Week seven ticker......

Week seven has rolled around already and it's time for the ticker....

In region 2......

An old rivalry that doesn't get as much attention as it should takes place this weekend at Oregon Clay as the Eagles host the Panthers of Toledo Whitmer. Clay (4-2) is the current #12 team in R2 while the Panthers(5-1), despite losing to Toledo St. Francis last week 21-17 remain the top team. Clay comes in after losing to Toledo Central Catholic 29-14. If the Eagles have any hope at all of getting into the post season they must beat the Panthers. While the Eagles will put up a fight, Whitmer should prevail.

A blast from the past type game takes place on Friday night as the #3 team in the region, the Tigers of Massillon Washington(5-1) take to the road to visit Death Valley in Steubenville. Awaiting the Tigers will be the Big Red(6-0), the current top team in R11. The Big Red are coming into the game on the heels of a 39-14 win over Wheeling(WV) Park. Massillon dropped their first game of the season last Saturday night in a controversial 26-21 decision to Cleveland St. Ignatius. Fridays game will be the first time the Tigers and Big Red have met since the breakup of the powerful All American Conference in 1978. The two teams have met 42 times and Massillon has a 37-3-2 lead in the series that began in 1930. The Tigers should win this weeks encouter too. A overflow crowd of 10,000 plus will attend.

The Blue Devils of Brunswick(5-1) currently 4th in R2 will visit the Comets of Solon on Friday night. Solon(6-0) is currently ranked 2nd in R1. The Comets dealt Mayfield their first loss of the season last week 27-20. Brunswick rolled over Nordonia 48-13. Look for Solon to beat the Blue Devils.

North Canton Hoover(4-2) the #7 team in R2 has a big game against Austintown Fitch(5-1) on Friday. The Fitch Falcons are currently 10th in R1 and need this one to move up. Fitch was a 45-37 winner over Massillon Jackson last week while the Hoover Vikings lost to Boardman 16-7. I think Fitch pulls out the win in this one.

Sylvania Southview(4-2) the current #9 team in R2 has a chance to move into one of the top 8 spots if they can beat Maumee(5-1). The Panthers were an easy 42-20 winner over Rossford last week and are currently ranked 8th in R6. A lot of folks may have written the Cougars of Southview and their playoff chances off just a bit early after their first two games. Southview will win at Maumee and greatly improve their chances at the postseason.

In other games....

The 50th battle for the IrishKnight Trophy takes place at the Gallagher Athletic Complex at Toledo Central Catholic Friday night as the Fighting Irish(5-1) host the Knights of Toledo St. Francis(6-0). CCHS is currently ranked 5th in R6 while the Knights are the top team in the same region. I think SFS has proven themselves this season as the real deal and they'll solidify their top spot in R6 with a win.

A huge Northwest Ohio Athletic League battle will erupt in Hamler Friday night as the unbeaten(6-0) Patriots of Patrick Henry host the upstart Golden Bears of Bryan (5-1). Bryan is currently ranked 7th in R10 while the powerful Patriots are ranked 3rd in R18. PH was a 52-10 winner over Delta last Friday while the Golden Bears shut out Wauseon 35-0. PH wins this one.

In the Western Buckeye League the Titans of Ottawa-Glandorf (5-1) host the Roughriders of St. Marys Memorial(4-2) on Friday. O-G is the #3 team in R14 coming in on the heels of a 35-10 win over Elida. St. Marys beat Wapakoneta last week 28-17 and are currently ranked 14th in R10. The Roughriders really need this one if they have any hopes of getting into the postseason. WBL battles are always good ones and this one could go either way.

A big neighborhood battle takes place in Crawford County Friday night. The Redmen of Bucyrus(5-1) visit the Royals of Wynford(6-0). Bucyrus is currently 10th in R14 and need a win over the Royals who are the current #2 team in R21. Look for a big crowd and a fairly easy Wynford win.

Eastwood and Lake both 5-1 hook up tomorrow night along SR 795 in Wood County. The Eagles are the #11 team in R14 while the Flyers are back in the #15 spot. The winner of this game will move up nicely.

A big battle in Lima tomorrow night as the Thunderbirds(5-1) host the Silver Knights of Columbus Bishop Ready(5-0). LCC is the #5 team in R18 and they'll face a Bishop Ready squad that sits in 3rd place in R10. Ready was a 30-0 winner over United Military Academy last week while LCC humbled Spencerville 59-14.

A huge Midland Athletic league battle takes place in Bacsom on Friday night as the Cheiftans(5-1) host the Blue Devils of Carey(6-0). H-L is the 6th place team in R21 while Carey is currently 2nd in R22.

Edgerton(6-0), the #6 team in R22 host the Apaches of Fairview(4-2) on Friday. Fairview is in 11th place in R18 and really needs the points from a win over the Bulldogs to move into a playoff spot. Edgerton is coming into the game after beating Holgate 54-32 last week while the Apaches were 30-19 winners over Antwerp. I look for a Fairview win.

A Blanchard Valley Conference showdown take place on Friday night at Cory Rawson as the Hornets(4-2) host the Panthers of McComb(4-2). Cory Rawson is the current 8th place team in R22 while the Panthers are 10th. Should be a great game in Hancock County.

As always, lots of great games this weekend. Get out and support your favorite team. Support the kids.