2010 Key
ITCL Games
PAGE 1
                                     Mineral Ridge  VS  McDonald
     The towns of Mineral Ridge and McDonald can both judge their year by who has won this annual backyard rivalry.  Since 2006 when the two schools were split due to the ICL-TCL merger, the Blue Devils have held a 3 games to 1 advantage, including a hard fought 21-8 victory last year.  As the two squads look forward to the upcoming year, it will certainly be another emotionally charged game that will be highly anticipated by both communities.
    Ridge head coach Joe Stevens talked about how important this game will be to his team, “As close as we came to making the playoffs last year, we realize that every game is important.  This game just adds a little extra, regardless of records, this is one you always want to win.”   Stevens is very familiar with this rivalry as he has been on both sides of the field.  As a McDonald graduate he has played against the Rams, and now he is a converted Ram diehard.  He knows it will be played with a playoff type atmosphere.  “Yes, it always draws a great crowd and the media likes to play it up so it definitely takes on a playoff atmosphere.”
     Stevens cautions though, that a league title is still an important goal for the Rams regardless of the McDonald game, “It has that same sense of importance as a league game, but at the same time we know it has no bearing on winning the league title.  Actually I think it works to our favor.  If we beat them I think it will give us an extra boost of confidence and energy heading in to league play.”  The Mineral Ridge and McDonald communties should witness another great contest this September, and one will have bragging rights around town for another year.
                                            Crestview  VS  Beaver Local
     The defending ITCL champions take the very short trip down Route 7 to face their southern neighbor in Beaver Local in this key week #2 contest.  The close proximity of these two schools automatically makes this game a natural rivalry.  So this contest has the possibilty of being an emotionally charged match-up.  Add to it the fact that both schools have had a tremendous history of well coached, hard hitting teams that are playoff experienced.  Coach Cusick concurred, "I think it has a great chance to develop into a rivalry.  Neighboring schools and community members that know each other."
    The Rebels are expected to have annother great year, and the Beavers are looking to bounce back from a couple of uncharacteristic losing seasons.  Coach Cusick expects to see a playoff caliber team in the Beavers when they meet up, "Big, tough, physical and they will be greatly improved from last year," commented Cusick.  The contest should be one that will give area fans a game to remember.  "Again, I look for a playoff type of atmosphere.  Beaver Local is a bigger school, so this will be a great test for us.  I think the fans will be excited.  Its a great game for Columbiana County."  But it is certainly going to be a game that will have ramifications in both Divisions 3 and 5 in northeast Ohio, with valuable computer points on the line.  Not to mention the entertainment factor of two teams that like to run the spread offense.  It should be a great one!
Other ITCL Non-Conference Games to Watch
Lisbon AT Leetonia (Aug 26) - The 100th game between these two rival schools.  The Blue Devils holds a 49-47-3 advantage in the series.  Both schools are preparing for some special ceremonies in this annual "Spaghetti Bowl", and it should be a special game for both teams.

McDonald AT Springfield (Aug 26) - A big game for both programs as they have renewed this old ICL rivalry.  The Devils will see if they can re-load, and the Tigers are poised to try to improve from a 5-5 team in 2009.  The Devils 29-20 win last year was one of the stiffest test they had during the regular season.

Columbiana AT Monroe Central (Aug 27) - A great test for the Clippers as they travel to play the Seminoles at Steubenville.  The Seminoles have been a regular to the OHSAA playoffs, and this should be a great game between these storied programs.  The Noles went 9-2 last year in Division 5, Region 19, and are looking to get back into the playoffs again this year.

Lowellville AT Youngstown Christian (Aug 27) - A game that will feature the Rockets playing what has become a solid local program in the YCS Eagles.  With high expectation in the 'Ville, this will be an important game to give everyone a measuring stick of what we may see from them.

Southern AT East Palestine (Aug 27) - This game will be important for both programs as they will both be breaking in new coaches.  It will be a test between the  new "young" coach in Skrinjar against the vetran coach in Mattes, but both teams have a lot of new faces that will need to develop quickly in this season opener.

LaBrae AT Mineral Ridge (Sept 3) - The Rams may have raised some eyebrows last year with a 20-7 win over the highly regarded Vikings, but this should be another big test for both these programs.  Not to mention some bragging rights go to the winner of this Trumbull County rivalry.

South Range AT Campbell Memorial (Sept 3) - The Raiders will face another playoff team in the Red Devils, with the hope of getting off to a fast start in the 2010 season.  Both programs with a lot of tradition will see who can win this big Mahoning Valley game.

Columbiana AT Newton Falls (Sept 10) - Another big game for the Clippers as they try to beat a Tiger team that went 7-3 last year in the very difficult All-American Conference.  This game may be pivital for both programs for a chance at important computer points.

Garfield Trinity AT South Range (Sept 10) - The third of three playoff teams on the Raiders schedule.  The Trojans went 7-3 last year, and lost to Ursuline in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs.  With such a difficult schedule for the Raiders, this game will be very important if they want to get enough computer points to return to the playoffs themselves.