Preseason conference championship guesses: Let’s see how we did

High school football is 90 percent of the way through its regular season.

Many playoff spots have already been claimed. Even more are up for grabs as the Week 10 games loom.

The same can be said for conference championships.

In this day and age of “playoffs-or-bust” mentality, sometimes conference championships get lost in the shuffle. But there is still an excitement to hanging a conference championship banner in most schools.

Prior to the season, we took a stab at picking which teams would hang such a banner this season.

With one week remaining in the regular season, let’s take a look at how we did with those picks - and compare it with how the standings actually look.

CVC Chagrin

• Preseason pick: Perry • Preseason darkhorse: Geneva

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Orange

Well, we got the Perry pick right, but that’s not much to brag about. We didn’t really shimmy out on a limb there, since the Pirates (8-1, 5-0 CVC Chagrin) are one win away from their third straight undefeated league crown.

Looks like we undersold Chagrin Falls (4-5, 4-1) a bit. Even though the Tigers went 0-5 in the non-conference slate, a win against Geneva (3-6, 3-2) this week would put Coach Mark Iammarino’s team as the league runner-up.

Geneva is third in the league, while Orange (63, 2-3) is fourth heading into Week 10.

CVC Valley

• Preseason pick: Kirtland

• Preseason darkhorse: Wickliffe

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Cuyahoga Heights

We stuck the landing on this one, too, but again, that’s not saying a lot, since the Hornets (90, 6-0 CVC Valley) were considered a threat to win the Division VI state title in August, just like they are now.

Wickliffe (8-1, 5-1) plays Kirtland this week and Cuyahoga Heights (7-2, 5-1) is right there in second place, too, hoping the Blue Devils can pull the ultimate upset and force a three-way tie for the Valley title.

Greater Cleveland Conference

• Preseason pick: Mentor

• Preseason darkhorse: Solon

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Euclid

OK, we’re doing pretty good here. Three conferences, three solid picks.

Heading into Week 10, Mentor (8-1, 5-1 GCC), Solon (8-1, 5-1) and Euclid (7-2, 5-1) are all tied atop the league.

It looks like that’s the way it’s going to stay, too, this side of a monumental upset. Mentor plays winless Elyria this week, Solon plays 4-5 Medina and Euclid plays 5-4 Shaker Heights.

Who has a legit claim to the title if there is a three-way tie? Nobody.

Mentor beat Euclid, Euclid beat Solon and Solon beat Mentor. So this conference title is truly shared - again, that’s barring some unforeseen upset in Week 10.

NCL Blue

• Preseason pick: Akron Hoban

• Preseason darkhorse: Benedictine

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Didn’t pick one

This conference title was so much of a layup that we didn’t pick a “Don’t forget about” entry. Akron Hoban was the state champion last year and this year might be the best team in Ohio regardless of division.

Hoban (9-0, 4-0) can have its conference title shared if NDCL (7-2, 2-2) can pull the upset this week. But as it stands, the Knights are the favorite to run the table.

Benedictine is 3-6 (13). Lake Catholic (6-3, 3-1) is currently second in the league and can solidify that with a win over 6-3 (2-2) Padua on Oct. 25.

Mathematically, Lake can still get a share of the title if NDCL beats Hoban, but that would be an upset.

NCL White

• Preseason pick: Central Catholic

• Preseason darkhorse: Gilmour

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: VASJ

Can we have a mulligan on this one?

Gilmour (9-0, 4-0) as the darkhorse puts us in the realm of being close. And VASJ (currently second at 3-6, 3-1) was a good team to not forget about.

But Cleveland Central Catholic (1-8, 1-3) struggled this year.

Far and away, firstyear NCL member Gilmour has been the class of the league, as the Lancers near a conference championship and a Division V playoff berth.

Northeast Athletic Conference

• Preseason pick: Grand Valley

• Preseason darkhorse: Windham

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Newbury

We’ll take the “Homer” bullet on this one, seeing that the guy who wrote the preseason prognostication was me — but Grand Valley (7-2, 4-1) looks to be destined as the league runner-up this year after two straight NAC titles.

Windham (8-1, 4-0) can wrap up the undisputed league title with a win over 2-7 Pymatuning Valley. But since the Bombers beat the Mustangs headto-head, even a tie in the standings would mean the Bombers have bragging rights to the title.

Newbury (1-8) has gone through some growing pains this year.

Western Reserve Conference

• Preseason pick: Kenston

• Preseason darkhorse: Mayfield

• Preseason “Don’t forget about”: Brush

It’s safe to say we’re off the Christmas card list of WRC co-leaders Chardon (6-3, 5-1) and Riverside (7-2, 5-1) as Week 10 approaches.

The Hilltoppers and Beavers are tied atop the league with preseason favorite Kenston (8-1, 5-1).

A lot can still be determined here. Kenston plays South (2-7 this week), Chardon plays North (2-7) and Riverside has a toughie against Mayfield (5-4), a game that could put the Wildcats in the Division II playoffs if they win.

It’s looking like a share. The only thing up in the air is if it’s a two-team title or a three-team.

Kampf can be reached via email at JKampf@NewsHerald.com; On Twitter @NHPreps or @JKBuckeyes.