Mid-State League - Ohio 2011

[lvalleydad]

Predictions?

Who will win it this year and why?

I don't subscribe to the Advocate so I don't know what's been going on around the league in the off season. I can tell you the LV kids have been working hard and will be ready to defend last year's championship.

Let's get the banter rolling!

[brob713]

LV is the favorite of course and I don't think its even that close. Granville should have a better team than last years team but I don't think they will beat Valley. Heath loses a lot to graduation but they should be fine. The junior class last year has some good athletes and the JV team took 2nd in the league so I think the future is bright. Idk what to expect from NC. I still think they are a year or two away from having some really good teams but they always field good teams.

Early predictions
1) LV
2) Granville, NC, Heath
3) Whitehall
4) Academy
5) Lakewood
6) Bexley

[lvalleydad]

I would agree - I think Granville has some experienced kids coming back this year where Heath lost more to graduation.

If you follow the JV games last year Heath was the only team that gave us a game (including our JV games vs New Albany, Zanesville, and West Jeff). Granville cancelled against us so I can't really say what they have. In the past, their middle school and freshman teams have been fairly good.

NC is a question mark in my mind as well. Watching my son progress through middle school and freshman ball at LV, I can say NC has some great athletes in the class of 2013 (this coming season's juniors). We pounded them in JV play last year, but I think they had more underclassmen playing varsity so I'm not sure that's a fair assessment either.

Whitehall is a team that continues to mystify me. They are the most physical team we play yet they can't seem to put points on the board or stop us from doing so. I don't want to take a crack at their program as I really don't know anything about it or their coaches, but watching those kids play and seeing how physical they are, it seems to me that if someone got that program focused on the right things, they'd be a contender.

My Early prediction:
1. LV
2. Granville
3. Heath
4. NC
5. Whitehall
6. CA
7. Bexley
8. Lakewood

[NewarkCatholicFan]

My Early prediction:

1-Granville
2-Licking Valley
3-Academy
4-Heath
5-Newark Catholic
6-Whitehall
7-Bexly
8-Lakewood

THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO BE MEAN, CRUEL OR TO BE TAKEN IN A NEGATIVE WAY IT IS JUST A POST BY A FAN NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY SCHOOL.

[lvalleydad]

Granville over LV? Not taking that the wrong way, just wondering your reasoning.

[NewarkCatholicFan]

They have 7 players back on offense including the best young QB in the county(I.M.O.)

Their defense only returns four starters but I think their back ups will step up this year as starters and make this unit better than it was in 2010.

[lvalleydad]

NCF - Gotcha - should be a great game.

We'll see what happens.

[King34]

While I know LV and Granville are the favorites, I think there will be some surprises in the league this season. Two seasons left and the league will be changed. I'm excited to see how this season turns out.

[walshfan]

My sleeper this year is Bexley, if they can play as a team and limit big plays and turnovers. As I recall, they have a pretty talented RB and Robinette is huge, and fast, at wideout. Defense may be an issue with a lack of size on the line. Still think they can have a pretty solid season. Thoughts?

[King34]

My sleeper this year is Bexley, if they can play as a team and limit big plays and turnovers. As I recall, they have a pretty talented RB and Robinette is huge, and fast, at wideout. Defense may be an issue with a lack of size on the line. Still think they can have a pretty solid season. Thoughts?

Robinette is playing quarterback as of the last scrimmage.

[buckeyedan]

LV/Granville 1-2
Heath/NC/Academy 3-5 (I never know what to think of CA) any order or tied would'nt surprise me
Whitehall/Bexley 6-7
Lakewood 8th

[bogey]

LV or Granville at the top. LV 's running back or Granville's Qb seem to at the top of the league on offense. It's always hard to pick against LV.

[walshfan]

Does anyone know if/when the Advocate put out their preview issue?

[lvdad45]

Does anyone know if/when the Advocate put out their preview issue?

It comes out tomorrow

[lvdad45]

Has anyone heard anything about Whitehall this year? Of all the teams we play in the MSL, I'd say they are the most physical team we play each year. They have great athletes - but they can't seem to make it count when it comes to the scoreboard.

[cwebb]

What are the records after two games for the schools? I haven't kept up.

[lvdad45]

Whitehall 2-0
Bexley 2-0
Lakewood 1-1
Columbus Acadamy 1-1
Granville 1-1
Licking Valley 0-2
Newark Catholic 0-2
Heath 0-2

But in Conference Play, they are all 0-0

[57chevy]

Granville 1-1
LV 0-2
Heath 0-2
Academy 1-1
NC 0-2
Lakewood 1-1
Bexley 2-0?
Whitehall 2-0

[57chevy]

I'm looking at NC's schedule and they might not win a game... They did not look too good tonight... If FC is improved it will be a close game... I think Lakewood Whitehall, etc. are all better than NC this year after what I saw tonight. If they go 0-10 or 1-9 NC land may not be too happy

[mlproc]

Heath Lost to 2 power house teams and was winning against the jm when their best player was injuried in the second half. Heath could easily be 1-1 if it was not for injuries.

[Gz1up 2 Down]

I'm looking at NC's schedule and they might not win a game... They did not look too good tonight... If FC is improved it will be a close game... I think Lakewood Whitehall, etc. are all better than NC this year after what I saw tonight. If they go 0-10 or 1-9 NC land may not be too happy

I would not bet my hand on Fisher to beat Newark Catholic simply because Fisher has some issues on the o line with injuries, and teams that put 9 in the box seem to be rattling their young quarterback. Fisher has some speed (and some nice running backs) and a formidable D this year, along with size. They probably won the special teams battles between them and their last two opponents (Whitehall and FCA). I simply do not know what to expect from NC other than them probably losing the speed battle.

[57chevy]

Did Simpson get hurt against Ferry? Or were you talking about the QB Gellar? They never lead against Johnstown.

[buckeyedan]

LV/Granville 1-2
Heath/NC/Academy 3-5 (I never know what to think of CA) any order or tied would'nt surprise me
Whitehall/Bexley 6-7
Lakewood 8th

I'd say the entire league looks a bit "down"...

LV is probably still #1 but vulnerable for sure... just not sure anyone is good enough to take advantage

Granville and CA I'd put 2/3
Heath could be #2 if healthy but they ain't...
Whitehall and Bexley both could move way up if things go right
Lakewood is still 8th!
NC? could be 7th... I could def see a 2-8 year... I think it's close to 2-8 than 6-4...

[mlproc]

Did Simpson get hurt against Ferry? Or were you talking about the QB Gellar? They never lead against Johnstown.

I take that back johnstowns was up 13-12 at half. Gellar got hurt against ferry, simpson limped off the field at ferry but got hurt at the end of the first half against jm.

[lvdad45]

I take that back johnstowns was up 13-12 at half. Gellar got hurt against ferry, simpson limped off the field at ferry but got hurt at the end of the first half against jm.

Any word on Simpson yet? I read that it's his knee but don't know how bad - Will he be back this Friday? or out for awhile?

Hope it's not serious.

[57chevy]

It was 14 to 13 at the half I believe, but Simpson had 2 long runs and that was about it for Heath, but they both ended up being scores. Heath battled, but with our without Simpson the Johnnies were in control. The penalties kept Heath in the game, but got to give the Bulldogs for keeping it close against a very good team! Johnnies definitely have a lot to work on.

[cwebb]

Here is where we are at

Granville 5-1, 3-0
Licking Valley 3-3, 2-1
Newark Catholic 3-3, 2-1
Academy 4-2, 2-1
Bexley 4-2, 1-2
Whitehall 3-3, 1-2
Heath 2-4, 1-2
Lakewood 1-5, 0-3

Here's how I think it finishes

Granville 9-1, 7-0
Licking Valley 7-3, 6-1
Whitehall 7-3, 5-2
Academy 5-5, 3-4
NC 4-6, 3-4
Heath 3-7, 3-4
Bexley 5-5, 2-5
Lakewood 1-9, 0-7

Thoughts:

Granville is easily the best team, the lone obstacle they had, I felt was Whitehall with their athletes in the secondary and aggressive D scheme. Rams made it closer than many expected, 24-14 at half, 38-28 with 5 left in fourth, but 6 turnovers doomed them. They may have a tight contest with Academy, those games are always tough and closely-fought, but in the end 9-1 it is. On the other side, have to be encouraged with what I saw from Whitehall. Getting Academy and Bexley at home helps them run the slate I feel.

Bexley may be coming back down to Earth. They have a tough finish with Academy in a rivalry game, LV, Heath, and Whitehall. They should be competitive in each game, with the ability to win each but I think as the season wears on their lack of depth and depending on Robinette as much as they do will show. If they beat Academy this week, I'd bump them to 7-3, if not I can see this being a season in the form of previous fast starts, hard falls that Bexley went through in the mid-2000s.

Their opponent this past weekend, NC, has life. They have a heck of an opportunity for Harbin Points with their remaining schedule. I don't see how NC nets more than two victories over their last four, with one being most likely.

Lakewood appears to slowly be getting better, but will be overmatched I feel.

Licking Valley can win out, but either Bexley or Academy I feel will give them more than they want. Most likely Academy with their quick-hitting, counter-heavy scheme that is reflective of New Albany's that puzzled the Panthers in week one.

Academy has a daunting final four weeks, all four against the non-Lakewood DIII teams. They're a tough team to figure out, anything from 4-0, 0-4 wouldn't shock me.

Lastly, Heath may cause some fits for their remaining opponents. I don't think they have enough to get over the hump against LV, barring a mud bowl Granville should have their way, but they may hang with Bexley.

As this has it, only Granville is a playoff team. If NC gets a second win, say over Whitehall, they may be close at 5-5.

[jamesmauter]

Following your guess cwebb NC would finish 3-4 in league play. They already have 2 league wins 1 more over Lakewood or Whitehall would give them 3. That would put them with Academy and Heath per your guess.

I'm guessing NC will finish 5-5.

[cwebb]

You are correct. Sorry about that math error.

Thanks.

[greenwave]

James i am thinking 5-5 also. It would be great to upset lv like we did 2 years ago.

[WesSegar]

greenwave^^^thats as close to impossible as anything in high school sports. NC is horrid.

w.s

[greenwave]

Well who thaght fisher would beat harvest prep. Or john glenn would take sheridan to the brink of almost losing.
Or heath over academy or nc over bexley.

2 years ago we were under dogs at lv and i didnt see anyone predicting a win but we did it.