Friday Four: Closing out the season

1. Lima Central Catholic (5-4, 5-2 NWC) at Ada (9-0, 7-0 NWC)

Last week: Lima Central Catholic - defeated Allen East, 35-0; Ada - defeated Delphos Jefferson, 24-15.

Last meeting: Oct. 27 - Lima Central Catholic, 34-7

When Lima Central Catholic has the ball

The Thunderbirds had been struggling to score points, until posting 66 points in the last two weeks. LCC's yardage is pretty split between rushing (1,451 yards) and passing (1,390), but their rushing attempts outpace their passing attempts nearly 2-to-1. QB Tyler O'Connor has completed 90 of 196 passes for 1,366 yards with 5 TDs. WRs Brady Patterson (29 catches, 568 yards, 4 TDs) and Desi Kirkman (33-431-1) give O'Connor a pair of nice targets.

The Bulldogs give up less than 10 points per game, with two shutouts. LB Justin Stransky has 82 tackles and four sacks, and DB Kyle Baker has 65 tackles and six interceptions.

Edge: Ada

When Ada has the ball

With QB Mitchell Faine and WRs Kyle Baker and Heath Jackson, the Bulldogs have the area's best offense. Faine is among Ohio's leaders with 2,685 passing yards on 70 percent completions; he has thrown 25 TDs against only 3 interceptions. Baker has 66 catches for 851 yards and nine TDs. Jackson has 27 receptions for 488 yards and five scores in just three games. Don't sleep on the run, though; Faine (425 yards, 12 TDs) and Luke Irwin (336, 4) lead the attack.

LB Jacob Rigali has 87 tackles and Kirkman has four interceptions to lead the LCC defense. The T-Birds are stout, giving up less than 200 yards and 10 points per contest.

Edge: Ada

Odds and Ends: Ada sits in first place in the Division VI, Region 22 computer standings. ... LCC has won the last three meetings by more than 30 points. ... The schools have played every year since 2002, with an even 3-3 record.

The Brass Tacks: A win gives Ada the untied NWC title, and its first 10-win season in school history.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Ada

Tom Usher's pick: Ada

Ross Bishoff's pick: Ada

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Ada

Vince Koza's pick: Lima Central Catholic

Jon Scott's pick: Ada

Todd Walker's pick: Ada

Andy Young's pick: Ada

2. Van Wert (3-6, 3-5 WBL) at Kenton (6-3, 6-2 WBL)

Last week: Van Wert - lost to Shawnee, 28-7; Kenton - defeated St. Marys, 35-7.

Last meeting: Oct. 26 - Kenton, 20-0

When Van Wert has the ball

After starting the season with a promising 3-1 record, the Cougars have dropped their last five games by an average margin of 21 points. The last four games have seen Van Wert score 7 points or less. Van Wert is certainly a run-first offense, with QB Tim Hoverman and RBs Connor Massillo, Sam Tindall and Donny Sites regirstering significant carries.

The Wildcats give up 19 points per game, including just 14 in the last two games combined. Mark Fackler has 146 tackles and two sacks. Weston Brunworth has 7 sacks.

Edge: Kenton

When Kenton has the ball

It's all about the pass at Kenton. QB Maty Mauk might be just a freshman, but he's putting up senior-sized numbers - 2,727 yards, 30 TDs, completing 208 of 347 passes. Chase Barnes has been on the receiving end of 68 passes, totaling 871 yards and 8 TDs. Bobby Handell, Andrew Tillman and Max Morrison each have caught seven TDs.

During the five-game losing streak, Van Wert has given up 153 points. In each contest, the Cougars' opponent has posted at least three TDs.

Edge: Kenton

Odds and Ends: Kenton has won 12 straight over the Cougars. ... The Wildcats are making a push for their first playoff berth since 2005. ... Kenton hasn't suffered a losing season since 1992.

The Brass Tacks: Kenton needs a win and some help to make the playoffs.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Kenton

Tom Usher's pick: Kenton

Ross Bishoff's pick: Kenton

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Kenton

Vince Koza's pick: Kenton

Jon Scott's pick: Kenton

Todd Walker's pick: Kenton

Andy Young's pick: Kenton

3. Spencerville (4-5, 3-4 NWC) at Delphos Jefferson (8-1, 6-1 NWC)

Last week: Spencerville - lost to Cols. Bishop Hartley, 38-21; Delphos Jefferson - lost to Ada, 24-15.

Last meeting: Oct. 26 - Spencerville, 17-14

When Spencerville has the ball

QB Tyler Deitering has 13 TDs and 1,176 yards on 83 completions, most to Zach Bowers (28 receptions, 391 yards, 5 TDs) and Tyler Keysor (27-447-4). The running game is led by Trevor Arthur (99 rushes, 526 yards). Matt Wurth has connected on 5-of-5 field goals, with a long of 40.

This is where the Wildcats shine. They give up a touchdown per game, and impressively held Ada's offense at bay. Andrew Wiltsie and Aaron Schuerman each have five interceptions.

Edge: Delphos Jefferson

When Delphos Jefferson has the ball

The Jefferson rushing attack took a hit Friday against Ada when Tyree DeWitt was lost with a broken leg. Aaron Schuerman leads the team with 623 yards and 8 TDs while Bubba Shivley added 489 yards and 10 scores. The Wildcats post nearly 38 points per game.

In close, ball-control games, punting becomes crucial. Spencerville's Tyler Keysor averages 38.5 yards per boot.

Edge: Delphos Jefferson

Odds and Ends: Spencerville has won the last five meetings. Prior to that, Jefferson had won eight straight. ... A loss would drop Spencerville to its first losing season in three years.

The Brass Tacks: Just like last year, Jefferson needs this win for a Division V playoff spot.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Tom Usher's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Ross Bishoff's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Vince Koza's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Jon Scott's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Todd Walker's pick: Delphos Jefferson

Andy Young's pick: Delphos Jefferson

4. Fairbanks (7-2, 6-0 NWCC) at Waynesfield (7-2, 6-0 NWCC)

Last week: Fairbanks - defeated Marion Catholic, 73-0; Waynesfield - defeated Ridgemont 60-0.

Last meeting: Oct. 26 - Fairbanks, 35-32

When Fairbanks has the ball

Sophomore Nick Gibson is a dual threat, catching 24 passes 497 yards and 6 TDs with 588 rushing yards on 57 carries with 2 TDs. Senior QB Stephen DeRoads has completed 54 of 85 passes for 839 yards with 8 scores and 2 interceptions.

A trio of linebackers lead the Tigers - Ryan Spencer (105 tackles, 7 sacks), Caleb Comstock (55 tackles, 5 sacks), Evan Crabtree (44 tackles, 1 sack).

Edge: Fairbanks

When Waynesfield has the ball

The Tigers are a true running team, gaining 2,563 of their total 3,283 yards on the ground. Senior RB Jake Spencer leads the team with 136 carries for 1,330 yards and 18 TDs. Ryan Spencer adds another 566 yards with 6 TDs. Waynesfield averages nearly 40 points per contest.

Fairbanks has given up a total of 22 points in the last three games. For the season, the Panthers yield 19 points per game.

Edge: Waynesfield

Odds and Ends: Waynesfield has won three of the five meetings. ... Waynesfield is 31-13 all-time in the Northwest Central Conference. The Tigers haven't had a losing league record since 2003.

The Brass Tacks: The playoffs may be a long shot for both of these teams, but the Northwest Central Conference crown is on the line.

The Picks

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Waynesfield

Tom Usher's pick: Waynesfield

Ross Bishoff's pick: Waynesfield

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Waynesfield

Vince Koza's pick: Waynesfield

Jon Scott's pick: Waynesfield

Todd Walker's pick: Fairbanks

Andy Young's pick: Waynesfield

It's all about the WBL and the playoffs

Just a few weeks ago, the Shawnee matchup with Ottawa-Glandorf looked to be little more than a bragging-rights contest. But with Shawnee's upset of the St. Marys, and the Roughriders' loss to Kenton last week, and O-G's continued winning, this game means a ton.

The winner clinches a share of the Western Buckeye League. And then there are the computer points - it seems to be a win-and-in, lose-and-stay-home deal. And that's what Week 10 is all about.

Here's how the panel picks the Game of the Week:

Jeremy Schneider's pick: Shawnee

Tom Usher's pick: Shawnee

Ross Bishoff's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Mark Altstaetter's pick: Ottawa-Glandorf

Vince Koza's pick: Shawnee

Jon Scott's pick: Shawnee

Todd Walker's pick: Shawnee

Andy Young's pick: Shawnee

THE STANDINGS

Usher                38-7 (84%)

Young                36-9 (80%)

Bishoff              35-10 (78%)

Koza                 35-10 (78%)

Scott                 35-10 (78%)

Altstaetter          34-11 (76%)

Walker               32-13 (71%)

Schneider          30-15 (67%)