As we enter into the final three weeks of the 2024 football season, that means it’s time to start talking postseason.
And with playoff season nearly here, we wanted to go ahead and get the discussion started with an early look at where local teams will finish in their respective regions.
A lot of things are going to happen between now and the final snap of week 10. There's a lot of teams who have "unofficially" locked in to the playoffs already. But by week 9, things will begin to become more clearer and it will become more official.
If you would like read up on how the OHSAA's Harbin Computer Rankings System works, click here.
Our panel of high school football contributors have listed what we project to unfold over the course of the final weeks of the regular season. And for added measure, we have added a key game for each team that could make or break their postseason plans.
Teams are listed according to the current standings in the region, based on Joe Eitel's website. Our panel has taken the top 16 teams and other teams who may still have a chance at playoff spot and listed a projected a final number, a final seed, and a key game for each team.
(1) Coldwater Cavaliers
Current Record: 7-0
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Final Harbin Number: 20.2000
Projected Finish: 1st
Key Game: vs. Marion Local (Oct. 25)
It's safe to say we all know who the favorite is in Region 24. The Cavaliers should roll their way into their final game of the regular season with the Flyers. This game will give all of Division 6 an idea of how good the Cavaliers are.
(2) Anna Rockets
Current Record: 5-3
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Final Harbin Number: 15.7000
Projected Finish: 3rd
Key Game: vs. Marion Local (Oct. 11)
Despite their record and possible third place finish, the Rockets are considered the second best team in the region. Their game this Friday against Marion Local will determine if they have improved since losing to Coldwater in week 4 and if they cannot be counted out.
(3) Cincinnati Country Day Nighthawks
Current Record: 5-1
Projected Final Record: 8-1
Projected Final Harbin Number: 19.1302
Projected Finish: 2nd
Key Game: at St. Bernard-Elmwood Place (Oct. 25)
Country Day should be favored in all their final three games. Their week 10 showdown with the Titans should be a good challenge, especially considering they're both in Region 24. A win in the final game should give them the point boost to take the No. 2 spot.
(4) Paint Valley Bearcats
Current Record: 6-1
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Final Harbin Number: 14.0000
Projected Finish: 5th
Key Game: at Unioto (Oct. 18)
The loss last week to Piketon was devastating for the Bearcats. The only way to make up for it and get a top four finish is to beat Unioto in week 9. The Shermans should be favorited but Paint Valley has the tools to pull off the win.
(5) Portsmouth West Senators
Current Record: 5-2
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Final Harbin Number: 13.5500
Projected Finish: 6th
Key Game: vs. Wheelersburg (Oct. 25)
The Senators have rebounded well since starting off 0-2. They should manage to roll their way into the final week of the season for their showdown against rival Wheelersburg. The Pirates will be favored in this one. A win by West might be enough to give them a top four finish.
(6) St. Bernard-Elmwood Place Titans
Current Record: 6-1
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Final Harbin Number: 11.8815
Projected Finish: 7th
Key Game: vs. Cincinnati Country Day (Oct. 25)
For the Titans, they should be favored to win their next two until they face off with the Nighthawks. That game will give a good idea of how good either team is ahead off postseason play.
(7) Northeastern Jets
Current Record: 5-2
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Final Harbin Number: 14.2734
Projected Finish: 4th
Key Game: vs. Fairbanks (Oct. 11)
The Jets should manage to win their last three and secure the 4th spot and those coveted two home playoff games. But before they can think about that, they'll get a good test from the Panthers this Friday. Northeastern will be a slight favorite in this one.
(8) Rock Hill Redmen
Current Record: 6-1
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Final Harbin Number: 11.4602
Projected Finish: 8th
Key Game: at Coal Grove (Oct. 25)
Any combination of two wins in their three final games will secure the Redmen a home game in round one. The Redmen will be a big underdog against Portsmouth. However, they will be favored in the other two games. Their final game against the Hornets will be critical because the Redmen have only won at Lemaster Stadium once in their entire program history.
(9) Chesapeake Panthers
Current Record: 4-3
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.4877
Projected Finish: 10th
Key Game: at Rock Hill (Oct. 18)
The Panthers should punch their ticket into the postseason with a win this Friday against a struggling Gallia Academy team. Their game in week 9 would help give the Panthers a higher seed in the final rankings. However, they'll have to pull it off on the road against a favored Rock Hill team.
(10) Deer Park Wildcats
Current Record: 3-4
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Final Harbin Number: 4.5000
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: at Mariemont (Oct. 18)
The Wildcats are going to have to pull off a win somewhere in the next three games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their week 9 game against Mariemont will be their best shot at getting a win the rest of the way. A win slides them into one of the bottom four spots.
(11) Dayton Christian Warriors
Current Record: 3-3
Projected Final Record: 4-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 5.3409
Projected Finish: 16th
Key Game: at Cincinnati Schroder (Oct. 18)
The Warriors are going to need to win one of their final three to get into the playoffs. They should be a heavy favorite against Gamble Montessori this Friday and at the very least nose their way into the final spot.
(12) Covington Buccs
Current Record: 3-4
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Final Harbin Number: 5.0383
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: vs. Miami East (Oct. 25)
The playoff hopes of the Buccs might come down to the final game of the regular season. They need to pick up a win to get in and are decisive underdogs in all three games. Their best chance is at home agaisnt a struggling Miami East.
(13) Perry Commodores
Current Record: 4-3
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.4500
Projected Finish: 12th (tie)
Key Game: vs. Elgin (Oct. 18)
The Commodores should be favored to win their final two games of the season. However, their week 9 game against the Comets will be a a tough test. A win next Friday would ensure a playoff spot and a week 10 win secures their spot comfortably.
(14) Madison-Plains Golden Eagles
Current Record: 4-3
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Final Harbin Number: 7.3000
Projected Finish: 9th
Key Game: vs. Southeastern Local (Oct. 18)
The Eagles will be favored in their final two games and ensure themselves a spot in the middle of the pack of the region. However, their toughest of the two games will be against the Trojans.
(15) Purcell Marian Cavaliers
Current Record: 3-4
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 9.8601
Projected Finish: 14th
Key Game: at Roger Bacon (Oct. 18)
The Cavaliers will be heavy favorites in two of the final three, but will be an underdog against Roger Bacon in week 9. A win would give them a sizable bump in the rankings but not enough to really shake things up.
(16) Adena Warriors
Current Record: 3-4
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.4500
Projected Finish: 12th (tie)
Key Game: vs. Piketon (Oct. 18)
It's very likely that the Warriors will be favorites against Westfall and Huntington. But if they want to improve their spot in the postseason, they'll need to pull off a win against Piketon next Friday. Adena will be a sizable underdog in that game.
(17) Blanchester Wildcats
Current Record: 2-5
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 6.4846
Projected Finish: 11th
Key Game: at Bethel-Tate (Oct. 11)
Don't be deceived by their current state, the Wildcats should run the table in their final three games and notch a solid playoff spot. Their game this Friday against Bethel-Tate will be a tough challenge. If they secure a win, they should have no trouble winning out.
(18) National Trail Blazers
Current Record: 3-4
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Final Harbin Number: 5.5000
Projected Finish: 15th
Key Game: vs. Twin Valley South (Oct. 18)
The Blazers should be favored the next two weeks. Next week's game will be the key one, with a win ensuring a playoff spot. But they'll need to win two of the next three to extend their season.
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