The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Regional quarterfinals kick off this weekend
Did you miss our postseason preview in the Nov. 7 edition? Check out features stories and game previews on our website. Plus, a list of all the matchups around Ohio and our picks for local games.
JOHN CARROLL AT HEIDELBERG What: Ohio Athletic Conference game
When: 1:30 p.m., Nov. 9 Where: Hoernemann Stadium
Records: JCU 7-1 (6-1 OAC); Heidelberg 6-2 (5-2)
For the record: The first of the NCAA.com’s Division III regional rankings were released Nov. 7, and the Blue Streaks are No. 6 in the North Region, just behind No. 5 Baldwin Wallace (7-1). Mount Union (8-0) is No. 1 in the region. … With Heidelberg this week, and BW to close out the regular season, it goes without saying JCU needs to win out to put itself in the best position to earn an at-large bid to the D-III playoffs.
GLENVILLE STATE AT NOTRE DAME COLLEGE What: Mountain East Conference game
When: Noon, Nov. 9 Where: Mueller Field Records: Glenville State 5-4 (4-4 MEC); NDC 9-0 (8-0)
For the record: The Falcons can secure a second straight outright MEC title with a win, but a conference title doesn’t earn teams in D-II an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs. … For the second straight week, NDC is No. 3 in the NCAA.com’s Super Region
One rankings, behind PSAC teams Kutztown and Slippery Rock. If Coach Mike Jacobs’ team wins out, it’s a lock to make the playoffs and likely host in the first round.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE AT WAYNESBURG
What: Presidents’ Athletic Conference game
When: 1:30 p.m., Nov. 9 Where: John F. Wiley Stadium
Records: Case 9-0 (8-0 PAC); Waynesburg 1-7 (1-6) For the record: Earlier in the season, it was looking like the regular-season finale between Case and Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh would be for the PAC title and auto bid to the NCAA D-III playoffs. But Mellon has lost two conference games, and the Spartans are undefeated. It’s simple for Coach Greg Debeljak’s team — win at Waynesburg, and it is outright conference champs and will secure a spot in the playoffs.
LAKE ERIE COLLEGE AT OHIO DOMINICAN
What: Great Midwest Athletic Conference game When: 1 p.m., Nov. 9
Where: Panther Stadium Records: ODU 5-2 (4-1 GMAC); LEC 3-6 (2-4)
For the record: The Storm are in the midst of a brutal four-game stretch to close out the season in which it already played Tiffin and Findlay (teams that are a combined 134), and now Ohio Dominican, which has a stout offense that features former Willoughby South wide receiver Devanaire Conliffe (456 yards, nine touchdowns). LEC closes out the season with another tough opponent in 7-1 Indianapolis.