I'll throw my two cents in and guess whoever makes it out of The Gauntlet of D3 SW Ohio Regionals wins it this year. I would have loved to see Bluffton vs Botkins State FInals last year but The Wellington School came in like a freight train that year. I think Bluffton's biggest challenge is either Maumee Valley CD/Ottawa Hills Winner. Hard to really pick a clear cut favorite knowing a lot of these teams (Troy Christian, Botkins, Bluffton) beefed up their schedules this season to prepare for tournament.
Mariemont is the #1 Ranked team in the state and has a perfect record (I believe 19-0-0). I’d have to think they’re the favorite to make it out of the SW Ohio region. Though their results lately have to make you question their defending. 5 goals allowed in 2 games is a red flag. Hopefully it was just a blip and they can pull it out
#1-ranked Mariemont is more than capable of winning the title, but three consecutive 1-goal victories (including the late come from behind scare with CCD in the sectional finals) show that they aren't invincible. I do expect Mariemont to avenge its 2019 regional loss to Botkins, but I do expect them to face a great opponent in Grandview Heights (whom I expect to get past undefeated/untied Wheelersburg). No team in the bottom half of the draw has won a state championship. I was surprised to learn that Mooney was back in D3. This team has been a powerhouse for decades, but I hadn't heard much from them in recent years. I know they had a senior transfer who was denied the opportunity to play the second half of the season...but may have been allowed to play in the tournament by an injunction. Any news about that? I know little else about the upper half except that Ottawa Hills has been a highly-acclaimed team the past few years (including a state championship not too long ago...7 years ago? 8?) but suffered tough unexpected tournament losses. Definitely a formidable program.
#1-ranked Mariemont is more than capable of winning the title, but three consecutive 1-goal victories (including the late come from behind scare with CCD in the sectional finals) show that they aren't invincible. I do expect Mariemont to avenge its 2019 regional loss to Botkins, but I do expect them to face a great opponent in Grandview Heights (whom I expect to get past undefeated/untied Wheelersburg). No team in the bottom half of the draw has won a state championship. I was surprised to learn that Mooney was back in D3. This team has been a powerhouse for decades, but I hadn't heard much from them in recent years. I know they had a senior transfer who was denied the opportunity to play the second half of the season...but may have been allowed to play in the tournament by an injunction. Any news about that? I know little else about the upper half except that Ottawa Hills has been a highly-acclaimed team the past few years (including a state championship not too long ago...7 years ago? 8?) but suffered tough unexpected tournament losses. Definitely a formidable program.
Unbelievable. Ottawa Hills state title was 12 years ago! Argh! Mooney won the D2 state title in 2002.