The final week of Friday ‘Picks’ and four area teams that stand on the threshold of a year’s hard work…and dreams.  For Covington (above), Marion Local, New Bremen, and Anna…it’s regional finals week.

You rarely hear it anymore because of the decline of music radio.  But of all the hit songs ever recorded, this one stands out for being a hit for no fewer than 70 different artists…and making money for every one of them.  But none more than Tom Jones.

If you haven’t heard, our resident hall of famer Hal McCoy suffered a setback last week, but he’s on the road to recovery and reminds high school seniors…it’s time to apply for next spring’s journalism scholarship from Press Pros.

The key to Anna’s prolific running game isn’t just Bart Bixler (below, right) and Riley Huelskamp. It’s the other nine guys, too. Rockets football is now ‘power’ football, and everyone is looking for someone to block. Read more on their evolution in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Otte’s Big Play…Marion Local’s Peyton Otte tight-roped the sideline to score the tying touchdown with a minute left, sending the game into overtime, where the Flyer’s knocked out Fort Loramie Saturday in the Div. VII regional semi-final with a field goal. Read about the game in today’s Press Pros.

Sad as it was to see, the end of Thursday’s Browns-Steelers game gave us all the more reason not to watch the NFL, and question those who fail to understand that first, second, and third impressions go a long way towards determining the future of a sport.

In the wake of last weekend’s first round football games, explanation has been requested – and hereby granted – on how we (I) could make three such obviously poor picks.  Hint:  It seemed like a good idea at the time. Some self deprecation in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Excited? Diana Kramer and the New Bremen Cardinals redeemed themselves by capturing the 2019 Div. IV volleyball title Saturday with a four-set win over Fort Loramie. Read about how they did it in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

While most focused on the state volleyball finals and the opening weekend of the football playoffs Saturday, another and even more anticipated season for the next new culture in Ohio High School sports.

New Bremen struggled, but found itself in time to win in Saturday’s Division IV state semi-final…and after taking a two-set lead Fort Loramie had to fight off a determined Newark Catholic to claim its chance to battle the Cardinals for the 2019 title! Read about it on Press Pros.

In the third installment of our series on area playoff teams, coaches and football observers share their playoff insights on three more schools…Troy, Milton Union, and Covington. Read about all three in today’s Press Pros.

In the second installment of our series on area playoff teams, coaches and football observers share their insights on Division VI schools, Anna, Coldwater, and Minster. Read about ’em in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

In a preamble to the first round of this week’s state playoffs, Press Pros profiles each of the teams involved from our principal coverage area for football – Miami, Shelby, Darkle, Auglaize, and Mercer counties…starting today with Division VII.