It's officially August and that means the countdown to high school football is nearly over.
While area teams are in full-swing with preseason practices, our panel of football contributors have returned for a third season to list the most intriguing games throughout the 2024 regular season.
These matchups were selected based on a number of variables. Such as potential playoff implications, league titles at stake, or simply rivalry games.
So here are the marquee matchups to keep an eye on for the upcoming season.
Portsmouth at Lucasville Valley (August 22)
Portsmouth leads series 7-4
Last Meeting: 2023 - Portsmouth 59, Valley 29
Both teams come into the 2024 season with a lot of optimism. Portsmouth have very high hopes for a big year and will be aiming to get off to a roaring start. Meanwhile, the Indians are hoping to be a much more experienced and improved from last year. This one will be a great test as to where each team stands after week one.
Ironton at Wheelersburg (August 23)
Ironton leads series 21-14
Last Meeting: 2023 - Ironton 17, Wheelersburg 14
This is one of the most anticipated games on opening week and this years' installment will be no different. Despite the Tigers having the edge in the series as of late, many of the recent games have been highly contested, including last year's nail-biter. Ironton comes into the season with high expectations and will try to use this game as a launching pad. The Pirates are hoping to turn the recent tide of the series from the friendly confines for Ed Miller Stadium.
Portsmouth West at Fairland (August 23)
Portsmouth West leads series 24-10
Last Meeting: 2023 - Fairland 32, Portsmouth West 29
This series has turned into one of the more fun and exciting games of opening week, with the Dragons winning the previous three meetings by a total of six points. Last year's game was the closest one yet, being decided on the final play. This game will again feature clashing offensive styles, with the Senators ground game against Fairland's aerial attack.
Ashland at Raceland (August 23)
Ashland leads series 24-10
Last Meeting: 2023 - Ashland 28, Raceland 21
One of the other big opening-week games takes place in the Bluegrass State. This series has been very much a back-and-forth this century. Raceland will be playing with a lot of newer faces due to graduation. The Tomcats will be relying on some key returners and their history of playing tough at home.
Greenup County at Russell (August 30)
Russell leads series 39-11
Last Meeting: 2023 - Greenup County 21, Russell 19
Russell leads the series, but the Musketeers have strung together a couple wins in the Backyard Brawl. Last year's game was a thriller, being decided by a blocked field goal at the final gun. This game could be a very physical and low-scoring affair. We fully expect this one to be just as exciting as last season.
Harvest Prep at Ashland (September 6)
First-ever meeting
A first-ever matchup that will have plenty of people around the Tri-State looking for score updates. The Warriors will see if they can pull off a win in Putnam Stadium, which is very hard to come by for opposing teams.
Huntington at Martinsburg (September 6)
Martinsburg leads series 5-2
Last Meeting: 2023 state semifinals- Martinsburg 49, Huntington 26
These two programs have only met in postseason play until now. The Highlanders will make the long drive to the Eastern Panhandle and try to win their first game at Cobourn Field. The Bulldogs will be looking to get an early season test from one of the top teams in the state.
Ironton vs. Cabell Midland at Marshall University (September 7)
Cabell Midland leads series 2-1
Last Meeting: 2023 - Cabell Midland 35, Ironton 21
Last year's game was seen as two of the Tri-State's top teams squaring off. The game sure lived up to its hype, with the Knights pulling away late. This season will have some different storylines, such as Midland being led by a new head coach and the Tigers being led by an experienced senior class.
Fairland at Rock Hill (September 13)
Fairland leads series 48-26-1
Last Meeting: 2023 - Fairland 40, Rock Hill 7
This game will be a big measuring stick for both squads. The Dragons will provide the first test in the OVC for new head coach Tony Love and his Redmen. Meanwhile, the Dragons will be looking to maintain their top-tier status in the conference.
Pikeville at Raceland (September 13)
Pikeville leads series 12-6-1
Last Meeting: 2023 State Finals - Pikeville 21, Raceland 0
These two teams split in their two meetings last year. The Rams got a rare win at Pikeville in the regular season, but the Panthers won the rematch to claim their third-straight Class A title. Pikeville is again the odds-on favorite to win it all this fall. But despite having to replace a large and successful graduation class, the Rams should be a challenge on their home turf.
Ironton vs. Saint Francis Prep, NY Gridiron Classic (September 14)
First-ever meeting
This doubles as the first-ever meeting between both schools and the first opponent Ironton has faced from the Empire State. Saint Francis will feature some massive size in the trenches, so expect to see a huge battle there. And if you squint hard enough, you might be able to pretend it's the Browns taking on the 49ers.
Bishop Hartley at Ironton (September 20)
Bishop Hartley leads series 4-1
Last Meeting: 2013 - Bishop Hartley 54, Ironton 0
Ironton continues their independent slate with a matchup against one the of top private schools in Columbus as well as Division 4. This game should showcase plenty of high-caliber talent on both sides of the ball.
Portsmouth at Coal Grove (September 20)
Coal Grove leads series 5-4
Last Meeting: 2023 Portsmouth 14, Coal Grove 6
This game could be an early tone-setter for the OVC title picture. Despite their recent success in the series, the Trojans have had a lot of trouble trying to win at Patterson Field. The last two games have been decided by one score.
Ironton at Pikeville, KY (September 27)
First-ever meeting
Pikeville has become the king of mountain football in Kentucky with 3-straight Class A state titles. The Tigers will most likely display more athleticism than any Class A team that Pikeville faces all season. One challenge for Ironton will be defeating a Panther team that rarely loses at Hillard Howard Field.
Wheelersburg at Harvest Prep (September 27)
Harvest Prep leads series 4-0
Last Meeting: 2023 Playoffs - Harvest Prep 22, Wheelersburg 0
This rematch of last seasons' regional final will see the Pirates head north for their first-ever visit to Jack Johnson Field. This one will be a good measuring stick for both teams as they head into the final weeks of the regular season. Wheelersburg will be looking to shrug off Prep's two decisive wins from last season.
Fairland at Portsmouth (October 4)
Portsmouth leads series 7-4
Last Meeting: 2023 Playoffs - Portsmouth 50, Fairland 38
This Week 7 matchup could decide the OVC championship. Last season, these two split their games. Fairland won in the regular season and Portsmouth claimed victory in the first round of the playoffs.
Cabell Midland at Huntington (October 4)
(Cabell Midland leads series 18-14)
Last Meeting: 2023 - Cabell Midland 31, Huntington 21
The Battle for the Shield rivarly has been realtively back-and-forth since both school began playing in 1996. The Knights were able to snap a three-game losing skid last fall and are looking to make it two in a row at home. The Highlanders will be looking to take the shield and back prepare for another playoff run.
Ashland at Boyd County (October 11)
Ashland leads series 44-16
Last Meeting: 2023 - Ashland 43, Boyd County 15
Boyd County is expected to be improved this season and provide a challenge to the Tomcats. But Ashland has a lot of key players returning and looks to continue its dominance in this series.
Eastern Pike at Portsmouth Notre Dame (October 11)
Eastern leads series 5-4
Last Meeting: 2023 - Eastern 31, Notre Dame 28
This one could decide who takes the SOC I title. The Titans looked as though that had Eastern on the ropes last season, but the Eagles rallied with a late score to win and secure a league title. A quality playoff spot could be up for grabs as well.
Huntington at Spring Valley (October 11)
Series tied 13-13
Last Meeting: 2023 - Huntington 42, Spring Valley 7
One way to describe this series, is that is has been streaky. After the Timberwolves strung together 4-straight wins, Huntington has won two of the last three. This one will be the rubber match and give one team the series lead.
Coal Grove at Fairland (October 18)
Coal Grove leads series 44-30
Much like the Portsmouth West game, Fairland will be putting its passing game up against the Hornets ground game. Fairland has been working on its run defense and that will the key against the Hornets experienced backfield.
Ashland at Johnson Central (October 25)
Johnson Central leads series 17-7
Last Meeting: 2023 - Johnson Central 36, Ashland 33
It's almost become a tradition to expect the Eagles and Tomcats to square off for the district championship. This year could see the same scenario when Ashland heads to Paintsville. Playoff seeding and RPI points will be on the line in what will should be another exciting matchup on the eastern side of the Bluegrass state.
Portsmouth at Ironton (October 25)
Ironton leads series 66-57-8
Last Meeting: 2023 - Ironton 21, Portsmouth 6
This is one of the most storied rivalries in Ohio high school history. Ironton had to battle the gritty Trojans last season to get the win despite being a heavy favorite. Expect more of the same this time, too.
Portsmouth West at Wheelersburg (October 25)
Wheelersburg leads series 47-27-2
Last Meeting: 2023 - Wheelersburg 35, Portsmouth West 7
The Pirates have controlled the series in the past decade and have plans to wrack up another SOC title in week 10. The Senators should be very competitive in this season's matchup. And if things shake out for both squads, this could be the game that decides the league.
Russell at East Carter (October 25)
Russell leads series 33-3
Last Meeting: 2023 - East Carter 28, Russell 21
This late-October showdown could potentially settle the district title. Last year's game was very competitive and this season's should be much the same. This game will be a test of both teams' physicality as well. The Raiders will also be looking to make it back-to-back district titles, as well as two-in-a-row against the Red Devils.
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