East Central Ohio League 2011

[ECOLace]

I can't believe this hasn't been made yet...

So with the new splits in the divisions, the new league looks like:

Big School:
Dover
Zanesville
New Philadelphia
Marietta
Cambridge

Small School:
Coshocton
Claymont
Zanesville Rosecrans
River View
Meadowbrook

With the new two team tier format, will it bring more balance overall to the league? Will it be tougher for the smaller schools to make the playoffs? Who's the favorite in each division? Who are possibilities to adding one team to each division?

Who's looked good in scrimmages so far? Who may be the dark horse in each tier?

Let's get some discussion going people!

[track120207]

I think it is a win all the way around no one likes the huge blowout games so most of those should be in the past.

One more non league game will allow scheduling an extra home game or a home and home with a team your school would like to play or a non league game against an ECOL team from opposite division.

My predicted finish

Big

Dover
Zanesville
Cambridge
New Phila
Marietta

Small

Coshocton
Claymont
Meadowbrook
R.V.
Rosecrans

I think Dover,Zanesville and Coshocton will all be in playoff contention.

[ECOLace]

Does anyone have some good info on Zanesville? How are they traditionally in sports? I know they're good in basketball year in and year out but can they challenge Dover year in and year out in football?

How much does Coshocton have returning?

[footballer]

Big

Dover
Zanesville
New Phila
Cambridge
Marietta

Small

Coshocton
Claymont
River View
Meadowbrook
Rosecrans

[DoverArmy]

From what I hear Coshocton should be pretty good this year. Numbers are small but the team is meshing good. Fast and athletic, as normal for them.
Coshocton is about the only team I see as getting the short end of the stick. They have had a shot the past couple years, and did beat, NP. That gives them more points just due to the Divisional differences. But with Alter now in D3 it should help them out.
All and all I like it, but would like to see one more team added to each division. Not too sure who would be interested in joining. If it wasn't for the drive, NW would be a great fit.

[ECOLace]

I wish Claymont and Coshocton could play New Philadelphia and Dover every year, it's a shame we won't see those rivalries year in and year out, even if they were a little lopsided.

[teach1coach2]

There were lots of blowouts in the old format, but now with divisions the better teams need to worry about the results of the 5 non-league games for each of their league opponents. If weeks 1-5 do not go well for ECOL teams, even great ECOL teams could be sitting at home week 11. On the other hand, if the first 5 weeks go well it could mean quite a few league teams in the playoffs. The ECOL took the risk of divisions and new we shall see if it pays off.

[ECOLace]

I know we got more ecol fans than this!

[mr rocket]

ECOLace a little lopsided------let be honest its been a disaster-------15 years o wins dover 3 wins np 1/2 wins camb that is 4-41/5--40
really want to see how bad total up the points scored by the three against clay and clay total points

[msacbd]

Ok Coshocton beat Tri valley 2-0 in the scrimmage but the skins pass D was the thing that stood out to me thats right you read it right pass d...The scottie qb is a stud heck of an arm but the skins have alot of team speed this year.Not only Alter but Bishop Hartley moved up to D-3 as well.

[Zanesvegas]

Zanesville will be just fine. Dover should be and will be considered the favorite, but the Blue Devils should have a say about that later on this fall.

ECOLace ... yes, ZHS is strong in boys basketball. Also pretty darn good in girls basketball. And the baseball team won the ECOL title last spring. Girls soccer should be strong again this year, too. We like the competition the ECOL provides, and we hope to help make it even stronger.

[Fallen Timbers]

Dover, Dover, Dover, Dover !

Coshocton,Coshocton,Coshocton,Coshocton,

[ECOLace]

I must say, the addition of Zanesville sure did make the ECOL an even stronger basketball league, which is pretty scary for the rest of eastern Ohio.

[Zanesvegas]

I like the attitude of the ECOL, to build a strong, competitive league. I think our baseball program coming in also helps raise the bar, and there are already schools there with great traditions, too. I think the idea to raise that bar for all schools across the board is great for all the kids. We look forward to being a part of it and developing some great, healthy rivalries along the way.

[general94]

Why is RV in the small school division? I thought they had about the same enrollment as Dover and Cambridge.

[Tornado Nut]

New enrollment numbers:

Scarlet

Dover 322
Zanesville 409
Cambridge 303
Phila 362
Marietta 367

Gray

Coshocton 182
Rosecrans 67
Claymont 289
River View 273
Meadowbrook 230

[wooball]

There were lots of blowouts in the old format, but now with divisions the better teams need to worry about the results of the 5 non-league games for each of their league opponents. If weeks 1-5 do not go well for ECOL teams, even great ECOL teams could be sitting at home week 11. On the other hand, if the first 5 weeks go well it could mean quite a few league teams in the playoffs. The ECOL took the risk of divisions and new we shall see if it pays off.


Teach,
Wouldn't it be beneficial for Tri-Valley to join the newly formatted ECOL w/ the Scotties being firmly positioned in division 2 football, and on the border for d1 for hoops and baseball? With the ECOL big school division having:
Zanesville - 409
Marietta - 367
New Philadelphia - 362
Dover - 322
Cambridge - 303

The MVL (without Tri-Valley) has:
Sheridan (299), New Lexington (269), West Muskingum (172), Philo (258), Maysville (248), John Glenn (274), Morgan (268), Crooksville (150)

Tri-Valley's enrollment figure of 396 would fit nicely into this league, and give the Scotties more consistent competition from schools their size, getting them better prepared for post season play. The smallest school in the large school division is Cambridge, which has a larger enrollment than the next biggest school in the MVL, Sheridan. I understand Sheridan is a fantastic program, but it just seems that it would benefit both the ECOL and Tri-Valley if the Scotties would make the decision to come aboard and join the ECOL.

[cats1]

wooball,

This topic has gone around and around several times.

I think everyone in the ECOL would like to see them come in. They would fit perfectly into the big school division.

For whatever reason they are sticking with the MVL.....the MVL is a very tight knit league, they really stick together. Plus currently Tri Valley is a big fish in a small pond and I think they like it that way. There are always rumblings up that way though about the ECOL from the people and the Admin....so far they have resisted.

To tell you the truth from my own point of view...With all the problems with schools, money, etc......I'm not sure why the ECOL and MVL don't just combine, what the heck makes the difference at this point. Eveybody plays each other anyway and both leagues make up a huge amount of the Eastern District.

[ECOLace]

I can understand tri-valleys position. The way it is now it's fitting well for both leagues with mvl-ecol playing format. Merging leagues is a definite possibility eventually, but let's see what the competition is like in this new format before we jump into anything.

[teach1coach2]

wooball,
The MVL has been around since the 1930s with not many teams coming and going. It is a stable league. Depending on school population numbers around the state, it is quite possible Tri-Valley is back to being a large D3 in about 4 years.

The ECOL is always in flex. For example, Indian Valley leaves because they won't go to divisions. A couple years later they go to divisions, but IV won't come back. Then you have the battles over Steubenville joining just to have them turn the ECOL down. Marietta is added that does not exactly make sense geographically for part of the league. Cambridge not happy about being in the large school division and would like to move divisions. Rosecrans has shaky numbers as a school and in many sports. Have to wonder at times how long they will make it. Plus, last year a couple schools were still quietly looking at other leagues (no more details on that).

If the ECOL settles in, maybe schools like Tri-Valley might be interested. Right now it would be like dating that 20 something hottie who has been married 3 times already.

Go back to my earlier post about Harbin points. A 9 or 10 team league might have some serious blowouts, but they reward the top couple teams with playoff appearances most years. A 5 or 6 team DIVISION is boom or bust. Those first 5 weeks determine the leagues number of playoff teams (playing non league teams) no matter how good or deep the league's teams are.

Cooperation between leagues is possible, but no merging is anywhere in the future to be seen.

[1iluvfootball]

Teach,
Wouldn't it be beneficial for Tri-Valley to join the newly formatted ECOL w/ the Scotties being firmly positioned in division 2 football, and on the border for d1 for hoops and baseball? With the ECOL big school division having:
Zanesville - 409
Marietta - 367
New Philadelphia - 362
Dover - 322
Cambridge - 303

The MVL (without Tri-Valley) has:
Sheridan (299), New Lexington (269), West Muskingum (172), Philo (258), Maysville (248), John Glenn (274), Morgan (268), Crooksville (150)

Tri-Valley's enrollment figure of 396 would fit nicely into this league, and give the Scotties more consistent competition from schools their size, getting them better prepared for post season play. The smallest school in the large school division is Cambridge, which has a larger enrollment than the next biggest school in the MVL, Sheridan. I understand Sheridan is a fantastic program, but it just seems that it would benefit both the ECOL and Tri-Valley if the Scotties would make the decision to come aboard and join the ECOL.

I am often duped by my own opinion. Which will cause me much heart ache, due in part, to the fact that malignancy loves a accuse. One would think people would be open minded enough to discuss things in a rational manner. But here we go.

I have the same feeling as you, Woo. There is no growth without division, this is a universal law. TV will remain stagnant in the MVL. True, there is tranquillity in safety and repetition, but TV needs to move on.

Some argue the point that TV has a hard enough time winning the MVL in Football, which is true. But, they are getting better year after year and win the MVL all sports trophy most of the time.

This not only helps TV, it helps the MVL. This would allow smaller schools to join such as Rosecrans, Miller, Warren, Beverly, Waterford. This would level the field for the smaller schools in the MVL. At the sametime John Glenn could move the ECOL and Sheridan to the MSL.

Change is a great thing and it is one of the few guarantee's of life.

[cleatus]

Ok Coshocton beat Tri valley 2-0 in the scrimmage but the skins pass D was the thing that stood out to me thats right you read it right pass d...The scottie qb is a stud heck of an arm but the skins have alot of team speed this year.Not only Alter but Bishop Hartley moved up to D-3 as well.

Hartley didnt move to D3 they are still D4 they just moved from Region 15 to 14

[teach1coach2]

1iluvfootball,
Why would Sheridan go to the MSL when all the Licking County schools are leaving for a new Licking County League?

As far as ECOL predictions:
1. Zanesville
2. Dover
3. Cambridge
4. New Philly
5. Marietta

1. Coshocton
2. Rosecrans
3. Meadowbrook
4. RiverView
5. Claymont

[1iluvfootball]

1iluvfootball,
Why would Sheridan go to the MSL when all the Licking County schools are leaving for a new Licking County League?

As far as ECOL predictions:
1. Zanesville
2. Dover
3. Cambridge
4. New Philly
5. Marietta

1. Coshocton
2. Rosecrans
3. Meadowbrook
4. RiverView
5. Claymont

As always teach, you taught me something. I have been out of the loop and was unaware of a new league forming. That would benefit Sheridan even more, LH is D2, Walkins D2 (I think), Newark D1, Heath, NC, LV all within close driving distance.

Just a Idea. Some don't like Ideas.

[cats1]

If Tri Valley would have agreed to move to the ECOL in the first place there would be so much movement going on....there wouldn't have been the flirtation with Steubenville, etc.

[Old56]

Don't forget the West Holmes debocal!

[teach1coach2]

1luv,
A 10 team LCL will resume in 2 years with Watkins Memorial, Licking Heights, Licking Valley, Lakewood, Granville, Newark Catholic, Heath, Johnstown, Utica, and Northridge. Likely be two divisions of 5 teams with the question whether Newark Catholic goes with the big schools (per catholic school advantage) or small schools (per attendance).

Inquires were made to a few MVL schools (especially Sheridan) when it looked like all 10 schools they wanted would join. They all 10 joined; plus I do not think Sheridan would have joined. One note, besides a huge blow to the MSL the new LCL ended the MBC. The northern schools of MBC went to MOC and Danville and East Knox are both out in the cold as independents.

[1iluvfootball]

1luv,
A 10 team LCL will resume in 2 years with Watkins Memorial, Licking Heights, Licking Valley, Lakewood, Granville, Newark Catholic, Heath, Johnstown, Utica, and Northridge. Likely be two divisions of 5 teams with the question whether Newark Catholic goes with the big schools (per catholic school advantage) or small schools (per attendance).

Inquires were made to a few MVL schools (especially Sheridan) when it looked like all 10 schools they wanted would join. They all 10 joined; plus I do not think Sheridan would have joined. One note, besides a huge blow to the MSL the new LCL ended the MBC. The northern schools of MBC went to MOC and Danville and East Knox are both out in the cold as independents.

Thanks Teach, your insights are always helpful. I have learned much from you.

[wishing]

dover
zanesville
np
cambridge
marrietta

coshocton
riverview
claymont
meadowbrook
rosecrans

[Old56]

Zanesville
NP
Dover
Cambridge
Marrietta

Coshocton
Claymont
River View
Meadowbrook
Rosecrans

[Tornado Nut]

Dover
Zanesville
NP
Camb
Marrietta

Coshocton
River View
Claymont
Rosecrans
Meadowbrook

[ECOLace]

Not sure why this was moved here, but alright!

Let's keep the predictions going people!

[teach1coach2]

Blame it on Marietta :)

[1iluvfootball]

Marietta was a foolish addition.

[Tornado Nut]

Zanesville
NP
Dover
Cambridge
Marrietta

Coshocton
Claymont
River View
Meadowbrook
Rosecrans

NP above Dover? I can't quit laughing.

[ECOLace]

Hell of a start for ECOL teams in week 1, 9-0 so far

New Philadelphia 21, Wheeling Park 20
Dover 58, Carrolton 14
Claymont 40, Harrison Central 18
River View 47, West Muskinghum 18
Marietta 29, Morgan 14
Zanesville 41, Newark 7
Meadowbrook 32, Union Local 26
Coshocton 41, East Knox 0
Cambridge 58, John Marshal 6

Combined scores of 367-123 or average of 40.7-13.6

Couldn't have asked for a better start, hopefully Rosecrans can make it 10-0 in week 1 tomorrow. Good luck to all teams in their non-conference schedules, let's send a couple schools to the playoffs this year.

[teach1coach2]

Divisions put more pressure on league teams to win non-league games for the good of the league (and its best teams). Can't do much better than perfect!

[nextplay]

10-0 for the ECOL, Rosecrans won big against Bridgeport. Way to go Bishops!

[ECOLace]

Way to go ECOL! Couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. We didn't just go 10-0, we had some upsets along the way (claymont over HC, Rosecrans over Bridgeport, Meadowbrook over UL, and NP over WP).

Should be a good season in the making.

[Tornado Nut]

Not sure if any of those are really upsets, All the teams that were beat were not that good.

[ECOLace]

Of the ones I mentioned the ECOL team certainly wasn't favored in any of the contests.

[cats1]

New Philly should have been favored against Wheeling Park, if they weren't then they aren't very good at all.

[Tornado Nut]

I agree, Wheeling Park was 2-8 last year. The Np kids played with a lot of heart and didn't give up, but WP is not very good.

New Projections
Dover
Zanesville
Cambridge
NP
Marietta


Coshocton
River View
Claymont
Rosecrans
Meadowbrook

[ECOLace]

New Phila wasn't very good last year either. It was my understanding many think WP are going to make a push in the WV playoffs this year. And despite the level in competition difference for each state, that's still something for New Phila to be proud of.

[Zanesvegas]

I expect NP to be better. I like that little RB -- tough kid. But WP is certainly not the WP of old. My understanding is their coach is under orders to win this year -- one reason, and probably the biggest one, as to why they dropped us. It's amazing sometimes to look at that sideline, because they have a lot of players who pass the eye test, and yet it's just not a very good program right now.

Either way you cut it, though, a win is a win is a win, and I'm sure the Quakers aren't planning to give it back. :)

[ECOLace]

League went 6-4 in week 2 with Rosecrans, Marietta, Meadowbrook and River View losing. I'll take it.

[Zanesvegas]

Big win for Dover and the ECOL.

[hoisington]

Ashland isn't very good this year, not a big win at all.

[Tornado Nut]

Ashland played 2 pretty good teams to start the season. They will be fine and finish in the top 3 in the Cardinal Conf.

[Tornado Nut]

Dover/Zanesville
Claymont/Coshocton

These will be the games for the league titles.

[ECOLace]

I just hope every team finishes out their non-league schedules well so we can send multiple teams to the playoffs. Realistically, Dover, Coshocton, Cambridge, New Philadelphia, Zanesville, all have a good shot, while Claymont has outside shot depending on how many games they can win. The only pretty much guaranteed loss is Dover and a likely loss in Coshocton, but the rest of them are toss ups and Claymont could potentially win them.

[Zanesvegas]

Psychologically speaking, hoisington.

[Tornado Nut]

Coshocton will make it.
Dover has 3 tough games in Canfield, Tri Valley, Zanesville. Need to win 2 of 3.
Zanesville has Ursuline & Dover. Need to win 1 of those.
I think Phila will end up 5-5 to 7-3 and not get in. They could lose to Northwest, Cambridge, Coshocton, Zanesville & Dover.

[Tornado Nut]

Prediction for larger schools

Dover 9-1, 4-0
Zanesville 8-2, 3-1
Cambridge 7-3, 2-2
Phila 5-5, 1-3
Marietta 3-7, 0-4

[Tornado Nut]

This should be on the North thread>

[Zanesvegas]

Sort of. If it's about the ECOL as a whole, though, there are those of us down this way (ZHS, Cambridge, Meadowbrook, Marietta) who would disagree! Hate to have separate ones on each forum, though.

[cats1]

Prediction for larger schools

Dover 9-1, 4-0
Zanesville 8-2, 3-1
Cambridge 7-3, 2-2
Phila 5-5, 1-3
Marietta 3-7, 0-4

That looks about right to me.

[ECOLace]

I posted it in the north but a moderator moved it.

[ECOLace]

The league went 6-2 in non-league contests this weekend with Claymont, New Philadelphia, Rosecrans, Zanesville, and Coschocton winning, with Dover and Meadowbrook and Dover. Cambridge of course played River View, and won.

Bringing our overall non-league record to 22-6 so far this season. Not bad!

[Tornado Nut]

Prediction for larger schools

Dover 9-1, 4-0
Zanesville 8-2, 3-1
Cambridge 7-3, 2-2
Phila 5-5, 1-3
Marietta 3-7, 0-4

Still holding same prediction.

[ECOLace]

Looks solid, would like to see new phila beat northwest though.

[JagDad]

Still holding same prediction.

ya gotta love a li'l bias now and then.. so we'll see how it plays out..

[teach1coach2]

Rosecrans beat Meadowbrook 45-6 tonight. I still see Rosecrans finishing second behind Coshocton in the small school division. Followed by Claymont, RiverView and Meadowbrook.

[ECOLace]

I would say third behind Claymont and Coshocton.

[ECOLace]

ECOL could potentially send 6 teams to the playoffs this year, but more likely we'll send 4.

Coshocton, Dover, Zanesville and Rosecrans are all pretty much projected to get in if they win the games. Claymont has a decent shot if Harrison Central, Indian Valley, and Rosecrans are able to win out. New Phila has an outside shot and has new life with beating Coshocton, but they'll need a lot of help. Same with Cambridge.