Ohio Cardinal Conference Preview

My predictions, in reverse order.

7. Mansfield Senior Tygers (2-5).
Lexington, Orrville, Clear Fork to start, could be 0-5 heading into week 9. Defense has given up big points in first 3 weeks.

6. Mansfield Madison Rams (2-5).
Rams need a strong conference start before back to back away games at Orrville & Lexington. Offensive woes so far.

5. West Holmes Knights (3-3).
Could win 3 of first 4 conference games. Orrville, Lexington, Clear Fork to end the season.

4. Clear Fork Colts (4-3)
A win over Orrville could propel the Colts to four conference wins before hosting Ashland in week 9.

2(tie). Orrville Red Riders (5-2)
If the Riders can split (at worst) their first 4, they should be able to secure a 5 win conference season, and the school's 20th playoff berth. The Riders have at least 5 conference wins in 3 of the past 4 years.

2(tie). Ashland Arrows (5-2).
Graduation hit the Arrows hard, and a 1-2 start is a little deceiving. Expect the Arrows to make a statment in the first 3 weeks (Madison, Wooster, West Holmes). Ashland currently owns a 15 game OCC winning streak. Last loss was 10/21/05 (21-0 loss to Clear Fork)

1. Lexington Minutemen (7-0).
State ranked Minutemen have a week 5 showdown with Orrville, and a week 10 matchup with Ashland being the only games that stand in the way of the schools first OCC football title. Cheerleading, Volleyball and Football are the only 3 sports that Lexington has yet to win or share an OCC crown since joining the league in 2003.

Past OCC Football Champs
2003-2004: Wooster
2004-2005: Wooster
2005-2006: Madison & Orrville
2006-2007: Ashland
2007-2008: Ashland

Past OCC All-Sports Champs
2003-2004: Wooster
2004-2005: Lexington
2005-2006: Lexington
2006-2007: Lexington
2007-2008: Lexington