Inter-Valley Conference 2025

D

Damage450

Active member
Well, it's certainly going to be hard to beat what 2024 gave us IVC fans. There were several weeks where there were big games, there were multiple teams that had nice playoff success and I think everyone is still riding high from Indian Valley bringing home the first ever IVC state football title! Let's hope 2025 is another exciting year of IVC football! I'm interested to hear how everyone thinks 2025 will play out. Here are my early guesses!

IVC North

1. Malvern - Look, they lose A LOT but at this point I think they are the favorites every year until proven otherwise. They have dominated the North.
2. Strasburg - This may be a stretch but I was impressed with the Tigers when we played them and they return all of their all-league selections.
3. Newcomerstown - We lose a lot but we still have some good players and I believe in Coach Gadd.
4. East Canton - Every time we play them I feel like they should be better than they are. Maybe this is the year they put it together.
5. Buckeye Trail - I think they are losing a lot. If I remember right most of their guys were seniors.
6. TCC - Having a team and being able to play real games is their only goal. What happened last year was so sad.

IVC South

1. Indian Valley - Unless there are major injuries this should be a runaway. I don't see anyone competing with IV at all.
2. Ridgewood - I am just counting on Coach Slusser here. The Generals lose a lot. Huge gap between IV and Wood.
3. Garaway - Once again I am just counting on the coaching and the program. Most of the Pirates best players have left. Can they reload?
4. Claymont - Coach White is going to build this program. I didn't get to see them play but they bring back most of their all-league players
5. Sandy Valley - Life in the South is tough without Cam Blair. They lose a ton but good news is they get to play TV.
6. Tusky Valley - 2024 was another year of not being competitive in the league outside of Claymont. They were very close to 0-10. No reason to believe it will improve.

If anyone here's any schedule info let's post it here.
 
 
If it happens, that week 1 Kirtland/IV game will be an absolute banger. I also heard they swapped out Dover for Phila, but wasn’t sure if that’s this year or next.
 
As always, these schedules are subject to change!!!
IVC - North Division
BUCKEYE TRAIL
1@ Caldwell
2(H) Crooksville
3(H) Newark Catholic
4@ Shenandoah
5(H) Indian Valley
6(H) Tuscarawas Central Catholic
7@ Malvern
8@ Strasburg-Franklin
9(H) East Canton
10@ Newcomerstown

EAST CANTON
1(H) Chippewa
2@ Wellsville
3@ Sandy Valley
4@ St. Thomas Aquinas
5@ Ridgewood
6@ Newcomerstown
7(H) Strasburg-Franklin
8(H) Tuscarawas Central Catholic
9@ Buckeye Trail
10(H) Malvern

MALVERN
1@ Valley Christian
2@ Martins Ferry
3(H) Harrison Central
4(H) Mogadore
5(H) Tuscarawas Valley
6@ Strasburg-Franklin
7(H) Buckeye Trail
8@ Newcomerstown
9(H) Tuscarawas Central Catholic
10@ East Canton

NEWCOMERSTOWN
1(H) Crooksville
2(H) Harrison Central
3@ Conotton Valley
4@ Toronto
5(H) Claymont
6(H) East Canton
7@ Tuscarawas Central Catholic
8(H) Malvern
9@ Strasburg-Franklin
10(H) Buckeye Trail

STRASBURG-FRANKLIN
1@ Windham
2@ Steubenville Catholic Central
3(H) Leetonia
4@ Conotton Valley
5(H) Sandy Valley
6(H) Malvern
7@ East Canton
8(H) Buckeye Trail
9(H) Newcomerstown
10@ Tuscarawas Central Catholic

TUSCARAWAS CENTRAL CATHOLIC
1@ Conotton Valley
2(H) Fisher Catholic
3(H) St. Thomas Aquinas
4@ Beallsville
5(H) Federal Hocking
6@ Buckeye Trail
7(H) Newcomerstown
8@ East Canton
9@ Malvern
10(H) Strasburg-Franklin

IVC - South Division
CLAYMONT
1@ Harrison Central
2(H) Smithville
3(H) Fairless
4(H) Marietta
5@ Newcomerstown
6@ Garaway
7(H) Tuscarawas Valley
8@ Sandy Valley
9(H) Ridgewood
10@ Indian Valley

GARAWAY
1@ River View
2
3(H) Norwayne
4@ Zanesville
5@ Girard
6(H) Claymont
7@ Indian Valley
8(H) Tusky Valley
9(H) Sandy Valley
10@ Ridgewood

INDIAN VALLEY
1
2
3(H) Roosevelt (DC)
4
5@ Buckeye Trail
6@ Sandy Valley
7(H) Garaway
8(H) Ridgewood
9@ Tuscarawas Valley
10(H) Claymont

RIDGEWOOD
1(H) Coshocton
2@ River View
3(H) Lutheran East
4@ Utica
5(H) East Canton
6@ Tuscarawas Valley
7(H) Sandy Valley
8@ Indian Valley
9@ Claymont
10(H) Garaway

SANDY VALLEY
1@ Fairless
2(H) Akron Manchester
3(H) East Canton
4(H) Minerva
5@ Strasburg-Franklin
6(H) Indian Valley
7@ Ridgewood
8(H) Claymont
9@ Garaway
10@ Tuscarawas Valley

TUSCARAWAS VALLEY
1@ Waynedale
2@ Coshocton
3(H) Norton
4(H) Fairless
5@ Malvern
6(H) Ridgewood
7@ Claymont
8@ Garaway
9(H) Indian Valley
10(H) Sandy Valley
 
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North:
1.) Malvern- the definition of consistency. The North is so weak that even with losing a good amount they should be able to win it.
2.) Newcomerstown- I like what Gadd has done. Outside of Malvern they are the only other North team that has consistently competitive
3.) Strasburg- They showed a lot of promise last year and I can even see them go on a run and be runner up
4.) Buckeye Trail- I always feel like they finish strong and beat some IVC teams they weren't suppose to beat. Really teams 2-4 are all interchangeable
5.) East Canton- I think this is going to be Spider's final year
6.) TCC- I heard through the grapevine that they are expecting 25 players coming out this year, if that holds true that's 10 more than last year. They are doing the right thing and loading their schedule up with teams in similar situations. It's going to be a long road but potentially doubling their roster from last year is amazing progress.

South:
1.) Indian Valley- State Champs! Unless something catastrophic happens, they will cruise to another IVC title and should expect a return trip to the Semifinals.
2.) Ridgewood- Them and Garaway will be neck in neck but I feel Garaway lost more to graduation than The Wood.
3.) Garaway- See above. A down year, but will still make a decent playoff run
4.) Claymont- I didn't watch many of their games but when I caught some clips I was impressed with the fight they showed.
5.) Tusky Valley- I'm calling it now- they break their IVC winless streak. Maybe it's just me and nostalgia tugging at my heart strings but I miss the days when Tusky Valley was an elite T County program. I'm rooting for Coach Taylor.
6.) Sandy Valley- Just looking at their first 3 games of the season I could have sworn they brought back the old Pac-7.
 
Damage450 said:
Well, it's certainly going to be hard to beat what 2024 gave us IVC fans. There were several weeks where there were big games, there were multiple teams that had nice playoff success and I think everyone is still riding high from Indian Valley bringing home the first ever IVC state football title! Let's hope 2025 is another exciting year of IVC football! I'm interested to hear how everyone thinks 2025 will play out. Here are my early guesses!

IVC North

1. Malvern - Look, they lose A LOT but at this point I think they are the favorites every year until proven otherwise. They have dominated the North.
2. Strasburg - This may be a stretch but I was impressed with the Tigers when we played them and they return all of their all-league selections.
3. Newcomerstown - We lose a lot but we still have some good players and I believe in Coach Gadd.
4. East Canton - Every time we play them I feel like they should be better than they are. Maybe this is the year they put it together.
5. Buckeye Trail - I think they are losing a lot. If I remember right most of their guys were seniors.
6. TCC - Having a team and being able to play real games is their only goal. What happened last year was so sad.

IVC South

1. Indian Valley - Unless there are major injuries this should be a runaway. I don't see anyone competing with IV at all.
2. Ridgewood - I am just counting on Coach Slusser here. The Generals lose a lot. Huge gap between IV and Wood.
3. Garaway - Once again I am just counting on the coaching and the program. Most of the Pirates best players have left. Can they reload?
4. Claymont - Coach White is going to build this program. I didn't get to see them play but they bring back most of their all-league players
5. Sandy Valley - Life in the South is tough without Cam Blair. They lose a ton but good news is they get to play TV.
6. Tusky Valley - 2024 was another year of not being competitive in the league outside of Claymont. They were very close to 0-10. No reason to believe it will improve.

If anyone here's any schedule info let's post it here.
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Don’t really follow a lot of the south, but do the north:

1. Malvern - until someone shows they can consistently beat them.
2. Trail - consistent runner up. Lose a few pieces but return all their skill guys.
3. Newcomerstown. A constant number three for the last several years.
4. Strasburg. I like the Tigers this year. I’ll wait and see how they do against 1-3.
5. EC. Not sure what is up with them.
6. TCC. No comments necessary
 
Damage450 said:
Well, it's certainly going to be hard to beat what 2024 gave us IVC fans. There were several weeks where there were big games, there were multiple teams that had nice playoff success and I think everyone is still riding high from Indian Valley bringing home the first ever IVC state football title! Let's hope 2025 is another exciting year of IVC football! I'm interested to hear how everyone thinks 2025 will play out. Here are my early guesses!

IVC North

1. Malvern - Look, they lose A LOT but at this point I think they are the favorites every year until proven otherwise. They have dominated the North.
2. Strasburg - This may be a stretch but I was impressed with the Tigers when we played them and they return all of their all-league selections.
3. Newcomerstown - We lose a lot but we still have some good players and I believe in Coach Gadd.
4. East Canton - Every time we play them I feel like they should be better than they are. Maybe this is the year they put it together.
5. Buckeye Trail - I think they are losing a lot. If I remember right most of their guys were seniors.
6. TCC - Having a team and being able to play real games is their only goal. What happened last year was so sad.

IVC South

1. Indian Valley - Unless there are major injuries this should be a runaway. I don't see anyone competing with IV at all.
2. Ridgewood - I am just counting on Coach Slusser here. The Generals lose a lot. Huge gap between IV and Wood.
3. Garaway - Once again I am just counting on the coaching and the program. Most of the Pirates best players have left. Can they reload?
4. Claymont - Coach White is going to build this program. I didn't get to see them play but they bring back most of their all-league players
5. Sandy Valley - Life in the South is tough without Cam Blair. They lose a ton but good news is they get to play TV.
6. Tusky Valley - 2024 was another year of not being competitive in the league outside of Claymont. They were very close to 0-10. No reason to believe it will improve.

If anyone here's any schedule info let's post it here.
Click to expand...
IV gonna be really good. IMO Garaway will be better next year than this year. Bring back a TON
 
Just caught up on the 2025 edition of IVC

HOLY COW!!!! 3 teams with multiple openings in the SOUTH!!!!

When will this league quit messing around and try to add some more schools to get to 8-8 and stop all the posturing about crossovers and we can stop these open dates.
 
bootleg said:
Just caught up on the 2025 edition of IVC

HOLY COW!!!! 3 teams with multiple openings in the SOUTH!!!!

When will this league quit messing around and try to add some more schools to get to 8-8 and stop all the posturing about crossovers and we can stop these open dates.
Click to expand...
I think the issue is finding teams within the area of similar size that are willing to join would be difficult. I think you would be hard pressed to find many Division 5-7 (and small D4) teams that would be logical fits. Aquinas is a geographical and size fit but I am sure the IVC doesn't want another TCC situation on their hands. I have a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing Tuslaw leave the PAC. Coshocton and Riverview are also size and geographical fits and play a good amount of the IVC south, but I don't see them leaving the MVL. CV is in the IVC for all sports but football so they are the only realistic option to have them rejoin.
 
bootleg said:
Just caught up on the 2025 edition of IVC

HOLY COW!!!! 3 teams with multiple openings in the SOUTH!!!!

When will this league quit messing around and try to add some more schools to get to 8-8 and stop all the posturing about crossovers and we can stop these open dates.
Click to expand...
The thing is many of the openings are in week 3. Going to 8 teams in each division would not solve that problem.
 
Tattuz said:
I think the issue is finding teams within the area of similar size that are willing to join would be difficult. I think you would be hard pressed to find many Division 5-7 (and small D4) teams that would be logical fits. Aquinas is a geographical and size fit but I am sure the IVC doesn't want another TCC situation on their hands. I have a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing Tuslaw leave the PAC. Coshocton and Riverview are also size and geographical fits and play a good amount of the IVC south, but I don't see them leaving the MVL. CV is in the IVC for all sports but football so they are the only realistic option to have them rejoin.
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I think Coshocton and River View are the answers. Both D5 and probably shrinking..... I don't feel them staying in the MVL is an issue, I personally feel it's likely they look to get out.
 
Play60Football said:
I think Coshocton and River View are the answers. Both D5 and probably shrinking..... I don't feel them staying in the MVL is an issue, I personally feel it's likely they look to get out.
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Would the IVC not having soccer be a deal breaker for those schools though? Only Hiland, TV and SV have soccer and I can't imagine any other current IVC schools wanting to add it.
 
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BelowTheLine said:
Would the IVC not having soccer be a deal breaker for those schools though? Only Hiland, TV and SV have soccer and I can't imagine any other current IVC schools wanting to add it.
Click to expand...
None others would. Too much for most schools that size to field effectively. Plus it's communist....
 
BelowTheLine said:
Correct. It works for Hiland because they don't have football. TV and SV are a different story.
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And the potential players lost at TV has hurt the FB program and we will see it also affect SV eventually. The TV program has historically been buoyed by exchange programs.
 
Tattuz said:
Has the IVC even shown interest in expanding?
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It needs to happen or the league will fold. You can’t have garaway, IV and ridgewood looking to replace 5 games every 2 years. Obviously everyone else will be in the same boat, but those 3 schools are the ones having the biggest issue scheduling right now.
 
Kenny Tuggle said:
It needs to happen or the league will fold. You can’t have garaway, IV and ridgewood looking to replace 5 games every 2 years. Obviously everyone else will be in the same boat, but those 3 schools are the ones having the biggest issue scheduling right now.
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In reality, I despise 2 tier leagues. They are ok in baseball and basketball, but football presents its own difficult circumstances.
 
Kenny Tuggle said:
It needs to happen or the league will fold. You can’t have garaway, IV and ridgewood looking to replace 5 games every 2 years. Obviously everyone else will be in the same boat, but those 3 schools are the ones having the biggest issue scheduling right now.
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Some of it is still a result of the league expansion back in 2017. For example, before they were in the same league Garaway and Indian Valley met in week 3 for several years. Once they became members of the same league that game moved to league play and Garaway has played 4 different opponents in that week 4 slot. Garaway also played Dalton in week 1 for years. No idea why that ended but the Pirates have now played 4 different opponents in that week 1 slot.

Find a local, similar sized opponent and keep them on the schedule. Don't look for a new opponent just because Program A is better than Program B for a few years. My school is looking for a week 3 matchup because the coach wanted to find a more winnable game after 2022. Now the 2 year contract that was signed with a "beatable" opponent for 2023 & 2024 is up and isn't being renewed. The team we played in 2022 was a great local matchup for us but they've moved on so now we are searching the state trying to find someone to play in week 3.

There is a lot that goes in to it but with the playoff expansion you no longer have to worry about being left out if you don't have the right schedule so a team like Ridgewood can keep local rivalries like Coshocton and River View even if those matchups aren't competitive for a few years because at some point they will be.
 
Doc19 said:
In reality, I despise 2 tier leagues. They are ok in baseball and basketball, but football presents its own difficult circumstances.
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I hate them in everything LOL. Play a round robin and let the best team be the IVC champion. Divisional championships are just blah.
 
BelowTheLine said:
Some of it is still a result of the league expansion back in 2017. For example, before they were in the same league Garaway and Indian Valley met in week 3 for several years. Once they became members of the same league that game moved to league play and Garaway has played 4 different opponents in that week 4 slot. Garaway also played Dalton in week 1 for years. No idea why that ended but the Pirates have now played 4 different opponents in that week 1 slot.

Find a local, similar sized opponent and keep them on the schedule. Don't look for a new opponent just because Program A is better than Program B for a few years. My school is looking for a week 3 matchup because the coach wanted to find a more winnable game after 2022. Now the 2 year contract that was signed with a "beatable" opponent for 2023 & 2024 is up and isn't being renewed. The team we played in 2022 was a great local matchup for us but they've moved on so now we are searching the state trying to find someone to play in week 3.

There is a lot that goes in to it but with the playoff expansion you no longer have to worry about being left out if you don't have the right schedule so a team like Ridgewood can keep local rivalries like Coshocton and River View even if those matchups aren't competitive for a few years because at some point they will be.
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Tusky Valley is also a great example of this. They played Garaway and Indian Valley as OOC opponents since 1993, and then in 2017, those 2 spots that have been occupied nearly 25 years are now open.
 
Doc19 said:
And the potential players lost at TV has hurt the FB program and we will see it also affect SV eventually. The TV program has historically been buoyed by exchange programs.
Click to expand...
TV started soccer when they were in the PAC-7 and everyone in the league had soccer. They also had about 130 kids in a graduating class and now they are down to around 100 in a graduating class. If you assume half are boys that means you've lost 15 boys per grade level which means you've lost 60 boys in your high school since soccer started.

TV usually has 2-3 "Tusky Valley" kids who are hard core soccer players. Then there are usually 2-3 foreign exchange students who play soccer. Then the rest of team is typically athletes who are just looking to play a fall sport. Many of them don't have any soccer background at all. IF soccer didn't exist many of them would likely run CC, play golf or some might even play football.

Here's the thing. Even if only 4-5 "soccer" kids played football it would make a huge difference in the program because it would help field a JV team. Then, once you have a JV team many of your 8th graders going into 9th grade won't quit because they are afraid of being put out on to a varsity field because of low numbers. That has been a huge issue at TV in recent years. Not many freshman (and freshman parents) want their kid on a varsity field.

Having said that, soccer has been very successful at TV. They typically have 20-25 kids on the team and the team typically does well. I can't imagine a scenario where TV would get rid of soccer. I mean they just added girls' soccer 2 years ago even though they had to let athletes play two sports in the same season (volleyball & soccer for instance) to do it.

TV just has a little different mindset. They want to give their kids as many opportunities to participate as possible and they aren't as worried about wins/losses. Some of the other IVC schools are chasing state titles and wouldn't add soccer because it would limit their success.
 
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