Sidelines: Games to watch

10/9/2008

• Records: Archbold (7-0, 5-0 NWOAL); Patrick Henry (7-0, 6-0)

• Outlook: This one may likely decide the NWOAL champion. Blue Streaks are ranked No. 2 and PH No. 3 in the latest Division V state poll. Patriots have won or shared last six league titles. Archbold s last crown came in 1990. Pats have outscored foes 311-76, Archbold 277-124. Jacob Fidler has run for 1,069 yards and 15 TDs to lead Archbold. Justin Buenger has 853 yards and 16 scores for Patriots.

• Records: Central (7-0, 4-0 CL); St. Francis (4-3, 3-1)

• Outlook: Central has won last four battles for the Irish-Knight trophy, including a 20-14 victory a year ago. Irish are ranked No. 3 in Division II state poll. Knights of St. Francis have rebounded from 1-2 nonleague start and need this win at UT s Glass Bowl to climb into City League title contention. In a reversal of traditional styles, Central is now more run-oriented than Knights, who have added passing balance.

• Records: Hopewell-Loudon (7-0, 4-0 MAL); Calvert (4-3, 3-1)

• Outlook: Can anyone derail the top-ranked Chieftains? Hopewell-Loudon, Division VI state runner-up last year, has won or shared five straight Midland Athletic League titles and has gone 56-5 (31-1) in four seasons under coach Brian Colatruglio. The Senecas last win over H-L came in 2002, and Chieftains have outscored them by a combined 149-37 in five straight wins since.