MANSFIELD — It isn’t quite the catbird seat, but Clear Fork’s view is still pretty good.
The Colts maintained the No. 2 spot in the Region 14 standings when the Ohio High School Athletic Association released the third of seven weekly computer ratings Tuesday afternoon. The top eight teams in each region in the final ratings qualify for the playoffs.
Clear Fork (6-0) still trails St. Marys Memorial, but could potentially leap-frog the Roughriders with a win over Galion (4-2) on Friday. The Tigers are ninth in Region 14. St. Marys Memorial’s opponent, Lima Bath, is winless.
Ashland (5-1) slipped from seventh to eighth in Division II, Region 7 despite last week’s win over Madison. The Arrows host Mansfield Senior on Friday.
Hillsdale (4-2) slipped from first to third in the Division VI, Region 22 ratings after last week’s overtime loss to Norwayne. The Falcons are at Chippewa (4-2) on Friday and a win over the Chipps would deliver a wealth of second level points.
Wynford’s 4-2 record has the Royals ninth in Division VI, Region 22. Carey is just above Wynford.
Loudonville (4-2) dipped from second to fourth in Region 22 despite a 41-7 win over Tuslaw. The Redbirds begin a rugged three-week stretch Friday at Orrville (5-1). Loudonville’s next three opponents, Orrville, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and Manchester, are a combined 14-4.
Mapleton (5-1) moved into the top spot in Division VII, Region 25 after last week’s win over previously unbeaten South Central. The Mounties could virtually lock up a playoff spot with a road win over Firelands Conference heavyweight Norwalk St. Paul (5-1) on Friday.
Also in Division VII, Lucas (4-2) slipped from second to third in the Region 27 ratings despite a 48-0 win over Crestline. The Cubs host Division IV Cadiz Harrison Central (1-5) on Friday.
The state’s 700-plus football-playing schools are divided into seven divisions based primarily on enrollment. Each division is divided into four geographical regions and the top eight teams in each region qualify for the playoffs.
The top four teams in each region will host a regional quarterfinal before games are shifted to neutral sites for the regional semifinals, regional finals and state semifinals. All seven state championship games will be played at the recently-renovated Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
