LUCAS — Scott Spitler wasn’t sure what to expect as Lucas prepared to embark on its foray through the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference. But the early returns have been overwhelmingly positive.
The unbeaten Cubs (3-0) were ranked fourth in Division VII when the first Associated Press state poll was released Monday afternoon.
Lucas is playing as a de facto member of the MOAC during the abbreviated regular season. The Cubs have wins over MOAC members and perennial playoff qualifiers Clear Fork and Pleasant so far.
“You’re talking about a tremendously talented conference. Last year the MOAC had three playoff teams (Shelby, Galion and Pleasant) and Clear Fork just barely missed out,” Spitler said last month. “It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for our kids.”
So far, so good.
The Cubs, who are playing all six regular season games on the road so more fans can attend the larger MOAC venues, opened with a hard-fought 18-15 win at Clear Fork. Victories over Ontario (28-21) and Pleasant (35-21) followed.
Lucas will visit Troy Christian (1-2) on Friday before concluding the six-game regular season with trips to Shelby (3-0) and Galion (2-1).
The Whippets nearly cracked the Top 10 in Division IV in this week’s poll, checking in at No. 11. Shelby is at Galion on Friday in a game rife with MOAC title and regional seeding implications.
A pair of area teams earned top-10 rankings in Division VI. Colonel Crawford (3-0), fresh off its impressive 36-35 win over Crawford County rival Wynford, checked in at No. 9 while Centerburg (3-0), coming off an equally-impressive 35-28 double-overtime victory over East Knox, is 10th.
The Eagles host Mohawk (2-1) in a pivotal Northern 10 Athletic Conference showdown Friday. The Trojans visit Highland (2-1) in Knox Morrow Athletic Conference action.
