Trimble Tomcats (1-1) @ Fairland Dragons (2-1)
Time: Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
Where: Jim Mayo Memorial Stadium, Proctorville, OH
Both teams will be looking to bounce back after suffering their first setbacks of the 2023 season. The Tomcats will try to take the air out of the ball and establish the run. As for Fairland, it's going to be an air raid on the Tomcats defense.
Trimble:
The Tomcats will be needing big games from RB Owen Sikorski and QB Chase Carr, who headline their rushing attack.
Trimble will have to defend the edges against a Dragon offense that features enough speed to burn them if they can get loose on the outside.
Fairland:
The Dragons offense will need to get in rhythm early and score. Thus, putting pressure on Trimble and force them to play catch-up.
Defensively, the number for the Dragons will be to stuff the run. Limit the Tomcats' success on first and second down to put them in tough situations.
Portsmouth Trojans (1-2) @ Rock Hill Redmen (2-1)
Time: Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
Where: Redmen Stadium, Pedro, OH
Despite the Trojans controlling the series, these games have been very competitive. The Redmen are looking to keep their momentum and get a third-straight win. The Trojans are looking to avoid a three-game slide.
Portsmouth:
For the offense, they'll be looking to use their size and experience up front to impose their will on Friday. They'll need to open holes for Chase Heiland.
The defense will need to play just as physical up front as they do on offense. They cannot allow Rock Hill's rushing attack to gain traction.
Rock Hill:
The Redmen will need a big game out of their slew of backs. But it all starts up front, as the offense will face a tough Portsmouth defensive front.
Rock Hill will be tested by a Trojan team that is going to run the ball and wear them out. So physicality and assignment football will be key.
Symmes Valley Vikings (1-2) @ Tug Valley Panthers (1-1)
When: Friday, September 8, 7:30 PM
Where: Bob Brewer Stadium, Williamson, WV
The Vikings will make a long trip down into the West Virginia mountains for this non-conference match up. Don't expect to see the pigskin fly too much Friday night, as both teams will want run and grind this one out.
Symmes Valley:
The best way to cancel out the other teams' home crowd is to establish some offensive rhythm, control the tempo and keep their fans quiet.
The Viking defense came up with some key plays last week to spark the win. So like last week, more plays will be needed again to get win number two.
Tug Valley:
The offense will need to establish their run game early on and not get backed up with third-and-long situations.
The Panthers will ned to use their size advantage in the trenches and slow down the Vikings rushing attack.
Green Bobcats (1-2) @ Southern Tornadoes (0-3)
Time: Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
Where: Southern Football Stadium, Racine, OH
The Bobcats will be looking to notch another win, but this time it'll have to come on the road. The Tornadoes will be looking to crack into the win column ahead of league play starting next week.
Green:
The Bobcats will need to shorten the game. So moving the chains to limit the Tornadoes chances on offense will be a must.
Defensively, the Bobcats will need to put a halt to Southern's passing attack. A good pass rush and a mix of blitzing could do the trick.
Southern:
The Tornadoes will need to get the ball to their skills players in space and let them make plays.
Southern's defense will be tasked with playing disciplined football and limit the Panthers big play abilities.
South Point Pointers (2-1) @ Coal Grove Hornets (3-0)
Time: Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
Where: Lemaster Stadium, Coal Grove, OH
Each team will come into the game with big and experienced offensive lines, which will test the might of the other teams' defense. South Point is riding some momentum after winning two-straight. Coal Grove is coming off a thrilling comeback win last week.
South Point:
South Point will need another solid game from Blaine Freeman. That success will rest on the shoulders of his offensive line opening the holes.
The defense must not allow the Hornets to use their ground attack to control the clock and tempo of the game.
The Pointers must find a way to limit the big play capabilities of Coal Grove, who have had several scores of over 30 yards or more through 3 weeks.
Coal Grove:
The Hornets must avoid a slow start like they had last week. So setting an early tone with their offensive line and wearing down the Pointers will be a priority.
The defense will need to keep South Point RB Blaine Freeman from gaining steam. So gang tackling and mixing blitzes might do the trick on Friday.
Game of the Week: Chesapeake Panthers (3-0) @ Gallia Academy (3-0)
Time: Friday, September 8, 7:00 PM
Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH
It's a battle of the undefeateds. The Panthers will have upset on their minds, as the Blue Devils look to keep pace to stay atop the OVC. With both teams speed and big play capabilities, this game could turn into a high-scoring track meet.
Chesapeake:
The Panthers have some quick-strike abilities with Camron Shockley and Dannie Maynard, which could set the tone early if they get loose.
The defense will need to contain Gallia Academy's speedsters from getting loose. Which means pursuit and gang tackling will be a priority.
Simple things could factor into a big game, such as holding onto the ball, limiting penalties and finishing drives could go a long way towards a big night.
Gallia Academy:
Offensively, the Blue Devils will look to keep the Panthers on their heels by using their speed and explosive play capabilities.
The defense will need to play a disciplined and physical game on Friday. So closing down running lanes for Chesapeake's backs will be important.
Avoiding miscues and turnovers will be a big factor on Friday, as to not let the upset-minded Panthers take advantage of any opportunities.
Game of the Week: Cabell Midland Knights (2-0) vs. Ironton Fighting Tigers (3-0)
Time: Saturday, September 9, 7:30 PM
Where: Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
It's been 26 long years since these two teams have played, with both teams winning a game each in the series. Historically, Ironton has enjoyed success playing at Marshall (at then Fairfield Stadium) winning eight-straight. The Knights will be looking to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season and first in the city of Huntington since 1952.
Cabell Midland:
The Knights will want to establish their tough ground attack. So look for their big offensive line and running back Curtis Jones to be called on a lot.
Midland's defense will need to tighten down their coverage and control the outer edges of the Ironton offensive attack.
The Knights will need to find a way to capitalize off of Ironton miscues, something that no opponent has been able to do yet.
Ironton:
The Tigers will need to use their weapons to keep the Knights defense off balance. This could mean a lot of touches early on for players like Shaun Terry.
Ironton's defense will need to show their physicality against Midland's rushing attack and limit their playbook from expanding.
Ironton must be able to finish long drives when possible. So eliminating timely penalties and turnovers is a must in a game like this.
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