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If that's how you OH folks think, so be it I guess. Maybe it's just my IN fan mentality though. Coming off 3 straight conference crowns & 3 straight state runner up finishes in a row for my IN team. The expectations are normally a semi state run (Final 4 or State to you OH folk) depending on talent returning & who is paired in Sectional & Regional with the all in random draw. Was the same way for the other local schools over there. Our county has sent a state finalist 4 years in a row over there. That streak will likely be broken this year but we shall see.
LCC - Loramie game is at Loramie
Then I switch my pick. Loramie in a nail biter!
Should have went with your initial hunch….
No kidding! I can't catch a break!
Bluffton fans are probably now thinking, holy cow. Is this finally gonna be the year we beat grove. Since Grove keeps getting hit by the injury bug?? Just tryin to think like a pirate.
Just like Ohio State 2014 team... That will make Wishbone's head explode.
Because they still have a pretty stout defense that’s pretty freaking good. That’s why you still can’t count them out. As the old saying goes “Defense wins championships.” I’m sure Grove will figure something out for their QB situation.
To be sure Bluffton’s schedule has not prepared them for late season opponents but I still don’t expect a tight game from LCC and the reality is their region is theirs to lose imo. Patrick Henry is too one player oriented to give much competition and I don’t think H-L will either so bring on the MAC which is not all that strong this year in d 6 like past years. should the Pirates get lucky and upset Grove-playing a third string QB -Bluffton could end the season quite well even with the weakest schedule thus far in possibly the entire state
Not defending Bluffton, but Paulding is over there pounding their chest after beating up others to a 5-0 record. Their opponents? Combined 3-22
This year, after watching the Ada program, would be in the middle of the pack in the NWC. Most likely wins against Cview, Spencerville, Delphos Jeff and possibly Ft Loramie.
Ada I’ll say maybe 3-4 wins in the nwc. Like vs DJ Spencerville and maybe Crestview and Allen East. I’ll say maybe the same for Paulding as well. USV and Perry. Most likely only 1-2 nwc wins for them.
Bluffton definitely needs to drop Ben Logan. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt in the other weeks because Ayersville, and even Pandora seemed like great matchups a couple years ago but are both unusually down this year (even though Pandora could go 7-3 or 8-2 still). I’d like to see Bluffton and Patrick Henry match up in week 1. Both definitely need higher quality week 1 games, I think it could turn into a good series
I think it’s got more to do with the quality of the NWC than the rest of the area being down. I’ve said all year that I think the NWC is the second best small school league in the state next to the MAC. The league went 17-7 in non-conference play this year. 10 years ago 2-3 playoff teams winning a post season game or two was a good year for the NWC, now we’ve got 2-3 teams consistently competing for their region. This year it’s Grove, Bluffton, and probably LCC. Last year it was Grove and Bluffton who both got to the region championship almost unchallenged outside of one game. 2 years ago it was Grove in R22 and DJ was just a first down away from making it to the R26 final. The level of play in the NWC has elevated compared to the other small school leagues in the area
I never want to see anyone go down with an injury especially a senior. And if Bluffton beats Grove I know now there will be an asterisk next to it. I really don't see how you can keep doing this,.losing guys and continue to shuffle players around. I get defense wins titles but aren't they down their leading tackler also? Just seems that of there was ever a time for someone in the conf to knock them off l, the time is now.
His injury wasn’t as severe. He should be back in the next week or two
Marion Local is always looking for non-league games. Goodwin coached at Bluffton before coming to Marion Local, Bluffton is D6, Flyers D6/7 match made in heaven.
To try and. Answer your question is, maybe they have had a solid program for some time now. Maybe Grove has great coaching? Maybe they got some great athletes. Maybe they have that next man up mentality! How bad you do they want to achieve their goals this year. I’ve always believe in succes breeds success. As it Twinkles down from the Senior class down to the freshmen class. I’m not tryin to be a sarcastic with all the maybes, I was just tryin to be honest with their situation.