Buckeye 8 - Best thing to ever happen to the OVAC

[Dats Right]

That is not true in football or in any sport. I like the current makeup of the B8for football and the rest of the sports (except swimming and soccer since not enough members sponser teams; but that is another topic for discussion).

BTW, STC has won the overall sports title every year since B8 was formed.

Rich, what are the sports that are calculated into determing an overall winner?

[wags6817]

Fall
Football, Golf, CC, Volleyball
Winter
Girls and Boys Basketball, Wrestling
Spring
Softball, Baseball, Track

Maybe Cheering but not sure on that one. Today is the Buckeye 8 Cheer Competition.

[Dats Right]

Thanks for the info, Wags! I wasn't too sure about cheering, either.

[neon lite]

Since the inception of the Buckeye 8, which one of those teams have advanced in the playoffs past the 1st or 2nd round?

St. Clairsville -2007
Martins Ferry -2008

[jameschitwood]

I believe Bellaire won the Buckeye 8 in 2006 and went on to win the regional. See, the Buckeye 8 teams in Division IV are now in Region 13, which is a lot tougher sledding than the previous Region 15. It'll be interesting to see if those continue when the new allignments are announced early in 2011. As for the tie in, I don't think it will ever happen, but there are plenty of Buckeye 8 teams searching for games in the opening 3 weeks still at this moment and I know that for a fact.

[neon lite]

2007 was the first official Buckeye 8 football season. That was the first year all 8 members played every other member.

[steelpride]

Not a big fan of the Buckeye 8, especially for the Div III schools. It is a conference of convenience because it keeps scheduling easier. As far as being a "savior" for the OVAC, I don't see that correllation. I get the chance to see football in alot of different areas of OH due to traveling alot. The real issue is this..............

Football in the Ohio Valley as a whole is not very good. People for years have talked about "valley football" like it is some breed above the rest and is somehow a "special" brand of football. It's not. As long as the local teams continue to make OVAC championships and Buckeye 8 championships their main goals, then it will continue to be bad. Since the 80's, Buckeye (1), Bellaire (1), Shadyside (1), Steubenville Central (2), and Steubenville (at least 5) are the only local teams to play for a state championship in Ohio from the OVAC. Compare that to conferences like the MAC in SW Ohio, where that conference has at least 1, but more often than not 2 or 3, teams from the conference play for a state title EVERY YEAR. Football in other parts of the state is far more competitive, has better athletes with more size and speed, and utilizes more up to date offensive and defensive schemes.

I am not going to touch WV schools or championships, that is like comparing apples to oranges. Football is not good in WV as whole in the entire state, that is why they are in the bottom 5 in the country in recruiting.

[persephone]

If you beat a Division IV team that goes on to win seven games (beating all Division IV opponents) you receive 4.5 first level points and 36 second level. If you beat Division II team that wins just two games (beating Division II opponents) you receive 5.5 first level points and just 11 second level. Not too hard to figure out which team will help you in a playoff race.

[DONNI3YEAGS]

Big ups to the St.C Cheerleaders for taking the Buckeye 8 title this weekend, by the way...

[icausetrouble]

Big ups to the St.C Cheerleaders for taking the Buckeye 8 title this weekend, by the way...

cheering aint no sport

[algernonsidney]

Since the 80's, Buckeye (1), Bellaire (1), Shadyside (1), Steubenville Central (2), and Steubenville (at least 5) are the only local teams to play for a state championship in Ohio from the OVAC.

You forgot Wellsville. They lost to Versailles in 1994. This was the year before Versailles beat Bellaire.

[Riders]

Expanding the Buckeye 8 into a north/south or big/small school format would work with Barnesville and East Liverpool added.

North/Big
Indian Creek
Harrison Central
Buckeye Local
East Liverpool
Edison

South/Small
Ferry
Bellaire
St. C
Union Local
Barnesville

Football you could still schedule natural rivalries from the the other conference just would not be mandatory or effect out come for winner of each conference.

Example:
1. *Shenandoah
2. *Wheeling Central
3. *East Liverpool
4. *Buckeye Local
5. *Harrison Central
6. *Indian Creek
7. Barnesville
8. St. C
9. Union Local
10. Bellaire

Bold games determine South/Small school conference champion. * Are open games

B-Ball and other sports played during week would really benefit. No more Edison traveling to Union Local on a week day.

Really sets up nice for All Star games or overall champion for sports like Golf, Wrestling, B-Ball (get out of OVAC championships), Track...ect.

Gives room to expand and sets up for a finally a football all star game.

Did I confuse anyone?

[neon lite]

Since the 80's, Buckeye (1), Bellaire (1), Shadyside (1), Steubenville Central (2), and Steubenville (at least 5) are the only local teams to play for a state championship in Ohio from the OVAC.

Didn't Bellaire reach the finals two years in a row?

[cadiztwin]

I think adding Barnesville will be a disadvantage based on enrollment figures on www.ovac.org

IC 554
BL 547
EL 547
ED 490
St.C 436
HC 419
UL 379
MF 373
Bell 326
Barn 235

[DONNI3YEAGS]

Didn't Bellaire reach the finals two years in a row?

Yes...they lost to Versailes and Germantown Valley View...