2015 is a year of change for the OHSAA Northwest District as they have moved from sectional seeding to a district seeding format. This year the Pirates will be in the Van Wert District as the lone Putnam County representative. This District includes all the teams from the Buckeye Border Conference, six teams from the Green Meadows Conference, and Patrick Henry of the NWOAL. Bryan and Paulding will serve as hosts for the sectional games with the District games held at Van Wert.
With 14 teams in the district the two teams will have the opportunity to take a bye. Highlighting the district is the fourth ranked team in the state division IV poll Wayne Trace Raiders (14-1) also ranked is Hicksville Aces (13-2) at 13. Other teams in the District with winning records are Edgerton (10-5), Stryker (9-5), Fayette (9-5), and Ayersville (7-6). Rounding out the District is Antwerp (7-7), Pettisville (7-8), Hilltop (6-9), Holgate (5-12), Patrick Henry (4-10), Continental (3-11), North Central (1-14), and Edon (0-16).
Tournament draw date is Sunday February 15 with sectional games at Bryan and Paulding on Tuesday March 3, Wednesday March 4, and Friday March 6. District action at Van Wert is on Tuesday March 10 and Friday March 13.
The rest of the Putnam County League teams will be in the Elida District with sectional games at Ottawa and Van Wert. There are no AP ranked teams in this District however defending Division IV State Champion and current Northwest Conference leader Crestview Knights (10-5) is. Putnam County League leader Kalida (10-5) and Blanchard Valley Conference co-leader McComb (12-2) also lead the field.
With 7 other teams sporting a winning record this District is evenly balanced. Delphos St Johns (11-4), Miller City (12-4), Columbus Grove(10-4), Lincolnview (9-7), Lima Temple Christian (8-6), Leipsic (8-7), and Ottoville (8-8) are all at or above .500. Rounding out the district are Fort Jennings (4-11), Pandora-Gilboa (2-13), and Cory-Rawson(1-13),.
Tournament draw date is Sunday February 15 with sectional games at Ottawa and Van Wert on Tuesday March 3, Wednesday March 4, and Friday March 6. District action at Elida is on Tuesday March 10 and Friday March 13.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
–Photo by Kelly Sarka