Well, we might as well get it started. Obviously, we are all hoping for a normal 2021 and the ability to go to games in 2021. It'll be really interesting to see if attendance returns to normal if schools continue with their livestreams. Many schools did a fantastic job and I enjoyed going back and watching games. Having said that, here are my way too early predictions for 2021.
IVC South
1. Ridgewood - IMO Ridgewood loses too much to be considered a state title contender next year but the Generals will still be the class of the IVC. They have the best coach, the best player and the best program. No reason to think Ridgewood will be knocked off of their perch in 2021.
2. Garaway - To me the Pirates are still an ascending program. I know they lose their QB but I also know they have a lot of young talent. I think Garaway closes the gap on Ridgewood next year but the problem is the gap was really big.
3. Indian Valley - The Braves have a ways to go to catch the top two programs but they played a lot of young talent this year and I liked how they didn't call it quits and got all of their games in. That tells me a lot. Coach Lancaster will have his team back in the mix in the near future.
4. Sandy Valley - The Cardinals were given a dose of reality of what life in the IVC South will be like this year. Now they have to play in the South without Cam Blair??? Obviously you don't replace Blair and I don't think the Cardinals have the program in place to keep their level of play anywhere near where it has been, The schedule might get them to five wins but that's probably the ceiling.
5. Claymont - They have to start to show improvement at some point don 't they? I know this isn't saying much but both of their IVC first team players were juniors and two of the three second team award winners were underclassmen so there is at least something coming back I guess.
6. Tusky Valley - They weren't really competitive at all this year and they lose their best player in their QB and basically every TV kid that got an IVC award was a senior so if you are losing all of your best players and you couldn't compete this year I imagine it'll be a struggle next year.
IVC North
1. Malvern - They lost a lot but they do have some good kids coming back as 6 of the 9 all league selections were underclassmen. One thing I know about Malvern is they have pride in their community and they usually have some good athletes. There is nobody else showing me any reason to pick them so I will go with the Hornets.
2. Buckeye Trail - I expected more from the Warriors this year but it just seemed like they could ever get any momentum going. However, when you look at their all-league selections they have a lot returning so with no other team really being the clear cut favorite in the North I think the Warriors have a chance to compete for the title.
3. Newcomerstown - Really not much to base this on other than I am a big fan of Coach Gadd and maybe I am a little biased. It looked like this thing had turned around in 2019 but the Trojans took a step backwards in 2020. I think they'll bounce back in 2021.
4. East Canton - I'll pick the Hornets fourth simply based on past success. They've had two down years in a row however so not sure what is going on in East Canton.
5. TCC - Always a hard team to pick because you don't know who will be there. Plus, they only played six games in 2020 so I am not sure how invested they are in the program right now.
4. Strasburg - Weird 2020 season for the Tigers. They got blown out in every loss and both of their wins were convincing wins. However, they lose pretty much every solid contributor on their team so it'll likely be a rough year for the Tigers.
IVC South
1. Ridgewood - IMO Ridgewood loses too much to be considered a state title contender next year but the Generals will still be the class of the IVC. They have the best coach, the best player and the best program. No reason to think Ridgewood will be knocked off of their perch in 2021.
2. Garaway - To me the Pirates are still an ascending program. I know they lose their QB but I also know they have a lot of young talent. I think Garaway closes the gap on Ridgewood next year but the problem is the gap was really big.
3. Indian Valley - The Braves have a ways to go to catch the top two programs but they played a lot of young talent this year and I liked how they didn't call it quits and got all of their games in. That tells me a lot. Coach Lancaster will have his team back in the mix in the near future.
4. Sandy Valley - The Cardinals were given a dose of reality of what life in the IVC South will be like this year. Now they have to play in the South without Cam Blair??? Obviously you don't replace Blair and I don't think the Cardinals have the program in place to keep their level of play anywhere near where it has been, The schedule might get them to five wins but that's probably the ceiling.
5. Claymont - They have to start to show improvement at some point don 't they? I know this isn't saying much but both of their IVC first team players were juniors and two of the three second team award winners were underclassmen so there is at least something coming back I guess.
6. Tusky Valley - They weren't really competitive at all this year and they lose their best player in their QB and basically every TV kid that got an IVC award was a senior so if you are losing all of your best players and you couldn't compete this year I imagine it'll be a struggle next year.
IVC North
1. Malvern - They lost a lot but they do have some good kids coming back as 6 of the 9 all league selections were underclassmen. One thing I know about Malvern is they have pride in their community and they usually have some good athletes. There is nobody else showing me any reason to pick them so I will go with the Hornets.
2. Buckeye Trail - I expected more from the Warriors this year but it just seemed like they could ever get any momentum going. However, when you look at their all-league selections they have a lot returning so with no other team really being the clear cut favorite in the North I think the Warriors have a chance to compete for the title.
3. Newcomerstown - Really not much to base this on other than I am a big fan of Coach Gadd and maybe I am a little biased. It looked like this thing had turned around in 2019 but the Trojans took a step backwards in 2020. I think they'll bounce back in 2021.
4. East Canton - I'll pick the Hornets fourth simply based on past success. They've had two down years in a row however so not sure what is going on in East Canton.
5. TCC - Always a hard team to pick because you don't know who will be there. Plus, they only played six games in 2020 so I am not sure how invested they are in the program right now.
4. Strasburg - Weird 2020 season for the Tigers. They got blown out in every loss and both of their wins were convincing wins. However, they lose pretty much every solid contributor on their team so it'll likely be a rough year for the Tigers.