Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Every year as the high school football season comes into the home stretch, there always seems to be a photo finish coming at the finish line.
This season is no different.
Several area teams are in the Ohio High School Athletic Association computer postseason playoff hunt. The Ironton Fighting Tigers in Region 19 of Division 5 and the Symmes Valley Vikings in Region 27 of Division 7 are pretty much a lock to qualify.
But the problem with both teams is the threat of a loss that could cause them to stumble out of the top four positions and be forced on the road for the first round.
Ironton (7-1) plays at Division 4 Gallipolis (8-0) on Friday in a battle for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference. A win could not only mean the inside track on the league title but clinch a home game.
West Lafayette Ridgewood should coast into the playoffs with winless Claymont this week and then 5-3 Newcomerstown in week 10.
Although the Generals’ conference is not exceptionally strong this season, that doesn’t diminish the fact they return 19 of 22 starters from last season’s team.
Wheelersburg should beat Lucasville Valley and Portsmouth West. Valley will be a good point game but West has just two wins.
The Pirates should get points the final two weeks from Ashland but Greenup County plays Ashland this week so there will only be points from one team.
Loses to Hartley, Jackson and Ironton could hurt the Pirates chances of finishing second or third unless Ironton loses one or both of its final games.
Portsmouth — another OVC team — should beat South Point this week but the Pointers have only one win so they won’t gain much in points. The big game will be the season finale at Ironton and there could be a lot at stake for the winner.
Amanda Clearcreek is facing a do-or-die game on Friday against Teays Valley, a Division 2 school. The Aces face a tough defense and will be underdogs. Their final game should be an easy win against Logan Elm.
Oak Hill’s stunning upset win over Minford last week put the Oaks in playoff contention. They just need to beat 2-6 Portsmouth West this week and then beat 6-2 Waverly in the season finale which will be a very difficult task.
Minford (6-2) and Waverly play this week and this game will have a bearing on whether the Falcons get a home game or scramble for a bottom four position among the qualifying eight teams.
Wellston should beat Meigs this week but the season finale with Vinton County should have them as a slight underdog.
OVC members Chesapeake and Fairland have some life regarding a playoff spot, but it depends on the teams ahead of them in the rankings and the fact they meet each other in the final game of the season in their annual rivalry.
Symmes Valley (7-1) has been a surprise this season after going 4-6 last year. The Vikings should beat winless Portsmouth Notre Dame this week to set up the big showdown in week 10 against Northwest (5-3).
Both teams should come into the game unbeaten in the Southern Ohio Conference. Last season, Northwest escaped with a 32-26 win in four overtimes.
Obviously, the playoff picture is cloudy right now but should clear up after this week and let teams know exactly what they must do next week in order to qualify for the playoffs or to secure a first-round home game.