"Championship Friday" in the ITCL
Crestview Rebels (5-1, 3-0)

Columbiana Clippers (6-0, 3-0)
    This Friday will mark another meeting between old rivals in Crestview and Columbiana, but this time it will have the ITCL title on the line, not to mention vital computer points in Division 5, Region 17.  The winner will have the inside track of winning the Upper Tier, and almost clinch a playoff birth with the boat-load of points that the winner will receive.
     "It doesn't get any bigger - the enchilada is here," Clipper Head Coach Bob Spaite would say.  "There always seems to be a lot on the line when we play.  This is a big game beyond the rivalry because of league implications and playoff points," Rebels Paul Cusick confirmed.
     Ironically, if the playoffs started today, these two would be playing each other at Firestone Park, exactly were they will kickoff on Friday night as the Clippers are currently in third place in Region 17 and the Rebels are in sixth.
Western Reserve (6-0, 3-0)

Southern Indians (6-0, 3-0)
    Last year the Southern Indians went into Berlin Center in week #6, undefeated and with high hopes.  They left with a disappointing 26-10 loss, and found out how they measured up to the Blue Devils.  Indians coach Mike Skrinjar admitted after the game that it was a good measuring stick on how much they need to improve to be the best in the league.  It is now a year later and these two will meet again, matching perfect records and a league title on the line.
    Spaite knows what he will be facing Friday night, "Always tough and physical.  This year they are FAST.  Maybe fastest Rebel team yet, very explosive," he would point out.
     He is also well aware of the struggles that the Clippers have had with Crestview in the recent past.  "We have yet to figure it out, the one win we have in the last seven years was a double overtime shootout 30 someting to 40 something, only once in the last 10 years have we held them to less than two touchdowns and we lost that one 10-0."
     But fortunately for Spaite his players are not deterred, "Fortunately our players have short memories.  Our guys have always believed that we could have or should have won the game. Call it whistling past the graveyard if you want, but we THINK we have a shot."
     The Rebels have already faced a big challenge two weeks ago when they beat a previously unbeaten Springfield team 49-0, but according to Coach Cusick he doesn't feel that that win, and the big game experience with it, gives the Rebels any advantage heading into this contest.  "I don't feel that way at all.  Both teams know how to prepare for a big game and this will be no different.  Once you cross the white lines, the players take over."
     Cusick was also very complimentary of the Clippers team, and what they can do, "The Clippers are very well coached and are expolsive in all three phases of the game.  Austin (Barbato) has done a tremendous job this season being Coumbiana's leader.  He has worked hard over the last three seasons and it shows this year.  They really play well defensively and are aggressive to the ball."
     So what do the two coaches feel that they need to do in order to win this pivotal game?  Coach Spaite summed it up shortly, "Be disciplined and DO OUR JOB!  While Coach Cusick said, "Keeping emotions under control and making the plays when we get the opportunity."
     Whatever the outcome, it should be another historic match-up between these two fierce rivals.  The crowd at Firestone Park should be overflowing and reminiscent to playoff football in Northeast Ohio.
    "Well first of all, this could be for the league championship so its definitely a big deal. We know they are a good team and they will be ready to play. We are preparing well for this game. Our guys are confident but we know they will play their best game against us," Western Reserve's Head Coach Andy Hake would say.
     He would add, "Southern has really done a great job with utilizing their players. They are putting their best players in positions to make plays. Their coaching staff has done a great job over there."
    This game will match the top two offensive teams in the ITCL Lower Tier as the Indians are in the top spot in passing, and the Devils lead the league in rushing.  Concidently, the Indians quarterback Luke Griffith and running back Zack Puckett, along with the Devils QB Jeff Clegg and running back Donnie Bolton are the leading individual offensive producers in the league.  There is no doubt that both of these offenses have plenty of weapons to make this a real shoot-out.
     But both teams also possess very good defensive squads that can take away the other teams best weapons.  "Both defenses play well. I think they are maybe a little stronger than us, but we might get to the football a little quicker. Other than that both defenses play very aggressive," Hake would comment.
    Whoever wins this huge game will have won a hard-fought battle between the leagues best two teams.  The winner will have to play their  best in all three phases of the game.  "The keys to winning, play our game, and don't turn the ball over.  Play field position," said Hake.  And to add a little more emphasis to this game, Reserve will be defending it's second place ranking in the latest AP rankings poll in Division 6.
CalPreps Prediction:
Crestview (Columbiana, OH) 31, Columbiana (OH) 26
CalPreps Prediction:
Western Reserve (Berlin Center, OH) 35, Southern (Salineville, OH) 31
Photos of Coaches Spaite, Cusick, Skrinjar, Hake and players Donnie Bolton, Zack Puckett and Luke Griffith all courtesy of The Vindicator