News Summary

SPRINGFIELD — With two regular-season games remaining, six area teams have established themselves as playoff contenders.

Tecumseh High School is

8-0 after a punishing 26-14 win against rival Tippecanoe last week. If the Arrows win their final two games, they will likely host a first-round Division II, Region 8 game at Spitzer Stadium.

Urbana (7-1) is packed with several other contenders in a tight D-III, Region 10. The Hillclimbers host Champaign County rival Graham on Friday, Oct. 17. A game played far from Urbana could decide the final standings when Bellevue (No. 3 in last week's rankings) plays Tiffin Columbian (No. 7) in Week 10.

After escaping with a 42-41 double-overtime win against Southeastern, Catholic Central (5-3) continues to battle for a playoff spot in D-VI, Region 24. Last season's Region 24 champion needs two wins to solidify its spot.

West Liberty-Salem (8-0) and Triad (6-2) were both among the top eight teams in last week's D-V, Region 20 rankings. The Tigers are in the best position, at No. 4 . Triad is hanging on at No. 8.

Mechanicsburg (8-0) plays two rivalry games in the last two weeks that will determine its D-VI, Region 24 playoff positioning (see Page D1 for a complete story).

The top eight teams in each region advance to the state playoffs with the top four each hosting a first-round game. The latest Ohio High School Athletic Association rankings will be released today, Oct. 14.

Scoring frenzy

According to Yellow Springs statistician (and boys basketball coach) Brad Newsome, it has been at least 10 years since Yellow Springs scored 47 points in a game.

The Bulldogs beat Lima Perry 47-40 on Friday for their second win of the season.

Yellow Springs has scored 156 points in eight games this year (19.5 per game). The Bulldogs scored 120 points in all of 2007.

Around the state

Hilliard Davidson beat Dublin Coffman 14-10. Both teams were 7-0 entering the game.

St. Marys Memorial, the top-ranked D-III team last week, lost to Lima Shawnee 17-7.

Hamler Patrick Henry, the No. 3-ranked D-V team last week, beat No. 2 Archbold 35-7.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.