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A great football weekend

What a great weekend of football we already have witnessed-and we still have the National Football League before its over.

Start with the high schools.

It should come as no surprise that Williamstown once again finds itself one victory away from making yet another trip to Wheeling Island Stadium for the Super Six state championships.

The Yellowjackets are the most consistent football program in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Since Terry Smith became the head football coach at Williamstown, the Yellowjackets have gone 108-21. They average winning nearly 11 games per year, when most high schools seldom if ever play more than 10.

The casual fan may think Williamstown has great talent year-in and year-out. Indeed, there are some years when the Yellowjackets are loaded. But not all of them. That’s when having a great program takes over.

Williamstown operates on the philosophy it won’t be outworked. Smith has assembled a strong coaching staff that puts its athletes in the best possible position week in and week out.

Williamstown isn’t the only school where that successful formula takes place. Look at the remaining playoff participants. Most are familiar names with a winning tradition.

It’s easy to be a perennial power in college football, where you can recruit the top players to your school. But high school coaches must take the talent available in their school district.

It’s obvious programs like three-time defending Class AAA state champion Martinsburg, two-time defending Class AA champion Wayne and several of the other dozen teams still remaining are doing something right year after year after wining year,

Talent is just one of the many necessary ingredients for a successful football menu. Coaching, facilities and community support also come into play.

On to the college ranks.

Given that Ohio State is one of the most storied programs in the history of college football, it is difficult to accomplish a first there. But Urban Meyer already has done so as his Buckeye teams from last year and this season have won 23 straight games, a school record, topping the previous mark of 22 set under the legendary Woody Hayes. Meyer is attracting strong recruiting classes that should keep Ohio at or near the top for as long as he stays at the school.

Congratulations to Rich Rodriguez.

Last week, his Arizona Wildcats were embarrassed on their home field by lowly Washington State, the type of result that doesn’t sit well with home fans.

After that horrible performance, one could envision Oregon and its high-powered offense shredding Jeff Casteel’s defense for some big numbers on Saturday. Instead, Arizona stunned the Beavers, ending any talk that Oregon belonged in the national title game.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Contact Dave Poe at dpoe@newsandsentinel.com

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