a share of the TRC title. I think the Polar Bears win this…by a score.
Minster @ Marion Local…I’ve seen Minster three times, and Marion twice…enough to know that this could be a more competitive game – interesting – than just who’s the next team on Marion’s schedule. Minster quarterback Brogan Stephey is both the MAC rushing and passing leader (789 rushing yards and 1,359 yards passing). Running back Connor Schmniesing has 509 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns, and the Wildcats have that complement of skill players that can run and catch the ball. They rank first in MAC team offense! But defensively, Marion ranks first in the conference, and yes…they can score! Marion has outscored opponents this year by an average of five touchdowns. They’re going to run the ball, and they can throw it with quarterback Justin Knouff and receivers Vic Hoelscher, Andrew Pohlman, and Griffin Bruns. And their ability to strike downfield is going to be a problem for Minster, who ranks last in passing defense. Both of these teams are going to wreak havoc in the post-season, and they could see each other again sometime down the road, I guess. But for here and now, you cannot overlook just how dominant Marion has been, outscoring opponents 407-22, and giving up just 7 points in the past five weeks. With respect to how good Minster is (and they are)…Marion wins this by at least three scores.
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