MINFORD(4-0) vs OAK HILL(3-1)

Records coming in:

 

Minford-42 vs River Valley(1-3)-6       Oak Hill-29 vs Chesapeake(2-2)-30

 

Minford-21 @ Wellston(0-4)-13           Oak Hill-33 vs River Valley(1-3)-0

 

Minford-34 @ Huntington(1-3)-0          Oak Hill-42 @ Rock Hill(0-4)-18

 

Minford-13 vs Coal Grove(1-3)-0          Oak Hill-34 vs Northwest(1-3)-2

Last Years Meeting: Did Not Play

In what could shape up to be the week’s most intriguing match-up, the 3-1 Oak Hill Oaks travel to Minford to take on the 4-0 Falcons. Minford was able to slow down the Coal Grove “trap attack” in week 4 and record its second consecutive shutout.

Jesse Slone and the Oaks have visions of coming into the newly renovated stadium at Minford and lighting up the scoreboard.

Will the Falcon defense be able to defend its house and quench an Oak Hill offense that has scored at least 4 touchdowns every game so far?

 

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NORTHWEST(1-3) vs SYMMES VALLEY(2-2)

Records coming in:
 

Northwest-0 @ Sciotoville(3-1)-47           S. V.-35 vs Southern(1-3)-3

 

Northwest-53 vs Manchester(0-4)-14        S. V.-6 vs Matewan(3-0)-20

 

Northwest-0 vs Piketon(1-3)-48                 S. V.-6 @ Peake(2-2)-48

 

Northwest-2 @ Oak Hill(3-1)-34               S. V. vs Manchester(0-4)-32

 

Last Years Meeting: NW-17 @ SV-11

The battle between the Mohawks and Vikings last year on route 141 was one of sheer determination. Neither team was able to knock the other out, however, Northwest was able to use a late pick by sophomore defensive back Taylor Horsely to seal the deal.

That game proved to be huge for the Mohawks as it was their lone win last season. The Vikings now try to return the favor in McDermott with a more battle-tested club. Tailback Evan Herrell looks to carry the load on the ground while Kyle Bowen leads the aerial assault.

Northwest will counter with freshman Luke Brown, junior Kreig Crabtree and sophomore quarterback Jimmy Pack. 

 

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PORTSMOUTH WEST(4-0) @ CHESAPEAKE(2-2)

Records coming in:

 

West-21 @ Fairland(0-4)-0                        Peake-30 @ Oak Hill(3-1)-29

 

West-34 vs Portsmouth(1-3)-0                     Peake-21 @ Wayne(3-0)-39

 

West-28 @ South Point(1-3)-7                    Peake-48 @ S.Valley(2-2)-6

 

West-42 vs Rock Hill(0-4)-6                       Peake-0 vs Valley(3-1)-9

 

Last Years Meeting: West 45, Peake 22

Portsmouth West takes its 4-0 record into Lawrence County to take on coach Phil Davis’ Panthers. Coming into the contest, the Senators have used a bevy of athletes in each of its previous games to give its opponents fits.

Lead by seniors Alfie Bricker and Ethan Morgan, West has carved up defenses averaging just over 31 points per game. At the running back position, coach Merrill Tripplet has his choice of senior Dale Swords, junior Mark Murphy or sophomore Trevon Pendleton.

As usual, the offensive line is a powerful staple and boasts 6’7 290 lb road grader Scotty Sparks. On the other side of the ball, the Senators have yet to give up more than one score in a game. Chesapeake will need solid games out of dual threat quarterback Aaron Donahoe as well as wing back Alex Wells if it hopes to contend. Donahoe was impressive in a 9-0 loss to the Valley Indians, racking up 151 total yards.

 

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LUCASVILLE VALLEY(3-1) @ SOUTH POINT(1-3)

Records coming in:

 

Valley-38 vs Huntington(1-3)-0                S. Point-15 @ Portsmouth(1-3)-28

 

Valley-41 @ Rock Hill(0-4)-13                S. Point-20 vs Burg(4-0)-28

 

Valley-8 vs Coal Grove(1-3)-31               S. Point-7 vs West(4-0)-28

 

Valley-9 @ Chesapeake(2-2)-0                S. Point-36 @ P. Pleasant(1-2)-24

 

Last Years Meeting: Did Not Play

Valley continues its 2008 tour of the Ohio Valley Conference by heading down route 52 to take on the 1-3 South Point Pointers. Don’t let that record fool ya Indians. South Point has played arguably the toughest non-conference schedule in the area this year and has acquitted itself quite well.

Do-everything athlete Jacob Seagraves and running back Doug Dillon should be of major concern to coach Darren Crabtree’s defensive staff. The two combined for 300 yards rushing last week against Point Pleasant. Valley boasts several athletes of its own.

Quarterback Zach Utley is a threat to run or pass while running backs Tyler Evans and David Shultz provide a nice ground attack. Valley’s defense was tested against a game Chesapeake club last week and responded in a resounding way, recording a its second shutout of the season.

 

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WAVERLY(3-1) vs FRANKLIN HEIGHTS(2-2)

Records coming in:

 

Waverly-54 @ Piketon(1-3)-53                 F. Heights-0 vs Ready(2-1)-47

 

Waverly-20 vs Jackson(4-0)-27                 F. Heights-27 @ Briggs(0-4)-6

 

Waverly-35 vs Wellston(0-4)-21               F. Heights-33 @ C. West(1-3)-13

 

Waverly-35 @ Vinton Co(1-3)-7               F. Heights-6 vs D. Hayes(2-2)-37

Last Years Meeting: Did Not Play

Waverly comes into Friday night’s game against Franklin Heights riding a two game winning streak. The Tigers exploded in the first half last week and cruised to a comfortable 35-7 victory over an always hard-nosed Vinton County club. Conversely, Franklin Heights limps into town after a 37-6 beat down at the hands of Delaware Hayes.

However, the Falcons aren’t without their share of athletes. Two way star Rico Jackson is a shifty runner as well as a gifted defensive back. He currently has 3 picks on the year and has returned them for a total of 86 yards. Jackson and the Heights defensive unit will have its hands full, though, with gunslinger Derek Roback and his myriad of talented receivers.

In its only loss this season, Waverly battled back against 4-0 Jackson. Though the Tigers eventually fell 27-20, they demonstrated a toughness and determination that will pay dividends throughout the rest of the season.

 

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WHEELERSBURG(4-0) vs ROCK HILL(0-4)

Records coming in:

 

Burg-23 vs Ironton(3-1)-22                          R.H.-7 vs Z. Trace(2-2)-26

 

Burg-28 @ S. Point(1-3)-20                         R.H.-13 vs Valley(3-1)-41

 

Burg-28 vs Portsmouth(1-3)-6                     R.H.-18 vs Oak Hill(3-1)-42

 

Burg-35 @ Greenup Co(0-3)-7                    R.H.-6 @ West(4-0)-42

Last Years Meeting: Did Not Play

When the 2008 schedule was created, Rock Hill head coach Todd Knipp must have cringed a little bit. Through the first four games this season, the non-conference opponents of the young Redmen have posted an impressive 12 wins while suffering only 4 losses.

As a consolation prize, Rock Hill gets a chance to travel to Ed Miller Stadium to take on the 4-0 Wheelersburg Pirates. One of the top tier teams in the area year after year, the Burg has reloaded yet again. Led by the legs of the brothers Shankweiler, Jordan and Brandon, as well as Scottie Walker and Tyler Craigmiles, the Pirates have one of the most athletic offensive attacks around.

Tall targets Aaron Hopper and Andy Stegman afford the Wheelersburg offense the opportunity to attack by air as well. Defensively, the orange crush utilizes the tenacity of senior linebacker Bryan White to fuel its fire. Look for first year head coach Rob Woodward to order up early pressure on freshman quarterback Will McCollister and keep the ball on the ground as it did last week in a 35-7 win over Greenup Co.