Not the CVC Chagrin wasn't strong enough in football already, but the league of mid-size powerhouses is getting a boost this season.

At the end of the 2010 regular season, I wrote about how Division II teams in the CVC are at a disadvantage because of the smaller schools and weaker teams hurting their potential in computer points.

Specifically, it was poor out-of-conference showings for Orange and Wickliffe. But the Lions and Blue Devils have come to play in 2011. Both went 2-1 in nonconference games, and they are both 3-2 before Week 6 games.

Orange also picked up a conference win over Perry in Week 4. It's only third time the Lions have beaten one of the Chagrin's big five - Aurora, Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Perry and West Geauga - since the begin of league play in 2005.

Oddly enough, the bottom-feeder this season is the second-biggest school in the league (by OHSAA enrollment figures). Harvey was 1-4 before its game against Perry on Friday.

It's too early to tell if added computer points from Wickliffe and Orange will keep West Geauga and Aurora high enough in the Division II, Region 5 playoff race (West G and Aurora would have to win those games first, of course). Before Friday, West Geauga was first, and Aurora was sixth in Region 5. Keep in mind, with all the Chagrin teams playing each other, someone is bound to fall because not everyone can win every game.

But thanks to Wickliffe and Orange, the CVC Chagrin has a stronger playoff foundation - not that it wasn't already strong enough.

- Howard Primer