Sports
Week 9 MVL Playoff Scenarios
By: Eli Burris
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Most conferences across the state can say they have a clear picture on a league champion and postseason representatives.
The MVL can say no such thing.
The final two weeks of the regular season will determine which MVL team gets to wear the league crown and keep playing into the heart of November.
Here are playoff scenarios for the remaining MVL contenders heading into week 9:
Tri-Valley Scotties (6-2, 6-0 MVL)
Division III, Region 9
If Playoffs Started Today: 1 Marion-Franklin (7-1) vs. 8 Tri-Valley (6-2)
The Scotties know how to win MVL matchups, and that’s exactly what they’ll have to continue to do in order to make their fifth straight state playoff appearance. Their final two MVL opponents are currently ranked within the top four of Division IV, Region 13.
Philo Electrics (7-1, 5-1 MVL)
Division IV, Region 13 – The Electrics have clinched a playoff spot
If Playoffs Started Today: 2 Philo Electrics (7-1) vs. 7 Claymont (5-3)
Even though the Electrics defeated Licking Valley in week 2, they still fall one spot behind the top-seeded Panthers in the regional rankings. Licking Valley established itself as a top-tier contender after dealing previously undefeated county foe, Licking Heights, their only loss of the season last week.
Maysville Panthers (6-2, 5-2 MVL)
Division IV, Region 13 – The Panthers control their own destiny for a playoff spot
If Playoffs Started Today: 4 Maysville (6-2) vs. 5 Bloom-Carroll (5-3)
Without their week 3 victory at Philo, the Panthers would not be in the playoff picture right now. The Panthers have only beaten one other team (Sheridan) with a winning record on the season. They will have to win at least one of their last two games to secure their second playoff berth in program history.
John Glenn Muskies (5-3, 3-3 MVL)
Division IV, Region 13
The Muskies have stormed into the playoff picture. They currently sit one spot out of the playoffs, and all teams ahead of them in Region 13 have games that they could very possibly lose. With their upset win over Maysville last week, the Muskies have put themselves in a very good position to make the playoffs, as long as they take care of business against New Lexington and Crooksville in the next two weeks.
Sheridan Generals (5-3, 4-2 MVL)
Division III, Region 9
With their blowout loss to Tri-Valley last week, the Generals have all but officially been knocked out of the playoff picture, dropping four spots from 10 to 14 in an unforgiving region. Bottom line: there are just too many teams better than Sheridan in Region 9 this year.
Week 9 MVL matchups with playoff implications
Maysville (6-2) vs. Tri-Valley (6-2)
If Maysville Wins: The Panthers will solidify their spot in the playoffs. If the Panthers want to host their first playoff game in program history, they’ll have to win their last two games of the regular season, which happen to be against currently playoff-bound teams, Tri-Valley and Claymont.
ALSO, John Glenn would get a boost of secondary points because they defeated Maysville in week 8.
If Maysville Loses: Postseason dreams won’t be dashed just yet, but chances for the Panthers to host a first round game will be lost.
If Tri-Valley Wins: The Scotties will keep moving up the regional rankings. It is not likely that Tri-Valley will make it into the top four spots, even if they were to beat their final two high-profile regular season opponents. Region 9 is just too strong at the top with undefeated Athens and Columbus schools Marion-Franklin and Brookhaven.
If Tri-Valley Loses: They will still have a chance to get into the playoffs with their week 10 matchup at home against Philo.
John Glenn (5-3) vs. New Lexington (4-4)
If John Glenn Wins: The Muskies will move one step closer to what, weeks ago, could’ve been seen as a very improbable journey to the playoffs. The Muskies should also be rooting for Maysville these next two weeks, as a flurry of secondary points would come John Glenn’s way if the Panthers were able to win their final two games.
If John Glenn Loses: Playoff hopes move to about a 50/50 chance, depending on what Maysville is able to do in week 10 against a currently playoff-bound Claymont team.