Jonathan Alder’s Garret Proxmire (22) picks up yardage against Bellefontaine last Friday. The Pioneers are standing in second place in Region 11 of this week’s Division III computer ratings. (Photo submitted)
There are three weeks remaining in the 2019 high school football regular season.
The top squads across the state of Ohio are hoping to end the regular campaign on a strong note and are looking forward to the state playoffs.
The upcoming post-season would, if the playoffs were to begin today, feature four of the five teams in the Union County area.
The top eight teams in each region of the computer ratings at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the playoffs.
The top local squad in this week’s Ohio High School Athletic Association computer ratings is Jonathan Alder.
The Pioneers, who are unbeaten at 7-0, are ranked second in Region 11 of Division III.
Alder will play at Tecumseh (1-6) this week and will then conclude the season with a pair of tough games.
JA will host Springfield Shawnee (6-1) next week and close out the regular season at London (7-0) in a game that will renew a fierce Madison County rivalry.
The Monarchs of Marysville (5-2) hold the sixth spot in Region 2 of Division I.
MHS will face a couple of stiff challenges over the next two weeks, with both games on the road.
Marysville will respectively travel to Upper Arlington (4-3) and Hilliard Davidson (4-3) before hosting Central Crossing (2-5) to wrap up the season.
North Union (4-3) holds down the eighth spot in Division V’s Region 18.
The Wildcats will solidify their post-season chances by winning out over the next three games.
NU will travel to Springfield Northwestern (4-3) on Friday.
The Cats will host winless Urbana on Oct. 25 and travel to Benjamin Logan (2-5) on Nov. 1.
A huge victory over state-ranked West Liberty-Salem last week allowed Fairbanks to climb into the post-season picture.
It was the first loss of the season for the Tigers.
The Panthers are the eighth team in Region 24 of Division VI.
Fairbanks was the lone Union County squad to earn a playoff berth a year ago.
After dropping their first two games of the season to North Union and Indian Lake, the Panthers have reeled off five consecutive victories.
FHS will travel to Triad (2-5) for an Ohio Heritage Conference backyard battle on Friday.
The final two weeks of the regular season will see Fairbanks face very strong competition.
The Panthers will host Mechanicsburg (6-1) on Oct. 25 and then travel to West Jefferson (7-0) on Nov. 1.