Random Thoughts: playoff stats and more

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

This week’s installment of Random Thoughts included a sneak peak at a startling stat, No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 seed history, predictions vs. reality and a season wrap up.

Landlocked

A Van Wert vs. Otsego game preview feature will appear on Wednesday’s Sports page but here’s an advance tidbit. The Knights have thrown the ball just 22 times all season. That’s it. But they’ve been incredibly efficient when they do pass. The ground game is the preferred method of ball advancement for Otsego. The Knights average over eight yards per carry and have scored 49 touchdowns on the ground this season. Check back Wednesday for more numbers.

No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 seed rewind

Otsego is the No. 5 seed in Division IV, Region 14, while Van Wert is the No. 12 seed.  How have No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 seed matchups gone in previous seasons across the board, 28 regions in seven different divisions?

• 2025: No. 12 seed teams were 0-28 vs. No. 5 seeded teams
• 2024: No. 12 seed teams were 2-26 vs. No. 5 seeded teams
• 2023: No. 12 seed teams were 6-22 vs. No. 5 seeded teams
• 2022: No. 12 seed teams were 2-26 vs. No. 5 seeded teams
• 2021: No. 12 seed teams were 0-28 vs. No. 5 seeded teams

So No. 5 seeds are 130-10 vs. No. 12 seeds. Of course, there’s no guarantee it will happen again this year, but history isn’t exactly on the side of No. 12 seeds.

Prediction vs. reality

How did my preseason predictions match up to the final regular season standings? Not too bad in the NWC. This is how I predicted the NWC title race:

Lima Central Catholic

Columbus Grove

Bluffton

Allen East

Crestview

Fort Loramie

Spencerville

Delphos Jefferson

How they ended up:

Lima Central Catholic

Columbus Grove

Bluffton

Allen East

Fort Loramie

Crestview

Delphos Jefferson

Spencerville

So I got the top four correct, 5-6 were flip-flopped, along with 7-8. Again, not too bad.

Prediction vs. reality II

How about the WBL. Well, let’s just say I wasn’t even close. In fairness, no one really predicted Ottawa-Glandorf would go from 0-10 to 10-0 or that Celina would go from 4-6 to 9-1. Still, it was a topsy-turvy year in the WBL.

This is how I predicted the WBL race:

St. Marys Memorial

Wapakoneta

Van Wert

Bath

Celina

Defiance

Elida

Shawnee

Kenton

Ottawa-Glandorf

How they ended up:

Ottawa-Glandorf

Celina

Wapakoneta

St. Marys Memorial

Shawnee (T-5)

Van Wert (T-5)

Bath

Kenton (T-8)

Elida (T-8)

Defiance

Again, it was a much different season than predicted.

Crestview

Crestview’s season in review feature will appear on Wednesday’s Sports page but here’s a fun fact in advance – nine of Crestview’s opponents are playoff teams.

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