Rock Hill Redmen (2-3) @ South Point Pointers (2-3)
Time: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Alumni Stadium, South Point, OH
Despite being week 6, there's playoff implications already in this one. The Redmen nearly pulled off an upset of Fairland last week, but they will need to maintain that momentum against a South Point team looking to forget about last weeks loss to Ironton.
Rock Hill:
The Redmen will need to stick to their formula of a ground attack to wear down the Pointer defense. Look for running backs Levi Jiles, Kordell French and Chase Delong to share the load Friday
The defense needs to prevent South Point's offense from getting big gains on early downs. Expect them to apply pressure by moving their defenders around.
South Point:
There's a chance offensive possessions may be limited on account of Rock Hill's ball control. The Pointers will need to score when they've got the ball when they can.
The Pointer defense will need to play the physical game if they want to bog down the rushing attack of the Redmen.
Symmes Valley Vikings (1-3) @ Green Bobcats (5-0)
Time: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Green Bobcats Stadium, Franklin Furnace, OH
This is a role reversal from last years game. Green enters the game with all the upperclassmen and experience. For the Vikings, they have the advantage of coming off an open week to rest up and prepare.
Symmes Valley:
There's going to be a lot of rushing Friday, so don't be surprised at all when Levi Ross, Aleck Beckett, Randy Adkins and Willie Jones carry the ball early and often.
Keeping the Bobcats from gaining chunks of yards on 1st and 2nd down will help in putting their offense in tough situations.
Green:
The Bobcats will need to do what's got them to 5-0. So expect Landan Lodwick, Abe McBee, and Nathaniel Brannigan names to be called quite a bit.
Symmes Valley had two weeks to prepare for this game, so the Bobcat defense needs to be ready incase the Vikings throw something new at them.
Portsmouth Trojans (2-3) @ Coal Grove Hornets (5-0)
When: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Lemaster Stadium, Coal Grove, OH
The Hornets will face their toughest test of the season this week as they begin a tough stretch of games. The Trojans are coming off a last second loss to Gallia Academy and will need to brush that off quickly as they face one of the area's top rushing attacks.
Portsmouth:
Tyler Duncan's arm and legs will determine success of the Trojan offense. His duel threat abilities will make things difficult for the Hornet defense.
Portsmouth's smaller and quicker defensive front will need to disrupt the rushing attack of the Hornets.
Coal Grove:
The Hornets will look to set the tempo of the game using their trio of rushers: Chase Hall , Steven Simpson, and Kaden Murphy.
The defense will need to contain the Trojans speed and hold down on their big play ability.
Chesapeake Panthers (2-3) @ Ironton Fighting Tigers (4-0)
Time: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Tanks Memorial Stadium, Ironton, OH
The Tigers are rolling along through the lighter part of their schedule, so keeping focus will be one of their opponents this week. For the Panthers, it's going to take a monumental effort to keep this game close.
Chesapeake:
The Panthers best defense against Ironton is their offense. Running the ball, moving the chains, and chewing up the clock will give them their best chance Friday.
Limiting the big play and finding a way to force turnovers will be an important role for the Panther defense.
Ironton:
Continuing to establish their identity will be important to work on this week. Whether it be a rushing attack or aerial assault, finding that identity will be a priority.
Games such as these are a good chance to continue limiting mistakes, unnecessary penalties and fine tuning their scheme.
Game of the Week: Minford Falcons (4-1) @ Wheelersburg Pirates (3-2)
Time: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Ed Miller Stadium, Wheelersburg, OH
The Falcons are sitting pretty well at the halfway mark of the season and are facing a Pirate team that is 0-2 at home so far this year. The Pirates need to get the offense going Friday as they have not scored a single touchdown at home so far this season as well.
Minford:
The Falcons will need to jump on the Pirates as fast as they can. Letting running back Jeff Pica carry the ball is a good place to start.
On the defensive side, the Falcons cannot allow Pirate quarterback Eli Jones to be a major part of their offensive attack.
The Falcons have had issues with penalties and turnovers at times. They'll need to keep them to a minimum if they want to win Friday.
Wheelersburg:
The Pirates are hot and cold when it comes to scoring points. Their playmakers will need to step up early and often as the game unfolds.
The Pirates have managed to use a committee of players to be their playmakers. So who will do that this week? Ethan Glover?, Eli Jones? Jake Darling? Derrick Lattimore? Creed Warren? I guess we'll find out this week.
Defensively, the Pirates will need to take away the rushing attack of the Falcons. Solid play upfront will be important.
Game of the Week: Fairland Dragons (4-1) @ Gallia Academy Blue Devils (5-0)
Time: Friday, September 23, 7:00 PM
Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH
The Blue Devils put their undefeated record on the line again as they host the Dragons. Fairland needs to win to keep their second place position in the league and gather more points for the playoffs. Meanwhile, a win for the Devils keeps pace with Ironton as their week 9 matchup approaches.
Fairland:
The Dragons will need to utilize their passing game and fast tempo to keep the Devils on their heels.
Defensively, stopping Blue Devil quarterback Brody Fellure from running will be important to winning on Friday.
Last week the defense had trouble stopping the run. While the Devils run a different offense, their physicality up front will be a test for the Dragon front line.
Gallia Academy:
The Devils will need to clean up their mistakes from last week. Bad snaps, fumbles and untimely penalties nearly cost them last week.
The offense has the ability to make big plays, so dialing up the right plays to make that happen will be a big factor this week.
The defense will need to shut down or at least limit Dragon wide receiver/running back Steeler Leep from getting loose.
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