Sports
Week 8 Power Rankings: TVC-Ohio
By: Jon Chamier
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1. Athens Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0) | Last week’s ranking: 1
Head coach Ryan Adams and his Bulldogs are steamrolling their competition, winning by an average margin of victory of 48 points per game. Even with a Joe Burrow temporarily sidelined with a knee injury, Athens is a heavy favorite to finish the regular season undefeated.
2. Nelsonville-York Buckeyes (6-2, 4-0) | Last week’s ranking: 2
After a topsy-turvy 3-2 start to the season, Nelsonville-York has rattled off three consecutive conference wins. The Buckeyes own the only other unblemished conference record in the Ohio and they will lean on their impressive ground game, led by senior running back Alex Mount, for a run at the title.
3. Alexander Spartans (5-3, 3-2) | Last week’s ranking: 3
The Spartans lost the battle for second place last Friday against Nelsonville-York, which can be blamed on poor first half play. The Buckeyes picked off Brody McGrath three times before halftime and a second-half comeback bid came up short. Still, the Spartans are one of only three teams with a winning conference record in the TVC-Ohio.
4. Meigs Marauders (3-5, 2-2) | Last week’s ranking: 4
Meigs continues to have an up-and-down season so far. The Marauders suffered their worst loss of the season, falling to Ironton 41-18 last Friday. Meigs will look to regain some confidence this Friday when the face up against a 3-5 Wellston team in the hopes of steering towards a .500 record.
5. Wellston Golden Rockets (3-5, 1-3) | Last week’s ranking: 5
There’s not much you can say following an 82-7 loss other than at least Wellston doesn’t have to face Athens again. The Golden Rockets managed only 93 total yards on the night, 81 of which came on their opening drive.
6. River Valley Raiders (4-4, 1-4) | Last week’s ranking: 6
The Raiders righted the ship last week against last-place Vinton County, snapping a four-game losing streak to begin conference play. The Raiders won’t have much room for mistakes when they face a team at the other end of the TVC-Ohio standings: River Valley travels to 8-0 Athens on Friday.
7. Vinton County Vikings (1-7, 0-4) | Last week’s ranking: 7
The Vikings lost another close fight, falling only by a field goal against River Valley. Vinton County now has a trio of three-point losses this season. The Vikings host second place Nelsonville-York this week.