By: Nate Calvin
The final week of the regular season and there’s plenty to play for several teams across the area as squads jostle for playoff position and league races are decided.
The top 16 in each region make the playoffs with the top eight teams hosting an opening round game and the top four will have the potential to host the first two rounds.
The official final computer ratings and first-round pairings will be announced by the OHSAA Sunday afternoon.
GAMES TO WATCH:
Archbold (8-1, 5-1 NWOAL) @ Patrick Henry (5-4, 3-3 NWOAL) 7pm
Archbold coming off a come from behind win over Wauseon last week heads to Patrick Henry with a home-playoff game and still a shot at a share of the NWOAL title on the line.
A win will guarantee the Bluestreaks (currently No. 6 in Division V, Region 18) a home first round playoff game and possibly a tie with Liberty Center for the NWOAL championship if the Tigers trip up at Delta.
Patrick Henry is currently No. 13 in Division VI Region 18 and has unofficially clinched a playoff spot but could vault into the top eight with a win.
Wauseon (6-3, 4-2 NWOAL) @ Bryan (4-5, 3-3 NWOAL) 7pm
There will be plenty of playoff implications when Wauseon and Bryan square off in the regular season finale at Golden Bear Stadium.
Wauseon and Bryan both currently sit in the top 16 of Division IV Region 14.
Wauseon is No. 10 right now and has locked up a playoff spot win or lose according joeeitel.com, but a loss means the Indians will for sure be on the road for the first round.
A win by the Indians leaves open the possibility of sneaking into the top eight to host week one.
The scenario for Bryan is simple, a win puts them in, and a loss may not knock Bryan completely out, but they will need help to get in.
Liberty Center (9-0, 6-0 NWOAL) @ Delta (5-4, 3-3 NWOAL) 7pm
It’s a must win for the Delta Panthers who enter this game having dropped three of their last four games after starting the season 4-1.
Holding on to the No. 15 spot in Division V Region 18, Delta must pull the upset to stay in the hunt.
For Liberty Center, they are securely in the top four and will be looking to clinch an outright NWOAL championship with a win.
Antwerp (9-0, 6-0 GMC) @ Edgerton (7-2, 4-2 GMC) 7pm
The GMC title has already been decided as Antwerp wrapped up their first championship in school history last week.
According to joeeitel.com, Edgerton has already secured a playoff spot in Division VII, Region 26 but a win would improve Edgerton’s position, including possibly hosting a first-round game.
Edon (5-4, 3-0 TAAC) @ Ottawa Hills 7-1, 3-0 TAAC) 7pm
The TAAC championship will be up for grabs as the Edon Bombers travel to face the Ottawa Hills Green Bears.
It is a win and you’re in situation for Edon but a loss in their season finale and the Bombers will need help to make the top 16 in the region.
Edon beat Ottawa Hills in a shootout 52-28 last season to clinch their first TAAC title in school history.
North Central (6-3) @ Whiteford (MI) (8-0) 7pm
North Central (Division VII, Region 26) looks to cap off their first season of varsity football with a playoff spot and they will have a tall task in front of them, taking on Michigan state powerhouse Whiteford.
A win by the Eagles could mean a first-round home game while a loss could leave North Central on the outside looking in.
Whiteford has dominated the teams on their schedule, outscoring them 406-85.
OTHER GAMES:
Montpelier (2-7, 0-3 TAAC) @ Hilltop (1-8, 0-3 TAAC) 7pm
Stryker (5-3, 2-3 Northern 8) @ Sandusky St. Mary (0-7, 0-5 Northern 8) 7pm (8-man)
Swanton (1-8, 0-6 NWOAL) @ Evergreen (2-7, 0-6 NWOAL) 7pm
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com