By Dan Messerschmidt
HOLMES TOWNSHIP — Friday night’s football games will determine what area teams make the playoffs, which teams they will play and where.
I will not pretend to be an expert on calculating computer points for the playoffs (I leave that designation to Joe Eitel), but will instead point out important games that could affect the playoff picture for the locals.
Wynford (7-2): Even a loss to winless Buckeye Central would not deny the Royals a home playoff game. The absolute worst position they could finish in Division VI, Region 22, would be fourth. With eight teams per region participating, the top four host first-round games.
Wynford currently sits second in the region and if the playoffs started today, the Royals would host No. 7 Ada. However, Ada is not guaranteed a playoff spot even with a win over 2-7 Allen East. No. 10 Hillsdale could potentially jump them with a win over Smithville (6-3).
A Bucyrus (1-8) win over Crestline (5-4) and Mohawk (7-2) defeating Edon (3-6) would both help Wynford secure the No. 2 spot.
Seneca East (7-1): The Tigers take on Carey (7-2) in the game of the night in Division VI, Region 22.
The winner is in the playoffs. Seneca East, currently fourth in the region, would host a playoff game with the win. The Blue Devils, now fifth, would be in, but would need help to host with a victory. Both need assistance to make the playoffs with a loss.
The Tigers would benefit from these games: Sandusky St. Mary (1-8) over visiting Fremont St. Joseph (2-7) on Saturday night; South Central (3-6) winning at New London (1-8); Bucyrus beating Crestline and Mohawk dropping Edon.
Mohawk (7-2): Unfortunately, even a win over Edon does not guarantee the Warriors a spot in the postseason. Mohawk is currently No. 7 in Division VII, Region 26.
Three teams could possibly pass the Warriors. No. 8 Wayne Trace (6-3) plays at TInora (5-4), No. 9 Hilltop travels to Gibsonburg (8-1) and No. 10 Monroeville (6-3) goes to Norwalk St. Paul (9-0) on Saturday. The good news is that all are on the road and play worthy opponents. The bad news is that wins lock up loads of computer points.
Other games that could help Mohawk’s cause are Bucyrus beating Crestline, Carey upsetting Seneca East and Warsaw River View (0-9) defeating Coshocton (1-8).
Galion (5-4): Amazingly, the Tigers have not been mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration, though at No.17 in Division IV, Region 14, they are the longest of shots.
While it is impossible, in this space, to recount all the scenarios necessary for Galion to vault all the way to No. 8 in the region, suffice to say it starts with a win over visiting Buckeye Valley (6-3).
After that, the Tigers would need eight of the 11 teams ahead of them to lose and six of them play teams with losing records. The odds are truly stacked against them.
Games that could help the Tigers: Cardington (2-7) defeating visiting Mt. Gilead (0-9); Portsmouth (4-5) winning at Ironton (4-5); Bucyrus beating Crestline.
Those who thought the Bucyrus at Crestline game had nothing on the line but pride in beating a county rival couldn’t have been more wrong. It has potential impact on at least on four aspiring playoff teams.