Wheelersburg Pirates (1-1) @ Russell Red Devils (0-2)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:30 PM
Where: Henry R. Evans Stadium, Flatwoods, KY
Last year the Wheelersburg Pirates piled up 421 yards of offense and held the Russell Red Devils backfield to 73 yards rushing en route to a 35-19 at home last year. This year the game goes across the river, but the formula will still be the same for a Pirate victory. Russell is coming off a tough loss last week to rival Raceland and in need of a win.
Wheelersburg:
While the Pirates have a good rushing attack, you can expect the Devils to try and stop the run. So look for quarterback Eli Jones to get some opportunities to take advantage of the Devils defense playing too close to the line of scrimmage.
The Red Devils are going to try and establish their own ground game and control the clock. The Pirate defense will be asked to shut down a trio of Red Devil runnings backs on Friday.
Russell:
After being limited to 10-yards rushing last week, look for the Red Devils to try and re-establish the run game this week with Ethan Oborne, Andre Richardson-Crews and Colby Rock sharing the load.
The Pirates will be limited in the passing game, which could ease the defense to focus on the run. However, the Devils should be on high alert this week for the Pirates to take to the air.
Green Bobcats (2-0) @ Morral Ridgedale Rockets (1-1)
Time: Friday September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: Ridgedale Stadium, Morral, OH
The Bobcats are heading into week three 2-0 for the first time since 2018. This week they face their first away game of the season as they head up US 23 face a Morral Ridgedale Rocket team searching to build off their win from last week. The Bobcats are looking to tear down any hopes Ridgedale may have on Friday night.
Green:
The Rockets pride themselves on having athleticism and speed on defense, but lack depth. The Bobcats should look to wear down the Rocket defense and put a strain on a shorthanded defense.
The Bobcats offense has been lead by Nathaniel Brannigan, who has rushed for nearly 300 yards through 2 weeks. Expect Brannigan to set the tone for the Bobcat offense on Friday.
Ridgedale:
The Rockets are a fairly young team, having only 11 lettermen back. They will need to utilize their spread attack and get the ball to their athletes to negate the older Bobcat defense.
The defense will rely on their athleticism and speed to attack the Bobcats. So look for the defense to stunt and move to keep the Bobcat offense guessing.
Symmes Valley Vikings (1-1) @ Chesapeake Panthers (1-1)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: Panther Stadium, Chesapeake, OH
Last season, the Vikings defeated the Panthers for the first time since 2013 and only the fourth time since 1990. Chesapeake is looking to bounce back and exact some revenge on their home turf on Friday.
Symmes Valley:
The Vikings will need to shake off the loss from last week and get back to what works. Quarterback Aleck Beckett and running back Levi Ross will need to set the tone on Friday.
The defense will need to play tough on the edges and prevent the Panther offense from getting their backs outside on their sweep plays.
Chesapeake:
The ground game will continue to play a major role on Friday. Look for Marcus Burnside, Aaron Ross and Cameron Shockley to lead the offensive attack.
The defense will be facing another ground attack this week but it's in the form of a Wing-T/Wishbone attack. They'll need a physical and disciplined effort Friday.
South Point Pointers (1-1) @ River Valley Raiders (1-1)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: River Valley Stadium, Bidwell, OH
Both South Point and River Valley notched their first wins of 2022 last week. This week these two teams clash in hopes of getting a much needed second win, as both squads face tough conference opponents in week 4 (South Point vs. Coal Grove, River Valley vs. Nelsonville-York).
South Point:
The success of the Pointers offense will be predicated on the performance of quarterback Jordan Ermalovich and running back Blaine Freeman.
The Pointer defense will need to put the clamps on a Raiders rushing attack lead by running back Michael Conkle.
River Valley:
The Raiders will need to establish their ground game early. Look for running back Michael Conkle to get the ball early to set the tone for the Raiders.
The Raiders defense will need to limit Ermalovich's ability to extend plays. Looks for lots of pressure and hoping for the best on Friday night.
Oak Hill Oaks (1-1) @ Rock Hill Redmen (1-1)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: Redmen Stadium, Pedro, OH
The Redmen are riding high off their upset victory on the road last week. The Oaks suffered a setback at home and are making their first trip away from home this year. In what could be a physically demanding game, expect tough yards and hard hits Friday night.
Oak Hill:
Oak Hill will more than likely look to their most reliable playmakers, Masen Saunders and Nate Clutters, to give them an edge offensively.
Defensively, the Oaks have to prevent Rock Hill from sustaining long drives as they did against Vinton County.
Rock Hill:
The Redmen have to continue doing what they've done to this point. Eat the clock and give themselves a chance late in the game.
The defense will see a much more physical ground game this week. They'll need to play tough against a team that loves running off-tackle and outside.
Meigs Mauraders (1-1) @ Coal Grove Hornets (2-0)
When: Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: Lemaster Stadium, Coal Grove, OH
The Hornets have been scoring at will so far - 93 points in two weeks to be exact. The Marauders head into this game with some momentum gaining their first win of the year last Friday. Meigs will need to try and keep up against a high scoring Coal Grove team for a second win.
Meigs:
The Meigs defensive game plan can be summed up with three words: Stop Chase Hall.
Meigs will have to find ways on offense to keep the Hornets off the field. Long drives will be needed, but they must score.
Coal Grove:
The Hornets will ultimately go back to what works: Run, run, run.
The defense will face a spread attack that will look for any crease in the defense. The Hornets will need to fly to the ball Friday.
(Coal Grove running back Chase Hall plows his way into the endzone for 1 of his 5 touchdowns last Friday in the
Hornets 50-34 win over Valley. Hall has found the endzone 9 times in the first 2 games of 2022. (Tim Gearhart)
Point Pleasant (WV) Big Blacks (0-1) @ Gallia Academy Blue Devils (2-0)
Time: Friday, September 2 , 7:00 PM
Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH
The Blue Devils will be in a war, a border war to be exact. Point Pleasant makes the trip across the Ohio River to square off with an undefeated Gallia team searching to defeat the Big Blacks for the first time since 2019.
Point Pleasant:
The defense will need to slow down a high powered offensive attack. Physical play at the line of scrimmage is a good start.
Offensively, the Big Blacks are looking to be physical. Expect a lot of tough yards and trying to wear down the Devils defense.
Gallia Academy:
The offensive line is anchored by senior Issac Clary, expect the co-captain to lead the offensive front in a big game like this.
The Devils will need a great effort against a solid team in West Virginia's AAA Class. So expect the Blue Devils staff to pull out all the stops.
Game of the Week: Portsmouth Trojans (1-1) @ Spring Valley Timberwolves (1-0)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:30 PM
Where: Timberwolf Stadium, Huntington, WV
The Portsmouth Trojans are looking to gauge just where they stand heading into OVC play next week. In order to do so, they're throwing themselves to the wolves - well, more like the Timberwolves that is. The Trojans will need to give a big time effort as they face one of the top teams in Class AAA in West Virginia
Portsmouth:
The Trojans are a little banged up at the skill position and might be shorthanded for Friday. So expect the offense to look for its seniors to lead them: quarterback Tyler Duncan, wide receiver Reade Pendleton, and Beau Hammond will all need big games.
The offensive line is young and still trying to gel. This week is a major test at how far the unit has come or even how far they have to go.
The defense has a tall order to fill. Spring Valley features a large offensive line and will look to run the ball early and often. They will need to plug the gaps with their speed on Friday.
Spring Valley:
The Timberwolves will need to handle things up front offensively. The Trojans will use a smaller, quicker front and try to test them.
The defense will have to face a spread attack that isn't afraid to take shots down the field. Expect Spring Valley to apply pressure to avoid long play opportunities for the Trojans.
Coming off a big rivalry win, the Timberwolves must avoid a "hangover" mentality, especially against a team like Portsmouth who has quick strike capabilities.
Game of the Week: Ironton Fighting Tigers (2-0) @ Fairland Dragons (2-0)
Time: Friday, September 2, 7:00 PM
Where: Jim Mayo Memorial Stadium, Proctorville, OH
Last year it took an overtime period to decide the outcome. Fairland was predicted in the preseason to be the Tigers best challenge in the OVC this season. So Friday night might as well be a winner-take-all scenario for the conference, even if there's still 7 weeks left to play.
Ironton:
The Tigers have struggled on the on ground through 2 games, only averaging 128 yards a game. This week should be an opportunity to increase that average.
The passing attack of Fairland will be the main focus of the defense on Friday. Expect a lot of pressure on Dragons quarterback Peyton Jackson.
A big win last week and a even bigger opponent looming on the schedule for next week, the Tigers must not fall victim to the "trap game".
Fairland:
Last year, the Dragons managed to make a living off quarterback Peyton Jackson extending plays wit his feet before making his throws to his wide outs. He'll need to duplicate that effort again.
The Dragons defense will face an array of wide receivers and a heavy passing attack. The defensive backs may very well be able to hold their own against the Tiger skill players, so it may come down to the pass rush of Fairland.
The grass field may turn out to be an advantage in Fairland's favor as it could slow down the speed at Ironton's disposal.
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