The playoffs are four weeks away, except for the Coal Grove Hornets and Chesapeake Panthers.

They begin this week.

Coal Grove plays at Chesapeake Friday in a key Ohio Valley Conference game, but there is even more at stake. The winner will probably secure a Division V playoff berth, the loser will probably stay home.

Chesapeake, 5-2, is currently eighth in Region 19 with an 8.9384 average while Coal Grove, 5-2, is 12th with a 7.1071 average.

Between the two teams are Barnesville (5-2), Nelsonville-York (4-3) and Buckeye Trail (4-3).

Amanda Clearcreek continues to lead the region with Wheelersburg (6-1) holding down second place.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers (7-0) continued to lead Region 15 of Division IV with a 17.3071 average. Ironton has 158.5 points while runner-up Martins Ferry has a 15.8653 average or 130.5 points.

The Fighting Tigers have a chance to lock up a home game in the playoffs at Portsmouth Friday. The Trojans (5-2), who are fifth in the region with an 11.1214 average, also need a win to get a home game.

Symmes Valley (5-1) is fifth in Region 23 of Division VI and can lock up a postseason spot by winning out against Portsmouth Notre Dame, Portsmouth East and Guyan Valley, W.Va.