Just like that, we're down to the final three weeks of the 2023 football season. Which means it's nearly time to start making plans for the playoffs.
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.
Our panel of high school football contributors have listed what could be expected to unfold in the final 3 weeks of the regular season and the key games that could make or break a teams' season.
The list below is the 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 Ironton Fighting Tigers (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 28.1816
Projected Finish: 1st
Key Game: October 13th @ Gallia Academy
This will be the Tigers' stiffest challenge in the final weeks. The Blue Devils nearly pulled off a win at Tanks Memorial Stadium last season and will be eyeing to make it happen this season. Ironton will be the favorite in this game.
#2 Fairland Dragons (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 24.9095
Projected Finish: 2nd
Key Game: October 13th @ Coal Grove
The Dragons should be sitting in a good spot for the final leg of the regular season. However, the Hornets are the type of team you cannot sleep on. Fairland should be the favorite when these two square off.
#3 Harvest Prep Warriors (5-1)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 20.4797
Projected Finish: 5th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary
This game will be looked at very closely by not just Ironton, but also the top teams in Division 5. Harvest Prep is looking to test themselves against a Division 2 team ahead of a playoff push. The Warriors should be considered a slight underdog for this one.
#4 Portsmouth West Senators (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 16.3680
Projected Finish: 10th
Key Game: October 20th @ Wheelersburg
The SOC II title and a lot of playoff points will be at stake. The Pirates will be a slight favorite with the game at Ed Miller Stadium. The Senators could very well make it two-in-a-row against the Pirates and a league championship.
#5 West Muskingum Tornadoes (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 21.5000
Projected Finish: 4th
Key Game: October 20th vs. Meadowbrook
This week 10 game will have a good chunk of playoff points at stake for the Tornadoes. A win should secure a home game for the first two rounds of the playoffs. West Muskingum should be the clear favorite for this game.
#6 Barnesville Shamrocks (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 10-0
Projected Harbin Number: 22.8388
Projected Finish: 3rd
Key Game: October 20th vs. Union Local
This should be the biggest test in the final weeks of the regular season. The Shamrocks can strengthen their foothold on a top 4 playoff spot with a win. Barnesville will be the favorite for this week 10 game.
#7 Columbus Academy Vikings (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 19.1500
Projected Finish: 7th
Key Game: October 20th vs. Bishop Ready
The only team standing in the way of an undefeated season for the Vikings, is the Silver Knights. This will also be a big measuring stick game Columbus Academy ahead of the playoffs. The Vikings will be a slight underdog in this one.
#8 Heath Bulldogs (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 16.7000
Projected Finish: 9th
Key Game: October 20th vs. Johnstown Monroe
The Bulldogs have a favorable schedule to close out the season. This game should be their stiffest challenge of their remaining opponents. They should be favored in this one and a win will help secure a mid-range seed.
#9 Africentric Nubians (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 19.9500
Projected Finish: 6th
Key Game: October 20th @ Eastmoor Academy
The Nubians will face a tough test in the final week of the regular season. A win would bring a large amount of second level points and a lofty finish in the region. Africentric will be a slight underdog against the Warriors.
#10 South Point Pointers (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin number: 13.2565
Projected Finish: 11th
Key Game: October 13th @ Portsmouth
The Pointers look like they will make it to postseason play, but where they end up will depend on the last three games. While their game against Gallia Academy will be a big game, the Trojans will be a key point game for playoff points. South Point should be favored.
#11 Union Local Jets (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin Number: 11.1142
Projected Finish: 13th
Key Game: October 6th @ St. Clairsville
The Jets will be challenged down the stretch in their final three games. Their showdown with St. Clairsville will not only be a huge point game, but it'll be a huge test to gauge how good they are moving forward.
#12 Utica Redskins (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 10.9000
Projected Finish: 14th
Key Game: October 6th @ Johnstown Monroe
Utica has a favorable slate of games to end the season. However, second level points will be tough to come by in these final games. While the Redskins will be the favorite, the Johnnies will provide the best test.
#13 Centerburg Trojans (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 9.2500
Projected Finish: 15th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Danville
The Trojans will be the underdog heading into this big matchup. Danville nearly won last year's contest and are an improved team from last season. A win for Centerburg would really elevate their playoff position.
#14 Portsmouth Trojans (4-3)
Projected final record: 4-6
Projected Harbin number: 7.1045
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 13th vs. South Point
The Trojans have a tough three-game stretch to finish the season. Their home date with South Point will be a big opportunity for them to earn a bunch of playoff points and hopefully position themselves with a postseason berth.
#15 Worthington Christian Warriors (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 12.2000
Projected Finish: 12th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Grove City Christian
The Warriors are projected to lose to Columbus Academy this week. So their game against Grove City Christian becomes much more important for playoff points. Worthington Christian should be favored in this match up.
#16 Wheelersburg Pirates (3-3)
Projected Final Record: 6-3
Projected Harbin Number: 17.4873
Projected Finish: 8th
Key Game: October 20th vs. Portsmouth West
For a second-straight year, the SOC II crown will and a ton of playoff points. The Pirates should be a narrow favorite for this game, but the Senators could just as easily win. A win should secure a home game in the opening round of the playoffs.
#17 Minford Falcons (3-3)
Projected Final Record: 4-5
Projected Harbin Number: 6.4955
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 6th @ Logan
Things don't look good for the Falcons right now, especially with two tough games coming up. This means they'll need to take a "one game at a time" approach. A win over Logan would change Minford's playoff projection.
#20 Chesapeake Panthers (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 4-6
Projected Harbin Number: 5.9439
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 6th vs. South Point
It's going to be a close finish for the Panthers and will need to take it one game at a time. But in order to get into postseason play, they will have to first beat South Point and then worry about the next week. Chesapeake will be the underdog against the Pointers.
#21 Piketon Redstreaks (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 8.3571
Projected Finish: 16th
Key Game: October 20th @ Westfall
The Redstreaks are on a 3-game skid right now and need to get a win. Westfall should be the most competitive match up and have a small chunk of points up for grabs. Piketon should be favorited heading into this game.
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