Portsmouth West Senators (0-1) @ Portsmouth Trojans (1-0)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Trojan Colosseum, Portsmouth, OH
The 2022 edition of this cross town rivalry should prove to be an intriguing one. The Trojans have a lot of youth and big play capabilities and the Senators have a lot of veterans and a grind-it-out mentality. Last year the Trojans posted a lopsided Portsmouth West feels they can return the favor.
Portsmouth West:
The passing attack emerged in the loss to Fairland last week as Mitchell Irwin threw for over 200 yards. Expect an effective passing game to keep the Trojan defense on its heels Friday.
The West defense was able to contain the Fairland passing game fairly well. They'll need to repeat that effort this week and bottle up the big play ability of Portsmouth.
Portsmouth:
The Trojans started slow last week, struggling with penalties and drives stalling out. They'll need a faster start offensively as to prevent the Senators from slowing the game down and keeping the offense off the field.
The extra day to recuperate, thanks to playing on Thursday last week, may go a long way in helping a young Trojan team to gear up for what will only be a physical, slugfest kind of game.
Lancaster Fisher Catholic Irish (0-1) @ Green Bobcats (1-0)
Time: Friday August 20, 7:00 PM
Where: Bobcat Stadium, Franklin Furnace, OH
The Bobcats had a memorable first game last Saturday night, winning an overtime thriller. But they are going to have to regroup on a short week as they host a visiting Irish team that's looking to crack the win column after their loss last Friday.
Fisher Catholic:
The Irish return a solid nucleus of players from 2021 along with some promising newcomers. So with a week under their belt, expect the younger players to make strides this week.
The Irish handled the Bobcats last year in Lancaster. So look for the Irish to have some confidence despite losing last week.
Green:
The Bobcats need to be able to finish drives. A healthy Abe McBee at quarterback will help to stabilize the offense. Last week, McBee played sporadically due to an injury.
The defense made a strong showing in their season opening win, especially in the overtime period. The Bobcat defense will be called upon again to repeat their efforts this week.
Chesapeake Panthers (1-0) @ Minford Falcons (1-0)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Falcon Stadium, Minford, OH
Last season, the Falcons handled an outmatched Panther squad 33-0. This year, Chesapeake has some momentum with an opening night win under their belt. But it will still be a very tall task for the Panthers to pull off an upset win.
Chesapeake:
The ground game will play a pivotal role Friday. Look for Marcus Burnside, Aaron Ross and Cameron Shockley to lead the offensive attack.
The defense will need find a way to slow down Minford running back Jeff Pica, who ran for over 200 yards last week.
Minford:
The Falcons will need to use a lot of what was successful last Friday: a steady diet of running backs Jeff Pica and Tyson Kingery. Both combined for nearly 300 yards on the ground one week ago.
The defense will need to turn in another physical effort against another ground attack offense.
Albany Alexander Spartans (1-0) @ South Point Pointers (0-1)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Alumni Stadium, South Point, OH
In 2021, the Spartans scraped by with a tough 14-8 victory on their home turf. This year, the Pointers have a slew of returning experience and will be at home. Something that could be a major difference this Friday night.
Alexander:
The Spartan offense struggled in their opening night win, only managing a single offensive score. They will need to make bigger strides this week to remain unbeaten.
The Spartan defense will need to
South Point:
Quarterback Jordan Ermalovich threw for an impressive 305 yards in the season opener, look for the Pointers to continue airing it out and put pressure on the Spartan defense.
The Spartans had trouble in the special teams department last week, look for the Pointers athleticism to try and take advantage of that this Friday night.
Rock Hill Redmen (0-1) @ Vinton County Vikings (0-1)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Vinton County Stadium, McArthur, OH
There will be plenty of grass stains on the uniforms this week, as both of these two teams will look to run the ball early and often. The Vikings using a mixture of flexbone and spread. The Redmen using their own version of the flexbone and the T formation. It's very possible this game be over at an early time Friday.
Rock Hill:
Rock Hill will need to do better at capitalizing on big plays. Last week, they have a big kick return and run to set them up inside the 10 each time, but came away with no points.
Defensively, the Redmen will need to put a lid on the deceptive flexbone offense. A tough defensive effort will be needed on Friday to hold down the Viking ground attack.
Vinton County:
The Vikings will need to get their offense going early and often. Last week they were held to under 100 yards in the first half.
There's a saying "don't let the same team beat you twice". Well, the tough loss from a week ago should be put in the back of the Viking players' minds in order to win Friday.
Lucasville Valley (0-1) @ Coal Grove Hornets (1-0)
When: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Lemaster Stadium, Coal Grove, OH
There sure won't be any issue with offense here Friday. Both Valley and Coal Grove has plenty of that in their opening week games. This game will ultimately come down to which defense can hold down the other the best.
Coal Grove:
Chase Hall left. Chase Hall right. Chase Hall up the middle. Something the Rocket defense doesn't want to hear Friday.
Long, methodical drives are a staple of Coal Grove football. It's also one way to take the crowd factor out of the game when you're on the road.
Coal Grove:
The Hornets have a simple solution for Friday: Chase Hall. Look for the senior tailback to have his hands on the ball a lot.
The defense will face a tough test this week. Valley has a large and physical offensive line to go along with a duel threat quarterback. They will need to give a great effort Friday.
Athens Bulldogs (0-1) @ Gallia Academy Blue Devils (1-0)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH
Gallia Academy welcomed Kole Carter era with an impressive win last week against a former SEOAL opponent. Well, this week they get to try that again against another former SEOAL team in Athens. We'll see if they can go 2 for 2.
Athens:
The Bulldogs will need to get over their opening night loss quickly.
The defense gave up over 300 yards on the ground last week. They will need to stiffen up against a Gallia rushing attack or things could be the same Friday.
Gallia Academy:
Running back Hunter Shamblin ran wild for 129 yards in the season opener. Look for more of the same agaisnt a Bulldog defense that surrendered over 300 yards last week.
The Devils were penalized 8 times for 70 yards last Friday. Something that will need to be cleaned up if they want to get the offense in rhythm or keep from extending Bulldog drives.
Symmes Valley Vikings (1-0) vs. Reedsville Eastern Eagles (1-0)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Eastern High School Field, Reedsville, OH
The Vikings notched a big first ever win for Ben Ferguson. This week they'll need to go on the road against an Eastern team, who is always a formidable challenge at their home field.
Symmes Valley:
The Vikings will need to use the talents of Levi Ross on the ground and Aleck Beckett through the air to keep the Eagle defense guessing this week.
While the offensive depth chart has taken on heavy losses in the offseason, Ashland seems to always have a playmaker or two and a few big offensive linemen. They'll need every one of them Saturday night.
Eastern:
The Eagles relied heavily on their defense to earn a tough victory over River Valley last week. They'll need more of the same effort on Friday.
Last year, the Eagles fell to the Vikings 28-12. This year, the motivation is revenge on their own home turf.
Fairland Dragons (1-0) @ Wellston Rockets (0-1)
When: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: C.H. Jones Stadium, Wellston, OH
After a tough game last week, the Dragons will be looking to fine tune things before their OVC showdown with Ironton at home. But not overlooking the Rockets and taking care of business this week should be on the minds of the Dragons.
Fairland:
The Dragons will look to fine tune their offense heading into a big game next Friday. Look for the main targets to get the ball in their hands.
After punting nine times last week, expect better execution and sustained drives from the Dragons this week.
Wellston:
The Rockets had a tough first week. This week will be even tougher. The offense will need to chew up the clock and hope for the best.
The defense will need to find away to keep the Dragons big play from happening too often.
Game of the Week: Russell Red Devils (0-1) @ Raceland Rams (1-0)
Time: Saturday, August 27, 7:30 PM
Where: Ram Stadium, Raceland, KY
The Red Devils have had control of the series as of late, winning the last three contests. However, this year the Rams have high expectations and a full stock of talent to back that up. A rivalry game on a Saturday night will be the proper setting as the Rams play their first game on their newly installed artificial surface.
Russell:
Turnovers were a killer last Friday. If the Red Devils can can cut out putting the ball on the ground, they give themselves a chance on Saturday.
Look to the Russell ground game to keep an explosive Raceland offense off the field. running backs Andrew Richardson-Crews, Ethan Oborne and Colby Rock should be capable of handling the duties this week.
The Russell defense will have a tall task of slowing down a potent Raceland offense. Look for Coach TJ Maynard's defense to try and "bend but don't break" this week.
Raceland:
The Rams interior players will be the deciding factor in a game like this. On defense, the front seven of the Rams will need to smother a Devil rushing attack.
As for the offensive side, the five "uggers" on the offensive line will be asked to open the holes for Farrow, Browning and Wallace.
If the rushing game is effective in the early going, expect to see quarterback Logan Lundy get into the act and stretch the defense with targets such as Connor Hughes and Parker Fannin.
Game of the Week: Ironton Fighting Tigers (1-0) @ Jackson Ironmen (1-0)
Time: Friday, August 26, 7:00 PM
Where: Alumni Stadium, Jackson, OH
Last year came down to the final seconds, as the Fighting Tigers escaped with a 13-10 win, thanks to a kickoff return by Ty Perkins as time expired. This year the game moves to Alumni Stadium, where the Ironmen have won the last 2 meetings there (2010 & 2014). The Fighting Tigers will look to fix that streak on Friday night.
Ironton:
Last week, the offense of the Tigers seemed to struggle all night as they only managed 186 yards of total offense. They will need to find more ways to get their explosive playmakers a chance to rack up the yards.
With a week under their belts, the new faces in the trenches should be able to make bigger strides. This week will be another challenge up front as well.
The Tigers defense will face a different type of offensive attack this week. They will need to contain senior quarterback Jacob Winters in both running and passing the ball this week.
Jackson:
Last year, the Ironmen were able to out-muscle a stout Tiger defensive front in the second half. They will need to replicate that effort from a year ago.
Senior signal caller Jacob Winters was moved to running back in last years game. It proved to be an effective move as Winters ran for 121 yards. His duel threat abilities should help the Ironmen with a diverse attack.
The Ironmen will need a physical effort on both sides of the ball. Something they did better last season than anyone the Tigers faced. Look for the same effort Friday night.
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