Trumbull County flexes its football muscles

Trumbull County went 3-0 on Friday night as the OHSAA football playoffs began with regional quarterfinals in Divisions II, IV and VI. Howland, Lakeview and McDonald all won their Week 11 games. The Tigers defeated Copley, 17-0. The Bulldogs beat St. Clairsville, 42-21. The Blue Devils repeated their Week 9 victory over Western Reserve, this team defeating the Blue Devils from Berlin Center, 13-7. It was an impressive opening night, considering that a couple of weeks ago, only Howland appeared to even have a playoff berth locked up. Entering Week 9, Lakeview and McDonald needed to make a move in the computer ratings. The Bulldogs began their push with a 21-0 road win at Salem, while the Blue Devils from McDonald did so with a 15-13 victory at Western Reserve. Both teams then clinched playoff berths by winning in Week 10, too. Two more Trumbull County teams will be involved in regional quarterfinals Saturday night. Warren G. Harding meets Cleveland Glenville at Bedford Bearcat Stadium, Hubbard hosts Akron St. Vincent-Mary. Both the Raiders and Eagles are up against formidable foes. A Harding victory over the Tarblooders certainly would be an upset. Hubbard, obviously, is ranked ahead of the Fighting Irish in Division III, Region 9, but LeBron James' alma mater played a tough regular-season schedule. Do not be fooled by that 6-4 record. Other games tonight involving area teams include Ursuline hosting South Range in Division V, Fitch hosting Willoughby South in Division I and Cardinal Mooney visiting Mogadore Field and Poland visiting Akron Buchtel in Division III. Look for Ursuline and Mooney to win easily. Poland could have its hands full with the Griffins. One of the most intriguing matchups of the first round will take place at Fitch Falcon Stadium. Fitch figures to be without its starting quarterback and each of its top two centers against South, which averages close to 50 points a game. But the Falcons can be prolific, too. I'd be surprised if the Falcons and Rebels combined for a defensive struggle. Once Saturday night's games are in the books, look here and at www.tribtoday.com for the matchups and sites for all of the regional semifinals.