2008 Season in Review What Was and What's Next

It’s hard to believe that the 2008 ITCL season is over.  It seems like it was only a couple weeks ago that we were starting two-a-days, and wondering who would have a successful season and who would not.  All too quickly the season has passed us by while leaving us with great memories and many successes and disappointments.      The ITCLFootball.net web site had the pleasure of seeing so many great performances during the year.  We witnessed Josh Selway take his team upon his shoulders by winning a game on the last play.  We saw Nathan Melhorn rush for over 300 yards in a game, just missing a Nick Puckett record, and we saw Cameron Reynolds kick a game winning field goal as time expired to end a thrilling contest.  And all these were only a sampling of the outstanding players who provided so many memories in the 2008 season.

We also watched the Springfield Tigers and South Range Raiders make improbable last minute come from behind wins over Columbiana.  However the Clippers also provided a big win themselves with a overtime victory against rival Crestview to show they’re fortitude.  In addition, we also saw Southern and McDonald play a grueling three overtime contest that showed the heart and character of both teams.      If were talking about impressive players, we must also mention some impressive teams.  McDonald separated them from the rest of the league by rolling to a perfect 10-0 regular season record, and a second round playoff appearance.  Crestview was able to finally get the monkey off it’s back by beating rival South Range, winning a share of the Upper Tier.  The Raiders were also able to win another league title and qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year despite numerous injuries and new starters in 2008.      We saw programs that have long struggled see some success this year with Southern having one of it’s best seasons ever with a 7-3 record.  Wellsville also came close to making it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001 when they finished with the identical 7-3 mark.  Jackson-Milton, despite losing seven of they’re last eight games, showed signs of improvement, and Springfield gave us glimpses of what use to be one of the top notch programs in the area.  United also became a league contender with one of it’s best season’s since the late 1990’s.

So now we must wait nine months before we see such exciting, and amazing ITCL football action again.  There will be, as always, a lot of questions going into next year.  Will McDonald be able to defend they're title, or will Western Reserve, who was loaded with juniors this season, be the team to beat in the Lower Tier?  Will Leetonia have life after Selway?  And Southern after the graduation of Melhorn?  Will Wellsville contend again next year, or will Lowellville be able to become a contender?      Meanwhile, in the Upper Tier, will Crestview and South Range reload once again next year, or will Columbiana finally be able to break through to capture a league crown?  And how about United and East Palestine, two teams that showed so much promise with a plethora of talented junior athletes this year?  Will Springfield continue to show improvement, and will Mineral Ridge benefit from playing so many underclassmen in '08?      One thing is for certain, God willing, we will be there again next August following your favorite teams and athletes.  The fourth year of the ITCL should once again provide area fans with some of the best small school football in the state of Ohio. - ITCLFootball.net Article