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 Reedsville Eastern Eagles (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 12.3026
Projected Finish: 2nd
Key Game: October 6th @ Trimble
This is not only Eastern's biggest test, but will also decide the TVC title. Lots of playoff points on the line and a chance to secure a top spot in the region. This game will be a toss up.
#2 Beaver Eastern Eagles (7-0)
Projected Final Record: 10-0
Projected Harbin Number: 16.9333
Projected Finish: 1st
Key Game: October 6th @ Portsmouth Notre Dame
This will not only be Eastern's biggest test, but also decide the SOC I title. The Titans will provide a good cache of computer points if Eastern is looking to grab the top spot in the region. Eastern should be the favorite.
#3 Caldwell Redskins (6-1)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 11.3500
Projected Finish: 4th
Key Game: October 13th @ Toronto
The Redskins should have to trouble getting a top eight spot in the region. However, if they want to get more computer points and climb higher, this will be a a key game. They should be an underdog in this one.
#4 River Pilots (4-2)
Projected Final Record: 7-2
Projected Harbin Number: 11.2386
Projected Finish: 5th
Key Game: October 6th @ Shenandoah
River is projected to win out, but they still need all the points they can get. A win over the Zeps will bring in plenty of the remaining points available. They should be favored in this game.
#5 Fairfield Christian Academy Knights (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 10.7000
Projected Finish: 6th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Miller
The Knights have a favorable schedule to end the season. Their game against Miller will bring in the most computer points of the remaining teams, which makes this game important. They will be favorited in this one.
#6 Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 9.9242
Projected Finish: 7th
Key Game: October 6th vs Eastern
For the Titans, a win would capture an SOC I title, bring in a ton of computer points, and knock Eastern out of securing the top spot in the region. So lots of things will be on the line in this game. Notre Dame will be an underdog at home.
#7 Beallsville Blue Devils (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 8-2
Projected Harbin Number: 11.8449
Projected Finish: 3rd
Key Game: October 13th vs. Paden City, W.Va.
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#8 Monroe Central Seminoles (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin Number: 7.4530
Projected Finish: 8th
Key Game: October 6th @ Barnesville
There is a good chance Monroe Central wins their last two games. However, this game will be a good test to see where the Seminoles are before the playoffs. The Shamrocks will be the favorite in this game.
#9 Waterford Wildcats (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 5.1823
Projected Finish: 13th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Trimble
Waterford has a difficult schedule to round out the season. While they should still make the playoffs, a win would give them a good chance at locking up a first round home game. They will be an underdog in this one despite being at home.
#10 Bishop Rosecrans Bishops (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 4-6
Projected Harbin number: 5.3388
Projected Finish: 12th
Key Game: October 13th @ Miller
The Bishops need another win to get higher than where they're projected. Their trip to Miller will be their best shot for that and a boost in computer points. They will be a slight underdog for this one.
#11 South Gallia Rebels (5-2)
Projected Final Record: 7-3
Projected Harbin Number: 6.6721
Projected Finish: 10th
Key Game: October 13th @ Eastern
The Rebels are sitting in a good place ahead of their final three games. Their trip to Eastern will be a good test to gauge where they stand before the playoffs. The Rebels will be an underdog for this game.
#12 Bridgeport Bulldogs (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 5-5
Projected Harbin Number: 7.1592
Projected Finish: 9th
Key Game: October 7th @ Steubenville Catholic
The Bulldogs won't have any issues getting into the playoffs. The question where they finish. This game against the Crusaders will be a measuring stick as to how things go the rest of the way for them.
#13 Miller Falcons (4-3)
Projected Final Record: 6-4
Projected Harbin Number: 5.7224
Projected Finish: 11th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Bishop Rosecrans
This game is important for its computer points for a Miller team that will need as many points as they can get. And while the Falcons should be favored in this game, this one isn't a guaranteed win.
#14 Sciotoville East Tartans (2-4)
Projected Final Record: 4-5
Projected Harbin Number: 4.9463
Projected Finish: 14th
Key Game: October 6th @ Symmes Valley
This will be a crucial game for the Tartans to navigate their way into the postseason. A win earns them some key computer points and moves them a littler higher in the seedings. The Tartans will be a slight favorite on the road.
#15 Berne Union Rockets (2-5)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 3.8500
Projected Finish: 15th
Key Game: October 6th vs. Grove City Christian
Wins and points will be an issue for the Rockets in the final weeks. They need to notch another win besides Fisher Catholic to avoid playing one of the best teams in the region. The Rockets will be an underdog at home in this game.
#16 Shaydside Tigers (2-5)
Projected Final Record: 2-8
Projected Harbin Number: 1.8778
Projected Finish: 16th
Key Game: October 13th vs. Bridgeport
The Tigers might manage to slide into the playoffs without winning a game in the final three weeks. But if they want to get a better seed, they'll need to pick up a win. Bridgeport will be one of their best chances at a win.
#17 Symmes Valley Vikings (3-4)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 1.5145
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 6th vs. Sciotoville East
The Vikings probably need just one win to secure a playoff spot. With that being said, East will be their best chance of the remaining three games. The Vikings will be an underdog in this game.
#18 Southern Tornadoes (1-6)
Projected Final Record: 3-7
Projected Harbin Number: 1.4608
Projected Finish: Out
Key Game: October 21st vs. Eastern
Southern will need to win out to have a chance to make the postseason. An upset of Eastern would guarantee a playoff spot. However, the Tornadoes will be a heavy underdog for this week 10 game.
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