As the 2008 football season quickly draws closer, optimism is high, and every team is undefeated. However, once the first kick-off is taken, there will be moments of great excitement, and moments of heartbreaking disappointments. Who will exceed all expectations, and which will fall a little short of their goals? That will begin to take form in the next couple of months. Whatever the case, for a high school football fan the season will fly by way too fast!
No question, the next ten weeks will be a brutal grind for all 16 teams that make up the Inter-Tri County League. Last year’s champions South Range, McDonald, and Leetonia will once again be solid teams in 2008. While Western Reserve, Crestview, and Columbiana will try to put their mark on division titles. East Palestine, United, Mineral Ridge, Southern, Wellsville, and Lowellville may all be considered dark horses, and will be hard to beat. Plus Springfield, Lisbon, Jackson-Milton, and Sebring could very well be improved and ready to upset anyone who overlooks them.
Here are our top 5 games in 2008 (and why):
1) South Range at Crestview (Sept. 26): The winner may very well win the Upper Tier championship, and also solidify a playoff spot in Region 17. Crestview has lost nine games in a row to the Raiders by almost every inconceivable way imaginable. Is this the season they finally break that jinx?
2) McDonald at Western Reserve (Oct. 3): Basically it’s ditto for the game above. Reserve has lost an unbelievable 19 games in a row to their namesakes in McDonald. This should be a classic battle between RB Sampson (McD), and QB Ewing (WR).
3) Southern at Western Reserve (Sept. 12): If the Southern Indians are going to press the league hierarchy, they will need to show how good they are in this league opener. Southern only lost by two points in ’08, and three points in ’07 to Reserve. Is this the year that they beat the Devils?
4) Columbiana at Crestview (Sept. 12): This game is much more critical for the Clippers than Rebels. With the Clippers brutal non-conference schedule, this game could either bolt them into a league race, or bury them in a disappointing season.
5) East Palestine at South Range (Oct. 3): The Bulldogs are trying to re-build their program. This game is a litmus test as to where they really are. While the Raiders will be coming off a very emotional game against Crestview. Will the Raiders be able to win back-to back games against talented foes?
Here is a brief preview of all sixteen teams in the ITCL. ITCLFootball.net wishes all teams a fun, safe, and enjoyable 2008 season!
