VANDALIA BUTLER (6-1) vs. TROTWOOD-MADISON (7-0)
* When : 7:30 p.m. Friday
* Where: Bob Driver Stadium, Trotwood
* Radio: WHIO-AM (1290)
PICKING THE GAME: The Troy Christian-Riverside game receivedonline support and earned consideration to be the Game of the Week.But the Trotwood-Madison vs. Butler matchup had a lot of otherfactors going for it. The game is a Greater Western Ohio ConferenceWest Division rivalry and the nearby schools are both near the top ofthe Division II, Region 8 computer ratings. Both teams have excellentrecords, high scoring offenses and solid defenses. After many weeksof picking the most-voted game, the decision goes to the best matchupthis week. There were more than 29,000 votes cast for the season'seighth Game of the Week. The game with the highest number of votes isnot always the game chosen but it does get a vote in the decision.Many factors are considered, including teams' record, Dayton DailyNews ratings, traditional rivalries, how close the game is expectedto be, impact on league or conference and influence on the playoffchase. Thanks to everyone who voted.
WHO TO WATCH: Tyler Koch will throw the ball for the Aviators.Adam Parks, a converted receiver, will run when Koch isn't firing toreceivers such as Matt Lawson and Josh Gensler. The defense has beengood in most games this season, but gave up many yards and points ina loss at Northmont. Like the Thunderbolts, the Rams will throw theball. Will Morrow has speedy receivers but the heart of the offenseis the running back duo of Gerry Stinson and Greg Moore. Both haveput up huge numbers and Moore also is a linebacker who will try toshut down Parks and make the going rough for Koch.
FAN FRIENDLY : WHIO-AM (1290) will broadcast the game with TomMichaels and Robb Carpenter calling the action. The Dayton DailyNews will provide team spirit cards and souvenirs at a pregame event.WHIO TV sports director Mike Hartsock will deliver the Tuffy Brooksgame balls prior to kickoff via Chopper 7.
VARSITY: For the best high school sports coverage in the region,read Varsity each Friday in the Dayton Daily News .
HEAD TO HEAD: Tune in to Channel 7 at 6 p.m. each Thursday whenHartsock and Dayton Daily News sports reporter Mark Gokavi maketheir predictions of the Game of the Week and two other games. Forthe second week in a row, Gokavi was 2-1 while Hartsock was 1-2. Thatreduced Hartsock's lead to four games. Gokavi is 8-13 while Hartsockis 12-9. Touchdown 7 game coverage is Friday nights at 11:15 p.m.
