Some thoughts to nibble on for Times-Reporter and Repository area readers as we approach the half-way point of the high school regular season…
1. Maybe they are sprinkling in some Holy Water in the water bottles, because the three area Catholic schools are off to a combined 11-1 start.
Tuscarawas Central Catholic is off to a surprising 4-0 start, which includes a win over defending West Virginia state champion Weirton Madonna. They have a big match-up with 3-1 Sandy Valley Friday.
St. Thomas Aquinas won three straight shoot-outs to open the season, 140 to 112. Unfortunately, star QB Anthony Moeglin suffered a shoulder injury last week in a loss to our third Catholic team…
Someone forgot to tell the Canton Central Catholic football program that you are supposed to struggle when replacing a legendary 4-decade coach in Lowell Klinefelter. But Coach Jeff Lindesmith and his boys have notched impressive wins over New Philadelphia (31-13), Perry (24-13), Minerva (31-0), and rival Aquinas (36-7).
2. The Garaway Pirates are a big-time force this year and for years to come.
Garaway is undefeated. What makes that even more impressive is that their vanquished foes (Dalton, Fairless, Indian Valley, and Ridgewood) are a combined 9-2 in their other games. Coach Jason Wallick has gotten off to this hot start while relying on a talented group of young sophomores in several key spots. The headliner of this group is quarterback R.J. Jacobs.
3. The game of the year in the NBC is this week.
3-1 Louisville travels to 4-0 Carrollton. These are the only two Northeastern Buckeye Conference schools with winning records. The Warriors have rolled their opponents by a combined score of 166 to 51. They face by far their toughest foe so far in the 3-1 Leopards, The question is whether the talented but youthful Louisville defense can contain 246-pound Tyler Dodd in front of what is sure to be a raucous Carrollton crowd.
4. Will any Federal League teams be able make a play-off run in what appears to be a rebuilding year for the league?
Jackson has gotten off to an exciting 4-0 start. GlenOak’s sole defeat was a 17-14 loss to undefeated Massillon. But they are that’s it when it comes to winning records in this tradition-rich league. Hoover and Perry are 2-2, but those legendary programs appear headed in the right direction. Two other traditional powers, Lake and McKinley, are off to 1-3 spots, but showed improved play last week.
5. Speaking of the Federal League: I would avoid any Hot Tub Time Machines or flying DeLorean automobiles on October 17th when Perry and McKinley meet up. That match-up will definitely have a time warp vibe to it. Panther coach Keith Wakefield and Bulldog coach Thom McDaniels are both back for second stints at the programs that originally hired both of them the year that E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial hit movie theaters, The Eye of the Tiger played on radio, and The Smurfs debuted on TV: 1982. The old ball coaches might have to break out some Bike sansabelt coaching shorts for old times sake.
6. How with the E.C.O.L. Big-school division play out?
Defending champion Zanesville has lost its last three games by a 116-28 score. New Philadelphia & Cambridge, both at 2-2, are hard to read so far. Perennial champion Dover is 2-2, but battled Austintown Fitch tough, and appears to be the favorite.
7. Is Massillon worthy of it’s #1 state ranking in Division II?
Friday’s game vs. undefeated Steubenville go a long way to answering that question.
ROY JONES JR. POUND FOR POUND TOP 10
(how Tusc./Stark/Carroll County football teams measure up in relation to teams it’s own size)
10. Aquinas–how will they respond to QB injury
9. Carrollton–can make big statement with a win this week
8. GlenOak–only beat 0-4 Boardman 14-0 last week
7. Tuscarawas Central Catholic–passed first IVC test by routing struggling Malvern, 56-0
6. Louisville–defense traditionally does well vs. power running teams
5. Jackson–won a tough 35-28 battle over a struggling Lake team
4. Indian Valley–big and powerful with just a missed 2-point conversion from beating Garaway
3. Garaway–the youngsters are getting older each week
2. Massillon–which town is more football crazy, Massillon or Steubenville??
1. Canton Central Catholic–broke a 5-game losing streak to rival Aquinas
Mac’s snack of the week–Cool Ranch Doritos. I would have no problem eating a bag of these in about 10 minutes.
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