Just like that, we're at the halfway point of the 2022 football season. Which means its nearly time to start making plans for the playoffs.
While it might be early, we wanted to go ahead and get the discussion started with an early look at where 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 5 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 Newark Catholic Green Wave (2-1)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 19.5000
Projected Finish: 1st
Key Game: October 14th @ Heath
The Green Wave's stiffest competition the rest of the way will most likely be the Bulldogs. A win on this night solidifies their #1 spot in the region and will give them a good idea where their team stands with two weeks before the playoffs.
#2 Green Bobcats (5-0)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 13.1489
Projected Finish: 2nd
Key Game: October 7th @ Northwest
This game should decide the winner of the SOC I. The Bobcats will be an underdog in this one as they have to go to McDermott. While Green is projected to finish 2nd in the region, a win in this game, coupled with a Newark Catholic loss would propel them to 1st.
#3 Reedsville Eastern Eagles (4-1)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 12.6505
Projected Finish: 3rd
Key Game: September 30th vs. Trimble
The Eagles will be playing for the TVC-Ohio championship when they host the Tomcats. Trimble has been struggling as of late this year and this means that Eastern has a great opportunity to win some hardware and lock up a top 4 spot in the region.
#4 River Pilots (4-1)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 10.0732
Projected Finish: 5th
Key Game: September 7th vs. Shenandoah
This will be a measuring stick game for the Pilots as they inch closer to postseason play and is a final chance to seek a higher playoff seed. Shenandoah should be a clear favorite in this one.
#5 Caldwell Redskins (5-0)
Projected Final Record: 9-1
Projected Harbin Number: 10.4702
Projected Finish: 4th
Key Game: October 7th vs. Fort Frye
Arguably both teams biggest game on their schedules, this one always had playoff implications. Caldwell is projected to finish high in the region, but a win might eek them close to that top spot. Fort Frye should be a slight favorite over the Redskins.
#6 Bridgeport Bulldogs (3-2)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin Number: 8.2578
Projected Finish: 7th
Key Game: October 14th vs. Shadyside
The Bulldogs are most likely playoff bound. This game is big for them by virtue of the fact that the Tigers are down compared to how they usually are. So this is a great opportunity to get a big win over Shadyside and help their playoff position.
#7 South Gallia Rebels (3-2)
Projected Final Record: 4-6
Projected Harbin Number: 3.6948
Projected Finish: 10th
Key Game: September 30th vs. Waterford
In terms of playoffs, the Rebels have a good chance of making it. However, their position will be determined how they finish this last half of the season. This game will indicate how things will go the rest of the regular season.
#8 Waterford Wildcats (2-3)
Projected final record: 6-4
Projected Harbin number: 8.8836
Projected Finish: 6th
Key Game: October 14th @ Trimble
This game will decide the TVC-Ohio champion, as well as playoff implications. A win for Waterford strengthens their chances at a top 4 finish. A win for Trimble puts them in the playoffs and possibly a chance at a top 8 finish.
#9 Frontier Cougars (2-3)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 2.1937
Projected Finish: 15th
Key Game: September 30th vs. Conotton Valley
The Cougars are slated to barely make it into the playoffs and have a string of games that are winnable along the way. This is the first of those games and may very well determine if they can succeed with the next two games.
#10 Symmes Valley Vikings (1-3)
Projected Final Record: 3-6
Projected Harbin Number: 4.0873
Projected Finish: 9th
Key Game: October 14th @ Portsmouth Notre Dame
The Vikings could very well make the playoffs with just a single win, but that's not something anyone would want. Their date with the Titans could determine if they can climb up the rankings in the region, as well as see how much improvement they've made to this point.
#11 Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (1-4)
Projected Final Record: 4-6
Projected Harbin Number: 3.5500
Projected Finish: 11th
Key Game: September 30th @ Worthington Christian
Besides this game, the rest of the games on the Knights schedule should have them favored. So this game becomes a good measuring stick to see where they stand before postseason play begins.
#12 Southern Tornadoes (2-3)
Projected Final Record: 4-6
Projected Harbin Number: 3.2867
Projected Finish: 12th
Key Game: October 22nd @ Reedsville Eastern
Southern will need this game for playoff seeding purposes as they could possibly be stuck at the bottom of the region come playoff time. The Tornadoes should be the favorite heading into this ballgame.
#13 Sciotoville East Tartans (2-3)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 2.5432
Projected Finish: 14th
Key Game: October 7th vs. Symmes Valley
The Tartans have a decent chance of making the playoffs with only 3 wins, but it won't be a favorable seed come playoff time. This is a great opportunity for them to notch a win over the Vikings and give themselves a bump upwards in the region rankings.
#14 Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans (2-3)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 5.7898
Projected Finish: 8th
Key Game: October 1st vs. Green
It's possible that Green could be overlooking the Titans as their big game with Notrhwest looms in the distance, which would be advantageous to them. This will be the last chance for the Titans to get as many points as possible for playoff seeding.
# 15 Beallsville Blue Devils (2-3)
Projected Final Record: 2-8
Projected Harbin Number: 0.7000
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 14th @ Paden City (WV)
Beallsville needs to locate a win on their schedule to give themselves a chance at postseason play. Their only true chance might be crossing the river into West Virginia to find out if they will or not.
#16 Bishop Rosecrans Bishops (1-4)
Projected final record: 3-7
Projected Harbin number: 1.7570
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 8th @ Fairfield Christian Academy
A postseason berth is not looking good for the Bishops. While there's a possible 2 more wins left, Rosecrans is in need of a win somewhere else. This game is their best chance at gathering up as many points as possible to get into the postseason.
#16 Monroe Central Seminoles (0-5)
Projected Final Record: 2-8
Projected Harbin Number: 1.8611
Projected Finish: 16th
Key Game: September 23rd vs. Magnolia (WV)
The Seminoles could very well just need two wins to make the playoffs. In order to do so, they'll need to make that happen when they host the Eagles. The Seminoles should be favored in this one.
#18 Shadyside Tigers (0-5)
Projected Final Record: 2-8
Projected Harbin Number: 3.0081
Projected Finish: 13th
Key Game: September 23rd vs. Brownsville (PA)
The Tigers have went through growing pains this season as an inexperienced team playing a tough first half of the season. Their game this week with Magnolia will provide us with a gauge as to where they stand as there are winnable games left on the schedule.
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