Lima Land Midseason Recap
The 2024 high school football season in Lima Land has reached its midway point, and the races for conference titles are intensifying. As undefeated teams clash and fierce rivalries take center stage, fans are in for a thrilling second half.
Western Buckeye League (WBL)
The WBL is shaping up to be a battle of titans. Wapakoneta and Bath have been relentless, both standing undefeated in conference play. Wapakoneta, backed by a dominant defense that has allowed just 41 points all season, continues to impress, recently defeating Van Wert 35-14. The balanced attack of Wapakoneta is matched only by Bath’s explosive offense, which most recently put up a staggering 62 points in a shootout win over Elida.
However, lurking just behind these two are Celina and Defiance, each with one conference loss. Celina is riding the momentum of a nail-biting 38-35 victory over Kenton, while Defiance’s defense has held strong, most notably in their commanding 43-7 win over Shawnee. The upcoming matchups between these teams will likely decide the WBL champion.
Key Storyline: Can Bath’s high-octane offense break through Wapakoneta’s brick-wall defense? Their Week 7 clashes could prove decisive.
Northwest Conference (NWC)
The NWC boasts three teams still unbeaten in conference play: Bluffton, Columbus Grove, and Lima Central Catholic (LCC). Each team has shown its own strengths, but the drama will reach a peak over the next few weeks as Bluffton and LCC meet this week, and Columbus Grove takes on both teams in Weeks 9 and 10.
Columbus Grove’s standout running back Trenton Barraza, averaging 145 rushing yards per game, has been a game-changer, helping the Bulldogs cruise through the first half of the season. Meanwhile, LCC’s defense has been almost impenetrable, setting up what promises to be one of the best matchups of the season when they meet Bluffton in a high-stakes clash.
Key Storyline: With three unbeaten teams set to collide, who will rise above the chaos in the NWC title race?
Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC)
The MAC continues to be one of the most competitive conferences in Ohio, with Marion Local, Versailles, and Coldwater all unbeaten. Marion Local’s suffocating defense will face its toughest test yet as they prepare to meet Versailles this week. Coldwater, another MAC powerhouse, waits in the wings with matchups against both teams in Weeks 9 and 10.
Key Storyline: The MAC is known for producing champions, and this year is no different. The upcoming heavyweight matchups could decide not just the conference, but the state playoff landscape.
Blanchard Valley Conference (BVC)
The BVC is set for fireworks, with Liberty-Benton and Pandora-Gilboa on a collision course in Week 7. Both teams are undefeated in conference play and have been dominant on both sides of the ball. But the drama doesn’t end there—Ada and Leipsic, both with one conference loss, still have a shot at shaking up the standings. Ada faces Pandora-Gilboa in Week 9 and Leipsic in Week 10.
Key Storyline: With key matchups looming in Weeks 7, 9, and 10, will Liberty-Benton and Pandora-Gilboa stay unbeaten, or will Ada or Leipsic spoil the party?
Northwest Central Conference (NWCC)
In the NWCC, Upper Scioto Valley (USV), Hardin Northern, and Ridgemont are all undefeated in conference play, but the road to the title will be grueling. This week’s showdown between USV and Ridgemont is just the beginning. Ridgemont and Hardin Northern meet in Week 7, and USV faces Hardin Northern in Week 9.
Key Storyline: With all three teams set to play each other in the next few weeks, the NWCC championship race is far from settled.
As the second half of the season unfolds, the intensity will only increase. With each conference featuring multiple unbeaten teams and key matchups ahead, the stage is set for an unforgettable run to the playoffs across Lima Land. The next few weeks will define legacies, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
-David Mansell