More playoffs spots will be clinched during the eighth week of the high school football season. In class 2A, fifth ranked Center Point-Urbana plays host to number four Solon and the winner will claim the district four championship. Center Point has already locked up a spot in the playoffs but coach Ted Rogers says their goal tonight is to win a district title, but he says it will be a difficult job against a very good Solon team. Both teams have put up big numbers on offense and Rogers says the key for their defense is to limit Solon’s big plays. He says they have so much speed and do so many things well and have “big play potential” all over the field. After missing out on the playoffs in 2004 Solon can lock up a spot with a win.
Solon coach Kevin Miller says the tough one-point loss that kept them out of the playoffs last year has them focused and ready to go this year. He says this year’s game should feature a lot more scoring. Miller says it’ll be an interesting ballgame as he says Center Point can hurt you in a lot of ways and poses a big challenge to the defense.
Class 2A ninth ranked Clarion-Goldfield can clinch its first ever playoff berth and the district three title tonight at home against number-two North Fayette. To get the job done the Cowboys will need to slow down North Fayette’s high scoring offense. Cowboy’s coach Paul Hansch says they have a tremendous running attack with two backs that have a lot of yards. He says they’ve also been fairly balanced in throwing the ball. North Fayette coach Ron Wymer says Clarion-Goldfield is for real as they return a lot of starters. He says they’re talented and aggressive and have their sights set on the playoffs and have the talent to get there.
In class A, fifth-ranked Newell-Fonda can clinch the district one title at home but it will be a big challenge as they host top rated West Bend-Mallard. Mustang’s coach Brian Wilken says their defense will need to slow down a West Bend-Mallard offense that is averaging better than 40 points and it begins with the running game. He says they’re the same as his team, they want to run the ball first. Wolverine coach Koy Goodchild says his defense has the same challenge in slowing down a powerful Newell-Fonda ground game. He says it all starts up front with their linemen who’re tough and physical.
Plenty is on the line in class 3A district four when fourth ranked Marion hosts number-six West Delaware. Marion can lockup the district title with a victory while West Delaware and coach Doug Winkowitsch could all but lock-up no worse than an at-large berth with a win. He says they only thing they can control is what they do and he says they’ll go out and try to do that. Winkowitsch says they will need to play well to get by Marion. He says you have to win the next two games to ensure a spot in the playoffs and have some things happen elsewhere.