Sports

MVL Week 11 Notes

By: Eli Burris
Posted on: Friday, November 8, 2013

WELCOME BACK: Two MVL teams are making returns to the postseason after a lengthy absence. Philo makes their first return to the state playoffs since 1995, while John Glenn returns for the first time since 2007. The Electrics and Little Muskies face off in Duncan Falls on Friday night.

MONKEY OFF THE BACK: Philo and Maysville are both seeking their first playoff wins in program history when they host John Glenn and Bexley, respectively, on Friday night.

HOME SWEET HOME: Maysville will be playing in their first home playoff game in program history come Friday night. Meanwhile, Tri-Valley is opening postseason play at home for the third straight year.

THE MORE THE MERRIER: This season marks the first time since 2001 that four current MVL teams have made the playoffs in the same season. In that year, Crooksville, John Glenn, New Lexington and Sheridan all qualified for the state playoffs.

Division III Regional Quarterfinal

5 New Philadelphia Quakers (9-1) at 4 Tri-Valley Scotties (8-2)

THE STATS:

Team	PPG	Opp. PPG	Yr. in Playoffs	Last Appearance	All-Time Playoff Record
New Philadelphia Quakers	37.3	17.8	7^th	2012	0-5
Tri-Valley Scotties	40	14.6	7^th	2012	5-6

THE ANALYSIS:

This is one of the more intriguing opening round matchups throughout the entire state and Division III.

The Scotties are riding a six-game winning streak, all of which were needed to claim their third outright MVL title. The Quakers are coming off a thrilling, three-overtime 34-28 victory over Dover that sent the victor into the playoffs and the loser into the offseason. Other than that victory, the Quakers have only beaten one other team with a winning record (Claymont).

These programs have seen great success in recent years. Both the Scotties and the Quakers have been annual playoff participants since 2011, but New Philly has gone 0-for in all playoff games in program history. Expect a packed house and an absolute playoff atmosphere on Friday when the Quakers make the hour drive down to Dresden to battle the Scotties.

COMPARING A SHARED OPPONENT:

Division IV Regional Quarterfinals

6 John Glenn Little Muskies (7-3) at 3 Philo Electrics (8-2)

THE STATS:

Team	PPG	Opp. PPG	Yr. in Playoffs	Last Appearance	All-Time Playoff Record
Philo Electrics	33.2	15.2	5^th	1995	0-4
John Glenn Little Muskies	30	14.8	8^th	2007	4-7

THE ANALYSIS:

As if we didn’t get enough MVL action in the regular season, right?

This week 5 rematch of the Electrics and Muskies will again be played in Duncan Falls, where the home team was the victor on Sept. 27 by a score of 39-19.

Expect a closer end result this time, as John Glenn is coming into this game riding a three-game win streak that started with an upset of Maysville back in week 8. On the flip side, Philo comes limping into week 11 after a brutal 35-3 league championship beating, courtesy of Tri-Valley.

Will Philo finally get over the hump and garner their first playoff win or will John Glenn continue their improbable tournament run into the regional semifinals? This game exemplifies how good the Muskingum Valley League has been this season.

5 Bexley Lions (7-3) at 4 Maysville Panthers (7-3)

THE STATS:

Team	PPG	Opp. PPG	Yr. in Playoffs	Last Appearance	All-Time Playoff Record
Bexley Lions	28.3	23.4	2^nd	2008	0-1
Maysville Panthers	36.4	19.3	2^nd	2012	0-1

THE ANALYSIS:

Both of these programs are making their second playoff appearance, while still looking for the coveted first playoff victory.

The Lions and the Panthers have beaten up on inferior opponents all season, coming to their respective 7-3 records. They’ve both struggled against other good teams. Between the two, they have a combined 3-6 record against teams with winning records this season.

Maysville and Bexley were able to finish the regular season strong, as both squads were able to knock would-be playoff teams out of postseason contention.

Emotions will be high in Zanesville, as Maysville is hosting their first playoff game in school history.