Fall means Football

By CHRIS BUTCHER
Tribune Sports Writer
Thursday, October 02, 2008

As the weather begins to cool and the MLB playoffs get set to take center stage, I began to think of, what else, football. The high school level enters week seven this week, while the college boys creep toward the midway point in their season and of course the NFL, who just this week passes the quarter mark in its season. Hard to believe that just a few months ago it seemed football would never get here. Well it's here and as always it's provided great moments of surprise, letdowns and exhiliration.

On the high school level, we know a few things for certain; one - Oak Hill is pretty good. The Golden Eagles continue to pound whoever their schedule brings them and come sectional time a matchup with Lewis Cass seems inevitable. Rochester and Bremen are having decent years, but can either one knock off Cass or Oak Hill, probably not.

Two - North Miami's 9-3 season last year was no fluke. Many around Miami County moaned that the Warriors had a weak schedule and benefited from others in the TRC having down years. After winning just three games in two years before last season's run, it seems Coach Miller has the Warriors back on track.

Three - Peru and Maconquah still have work to do. Both have had moments in which to build on and are definitely still in the middle of the learning process. Peru with first year head Coach Bill Skelton and Maconaquah with first year offensive co-ordinator Ron Shaffer. The competition for both is fierce. The MIC is packed with heavy-hitters and has shown no mercy to the county schools.

Four - Last week's North Miami/Southwood game has been the best to date in the area this season. Three overtimes and over 700 yards of total offense from two schools that know each other well and seem to bring out the best in each other.

On the college scene, it's still early, but watching USC go down had to bring smiles to more than just this midwesterner's face. Oklahoma climbed to the top of the polls this week and will have a real test when they play Texas on Oct. 11, then Texas Tech on Nov. 22. Alabama rose to No. 2 and looks legit after handing it to the Dawgs in their own backyard, but they're in the SEC and have to go to LSU on Nov. 8. Penn State moved to No. 6 this week and goes to Columbus to face the Buckeyes on Oct. 25. It's quite possible freshman Terrell Pryor could have a good hold on the offense by then, making for a great battle between the Big Ten's top two teams. Notre Dame, well, it's possible they could go the rest of the season with only one more loss, (USC, Nov. 29) but c'mon Weis where's all that talent you were suppose to bring to South Bend by flashing those Super Bowl rings in front of the families on recruiting trips? I'll root for Penn State and hope they get Joe Pa one more before he turns 100!

In the NFL, it's way to early to figure this season out. One thing is for certain, by the end of the season, the Patriots will be a distant memory. After falling to Eli and the Giants in the Super Bowl last year, you had to believe Bellichick was determined to get back and prove something to everyone, but a blowout of different porprtions took place in week one (Tom Brady's knee) giving fans of every other team, well besides the Rams and the Raiders - hope.

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