If.

Thursday, October 26, 2000

If… Trying to figure out which teams will qualify for the Region 15 Division IV Ohio High School Athletic Association postseason playoffs is the easy part this season. But trying to figure out which team plays which is a big problem.

Several teams in the region do not have easy, sure-win games this Friday night including Ironton’s home game against Columbus St. Francis DeSales, a Division II power that has a 5-0 record in its series with the Fighting Tigers.

Bellaire plays at Martins Ferry in a major rivalry game. Both teams will make the playoffs, but getting a home game in the first round is at stake.

Licking Valley is favored, but Hebron Lakewood has the ability to win. So does Clear Fork which plays at Loudonville.

And Bloom-Carroll is a slight favorite against Teays Valley.

The only two heavy favorites are Utica over Fredericktown and Coshocton over Waverly.

Licking Valley will edge Ironton for first place if both teams win this week. Ironton’s position has only one concrete fact: the Fighting Tigers will be at home.

However, Ironton could finish in any of the top four positions in the region, although second or third appears the most likely.

The top eight teams in each region of each division qualify. The pairings match No. 1 and No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5.

A win means Ironton could host Bloom-Carroll, but a loss would pit them against either Utica, Bellaire, or Bloom-Carroll. The positioning of Bellaire depends on whether it wins or loses against Martins Ferry.

By studying the unofficial finish chart, the possibilities are plentiful and confusing.

Everything will be unscrambled after Friday’s games and final results and pairings will be announce Sunday afternoon at approximately 5 p.m.

OHSAA Playoffs

Unofficial Finish

Region 15 Div. IV

Team If they win If they lose

Licking Valley 27.4000 24.0500

Ironton 27.0856 21.6991

Coshocton 25.9500 23.3500

Martins Ferry 21.7000 17.7500

Utica 19.9500 18.4000

Bellaire 19.8500 16.3000

Bloom-Carroll 19.1000 15.3500

Loudonville 16.6222 13.7222

Friday’s Schedule

Columbus DeSales at Ironton

Hebron Lakewood at Licking Valley

Bellaire at Martins Ferry

Belville Clear Fork at Loudonville

Fredericktown at Utica

Teays Valley at Bloom-Carroll

Saturday’s Game

Waverly at Coshocton