***I'll do the update first, but read past the preview for some other interesting items of note.
Who: Orrville Red Riders (4-3, 2-2 in OCC) vs. Mansfield Madison Rams (6-1, 3-1)
Where: Ram Field - Mansfield (Directions Here)
When: Friday October 14th, 7:00pm
All Time Series: Orrville leads 25-15-1. Orrville has won 7 of the last 8 meetings dating back to 2003. (Click here for detail)
Last Meeting: 2010 (Orrville won 35-14)
Last Week: Orrville lost to Ashland 14-0, Madison beat Clear Fork 21-14
Coaches: Doug Davault is 46-21 and in his 6th year as Red Rider coach. Sean Conway is 8-9 in his 2nd year as Ram head coach.
Radio: Game will be broadcast live on WMFD out of Mansfield. Click here for the live stream link.
Computer Points: Orrville sits 7th in Region 13, Madison is 10th in Region 6.
Going to make this one quick. No "Five Things to Watch," no detailed analysis, no stats....just this. WIN THE GAME. Simple as that. Madison is 6-1 but a little deceptive as their 6 wins have come against teams with a total of 10 wins. Their three non-conference wins were against teams with a combined 1-20 record. I'll take our strength of schedule over theirs any day of the week.
That being said, we continue to be a team defined by turnovers and penalties. In our three losses, we've turned the ball over 14 times. That's just not part of the formula for winning football. Our offense has been up and down all year, averaging 39 points per game in our 4 wins, and just 7 points per game in our 3 losses. We are averaging, AVERAGING...70 yards in penalties per game. That can't continue if the goal is to make the playoffs and win after week 10.
The conventional wisdom says that if we can put points on the board and not turn the ball over, we win. But that's easier said that done it seems.
I think this team has all the ability to win these last 3 games and build some momentum going in to the playoffs, but at this point the talking needs to stop and they just need to go out and show it. A win Friday night gets us back in the top 4 and I still think if we win out, we host a home game in week 11. Nevermind how the first 7 weeks have gone....this team can still put it together and make some noise in the playoffs...but it's going to take a great effort from everyone.
Fantastic50.net says Orrville by 3 and CalPreps.com says Orrville by 5...but again, none of that matters at this point.
Go Riders...Beat The Rams.
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Ashland Pictures. Here's the pictures from last week courtesy of Rod Dilyard. Some nice shots of the seniors walking with their parents.
Playoff Picture. As mentioned above, the Riders currently sit 7th in Division 4, Region 13 but can leap back into the top 4 with a win this Friday. If they win out, they can still grab a home game in round one. I know the talk in the area is still about the possible Norwayne vs. Orrville matchup, but let's make sure both teams make it before dissecting that.
What I did find interesting is that if both Norwayne and Orrville win this weekend, they will have very similar second-level points in the computer standings. Second level points are the points a team earns for how well the teams they beat head to head do in the other 9 games on their schedule. The better a team does, the more 2nd level points you get. That's why we want teams like Northwest, Triway, Lexington and West Holmes to win games, because it helps us. Says something about our schedule that a team with 3 losses can have the same amount of 2nd level points as an undefeated team, doesn't it?
Volleyball Draw. The brackets for the upcoming volleyball sectional/district at Smithville High School have been drawn (full bracket here) and the Lady Riders will start tournament play against Hillsdale next Tuesday at 7:30pm. If they win that, they would play Waynedale on Thursday 10/20 also at 7:30pm.
Tennis. Good luck to senior Miranda Adcock as she will participate in the Division 2 District tournament this Friday at Weis Park in Canton. She is one of 16 singles players to compete. It's been longer than I can remember that Orrville has sent anyone to state in boys or girls tennis and Miranda can break that streak.
Band. Yes, a band update. First off, I think the band is sounding great this year. Not the biggest numbers, but I like what they're doing. They've entered a contest sponsored by the TV show Glee and the winner of the contest gets $50,000 to go towards the school's music program. Video is here. Consider voting daily for the OHS band.
Ohio U. Band. Speaking of bands, yes another band post. Saw this video a few weeks ago. It's the Ohio University 'Marching 110' playing 'Party Rock Anthem.' Link is here and video is embedded below as well.
The sound from this band is nothing short of excellent, especially given the dance routine. Of course, a band this good has to have an Orrville flavor to it as OU sophomore Kyle Likens plays trombone in the Marching 110 and is also in ROTC at OU. Keep up the good work, Kyle.
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