Random Thoughts: playoff football edition

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

This week’s installment of Random Thoughts centers around River Valley, a fun fact, a look back, history between Crestview and Calvert, long road trips and one win and in.

River Valley

I’ve had several people ask where River Valley is from. The answer is Marion County, very close to the Morrow County line. It’ll be about a 90 minute ride for the Vikings.

The school is a member of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference, which also includes Clear Fork, Galion, Highland, Marion Harding, Ontario, Marion Pleasant and Shelby. Schools range in size from Division II (Marion Harding) to Division V (Highland, Pleasant). Six of the eight schools qualified for the playoffs.

More River Valley

It’s been a mixed bag for River Valley this season. The Vikings lost to Clear Fork 8-0 in the regular season finale. The Colts entered that game 1-8. To be fair, it was Mud Bowl 2023 that night. Anyone who made it on the field was quickly coated with mud.

Presumably on a dry field, the Vikings defeated No. 3 seed Shelby 28-24 in Week 7.

River Valley head coach Matt Waddle has a connection with the WBL and Van Wert head coach Keith Recker. Check Wednesday’s game preview story for more on that.

Fun fact

In case you missed it on Sunday, here’s a fun fact: Van Wert hasn’t lost to a team with a losing record since 2017. The Cougars will host the Vikings (4-6) this Friday night.

Last year

Van Wert and River Valley had a common opponent in the playoffs last year. The Vikings lost to Perkins 65-14 in the opener. The following week, Van Wert defeated Perkins 29-22. Luke Wessell blocked a game winning field goal attempt and Brylen Parker returned it for a touchdown and ran out the clock before he stepped in the end zone with no time left on the clock.

Crestview and Calvert

Speaking of history, there’s some of that between Crestview and Calvert, two teams that will meet Friday night in Region 26. The Knights beat Calvert 50-13 in the 2020 playoffs and Crestview upset the Senecas 54-20 in the 2016 playoffs.

Both of those games were at Frost-Kalnow Stadium, which makes Crestview 2-0 there. However, Friday’s game will be played at Heidelberg College, because Tiffin Columbian is using Frost-Kalnow for their playoff game.

I know Calvert is 8-1 this season but I have a feeling Friday’s game will be a good one.

Road trip

Let’s check some of the more notable road trips in the first round of the playoffs.

Defiance will go to Bay Village Bay, about two hours and 20 minutes away, and Bath will travel to Cleveland Glenville, which should take about two hours and 45 minutes.

The longest road trip might be Bryan to West Holmes, in Millersburg (Amish country), about three hours and 20 minutes away.

One win and in

There are three teams that qualified for the playoffs with just one win. All three are in Division I – Elyria and Euclid (1-9) and Cleveland St. Ignatius (1-8).

As always, if you have thoughts on any of the above topics, feel free to email me at sports@thevwindependent.com.