Marquee Matchups for 2025

Symmes Valley senior Andy Strow. (Photo by Kayla Niece)

Rock Hill junior Rylan Barker (Photo by

Ironton senior Zayne Williams (Photo by Jeremy Holtzapfel)

Symmes Valley sophomore Bronx Carpenter (Photo by Kayla Niece)

Coal Grove senior Kaden Murphy (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Chesapeake sophomore Andrew Issacs (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Ironton junior Kayden Edwards (Photo by Jeremy Holtzapfel)

It's officially opening week of high school football, our panel of football contributors have returned for a fourth season to list the most intriguing games throughout the 2025 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.

We're doing something slightly different this season, and giving our top two games for each week. So don't be discouraged if your teams' game isn't on here, it's just our opinion of must-see games that week.

Week 1 (August 21-23)

Coal Grove at Russell

Coal Grove leads series 2-1

Last Meeting: 1953 - Coal Grove 48, Russell 0

This tops the list of the matchups in week one. The Hornets are looking to pick up a win with a potential goldmine of playoff points at stake. Meanwhile, the Red Devils are looking to get their season rolling off to a good start ahead of some key rivalry games in the coming weeks.

Raceland at Ashland

Ashland leads series 25-10

Last Meeting: 2024 - Ashland 28, Raceland 7

This one is up there on the list of opening week games. The Rams are expecting big things this fall and a win at Putnam Stadium would get things rolling right out of the gate. For the Tomcats, this will be a great challenge to begin the season and gauge what's in store for this year's team.

Week 2 (August. 29-30)

Cincinnati McNicholas at Wheelersburg

Wheelersburg leads series 2-1

Last Meeting: 2024 - McNicholas 34, Wheelersburg 3

This will be an important game for the Pirates for multiple reasons. First, it'll be a measuring stick as to where this team is at. Two, the amount of playoff points at stake. And finally, the Pirates will be seeking to return the favor after suffering a lopsided loss last season.

Ironton vs. Liberty Christian Academy, VA

First ever meeting

On paper this game should be worth the price of admission - and at worse - paying attention to. Ironton will be looking to take advantage of LCA losing some major talent to graduation and get a treasure trove of playoff points from this one.

Week 3 (September 5-6)

Ironton at Cincinnati McNicholas

McNicholas leads series 2-1-1

Last Meeting: 1983 - Ironton 14, McNicholas 14

This could turn out to be the Tigers’ toughest opponent on their regular season schedule. McNicholas has high expectations this fall and a bout with the defending D-5 state champions would be a feather in their hat for 2025. Ironton will be battling a tough team and long drive to the southwest part of Ohio.

Martinsburg at Huntington

Martinsburg leads series 7-2

Last Meeting: 2024 State Semifinals - Martinsburg 35, Huntington 34

The Bulldogs were able to stop Huntington's 2-point conversion try with under a minute left to advance to the finals of the Class AAAA title game and an eventual state championship. This season, the Highlanders will host Martinsburg in a what could be a preview of a postseason rematch.

Week 4 (September 12-13)

Rock Hill at Fairland

Fairland leas series 49-26-1

Last Meeting: 2024 - Fairland 49, Rock Hill 14

This OVC opener will a critical game for both squads as both teams are looking to keep pace in the OVC title race. Both teams took heavy losses to graduation, which makes this a crucial game for them. The Redmen will also be searching to snap a 9-game skid to the Dragons too.

Spring Valley at Huntington

Huntington leads series 14-13

Last Meeting: 2024 - Huntington 40, Spring Valley 21

The Highlanders took the lead back in series for the first time since 2018 with a convincing win. This seasons' showdown will be another case of a measuring stick for both teams, especially Spring Valley. Plus it'll be a test for the Highlanders to get refocused fast after facing a tough Oakland, TN team the week prior.

Week 5 (September 19-20)

Coal Grove at Portsmouth

Series tied 5-5

Last Meeting: 2024 - Portsmouth 34, Coal Grove 0

This could wind up being a pivotal game in the race for the OVC title. The Trojans have turned the tide of the series winning 4-straight and five of the last six. And while the Hornets return the most experience between the two squads, Portsmouth should be plenty enough prepared for this week 5 showdown.

Jackson at Ironton 

Ironton leads series 38-9-7

Last Meeting: 2024 - Ironton 51, Jackson 14

Last season’s game was a shocker considering how anticipated it was on both sides. Despite Jackson’s graduation losses, they’ve always been a stout challenge. The Ironmen will still have QB Bodhi Wolford at their disposal to challenge the Tiger defense as well.

Week 6 (September 26-27)

Ironton at Wheelersburg

Ironton leads series 23-14

Last Meeting: 2024 Regional Finals- Ironton 55, Wheelersburg 0

This series has taken momentum swings in the past 15 years. Right now, the Tigers have controlled the series with wins in 6 of the last 8. Despite that, it's still one of the few regular season match-ups in the area featuring regional title game contenders. Plus, anything can happen in rivalry games.

Cin. Purcell Marian at Rock Hill

First ever meeting

This will be a huge midseason game for the Redmen. The Cavaliers will have to endure a tough schedule prior to making their trip to Redmen Country and could be vulnerable. A win could also help aid Rock Hill in securing a playoff despite what happens with the OVC race.

Week 7 (October 3-4)

Symmes Valley at Beaver Eastern

Eastern leads series 6-4

Last Meeting: 2024 - Eastern 53, Symmes Valley 29

This week 7 game could wind up deciding the SOC I title and have huge playoff implications for the Vikings. Both teams will feature aerial attacks from Eastern's Eric Manley and Symmes Valleys Bronx Carpenter. So expect to see the old porkskin fly around that night.

Portsmouth at Fairland

Portsmouth leads series 5-7

Last Meeting: 2024 - Fairland 22, Portsmouth 21

Last seasons' tilt was arguably the game of the year. This could be an important game in the OVC in terms of staying the race for the title, especially since both teams will have plenty of new faces playing this fall. Here's hoping for an encore performance.

Week 8 (October 10-11)

Portsmouth at Rock Hill

Portsmouth leads series 12-1

Last meeting: 2024 - Portsmouth 42, Rock Hill 21

This could wind up being a crucial game in the OVC race, as well as playoff position. The last time the Trojans played on The Hill, they had to make a stop on a two-point conversion play to avoid an upset bid. The Redmen will be eyeing to repeat that game with a different outcome.

Beaver Eastern at Portsmouth Notre Dame

Eastern leads series 6-4

Last meeting: 2024 - Eastern 43, Notre Dame 22

This will be a key game in deciding the SOC 1 title. The last time these two played at Spartan Stadium, the Titans nearly pulled off the win two years ago to win the league. With the Eagles being the odds-on favorite to win the league, a win here could clinch a 4th-straight championship.

Week 9 (October 17-18)

Fairland at Coal Grove

Coal Grove leads series 44-31-0

Last Meeting: 2024 - Fairland 36, Coal Grove 8

This be be a highly anticipated matchup pitting last season's OVC champion against this season's odds-on favorite to win the league. And depending on how these two fair against other OVC foes, it's plausible that this game could decide the title. The Hornets are looking to snap an 8-game skid to the Dragons as well and turn the tide of the series back in their favor.

Portsmouth Notre Dame at Symmes Valley

Symmes Valley leads series 21-12

Last meeting: 2024 Eastern 26, Symmes Valley 22

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Week 10 (October 24-25)

Ashland at Johnson Central

Johnson Central leads series 17-8

Last Meeting: 2024 - Ashland 41, Johnson Central 36

When looking in the dictionary for the meaning of a wild finish, last seasons' game between these two would be in the description. The Eagles scored with 26 second left to take a 36-34. But a 53-yard kickoff return and a wide-open touchdown catch by Dylan Duckwyler gave the Tomcats the thrilling win. They may not replicate the same finish in this year's edition, but there's potential for this one to still be a classic matchup.

East Carter at Russell

Russell leads series 34-3

Last Meeting: 2024 - Russell 23, East Carter 14

The Red Devils pulled off an impressive win in Grayson last season to claim their first district title since 2021. This year should be much of the same, with both teams trying to grind it out against each other for the district crown.

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