Clearview vs. Oberlin tonight

Conference titles and critical play-off hopes are on the line tonight in Oberlin, Ohio as the Phoenix host the Clearview Clippers. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. You can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online (replay will be available online as well). I'll be working with play-by-play announcer Bob Karlovec and sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Clearview is currently ranked 8th and hanging on to the final play-off spot in Division 4, Region 14 while Oberlin is the 12th team in Division 5, Region 18 on the outside looking in.

In the Stripes Division of the Patriot Athletic Conference, both teams are in the thick of things.

Columbia (5-1 overall record, 3-0 PAC record, 4 points)
Clearview (4-2, 2-1, 3 points)
Lutheran West (3-3, 2-1, 3 points)
Oberlin (5-1, 2-1, 2 points)
Fairview (1-5, 1-2, 1 points)
Brooklyn (0-6, 0-3, 0 points)

If either squad is going to win the division or make a run to the play-offs, tonight's game is a must-have.

Clearview

The Clippers are 4-2 after a 32-27 win at Fairview last week. Sophomore quarterback Roger Engle was 29 of 41 for a school record 325 passing yards and four touchdowns. Junior WR Gerrell Williams caught 8 of those passes for 168 yards. Engle after suffering a left shoulder injury earlier this year is completing 66% of his passes this season for 1034 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

In addition to Williams, Engle's receivers include senior Ryan Vargo (23-235, 2 TDs), senior Clifton Brown (15-156, 2 TDs) and freshman Lance Billings (21-162, 3 TDs). Seniors Chad Anderson (132-621, 7 TDs) and Anthony Alston (27-139) lead the Clearview rushing attack.

If Clearview finishes the year strong and makes the post-season, it will be their 15th in school history and first since 2008.

Oberlin

The Phoenix are 5-1 having won their first five games of the year for the first time since 1984. In their 14-6 loss last week to Columbia, Oberlin was held to a season-low 146 yards and three interceptions.

Oberlin offensively begins with seniors Khalif Townsel (976 rushing, 8 TDs; 109 receiving, TD) and Jason Moore Jr. (410 yards rushing, 7 TDs; 346 passing, 3 TDs). The Phoenix average 325 yards per game offensively with 246 of that via the ground.

If Oberlin can win their remaining games and get help elsewhere to make the playoffs, it will be their 2nd in school history after making an appearance in 1985.

In addition to this game, Columbia will travel to Lutheran West in another critical PAC Stripes division game. Looking ahead, big games remaining include:
Week 8: Lutheran West at Clearview
Week 9: Oberlin at Lutheran West
Week 10: Columbia at Clearview