SWBL Buckeye: The Vote
Here’s how the coaches voted in the preseason Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division football poll, with point totals and first-place votes (in parentheses):
1. Madison (5) 46; 2. Carlisle (2) 41; 3. Waynesville 37; 4. (tie) Milton-Union, Preble Shawnee 23; 6. Northridge 15; 7. Dixie 11
Madison High School’s football team likes this winning thing.
The Mohawks shared the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division championship with Waynesville last year, marking the first SWBL title in Madison history.
The Buckeye coaches have voted the Mohawks No. 1 in the preseason poll this season.
“I’m not completely surprised by it, and it’s something we talk to our kids about,” second-year Madison coach Steve Poff said. “I think we snuck up on some teams last year, but people realize we’re not the same old Madison team. We realize the target’s on our back now.
“I don’t think any of our guys look at it as added pressure. We don’t coach it as added pressure. We coach it as an added expectation of how we’re supposed to go out and perform.”
The Mohawks got five No. 1 votes and runner-up Carlisle picked up the other two. Waynesville was third in the poll, Preble Shawnee and Milton-Union were tied for fourth, Northridge was sixth and Dixie was seventh.
First-year Carlisle coach Mike Brown likes the way his team is absorbing his new system, and he has no problem with being second in the poll.
“I think that shows that the other coaches have a nice respect for Carlisle football and shows what a good job the seniors have done,” Brown said.
Shawnee took a step forward last season with a 5-5 record, handing Madison its only Buckeye defeat.
“We finished fourth last year, and it doesn’t surprise me that that’s where we were voted to finish this year,” Arrows coach Matt Hopkins said. “We’ve got a very tough league. Madison and Carlisle are going to be the top dogs and real tough to beat, and you can never count out Waynesville because they have such a nice tradition going.”
Shawnee has been sparring with the injury bug in the preseason. Quarterback Joby Williams and receiver Trey Smith are among the healthy Arrows, and they’re a potent combination.
“Anytime you have a four-year starter at quarterback, you really shouldn’t have to do anything. He should know exactly where you want to go with the ball and what play you’re calling,” Hopkins said. “Trey is just an athlete on the outside that makes things happen. If the ball’s anywhere near him, he’s going to go get it. He just has an elusive quality about him.”
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