COLUMN: Win would give MHS a shot

     There was plenty of focus on the festivities of Friday night at Dean Nelson Field, when the Senior Nights for several activities took place.

     Those in attendance were also focused on the football game, a lopsided 50-14 Panther win over Oelwein; and the Panther Marching Band’s final halftime performance of the season.

     Because of all this, there was a good crowd turnout at Dean Nelson Field Friday on a very cold night.

     What the football Panthers need, however, is all the fan attention they can get this coming Friday, in the regular season finale at Waterloo Columbus.

     That’s because this group, which has won three straight games to collect a 5-3 record, has a shot at the post-season.

     In Class 2A, nine district champions automatically qualify for the 16-team post-season (Waukon has already clinched the title in our district, which is District 4). The other seven spots go to the remaining teams with the best RPI point total.

     The RPI takes into account a team’s win-loss record, its opponents’ records, and its opponents’, opponents’ records. It’s a hugely complicated process, and I’m glad I don’t have to figure it out. The IHSAA simply posts the latest RPI rankings and point totals for each class around noon every Monday.

     The RPI that came out Oct. 15 had Monticello 17^th, while Friday’s opponent, Columbus, was 15^th. (You can check the RPI rankings at iahsaa.org; click “Playoff RPI – Through Week 8.”)

     We can’t go so far as to say a win in Waterloo Friday makes Monticello a shoo-in. A Panther win does seem likely to boost them above Columbus. And in general, a top-16 RPI finish should get you in.

     But there are other variables. Under the new rules, if one of the nine districts has a three-way tie for its title, all three of those teams qualify (that would have been nice for Monticello’s 8-1 team in 2006). Currently, District 9 has that situation, so if all three of those teams win Friday, they will all qualify. Which means fewer at-large teams, so Monticello would probably need to bump up to No. 14 to get in.

     Still, with a win Friday, Monticello has a shot.

     To get a big Panther crowd, maybe we should have waited, and had Senior Night in Waterloo.

     Kidding.

Cross country

RVC meet cancelled;

state qualifying set

     Team assignments have been announced for Thursday’s state qualifying cross country meets.

     Monticello will host one of the five meets, from which the top three teams will advance to the Oct. 27 state meet. Ranked boys’ teams running in Monticello will include Bellevue (third), Camanche (fifth) and Monticello (seventh). Only two ranked girls’ teams will be here: Cascade (sixth) and Jesup (ninth).

     Meanwhile, the River Valley Conference Cross Country Meet that was set for Oct. 11 was cancelled due to wet grounds at the Kickers Soccer Park in Iowa City.