Portsmouth to the SOC3 2027

[OVC]

Calling it now. Symmes Valley to the OVC. They are probably tired of having to drive everywhere for games (Western, Eastern, Northwest). Plus they would fit right in with just about every other sport besides football. I could see them competing for championships in baseball and softball. Basketball could also be very competitive as well. Just makes too much sense. Second team I could see is Oak Hill. They’ve been trying to get out of the SOC and now here’s their chance. Plus they were in the OVC for a long time, too. Charter member if I recall correctly. Symmes would compete easier in all sports than Oak Hill, though.

[greygoose]

Calling it now. Symmes Valley to the OVC. They are probably tired of having to drive everywhere for games (Western, Eastern, Northwest). Plus they would fit right in with just about every other sport besides football. I could see them competing for championships in baseball and softball. Basketball could also be very competitive as well. Just makes too much sense. Second team I could see is Oak Hill. They’ve been trying to get out of the SOC and now here’s their chance. Plus they were in the OVC for a long time, too. Charter member if I recall correctly. Symmes would compete easier in all sports than Oak Hill, though.

It'd be a terrible move for them in football, I will say this in terms of drive time the OVC 100% makes sense though but they'd be moving into a conference where they're far and away the smallest school though not sure I see them wanting that.

[greygoose]

Is this confirmed? Guy from Clay told me 2 weeks ago it was happening, but I called BS on him!*

I don't believe this is confirmed yet but there's definitely a lot of smoke coming from the powers to be on this topic. Does the SOC want Portsmouth they never did, but I think Portsmouth has dropped so much over those years they're right on par with the rest of the schools in the SOC. One thing I think the SOC2 teams are finding out in football more so is the difficulty with having a odd number of teams and everyone trying to find a team mid to late season when everyone is in league play. Waverly had to take a beating from Mt. Healthy in week 10 the last 2 seasons because that's basically only team they could find within a reasonable driving distance. So Portsmouth to SOC, let's just say don't be shocked at this point, it makes sense from a talent standpoint the drive is very easy for everyone involved could see an increase in gates for games like West/Burg/Portsmouth hopefully they can keep the peace though.

[art_vandelay]

Goose: agreed on the scheduling. What a nightmare for AD’s trying to find suitable opponents late in the season for football.

But yeah, this move would have never been made years ago. And some of that was the SOC schools’ fault, and some of that Portsmouth’s fault. But it looks like a great fit now, so time to make it happen.*

[OVC]

Calling it now. Symmes Valley to the OVC. They are probably tired of having to drive everywhere for games (Western, Eastern, Northwest). Plus they would fit right in with just about every other sport besides football. I could see them competing for championships in baseball and softball. Basketball could also be very competitive as well. Just makes too much sense. Second team I could see is Oak Hill. They’ve been trying to get out of the SOC and now here’s their chance. Plus they were in the OVC for a long time, too. Charter member if I recall correctly. Symmes would compete easier in all sports than Oak Hill, though.

It'd be a terrible move for them in football, I will say this in terms of drive time the OVC 100% makes sense though but they'd be moving into a conference where they're far and away the smallest school though not sure I see them wanting that.

They are pretty down in football right now, which I didn’t realize. They were South Point’s only win. 10 years ago, I’m sure it would’ve been a good move for football. I still think they’d compete in other sports.

[Zahns Corner]

Piketon joining SOC3 probably makes the most sense of all southern Ohio schools. Was a member of SOC back in APlant construction days, but "bolted" for startup of SVC. Logistically surrounded on almost all sides by SOC schools and would slot nicely into SOC3 enrollment wise. Easy trip to/from Piketon at the crossroads of southern Ohio Routes 23-32 for all SOC3 schools. Would be some really good rivalries with Waverly, Minford, West, South Webster, Burg, Valley. Already play most of these schools in nearly all sports. Piketon has relatively new & nice facilities ("The Oven" & New Football Field/Fieldhouse & Baseball/Softball fields adding new tower press boxes) and they just keep building more...

Makes some sense but Piketon's 63 years of stable membership in the SVC speaks louder. If anything, a better case could be made for the Tigers joining the SVC as Waverly has more communities ties to Chillicothe than it does Portsmouth.