MAC has five teams in Regional Semis; Conference continues to shine, win

This article runs in its entirety in today's Dayton Daily News

Coldwater football coach Chip Otten’s use of lawn care to describe the competitiveness of schools in the Midwest Athletic Conference is appropriate. The MAC has been mowing down opponents for years.

“The competitve nature in our area with everything is high whether it be business, education, sports or even how good your lawn looks,” Otten said. “The expectations of all of our athletic programs are really high.”

Football is the penthouse, and it’s an impressive pad.

This weekend the MAC will have five teams competing in regional semifinals. That’s a historic feat for any other conference. It’s expected of this one.

Since 1999 when eight teams per region began earning tickets to the playoffs, MAC teams have gone 48-1 against non-MAC foes in regional quarterfinals. The lone blemish? Versailles’ 21-20 loss to Lima Central Catholic in the 2005 D-V Region 20 quarters.

In regional semifinals, the MAC is 51-6 against non-MAC opponents.

Staggering.

“I don’t know that teams are fearful or intimidated by hearing ‘the MAC,’ ” Otten said. “I think the advantage for us is that we know that we don’t have to play an unbelievable game to win. We’re all used to playing playoff caliber teams all year and we’re used to pressure and the physical nature of playing four tough quarters.”

Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin agreed.

“It gives our teams confidence that we’re not going to have to do anything extraordinary to have success in the playoffs,” said Goodwin, whose team is the defending D-VI state champion. “If we prepare during the week and play well, we’re going to have a very good shot of moving on because...

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