Eagles, Clippers lead EOAC hopefuls
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It’s getting close to the time in the season where you have to start talking about playoffs. With three weeks left to play, there are nine area teams that have a good shot at extending their seasons.
Salem (7-0, 3-0 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference), of course, is the lone area unbeaten and appears to have already clinched a spot in Div. III, Region 9 according to Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50. A win on Friday at Howland (5-2. 2-2 in the EBC) would likely lock up a home game and bye for the Quakers, who are ranked fourth in Div. III by the Associated Press.
Salem had to sweat out a 36-29 overtime win against Marlington last week, but still the Quakers sit in good company among the best in Div. III. Martin RPI, which simulates Ohio football like the college sports ratings systems, has the Quakers ranked No. 2 in the state in Div. III. If the Quakers beat Howland they will be off to their best start since 1960.
East Liverpool (5-2) is sitting in a good spot in the 11th position in the Div. IV, Region 15 computer ratings. The Potters close out the season with three straight West Virginia games, including Oak Glen (3-3) on Friday at Patterson Field.
Beaver Local (4-3) is in the 10th position in the Div. IV, Region 15 standings even after losing three straight. The Beavers host Indian Creek (4-3) on Friday and will likely need to snap the losing skid to keep playoff hopes alive as the last two opponents (Cambridge and Lakeview) have a combined win total of two.
Also in Div. IV, Region 13, West Branch (6-1, 3-0 EBC) piled up 339 yards of total offense in a 31-7 win over Carrollton on Friday. West Branch is ranked seventh in a region with one unbeaten team and seven 6-1 teams. Against Carrollton, Grady Hirst completed 15 of 22 passes for 217 yards with a touchdown. Hirst also had three touchdowns on the ground. West Branch hosts Minerva (3-4, 0-3 EBC) on Friday.
In Div. VI, United Local (5-1, 3-0 in Eastern Buckeye Conference) is third in Region 21 behind state powers Kirtland (6-1) and South Range (6-1). The Eagles won their third straight EOAC game with a running clock for the entirety of the second half with a 50-8 win over East Palestine last Friday. United’s opponents the rest of the way are a combined 3-18.
The Golden Eagles will play Valley Christian (1-6, 1-2 EBC) on Saturday at Mineral Ridge. United has outscored its opponents 262-74 this season with 31 of those points coming in a loss to Mineral Ridge. Though three league games the Eagles have outscored their EOAC opponents 161-22.
Also in Div. VI, Region 21, Columbiana sits 10th. The Clippers (5-2, 2-1 EOAC) head to Wellsville this week and will probably need to be at seven wins to qualify for the playoffs. In Columbiana’s 41-7 win over Valley Christian on Friday, Danny Mangiarelli had 20 carries for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Hayes McCoy added 11 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown.
East Palestine (4-3, 1-1 EOAC) face a similar situation as Columbiana. The Bulldogs are 14th in Div. VI, Region 21 and will also likely have to get to seven wins to have a good chance at moving on. East Palestine closes the home slate with Pymatuning Valley (3-4) on Friday. The Lakers have beaten Valley Christian 40-0 and Leetonia 41-7 this season.
Lisbon (4-3, 2-2 EOAC) is 19th in Region VI and will need wins over Southern (1-6, 1-2 EOAC), Weirton Madonna (1-5) and Columbiana to be in the conversation.
EOAC NOTES
• Wellsville’s Zaiven Williams had 19 carries for 119 yards and a touchdown against Lisbon.
• For the first time in many years there won’t be any league representatives in the playoffs in Div. VII, Region 25.
MVAC NOTES
• Crestview (2-5, 1-3 in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Gray Division) is well out of contention in Div. V, Region 17. The Rebels got their first league win of the season by topping Newton Falls 49-14 last Friday. The Rebels were led by Trevor McElhaney’s 17 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Hayden Davis added 11 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Crestview will be at Champion (2-5, 0-4 MVAC) on Friday.
NAC NOTES
• Leetonia (2-5, 1-3 in the Northeastern Athletic Conference) lost its third straight league game with a 40-14 loss at Grand Valley. The good news for the Bears is there are no more longer trips up north for the rest of the season. Leetonia will host St. Thomas Aquinas (2-5) on Friday. The Knights beat Wellsville by 11 earlier this season, so this is a game the Bears could win.
WEST VIRGINIA
• Oak Glen went on the road to down St. Marys 24-0 last Friday. Maddox Bowen complete 10 of 19 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Hartung had four catches for 64 yards with a touchdown. Jacob Everett had 10 rushes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
East Liverpool has won eight out of the last 10 meetings with Oak Glen.