It’s Week 8 and playoff implications are at the forefront of many teams’ attentions.
Four teams were unanimous choices for the Fanatics in Week 8, with all four controlling their own destinies as the regular season nears its end.
Mohawk is picked as the favorite as the undefeated Warriors travel to New Washington to face their polar-opposite opponents, Buckeye Central, which is still seeking its first win of 2018.
Seneca East, Northmor and Pleasant also were all unanimous picks as they host their respective games. All three are set to host playoff games if they win the remainder of their schedules.
The must-win game for a playoff spot highlights Wynford and Carey as both continue to try to build resumes for the postseason. Country Legends WBCO color commentator Tim Birie and Iconic Rock WQEL play-by-play analyst Josh Stallings were the lone picks for the Royals to drop their third conference game of the year after never previously losing a Northern 10 regular season game.
Stallings and WQEL morning host Will Beard picked Galion in a cat fight where a win would prove huge in Galion’s bid for a playoff spot after dropping some Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference games in previous weeks.
Colonel Crawford will need some help from other teams to help its chances of making the playoffs, but sports director Dan Messerschmidt thinks Bucyrus has the tools to upset an injury-filled Eagles roster, dashing away Colonel Crawford’s hopes of making a playoff appearance.
Crestline will host some travelers from the Ohio River region as River High School travels in non-conference action. The picks were fairly split with the majority of Fanatics taking Crestline, and the game is the only one to have the fans side with the minority.
Friday Night Phoneboard host Davey Jones and news director James Massara were the only Fanatics to think Shelby will slip when the Whippets travel to the Lake Erie shores to take on Port Clinton.
The Fanatics were split between Mapleton and Plymouth with the fan vote breaking the tie in Mapleton’s favor.
Week 7 also brought the third member to the 10-0 club, as Jared Moore picked every game correctly to join Massara and Messerschmidt as the Fanatics to accomplish the feat.
FAN PICKS:
Colonel Crawford: 90%
Mohawk: 97%
Seneca East: 90%
Wynford: 77%
River: 61%
North Union: 65%
Northmor: 91%
Mapleton: 55%
Shelby: 55%
Pleasant: 90%
STANDINGS AFTER 7 WEEKS:
Mike Sparks – 54-16 (7-3 last week)
Dan Messerschmidt – 53-17 (7-3 last week)
James Massara – 51-19 (7-3 last week)
The Fans – 50-20 (7-3 last week)
Tim Birie – 49-21 (7-3 last week)
Jared Moore – 49-21 (10-0 last week)
Will Beard – 48-22 (5-5 last week)
Josh Stallings – 47-23 (6-4 last week)
Davey Jones – 46-24 (7-3 last week)