It was a must-win situation for the Chesapeake Panthers, and win they did.

Wednesday, October 18, 2000

It was a must-win situation for the Chesapeake Panthers, and win they did.

The Panthers had to beat South Point last week in order to remain in postseason playoff contention, and that’s just what they did.

The victory enabled Chesapeake to jump all the way up to ninth place in Region 20 of Division V of the Ohio High School Athletic Association computer playoff ratings system.

The top eight teams in each region of each of the six divisions qualify for the playoffs.

Columbus Bishop Ready, Cincinnati Reading, Columbus Academy, Paint Valley, Brookville, Milford Center Fairbanks, Richmondale Southeastern, and New Albany are currently 1-through-8.

New Albany has a 9.3625 average while the Panthers average is 9.2235. Southeastern’s average is 9.3750.

Despite the open date, the Ironton Fighting Tigers remained third in Region 15 of Division IV. Coshocton took over the top spot with Licking Valley dropping a notch to second.

Coshocton (8-0) has an 18.6375 average while Licking Valley (8-0) is at 18.0500. Ironton (6-1) is at 15.6258 while Martins Ferry (6-2) and Utica (7-1) are tied for fourth with a 13.7375 average.

Bellaire (6-2) is at 13.2750, Bloom-Carroll (6-2) used a big win over Amanda-Clearcreek to up its average to 12.8500, and Loudonville (5-2) is eight at 10.8800. Wellston (4-4) is ninth at 8.9285.

The Wheelersburg Pirates are just 4-4 on the season, but the Pirates are still in line to make the playoffs in Region 16 of Division VI due to their strength of schedule.

Germantown Valley View leads the region with Blanchester second, Minford third, and Cincinnati Wyoming fourth with a 13.0750 average.

Wheelersburg is fifth with an 11.0255 average followed by Cincinnati Indian Hill, Portsmouth West at 10.5895, and Hamilton Badin.

The Pirates play at Portsmouth West Friday before closing the season against Portsmouth.

See a computer ratings list on Page 9.