Fairland Dragons (2-1) @ Trimble Tomcats (0-3)
Time: Friday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Where: Glouster Memorial Stadium, Glouster, OH
Last week, the Dragons suffered their first setback of the season in their 34-13 loss to Ironton. The only way to move on is to get a win as soon as possible. Trimble, normally one of the tops teams in Southeast Ohio, has struggled in the early going this year.
Fairland:
For the Dragons, getting back to what works is important. So expect quarterback Peyton Jackson to air it out early and often this Friday.
Turnovers were a killer last week for the momentum for the Fairland. Expect the Dragon skill players to hang on to the ball this week.
Trimble:
The Tomcats will need a big game from quarterback Brandon Burdette. The duel threat quarterback has big play potential.
Trimble's defense gave up a lot of big plays in last weeks' loss. They will need to put a clamp on that early against the Dragons to stay in the ballgame.
Racine Southern Tornadoes (1-2) @ Green Bobcats (3-0)
Time: Friday September 9, 7:00 PM
Where: Green Bobcat Stadium, Franklin Furnace, 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.
Southern:
The Tornadoes will call on quarterback Josiah Smith to use his duel threat abilities to to apply pressure on the Bobcat defense. Receivers Derek Griffith and Kolten Thomas will be his main targets in the passing game.
Southern's defense will need to prevent the Bobcats from gaining large chunks of yards on early downs and force them into 3rd and long situations. If not, it could be tough getting the Bobcat offense off the field.
Green:
The Bobcats have been able to establish their ground attack in every game so far. Expect running backs Nathaniel Brannigan and Landan Lodwick to get the ball early and often.
The defense will have to contain Southern quarterback Josiah Smith, who has big play capabilities with his legs and arm.
Tug Valley Panthers (2-0) @ Symmes Valley Vikings (1-2)
Time: Friday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Where: Symmes Valley Stadium, Willow Wood, OH
It's a Battle of the Valley's and a crucial game in getting the Vikings back on track heading into conference play. Symmes Valley was able to handle the Panthers on their home turf last year. Tug Valley is wanting to return the favor this Friday night.
Tug Valley:
The Panthers will look for quarterback Elijah Fluty to lead a balanced offensive attack. Last week, the Tug Valley signal caller produced 192 yards through the air in their win against Sherman, WV last week.
The offensive attack will be also spearheaded by running back Adam Slone, who carried the ball 15 times for 164 yards last Friday.
Symmes Valley:
The Vikings will need to get their running game back on track after being held to 90 yards last week. Expect Levi Ross to lead a rushing attack again this week.
The Vikings defense will have to limit the big play from the Panthers. Expect the defense to focus on stopping the Panthers from getting to the outside when they have the ball.
Rock Hill Redmen (2-1) @ Portsmouth Trojans (1-2)
Time: Friday, September 9 7:00 PM
Where: Trojan Colosseum, Portsmouth, OH
The Redmen are riding a two-game win streak into a big matchup against a Portsmouth Trojan team that is in the midst of a two-game skid and in need of a win. The Trojans are going to rely on their speed and big play offense. The Redmen will play a "heavy" style of game, controlling the ball and the clock,
Rock Hill:
The offense has managed to limit turnovers and melt the clock for two weeks now. Expect that formula to used again Friday night
Defensively, the Redmen will need to bend without breaking against a potent Portsmouth offense.
Portsmouth:
The Trojans will go to the air early and often on Friday. Expect quarterback Tyler Duncan to dial up wide receiver Reade Pendleton's name many times.
The defense will have to find a way to use their smaller, quicker defense to attack the bigger offensive line of the Redmen.
Coal Grove Hornets (3-0) @ South Point Pointers (2-1)
When: Friday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Where: Alumni Stadium, South Point, OH
The Hornets have been on a roll as of late offensively, averaging over 50 points a game so far this year. The Pointers are on a two-game winning streak, but it's going to take a massive effort to get win number three this Friday night.
Coal Grove:
Longs drives, short drives, 10 plays or 1 play, it seems that the Hornets have found a way to score no matter what. Expect more of the same this week.
Defensively the Hornets will need to keep an eye on Pointer quarterback Jordan Ermalovich and prevent him from using his arm and legs.
South Point:
The Pointer will need to chew up clock as much as possible and limit the amount of possessions Coal Grove gets to stay in this game.
The defense will need to keep Chase Hall from running wild on them Friday.
Gallia Academy Blue Devils (3-0) @ Chesapeake Panthers (2-1)
Time: Friday, September 9, 7:00 PM
Where: Panther Stadium, Chesapeake, OH
The Blue Devils are coming off a thrilling win last week against cross-river rival Point Pleasant. The Panthers are coming off a convincing win over rival Symmes Valley. Gallia Academy will be a heavy favorite heading into this game Friday.
Gallia Academy:
The offense will be lead by quarterback Brody Fellure, who completed 14 of 16 passes and threw for 231 yards in last week's win. Expect the Devils to go to the air on Friday.
Defensively, the Blue Devils will need to force the Panthers into long distance situations and not allow the ground game to dictate the pace of the game.
Chesapeake:
The offensive will have to use its stable of backs to grind out tough yards and control the clock on Friday.
The defense will have a tall task at hand trying to stop the passing attack of the Blue Devils, as well as the speedster running back Hudson Shamblin.
Game of the Week: Raceland Rams (3-0) @ Highlands Blue Birds (1-2)
Time: Friday, September 9, 8:00 PM
Where: David Cecil Stadium, Fort Thomas, KY
The Raceland Rams head to Northern Kentucky to face the toughest team left on their schedule in a first ever meeting. The Bluebirds are on the heels of their first win of the season and looking to get a big win against one of the favorites for the Class A championship this year.
Raceland:
The Rams will need to have a big game from its offensive front. Line play is always crucial when playing a big time opponent.
The offense will rely on the speedsters at wide receiver to stretch the Bluebird defense. Expect to see senior Connor Hughes and junior Parker Fannin involved in the game plan.
The defense will be tasked at stopping a Highlands passing attack lead by the combination of quarterback Brody Benke and wide receiver Charlie Noon.
Highlands:
The Bluebirds will look to put the ball in the air with their passing tandem of quarterback Brody Benke and wide receiver Charlie Noon. The two accounted for 382 of the 483 yards in last weeks win.
The Bluebirds defense will have to play physical in the trenches and not allow the Raceland offense to have a balanced attack.
Highlands will have to limit the ability of the Rams to get out on the edges and use their speed.
Game of the Week: Johnson Central Eagles (2-1) @ Ironton Fighting Tigers (3-0)
Time: Saturday, September 10, 8:00 PM
Where: Tanks Memorial Stadium, Ironton, OH
This will be a big measuring stick for both teams. For Johnson Central, it gives them an idea where they're at heading into district play soon. For Ironton, it's their biggest test until the latter part of their schedule and possibly early playoffs.
Johnson Central:
The Eagles will be without the services of their star running back Carter Conley, who was lost for the season with an injury. The Eagles still have plenty of capable backs to utilize.
Central will rely on their biggest strength, their offensive line, to lead the way.
The Eagles defense be every bit of physical but will need to force Ironton to sustain long drives and prevent the big play.
Ironton:
This will be a test for the offensive line as the Eagles will be the most physical team they see the rest of the season.
The Tigers will need to make sure they clean up the turnovers and penalties for a game like this.
The defense is going to see a very physical offense that will pound away at you. They will need to keep the Eagles in 3rd and long situations.
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