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 West Jefferson Roughriders (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 10-0
Projected Harbin Number: 27.3000
Projected Finish: 2nd
Key Game: October 20th @ Northeastern
This will be the Rough Riders' stiffest challenge in the final three weeks. Northeastern will also be a good chunk of points as West Jefferson tries to grab the top spot in the region. They should be favorited in this one.
#2 Garaway Pirates (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 10-0
Projected Harbin Number: 28.65000
Projected Finish: 1st
Key Game: October 20th @ West Lafayette Ridgewood
This game is always a big one for both school and this year will be no different than any other year. A win against the Generals will bring in a truckload of points and secure the top seed in the region for the Pirates. Garaway is the favorite in this game.
#3 Martins Ferry Purple Riders (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 10.1163
Projected Finish: 11th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Wheeling Catholic, W.Va.
The Purple Riders have a tough slate of games to finish out their season. This game will be a measuring stick for Martins Ferry to see just where they stand at this point of the season. Despite being at home, they should be a slight underdog for this.
#4 Northmor Golden Knights (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 14.5500
Projected Finish: 5th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Centerburg
This week 9 match up will have a lot of computer points at stake for the Knights. While Centerburg will be the biggest challenge remaining on the schedule, Northmor should be the favorite in this game.
#5 Fort Frye Cadets (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 10-0
Projected Harbin Number: 18.8488
Projected Finish: 3rd
Key Game: October 6th vs. Caldwell
The Cadets have lost two-straight ahead of this weeks game. Fort Frye should be favorites in the rest of their games this season. However, Caldwell will be their biggest game in terms of competition and computer points.
#6 Nelsonville-York Buckeyes (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 13.2954
Projected Finish: 6th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Vinton County
This game will decide the TVC-Ohio championship. For the Buckeyes, a win will bring in a huge swath of computer points and put them inside the top four. Despite being at home, they should be the underdog to Vinton County.
#7 Coal Grove Hornets (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 9.5732
Projected Finish: 13th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Fairland
The Hornets should find their way into the postseason. However, in order to climb higher in the region seedings, they'll need to win on Senior Night against a tough Dragons team. They will be the underdog in this one.
#8 Trimble Tomcats (4-2)
Projected Final Record: 6-3
Projected Harbin Number: 14.5554
Projected Finish: 4th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Reedsville Eastern
The Tomcats will be looking to retake the TVC-Hocking crown from Eastern. A win would add more computer points to their total and increase their position. Trimble will be a slight underdog at home against the Eagles.
#9 Newcomerstown Trojans (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 11.1000
Projected Finish: 8th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Malvern
Even with a loss to Malvern, the Trojans should have no issue making the playoffs. But in terms of a measuring stick game, this one will be important. A win would bump them up a few spots in the final rankings.
#10 Elgin Comets (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 11.3000
Projected Finish: 7th
Key Game: October 6th @ Upper Scioto Valley
Elgin is going to have issues accumulating computer points from teams they have already beaten. So this game has great importance. The Comets will be a slight favorite in this one, but it will be a huge game for both teams.
#11 Tuscarawas Valley Trojans (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin number: 10.2000
Projected Finish: 10th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Indian Valley
The Trojans need to notch a win in the final three weeks to keep from being at the bottom of the region. And while a second win would put them in the top 8, the focus needs to be on this game first and worry about week 10 after.
#12 East Knox Bulldogs (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin Number: 9.9000
Projected Finish: 12th
Key Game: October 20th @ Danville
East Knox should win their next two, setting up this key match up in the final week. While Danville will be favored, the Bulldogs have played them tough the past few seasons. If they can pull off the upset, their final ranking would come close to a top 8 finish.
#13 Grandview Heights Bobcats (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 10.7000
Projected Finish: 9th
Key Game: October 6th @ Bishop Rosecrans
The Bobcats have a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. Bishop Rosecrans will bring in a lot of points compared to the rest of their remaining opponents. They should be a heavy favorite in this game.
#14 Northridge Vikings (2-5)
Projected Final Record: 2-8
Projected Harbin Number: 5.8000
Projected Finish: 16th
Key Game: October 20th vs. Newark Catholic
The Vikings could manage to slide into the playoffs despite not winning a game in the final three weeks. However, if they want to avoid playing the top seed in week 11, they need to win a game. A win over the Green Wave would do that.
#15 Grove City Christian Eagles (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 7.1000
Projected Finish: 15th
Key Game: October 13th @ Worthington Christian
The Eagles should win out, but will make it into the playoffs by the slimmest of margins. Worthington Christian will bring in some good computer points. This one could be considered a toss up.
#16 Shenandoah Zeps (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 3.7500
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 6th vs. River
The Zeps desperately need to find a win somewhere to keep their postseason hopes alive. Their most favorable match up is against the River Pilots. But despite being at home, they will be an underdog.
#17 Loudonville Redbirds (2-5)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 5.2000
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 13th @ East Knox
The Redbirds should get a win in week 7, but they will need another somewhere to make it to the postseason. This game will be their best shot, but it will have to come on the road against a good East Knox team. They will be an underdog in this one.
#18 Bellaire Big Reds (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 8.4621
Projected Finish: 14th
Key Game: October 7th vs. East Liverpool
The Big Reds will need to accumulate as many points as they can. This will be a big point-getter for them, as well as a formidable match up. Bellaire should be favored to win, but this would could go either way.
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