BUCYRUS — Playoff races and championship contention is heating up for many area teams and it’s no different for the Friday Night Fanatics.
By the end of the week, the current tie for first will be no more.
News director James Massara went against the grain and was the lone pick for Upper Sandusky to walk away from the Rams’ last away game of 2019 with a victory, while the rest of the Fanatics picked the Redmen to win their home finale, including Country Legends 1540/107.5 WBCO color commentator Tim Birie who is in a tie with Massara for first place.
One Fanatic is within sniffing distance of first place and is attempting to make some moves with his picks. Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL play-by-play analyst Josh Stallings has three loner selections in Week 9 and could mathematically take over first place if games go his way.
Stallings was the only pick for Mohawk to claim victory against Wynford and South Central to beat Plymouth, while both Wynford and Plymouth attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive. He also picked Ridgedale to win the Saturday night matchup with Fisher Catholic.
The Fans agreed with Stallings by selecting Crestline to beat Pandora-Gilboa, while the Rockets remain in the playoff hunt.
Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL morning host Will Beard and Country Legends 1540/107.5 WBCO play-by-play analyst Jared Moore picked River Valley to win and jump Shelby in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference standings as both teams look to make the playoffs.
All the Fanatics and the Fans agreed and selected Carey to defeat Buckeye Central, Seneca East to beat Colonel Crawford, Galion to beat KIPP Columbus and Northmor to defeat Fredericktown.
In the standings, Stallings made the largest jump by moving ahead of Friday Night Phoneboard host Davey Jones and Coaches Corner East host Mike Sparks. Birie made up a game on Massara to move him into the tie for first.
The race to get out of the basement is on for the bottom four of Moore, Beard, the Fans and sports director Dan Messerschmidt. The foursome did pick differently on some games leading to a potential shakeup for the final week.
STANDINGS (Week 8 record):
T-1. Tim Birie – 61-19 (8-2)
T-1. James Massara – 61-19 (7-3)
3. Josh Stallings – 60-20 (8-2)
T-4. Mike Sparks – 59-21 (7-3)
T-4. Davey Jones – 59-21 (6-4)
T-6. Jared Moore – 55-25 (9-1)
T-6. Dan Messerschmidt – 55-25 (9-1)
T-6. Will Beard – 55-25 (8-2)
T-6. Fans Pick – 55-25 (7-3)
The fan pick is made by the results of the majority of the voting.
FAN PICKS (percentage of fan votes):
Bucyrus – 85%
Carey – 93%
Seneca East – 75%
Galion – 96%
Crestline – 62%
Wynford – 78%
Fisher Catholic – 84%
Northmor – 100%
Plymouth – 88%
Shelby – 62%