Conference play is start of new season

Published 4:08 am Tuesday, September 28, 2010

It’s the football season within a season. It’s the start of conference play when the records don’t matter as each team begins with an 0-0 record.

In the Ohio Valley Conference race, Coal Grove went 4-1 and the Hornets were the preseason favorites to win the league. Judging by what transpired the first half of the season, those predictions look to be on target.

But don’t judge teams by their records. The strength of schedule makes a big difference and the other teams in the OVC played strong senior-laden opponents.

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Most of those were common opponents from the Southern Ohio Conference that also begins its league play.

Chesapeake and Rock Hill were each 0-5 while South Point and Fairland were 1-4. All four lost to Portsmouth West. Rock Hill and Fairland lost to Wheelersburg. Chesapeake, Rock Hill, South Point and Coal Grove all lost to Lucasville Valley. Fairland — plagued by injuries — lost to a Wellston team that beat Jackson handily and lost just 21-8 to Oak Hill.

Despite being winless, Chesapeake has played well in four of its five games and could be a darkhorse in the league race. Rock Hill has also had a couple of key injuries.

In the Southern Ohio Conference Division I, Oak Hill was an overwhelming favorite to win the league. But the injury to quarterback Jesse Slone could make a difference.

Slone was hurt against Wellston and did not play last week in a 13-0 loss to Minford. A healthy Slone should bring another SOC title, but without him or any other key players and the Symmes Valley Vikings could find a way to slip up on the Oaks.

The Vikings are 5-0 including their first win over Chesapeake since 1989.

That being said, don’t count out Green or Portsmouth Notre Dame. Both teams have played well and can’t be overlooked if the Oaks and Vikings want to avoid an upset.

The SOC II race will be a dogfight with West, Valley, Minford and Wheelersburg all close in ability. Some of it will come down to how the teams match up, some of it will be about injuries, and some of it will be about luck.

My money is on West, but Valley has a lot of skilled players. Wheelersburg can score but the defense must step up, especially against the pass. That’s why the Pirates match up better against teams like West and Minford as opposed to Valley.

As for Ironton, the Fighting Tigers returned to the independent ranks this year and the schedule has been tough but entertaining for the fans.

The two home game crowds have been standing room only and the final three home games will only get better.

Ironton hosts Jonathan Alder this week and the Pioneers have been to the playoffs the past nine seasons including a state runner-up in 2006.

The Fighting Tigers go to co-SEOAL favorite Jackson next week and return to play Columbus Biship Hartley, considered one of the top Div. IV teams in the state. Some pundits have listed Hartley and Kettering Alter as the favorites to win the title.

Fairbanks has been one of the top teams in its conference and the season finale is at rival Portsmouth.

So if you think the first five games of the season were fun, it’s only going to get better.

Enjoy the new season.

—— Sinatra ——

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.