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Eastmoor has a crucial game with Marion-Franklin.

Calculate This -- (10/1) -- They're out and they're all-important. Yep, I mean it, those insufferable, incalculable and unintelligible computer point rankings that determine which high school footbal teams make the post-season, which starts this year on Halloween. There's a link below to the whole ball of wax, but let me hit the highlights here. The big numbers to remember are "eight", being the number of teams in each region to qualify, times "six", the number of football subdivisions. As a basic primer for the ignorant, Division I means the brontosaurs like Pickerington Central and Hilliard Davidson, while Division VI encompasses the ants of the football world, not the least of which is Newark Catholic, which won the 2007 small school title. Let's take 'em locally, one by one. Division I -- Of course it's Pickerington Central at the top at 16.9 points in Region 3 (basically Central Ohio), but right on the tail fender is resurgent Upper Arlington, which has lost only to PC, though the margin is a cool 3.85 right now. This is a huge region for local fans, as big schools Davidson, Kilbourne, Brookhaven, Coffman, Delaware, Darby, Pickerington North and others all are vying for bids. Incidentally, there is talk of re-examining the OHSSA Division I enrollment number requirements as many of these big schools are not far removed from DII, where we go next. Division II -- This one involves both regions 6 and 7 locally, with the former featuring Powell/Lewis Center favorites Olentangy and Olentangy Liberty, both currently qualifiers in the second and sixth slots respectively. Region 7 ranks DeSales second (16.633) to Louisville's 16.75, though every state, local and AP poll puts the Stallions at No. 1, especially after knocking off consensus No. 1 Cincinnati Anderson on the road earlier in the year. Louisville must play 6-0 Alliance on Friday. Don't overlook Marion-Franklin, which must play at Eastmoor Academy (6-0), or Beechcroft (6-0) which has D-I  rival Brookhaven. There's always Watterson in the seventh slot with 2 losses, but the Eagles play DeSales at Crew Stadium on Friday. Get your Massive selves out there! Division III -- Here it's Regions 11 and 12, and man does the first one have a mammoth matchup coming as No.4 Granville (10.683) plays at No.6 Licking Valley (9.992). Region 12 features Canal Winchester and the previously mentioned Eastmoor, both 6-0 at the 4 and 5 slots, plus Bexley on the outside at 10 but struggling at 3-3. On the fringe of the Central Ohio scene is dominant Logan Elm (6-0) in second at 11.583 points. Division IV -- These local teams are spread around three regions, so let me just comment that the ones to watch right now are Pleasant (5-1, fourth in region 14) behind QB Cody Harris, Hartley (No. 5, Region 15), Licking Heights (No. 7, Region 15) and impressive Jonathan Alder (6-0), hanging in second at 11.28 in Region 16, with my alma mater Cincinnati Wyoming sniffing the exhaust back at 6.967. Division V -- The tough team here is West Jefferson (5-1), holding the second slot in Region 20, less than a half point behind perennial power Anna. Region 19 also bears watching, with Heath (5-1) in fourth at 8.583 after crushing the team we'll talk about next. Division VI -- This was Newark Catholic's realm last year, which culminated in a state title.The Green Wave are typically the shark in the minnnow tank in this division, but this year have dropped two so far and are clinging to the eight spot at 5.33, with Danville just one spot and less than a tenth of a point behind. We'd love to see Africentric come out of Region 24, but a tough City League South schedule and a current 10 rating at 4-2 (5.45 points) don't bode well for the Nubians. 

Isaac Wildermuth helps UA's three headed beast.

Ground Game -- The Columbus area football scene boasts some superb runners. Again, check the link below for all the names and details. However, pay special attention to Devin Clodfelter of the City League North's Independence. He's leading the area with 1,331 yards on 156 runs, 8.5 yards per carry. Michael Haynes of Whetstone trails at 983 yards but averages an outrageous 9.0. That's nigh upon a first down each carry. OSU favorite recruit Storm Klein of Licking Valley, who will actually play LB with the Bucks, has an 8.2 average with 849 yards and 13 TDs. Haynes also has 13 TDs, but neither can outdo Drew Herrell of Brookhaven, who has 16 TDs while amassing 902 yards and basically 10 yards (9.9) per run. That gets you second and inches every time, Coach. Cam Collum of the North Union Wildcats (Richwood, Union County) is also outrageous at 9.5 ypc with 16 TDs. Upper Arlington's Isaac Wildermuth has 9 TDs and 689 yards for a 10.0 average, all the more impressive since he shares the backfield with Tommy Farwick (649 yds, 7.6 ypc, 6 TD) and Alex Drake.

Corey Becher of Granville boasts the big air attack.

Air Forces -- The passing game is alive and well and living in Central Ohio. That's proven by the achievements of a number of local quarterbacks and receivers, including a cadre of both from each Granville (playoff bound) and Thomas Worthington (unfortunately not). Granville boasts area leaders Corey Becher with 1,624 yards passing and 106 completions, and pal Adam Alderman, who has caught 48 and 780 yards of those for 10 TDs. The two have widely discussed the inexplicable but obvious connection they have with timing and routes, which is much to the pleasure of Blue Aces coach Mike Hensley heading into this week's unspeakable battle at Storm Klein and Licking Valley. Thomas Worthington has had tough luck but great numbers through the air. Leading the Cardinals are Max Bohon (QB - 127 completions, 1,256 yards) and receivers Vance Frederick (508 yards, 39 catches) and Dustin Armstrong (309 yards, 35 catches). Brandon Barger of Hilliard Darby has only 839 yards through the air but has 15 total TDs. Last but not least, let's honor Eric Stewart of West, who has thrown 104 completions for 1,515 yards. 

Tags: football, high school football, high school sports