2024 Best OVAC Teams?

[the oracle]

OHfootball3 I agree w/ your comments and would expand on them:

R11
Watterson - big gap - undefeated Steubenville

R19
Ironton - big gap - Wheelersburg

Mars crater-sized gap

undefeated Barnesville

My point would be: It’s not really saying anything if teams clean up the Ohio Valley, go undefeated and advance to a certain week in the playoffs. If that’s the bar, then we might as well just make this thread a permanent closed sticky where Steubenville, St. C and Barnesville have been named the Valley’s “best” teams for all time b/c we know at least 2 of them aren’t going to face anyone until the playoffs where they promptly get exposed. Valley’s best? Sure but also bona fied pretenders. Tha’ slow white kids on the hill showed up in grand fashion last night and it was glorious watching Kinsey actually run over guys. If not for a short field on a muffed punt, Steubenville might not’ve scored — the 2nd straight year they lost by at least 30 against a team more on their level (and notably away from Harding Stadium). Barnesville running clocked everyone on their schedule and didn’t last one playoff game.

More credit should be given to teams like Bellaire who, while not making the playoffs or boasting a sexy 9-1 record like another team with the division’s 106th best (absolute worst per fantastic 50) schedule, do have the balls to schedule up but can’t get over the hump for reasons of coaching, alumni sending their kids to other schools or other reasons. If we’re going to say the best OV teams are simply the 2 county seats + anyone else who isn’t ashamed to schedule the weakest teams they can find, then what are we even discussing? Toronto was another team suggested as one of the “best” back in May — has anyone heard from them lately? Hello.. Toronto.. anyone home? Bueller??

[Purpura Ascensores]

Again, strength of schedule is often overemphasized when it comes to winning playoff games. While a challenging regular season schedule can help prepare a team, it's ultimately the talent and execution of the players along with effective coaching that determine postseason success. No amount of a loaded schedule was going to have St. C or Big Red win last night.

A team with the 106th-ranked schedule, for example, was able to blow out Bellaire, win a playoff game as an underdog, and play with Poland who was 1 point away from being regional champion.

[Rack162]

[USER="7327"] If not for a short field on a muffed punt, Steubenville might not’ve scored — the 2nd straight year they lost by at least 30 against a team more on their level (and notably away from Harding Stadium). Barnesville running clocked everyone on their schedule and didn’t last one playoff game.

More credit should be given to teams like Bellaire who, while not making the playoffs or boasting a sexy 9-1 record like another team with the division’s 106th best (absolute worst per fantastic 50) schedule

"might not've scored" They were closer 3 other times and didn't score. What does "team on their level" mean? Watterson is clearly having one of their best seasons of all time. Big Red had a D4 State Championship caliber team, but they were playing in D3. Bumping up to 3, everyone knew 11 went through Watterson.

BR 236 yards, 11 first downs.
BW: 285 yards, 11 first downs.

Big Red stayed in the game until BW's punt return touchdown in the 3rd. Watterson's offensive and defensive lines simply presented too many mismatches for the BR front.

Historically BR has held its own in the playoffs against private schools, I believe they are 14-18 maybe 14-19. Big Red still leads their overall series against Watterson and Alter.

Finally, you want Bellaire Football to receive more credit while seeking to denigrate Steubenville Football. Make it make sense.

[the oracle]

Again, strength of schedule is often overemphasized when it comes to winning playoff games. While a challenging regular season schedule can help prepare a team, it's ultimately the talent and execution of the players along with effective coaching that determine postseason success. No amount of a loaded schedule was going to have St. C or Big Red win last night.

A team with the 106th-ranked schedule, for example, was able to blow out Bellaire, win a playoff game as an underdog, and play with Poland who was 1 point away from being regional champion.

I agree that “a challenging regular season schedule can help prepare a team” but I think you’ve missed my point. While strength of schedule may not determine how far a team may go, it does usually tell us how good a team actually is - e.g. Bellaire played a tough schedule in ‘24 and didn’t do very well against it. Thus, they were not a great team and didn’t deserve to make the playoffs. Can’t say the same about Barnesville, St. C and Ferry who only padded their win columns w/ weak schedules and thus gave us an unrealistic impression as to how good they were — losing in the playoffs early and/or getting whacked when they finally played someone their own size. To me, there is WAY more dignity in doing what Bellaire does (scheduling up and not making the playoffs) than doing what the teams above are doing — going undefeated, only to get blown out later. These other teams should be embarrassed IMO. You act like you’ve stumbled upon some profound nugget of wisdom in pointing out that Ferry still beat Bellaire w/ its 106th-ranked SOS but again, Bellaire wasn’t a great team as demonstrated throughout the season. If Bellaire had run the table and THEN lost to Ferry the way they did, then I would say you had a point but that didn’t happen. As it is, Ferry only won one playoff game in a b.s. 16-team playoff format. They don’t get extra credit for losing by 20 to a team that went on to only lose the region by 1. Poland had only won its first playoff game by 21, then by 11 last week. So the margin was continually shrinking until they themselves lost last night. Ferry just happened to be one of the dominoes in their path. They did not exceed expectations. You’re welcome.

[the oracle]

Finally, you want Bellaire Football to receive more credit while seeking to denigrate Steubenville Football. Make it make sense.

Ask and ye shall receive: You wouldn’t have gotten there at all if not for a Bellaire product sending his sons to your school. Does that work for you chief?

[Rack162]

Ask and ye shall receive: You wouldn’t have gotten there at all if not for a Bellaire product sending his sons to your school. Does that work for you chief?

Well Chief, I believe he would've gotten us a D4 Championship, and he definitely gave us our only chance to win a D3 title, but we would've reached the regional semifinal had Haney been the Qb.

[OVAC_Fan]

I agree that “a challenging regular season schedule can help prepare a team” but I think you’ve missed my point. While strength of schedule may not determine how far a team may go, it does usually tell us how good a team actually is - e.g. Bellaire played a tough schedule in ‘24 and didn’t do very well against it. Thus, they were not a great team and didn’t deserve to make the playoffs. Can’t say the same about Barnesville, St. C and Ferry who only padded their win columns w/ weak schedules and thus gave us an unrealistic impression as to how good they were — losing in the playoffs early and/or getting whacked when they finally played someone their own size. To me, there is WAY more dignity in doing what Bellaire does (scheduling up and not making the playoffs) than doing what the teams above are doing — going undefeated, only to get blown out later. These other teams should be embarrassed IMO. You act like you’ve stumbled upon some profound nugget of wisdom in pointing out that Ferry still beat Bellaire w/ its 106th-ranked SOS but again, Bellaire wasn’t a great team as demonstrated throughout the season. If Bellaire had run the table and THEN lost to Ferry the way they did, then I would say you had a point but that didn’t happen. As it is, Ferry only won one playoff game in a b.s. 16-team playoff format. They don’t get extra credit for losing by 20 to a team that went on to only lose the region by 1. Poland had only won its first playoff game by 21, then by 11 last week. So the margin was continually shrinking until they themselves lost last night. Ferry just happened to be one of the dominoes in their path. They did not exceed expectations. You’re welcome.

This might go down as one of the dumbest posts in ovarhletics history!

STC wins 3 playoff games, 2 of which were bishop ready and west Holmes, both who had top 20 schedules. Schedules don’t reflect how good or bad a team is, wins and losses matter! 0-10 vs an unrealistic schedule does nothing for that program.

[the oracle]

This might go down as one of the dumbest posts in ovarhletics history!

…surpassed only by your inability to spell the site you’re posting on. LMAO

STC wins 3 playoff games, 2 of which were bishop ready and west Holmes, both who had top 20 schedules. Schedules don’t reflect how good or bad a team is, wins and losses matter! 0-10 vs an unrealistic schedule does nothing for that program.

Outside of CA, who even mighty Barnesville beat in ‘23, Ready beat teams w/ a combined 10-40 record. They were terrible! But St. C wins by 7 at home and they’re a juggernaut?? Much the same w/ West Holmes who didn’t beat a single team w/ a winning record until the playoffs. They were 7-6 overall, not great for their own standards.

[OVAC_Fan]

…surpassed only by your inability to spell the site you’re posting on. LMAO



Outside of CA, who even mighty Barnesville beat in ‘23, Ready beat teams w/ a combined 10-40 record. They were terrible! But St. C wins by 7 at home and they’re a juggernaut?? Much the same w/ West Holmes who didn’t beat a single team w/ a winning record until the playoffs. They were 7-6 overall, not great for their own standards.

Ok yep I understand completely. You dislike STC so try any way you can to downplay their success. Makes sense now! Made to final 8 in their division and you look for ways to criticize them. All good!

[the oracle]

Ok yep I understand completely. You dislike STC so try any way you can to downplay their success. Makes sense now! Made to final 8 in their division and you look for ways to criticize them. All good!

Facts are facts. Just because you don’t like them doesn’t make them disappear. I can’t respect teams that beat up annually on inferior schedules only to get exposed in the playoffs. Meadowbrook, Buckeye Trail, Tusky Valley and St. C — what do these teams have in common? All lost by 41 to Indian Valley but only St. C is in D4! Sandy Valley, Ridgewood and Garaway all played IV tougher than St. C did and they’re all in lower divisions! Go Devils, what a juggernaut!

[OVAC_Fan]

Facts are facts. Just because you don’t like them doesn’t make them disappear. I can’t respect teams that beat up annually on inferior schedules only to get exposed in the playoffs. Meadowbrook, Buckeye Trail, Tusky Valley and St. C — what do these teams have in common? All lost by 41 to Indian Valley but only St. C is in D4! Sandy Valley, Ridgewood and Garaway all played IV tougher than St. C did and they’re all in lower divisions! Go Devils, what a juggernaut!

This is where it is time to ignore your ignorance and move on. Your analysis is quite short sighted and biased. Have a good day,

[the oracle]

This is where it is time to ignore your ignorance and move on. Your analysis is quite short sighted and biased. Have a good day,

Good luck doing that. You attack me personally b/c you can’t handle the facts. My analysis is “quite short sighted and biased” but you have zero analysis, just a whole lot of homerism. Top 8 team in D4… woahhh don’t go overboard or anything. I just might be overwhelmed by such awesome display of football knowledge.

[tinknocker1]

There must be 2 Bellaires in Ohio 1 that wins a state championship every year and 1 that SUCKS lmfao

[the oracle]

There must be 2 Bellaires in Ohio 1 that wins a state championship every year and 1 that SUCKS lmfao

But only 1 douche tinknocker.

#barnesvillesux #overrated #10andno #propertyofwheelersburg

[Huddle19]

But only 1 douche tinknocker.

#barnesvillesux #overrated #10andno #propertyofwheelersburg

Didn’t take long for you to start your name calling. Must be one tough dude.