As usual, it all comes down to the final weekend.

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

As usual, it all comes down to the final weekend.

It’s the final weekend of high school football and the postseason computer playoffs positions will be settled.

For some teams, it’s just a matter of whom they will play. For other, it’s what place they will finish. And, yet for others, it’s a matter of qualifying or sitting at home.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers (9-0) have built an insurmountable lead and will finish first in Region 15 of Division IV regardless if they win or lose against Columbus DeSales.

Licking Valley will be second and Tucscarawas Valley third. Then comes the scramble.

Portsmouth (8-1) is fifth this week but should go to fourth with a win over Wheelersburg. Portsmouth West (8-1) is currently fourth but will drop to fifth. West plays Portsmouth Notre Dame which does not have a win.

Waverly is sixth but will drop a notch if New Lexington, now seventh, can beat Sheridan. A loss to Sheridan would drop New Lexington out of the top eight.

Fairfield Union is ninth but should move up to seventh or eighth with a win over Bloom Carroll. Coshocton will be seventh or eighth provided New Lexington loses.

The Chesapeake Panthers (6-3) are fifth this week in Region 19 of Division V, but could move up to fourth place and get a first round home game.

Woodsfield and Amanda-Clearcreek will finish first and second with Licking Heights and Smithville battling Chesapeake for the next two spots and a home game.

Shenandoah and Barnesville should jockey for the next two spots and Crooksville looks to finish eighth. Nelsonville-York could qualify if one of the top eight teams should lose.

The Wheelersburg Pirates are 6-3 and underdogs Friday against Portsmouth. Still, the Pirates will finish no worse than second and host a first round game.

The Pirates lead the region followed by Cincinnati North College Hill. Sidney Lehman Catholic is third followed by Richmond Dale Southeastern, Columbus Academy, Cincinnati Reading, Chillicothe Zane Trace, and Columbus Bishop Ready.

Final pairings will be released Sunday afternoon.

Division IV playoff games are scheduled for Saturdays and Division V on Fridays.