Sports
Four Things To Know About The MVL
By: Eli Burris
Posted on:
We are halfway through another hard-hitting, action-packed season in the Muskingum Valley League, and four teams have emerged as serious title contenders.
Tri-Valley has not lost an MVL game in 21 contests, Maysville is undefeated in 2013 and Sheridan and Philo are in position to push for a playoff spot.
Here are four things you should know for the second half of the season:
1.Tri-Valley is still the team to beat.
Even though they do not currently have the best overall record in the league, the Scotties still hold the ace in the MVL. Their only losses came against two non-league opponents — Zanesville and Licking Valley — who have one combined loss to show for the season. Dresden faithful need not panic; the Scotties have won 21 straight MVL games, dating back to week 8 of the 2010 season, and have made four straight playoff appearances.
During that timespan, the Scotties have an average margin of victory of 40.62 points, with the average score being 47.3-6.7. That’s right, over the past 21 games, the Scottie defense is holding MVL opponents under a single touchdown per game. So far this season, the Scotties have only given up one touchdown in 3 MVL tilts, pitching 2 shut-outs.
2.Sheridan must avoid déjà vu.
The final six weeks of the 2012 Sheridan Generals football season was a very forgettable stretch for the program. The team finished the season 0-6, averaging only 7.8 points in their final six contests. The stretch left Sheridan sitting out of the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
So far this season, the Generals (4-1) have beaten four teams with a combined 3-17 record. Their next three weeks showcase matchups with three of the top four teams in the MVL: Maysville, Philo and Tri-Valley. The three teams have a combined record of 12-3. The Generals must avoid a second half collapse if they wish to get back to the playoffs.
3. Three MVL teams have a good chance to make the playoffs.
As the playoff outlook currently stands, two MVL squads are on their way to playing into November. Maysville (5-0) currently stands as the No. 2 seed in Division IV, Region 13. If the playoffs started today, the Panthers would host their first ever home playoff game.
The second team that would be in the playoffs is the Philo Electrics, who hold the No. 6 ranking in the same region as Maysville. Philo lost to Maysville, 28-21 on Sept. 13. The Electrics still have contests against Sheridan and Tri-Valley. If they win one of those games and avoid any slip-ups, they may also find a way into the playoffs.
The third team with a good chance to qualify for the postseason is the Tri-Valley Scotties. Although they currently stand nine spots out of the playoff race, at No. 17 in Division III, Region 9, the Scotties can find a way into the top eight spots if they pull out some big league wins in the second half of the season. The last three games of the season for Tri-Valley are showdowns with Sheridan, Maysville and Philo, respectively. Wins against those teams will garner major computer points for the Scotties in their final push for the playoffs.
4. The MVL title will come down to the last two weeks of the season.
If the MVL is to have an outright winner in 2013, that team will likely have to go undefeated in league play. The final two games for Tri-Valley — at Maysville in week 9 and at home against Philo in week 10 — will be crucial to crowning an MVL champion. On paper, Maysville holds the best chance to win the league. The Panthers have already beaten Philo, and they will have home-field advantage for their game against the Scotties. Expect the unexpected when it comes to the last two weeks of the 2013 MVL campaign.
MVL Standings, Through Week 5
|
Team |
Overall |
MVL |
|
1. Maysville Panthers – No. 2 D-IV, R13 |
5-0 |
4-0 |
|
T2. Tri-Valley Scotties |
3-2 |
3-0 |
|
T2. Sheridan Generals |
4-1 |
3-0 |
|
4. Philo Electrics – No. 6 D-IV, R13 |
4-1 |
2-1 |
|
5. Crooksville Ceramics |
3-2 |
2-2 |
|
6. John Glenn Muskies |
3-2 |
1-2 |
|
7. New Lex Panthers |
2-3 |
1-3 |
|
8. Morgan Raiders |
0-5 |
0-3 |
|
9. West M Tornadoes |
0-5 |
0-5 |