Week 10 Previews: Rivalry games close out regular season

Week 10 might mean the end of the regular season to most teams, but it’s rivalry week for most area teams.

The schedule makers have set up the final week to match traditional rivals to make for a more interesting and exciting finish regardless of the type of season a team has experienced.

The lineup this week has the Portsmouth Trojans (6-3) at the Ironton Fighting Tigers (8-1), Coal Grove Hornets (7-2) at Rock Hill Redmen (6-3), Fairland Dragons (3-6) at Chesapeake Panthers (1-8), Gallipolis Blue Devils (3-6) at South Point Pointers (3-6), Portsmouth West (5-4, 4-1) at Wheelersburg (9-0, 5-0) fp]or the SOC-2 title, and Symmes Valley Vikings (8-1) at the South Gallia Rebels (6-2) on Saturday.

Ironton and Portsmouth began their rivalry in 1902 with Portsmouth winning 15-5. Ironton won the next year 10-0 and the two teams tied 5-5 in a second meeting that same year.

Ironton leads the series 68-57-8.

Both teams are headed for the Division 5 playoffs and this game will help with the seeding.

“It’s rivalry week. It don’t get no better than that,” said Ironton coach Trevon Pendleton. “It’s the oldest rivalry in the state. We’re going to be locked down and ready to go.”

Ironton posted a lopsided 56-7 win over Gallipolis last week as Zayne Williams ran just 5 times for 125 yards and a score and quarterback Kayden Edwards was 7 of 10 passing for 100 yards and 3 TDs.

Portsmouth’s offense has been rolling the past few games led by running back Fernando Poxes who ran 27 times for 187 yards last week and quarterback Marquez Locklear was 7 of 9 passing for 125 yards and 3 TDs.

There’s more than pride riding on the Coal Grove and Rock Hill game. Both teams are playoff bound and a win will help improve the winner’s seeding.

Coal Grove is in Region 19 of Division 5 while Rock Hill is in Region 24 of Division 6.

The Hornets clinched the Ohio Valley Conference title last week when they beat Fairland 30-0 and Rock Hill was upset 27-14 by Chesapeake.

Coal Grove did not throw a pass in the win over Fairland as Kaden Murphy ran 22 times for 185 yards and Caden Turner carried 11 times for 116 yards and both scored 2 touchdowns.

Fairland and Chesapeake has always been one of the most heated rivalries in the area. With Chesapeake’s upset win over Rock Hill last week, the game looks to be more competitive whereas Fairland has dominated in the past few years.

Rock Hill got running back Kelan Davidson back from an injury and he ran for 96 yards on 16 carries to join Brady Murrell with 98 yards on 9 attempts to give the Redmen a solid one-two running attack.

The Dragons struggled against Coal Grove’s defense with only 159 total yards, but running back Davin Murray ran 11 times for 71 yards.

The Panthers pulled off the shocker of the season as they picked up their first win as Jon-Cooper Barker turned in a career game with 131 yards and a touchdown rushing on 12 carries and he was 14 of 21 passing for 179 and a touchdown.

South Point is looking for its first win over Gallipolis since the Blue Devils joined the league.

The Pointers’ chances could rely heavily on running back Landon Vance if he is healthy. Vance was injured and missed the second half of last week’s loss at Portsmouth.

Robert Napier took over and led the Pointers with 67 yards rushing. K.J. McLain was 19 of 33 for 204 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Quarterback Max Canaday is a dual threat for the Blue Devils. Besides his passing, Canaday leads the team in rushing.

The Southern Ohio Conference-1 title isn’t on the line with Beaver Eastern locking up the league title, but there should be enough offensive fireworks to light up the scoreboard brighter than the Fourth of July.

Symmes Valley comes into the game having scored 402 points and allowing 204. The Rebels have scored 346 points in one fewer game and have given up 217 points.

The Vikings have been an aerial attack all season and quarterback Bronx Carpenter was 25 of 36 for 359 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jackson Fields caught 13 passes for 237 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Running back Asher Maynard ran 19 times for 149 yards and 2 TDs and threw a touchdown pass to Fields.

Although the West at Wheelersburg game is for the league title, the Pirates are heavy favorites to win the showdown again.

The Pirates lead the series 48-27-2 and they have won 15 of the last 16 meetings. West won 14-7 in 2022.

Wheelersburg had won only twice up until 1972 when Ed Miller took over as the head coach. Until then, West led the series 17-2-2. Since then, the Pirates are 46-10.

Anthony Bishop leads the Senators with 1.173 yards on 153 carries and he’s scored 14 touchdowns.

Quarterback Brody Hall is 85 of 158 passing for 1,289 yards with 16 TDs and 8 interceptions. Braden Adkins had 35 catches for 683 yards and 11 scores.

Pirates’ quarterback Braydon Rucker is 73 of 98 passing for 1,018 yards with 10 TDs and no interceptions. He has 211 yards rushing on 52 carries and a score.

Elijah Brown has 436 yards rushing on 63 attempts with 11 touchdowns. Receivers Xavier Miller, Kenyon Evans and Brady Doss all have more than 200 receiving yards.

Portsmouth West Senators (5-4, 4-1 SOC-2) at Wheelersburg Pirates (9-0, 2-0 SOC-2)

Time: Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM

Where: Ed Miller Stadium, Wheelersburg, OH

The Pirates are a heavy favorite against the county rival. Game should be hard-hitting as always. The Pirates can lock up a possible No. 1 seed with a win. West could solidify a top 8 finish with an upset.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Wheelersburg run defense vs. Portsmouth West rushing attack

The Senators will give the Pirates a heavy dose of the run game on Friday night. So how this game goes will hinge on if West can be effective running the ball.

Impact Players to Watch:

Anthony Bishop, West

Bishop is the Senators go-to guy when they need some to tote the rock. So expect to see him get the carries needed to help West.

Xavier Miller, Wheelersburg

Miller has been an excellent target in the pass game this season and find the holes in the defense at the right times. If he gets a couple touches, that could soften up the West defense to help the run game.

——————

Fairland Dragons (3-6, 2-3 OVC) at Chesapeake Panthers (1-8, 1-4 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM

Where: Panther Stadium/Phil Davis Field, Chesapeake, OH

It's not even called a rivalry game, it's simply just called "The Game". Despite having disappointing seasons, all will be forgiven if the Panthers or Dragons can come out with a win this Friday.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Chesapeake passing attack vs. Fairland pass defense

The Panthers made some huge plays in the passing game last week and will look to do much the same this Friday. The Dragons will have lock in and take care of business.

Impact Players to Watch:

Owen Burcham, Fairland

Burcham could provide the x-factor the Dragons need on offense. His ability to use his feet could help give the defense more to worry about.

Jon-Cooper Barker, Chesapeake

Barker's performance last week was beyond superlative. If he can make some plays and get the ball into his teammates hands to make plays as well, they have a chance to replicate last week.

——————

Coal Grove Hornets (7-2, 5-0 OVC) at Rock Hill Redmen (6-3, 3-2 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM

Where: Redmen Stadium, Pedro, OH

This game might not settle the OVC title race, but there's plenty to play for on Friday night. But even if the playoff finishes weren't on the line, this game would still be just as big of a deal.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Coal Grove offensive line vs. Rock Hill defensive line

The Hornets have been on a roll as of late with their run game and have the advantage up front. Rock Hill should be a full strength and is looking to show they can be as physical as the Hornets.

Impact Players to Watch:

Kaden Murphy, Coal Grove

Murphy will be the focal point of the offense, there's no doubt about that. So expect him to get carries all night and use his size and speed to make plays.

Brady Murrell, Rock Hill

Murrell had a huge game despite the loss last week. He should be a key asset to the offensive game plan and use his speed on the outside to help the Redmen move the ball.

——————

Gallia Academy Blue Devils (3-6, 2-3 OVC) at South Point Pointers (3-6, 1-4 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 24, 7:00 PM

Where: Alumni Stadium, South Point, OH

This is a game for pride for both teams, as well as where they finish in the OVC standings. We should get a heavy dose of both teams' rushing attacks in this one.

Key Matchup to Watch:

South Point rushing attack vs. Gallia Academy run defense

Any time the Pointers have been able to get the ground game going, its been a hard to stop. If they can establish the line of scrimmage early, they can come away with a win on senior night

Impact Players to Watch:

Max Canaday, Gallia Academy

Canaday will get the lion's share of the carries for the Blue Devils. But don't take him lightly in the passing game.

Tavarioin Cabarrus, South Point

Cabarrus will need to head a Pointer defensive front that will cause havoc against Gallia's rushing game and put pressure on them to throw.

——————

Portsmouth Trojans (6-3) at Ironton Fighting Tigers (8-1)

Time: Friday, October 25, 7:00 PM

Where: Tanks Memorial Stadium, Ironton, OH

This one still have playoff implications for both teams. The Trojans could land themselves a home game with a win. Meanwhile, Ironton could actually lock up the No. 1 seed with a win.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Ironton run defense vs. Portsmouth rushing attack

The Trojans have found their groove with the run game down the stretch. So it's safe to say the way this game goes will hinge on the big boys upfront and which team can makes the most plays on either side of the ball in the match up.

Impact Players to Watch:

Fernando Poxes, Portsmouth

Poxes has been on a terror the last few games with big numbers. He'll need one more of those big games against their friendly rivals on Rt. 52.

Zayne Williams, Ironton

Williams has been the workhorse for the Tigers when they need him to be, And that goes for either side of the ball. So expect to see him early carrying the ball, and then going after the ball.

——————

Game of the Week: East Carter Raiders (7-1, 3-0 District) at Russell Red Devils (7-1, 3-0 District)

Time: Friday, October 24, 7:30 PM

Where: Henry R. Evans Stadium/Ivan McGlone Field, Flatwoods, KY

As expected, both Russell and East Carter are squaring off for another district championship. It's been a very back-and-forth series the past 6 seasons and this Friday should be much like the others. This game could even wind up a low-scoring game. And while

Key Matchup to Watch:

Russell run defense vs. East Carter rushing attack

The Red Devils have a golden opportunity to show improvement from the Ashland game earlier this season. Whoever establishes the line of scrimmage first, will probably take this one.

Impact Players to Watch:

Landon Yoak, East Carter

Already with over 1,300 yards rushing this season, Yoak is without a doubt the main offensive threat for the Raiders. This will be a game where the senior RB will touch the ball well over his season average.

Jayden Frasure, Russell

Frasure has put together a fine season for being a first year quarterback. But he'll need to show off his abilities on Friday to earn the Devils back-to-back district titles.

——————

Game of the Week: Symmes Valley Vikings (8-1, 3-1 SOC-1) at South Gallia Rebels (6-3, 2-2 SOC-1)

Time: Saturday, October 25, 7:00 PM

Where: Rebel Stadium, Crown City, OH

This game has plenty riding on it and that's not taking into account the playoffs. Both teams want to win for bragging rights alone and everything else is just the cherry on top. This game could wind up another high-scoring affair. So don't take your eyes off the action for too long.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Symmes Valley passing attack vs. South Gallia pass defense

The Vikings showed how effective they can be last week with their explosive play making. They will get tested again by the Rebels secondary that will be athletic enough to challenge them.

Impact Players to Watch:

Andy Strow, Symmes Valley

Strow seems to have gotten back into playing shape after missing several weeks. So expect to see him make more plays on Saturday night.

Hunter Wright, South Gallia

The Rebels high-octane offense will be led by their quarterback. Wright's a good runner and can keep a defense off balance.