The week ten tango
Local teams need to perform
By George Starks
Sports Editor 

DARKE COUNTY- Before the start of action last Friday, four teams needed to do the quick-step. Two ended up doing a very poor waltz, with one being eliminated from the competition, even though that team won. 

Now if this sounds a little like something you might hear on Dancing With the Stars, you would be right. I’m a big fan of that show and the dance terminology fits in well this week with the final week of prep football. When the week nine results were in, the leader board saw Bradford being eliminated from the equation. 

Even though the Roaders topped winless Mississinawa Valley, Bradford was the one team that needed the most help in secondary points. They got some help but it wasn’t enough to keep the 4-5 Railroaders in the dance. 

The other team the did a waltz was Ansonia. With senior Dusty Holcomb on the injured list last week, senior Seth Keller was forced to shoulder the load in the backfield. Without that one-two punch, the Tigers fell from seventh in the D-VI Region 24 polls to 10th, losing big to Covington 52-12. 

This week, the Tigers will host Tri-County North. The Panthers (7-2) are ranked fifth in D-VI, Region 24 this week and will look to move up a notch with a win and a loss by Ada who plays at 9-0 Lima Central Catholic. It’s obvious, the Tigers need to once again do a quick-step this week. A waltz will spell doom in the end here. 

The 5-4 Arcanum Trojans will need to put their dancing shoes on as they host 9-0 Covington. The Buccs have clinched a playoff spot, ranked fourth in D-V, Region 20 and if nothing changes in the polls, would host 7-2 Coldwater in the opening round of the tournament…OUCH! 

Coldwater thumped Versailles in week five, 36-19. Arcanum is ranked 11th in Region 24 right behind Ansonia. The Trojans will have to come out with all guns blazing if they look to beat Covington. 

Last, but not least is Versailles. This bunch of Tigers did the near perfect quick-step last week with a 33-0 pounding of the Anna Rockets. While nothing is a given, the Tigers will play the hapless 1-8 St. Henry Redskins. 

A win should keep Versailles in the top eight of Region 20. The lone win for the Redskins came against 3-6 Parkway who will play 5-4 Anna this week. Versailles will get secondary points from this game as the Tigers beat both of them this season. 

The bottom line is simple. Versailles, Arcanum and Ansonia had better be ready to dance this week. Wins by all three teams could result in post season play.