Week 7 Previews: High-powered offenses headline first place clash

WILLOW WOOD — Let’s just call this the Kit Kat bar game.

The Symmes Valley Vikings visit the Beaver Eastern Eagles  Friday in a battle for first place in the Southern Ohio Conference-1 race and both teams enter the game unbeaten and featuring high-powered passing games.

Vikings’ head coach Ben Ferguson said the game may just come down to which team gets the breaks.

“If you don’t catch a break, you’ve got to hope you can weather it pretty good. And if you do catch a break, you’ve got to take advantage of it,” said Ferguson.

The Eagles come into the game 6-0 and have won 28 straight regular season games dating back to 2022. Ferguson said his team must play well to try and end the Eagles’ dominance.

“The last three years they’ve been the standard in the league,” said Ferguson. “(Coach) Scott (Tomlinson) has done a great job with them. It’s kind of the measuring stick in the league right now.”

The Eagles offense is led by senior quarterback Eric Manley who has completed 59-of-87 passes for 1,036 yards and 13 touchdowns with one interception.

The running game is led by sophomore Jack Montgomery who has 93 carries for 690 yards and a 7.4 yards per carry. He has also scored 10 touchdowns.

The Vikings — also 6-0 on the season — will counter with sophomore quarterback Bronx Carpenter who is 118-of-156 passing for 1,614 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season.

Leading the running game is sophomore Asher Maynard who is averaging 4.5 yards per carry with 68 carries for 309 yards and he has scored 12 touchdowns.

“I think the big thing for us offensively is to take whatever they give us whether it be in the air or whether it be on the ground,” said Ferguson.

“And eliminating any sort of silly penalties or mental mistakes or anything like that.

“Defensively, I think they definitely have big play ability, big splash plays. Our cover guys have got to have good games. They have three or four guys who can go up and get the ball and snatch it out of the air.”

Boston Webb leads the receiving corps with 25 receptions for 558 yards and 10 scores. Carson Peters had 11 catches for 190 yards and a TD while Benjamin Bower had 11 grabs for 136 yards. Trey Kelly has 8 catches for 126 yards and a score.

The Vikings have a plethora of wide receivers who are led by sophomore Jackson Fields with 28 receptions for 648 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Sophomore Levi Russell has 11 catches for 249 yards and 4 scores while junior Gradee Holland has 143 yards on 13 grabs.

While the passing game gets most of the attention, Ferguson said the Eagles have a good mix on offense.

“Before anything, you’ve got to do your best to stop Montgomery,” said Ferguson. “Manley’s a really great quarterback and Scott calls a really good offense, so anytime you give (Manley) time they can pick you apart.”

In the past three seasons, Eastern has won 27-20, 49-0 and 53-29 last season. Ferguson said that’s all in the past and his team has done a good job this season of focusing on the task at hand.

“It’s pretty boring to keep hearing this, but our thing is every Friday we go 1-0 that week, enjoy it, I want them to enjoy it Saturday, and by Sunday I want them to mentally be ready and understand that the next Monday we’re still 0-0 that week. It’s really worked for us thus far,” said Ferguson.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Notre Dame Titans (6-0, 1-0 SOC-1) at Green Bobcats (0-5, 0-1 SOC-1)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Bobcat Stadium, Franklin Furance, OH

The Titans keep rolling along as they set their sights on two major weeks coming up. The Bobcats had some positives last week and will try to keep building on that this Friday.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Green pass defense vs. Notre Dame passing attack

Much like what the Bobcats saw last week, the Titans will go to the air as well. The Bobcats will have to close down the throwing lanes and make good open field tackles.

Impact Players to Watch:

Luke Cassidy, Notre Dame

Cassidy has good size, athleticism and a good arm. Those attributes alone make him a focal point of the defensive game plan. He should be carrying plenty of momentum after last week's shootout win as well.

Riddick Jenkins, Green

Despite the loss last week, Jenkins emerged to help make some plays from the receiver position and on defense. He'll need to get open some more and help generate some offense on Friday.

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Wheelersburg Pirates (6-0, 2-0 SOC-2) at Oak Hill Oaks (1-5, 1-1 SOC-2)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Davis Stadium, Oak Hill, OH

Wheelersburg shifts back to conference play, as they come off a hard-fought and emotional win. Fortunately for the Pirates, a hangover should hinder them at all as they should overwhelm the Oaks this Friday.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Wheelersburg run defense vs. Oak Hill rushing attack

The Oaks are very limited offensively and are forced to be one dimensional. So this game will come down to the trenches when the Pirates are on defense.

Impact Players to Watch:

Elijah Brown, Wheelersburg

Last week Brown made his mark with some huge plays in the passing game. This week, he could be poised to have a big game in the rushing department.

Landon Osborne, Oak Hill

Osborne has been of the of main playmakers for the Oaks this season. The junior QB will need a big rushing game, as well as make some strides in the passing game to keep his team in the game.

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South Point Pointers (2-4, 0-2 OVC) at Chesapeake Panthers (0-6, 0-2 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

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

Someone will get their first conference win on Friday. Both teams will clash with different styles of offense, but the defenses will most likely decide this game.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Chesapeake defensive line vs. South Point offensive line

The Pointers will have the advantage along the trenches and will try to exploit that. The Panthers must find ways to get penetration and cause chaos in the backfield.

Impact Players to Watch:

K.J. McLain, South Point

There has been some growth with McLain over the past few weeks. He'll need to make a huge step forward this week and help get the offense rolling early to not let the Panthers hang around.

Jon-Cooper Barker, Chesapeake

The Panthers need to generate some plays any way possible. Barker could very well be that guys this Friday night to give the Panthers a boost.

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Portsmouth Trojans (3-3, 1-2 OVC) at Fairland Dragons (3-3, 2-1 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Jim Mayo Memorial Stadium, Proctorville, OH

Last season's tilt was arguably the best game of the 2024 regular season. This game will effectively be an elimination game when it comes to playoff hopes. Now for Fairland, they still have a chance at the OVC title, so there's slightly a little more on the line for them.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Fairland defensive line vs. Portsmouth offensive line

The Trojans will be poise to line up and play smashmouth football for 4 quarters. The Dragons will be put to the test along the defensive line, as well as linebackers.

Impact Players to Watch:

Fernando Poxes, Portsmouth

The Trojan rushing game is spearheaded by Poxes. The junior RB has good size and speed to do damage anytime he get the ball in his hands.

Connor Black, Fairland

Black is poised to have himself a big night. Well, this would be a good time to make that happen. Black had 4 receptions last week, and should be a key target again on Friday.

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KIPP Columbus Jaguars (0-6) at Coal Grove Hornets (4-2)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Lemaster Stadium/Patterson Field, Coal Grove, OH

Despite their record, the Jaguars aren't a team to be taken lightly. KIPP will feature some good athletes at the skill position and some good size up front. The Hornets will counter that with a physical style of football that KIPP isn't used to seeing.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Coal Grove pass defense vs. KIPP Columbus pass offense

The Jaguars have a lot of skill and athleticism on the outside, which means the Hornets will be tested. But as long as they play assignment football, they can contain them.

Impact Players to Watch:

Tim Gladney, KIPP Columbus

The Jaguars will try to air things out with Gladney. The junior has some good weapons at his disposal as well and can test the Hornets.

Caiden Harris, Coal Grove

The Hornets will need a a good performance along the defensive line to counter the Jaguars gameplan. Harris has stepped up in the past and will need to lead up front.

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Gallia Academy Blue Devils (2-4, 1-2 OVC) at Rock Hill Redmen (5-1, 3-0 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Redmen Stadium, Pedro, OH

This is possibly a trap game for the Redmen — if you want to call it that. The Blue Devils have been in many of their games this season and can't be allowed to hang around for too long.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Rock Hill rushing attack vs. Gallia Academy run defense

The Redmen had trouble getting the run game going last week. The Blue Devils interior got softened up last week. So this could be a good week to open some holes and get the RBs some touches.

Impact Players to Watch:

Gunnar Peterson, Gallia Academy

Canaday was held in check last week. But Peterson was there to pick up some the slack in their game last week. He'll need to have make some plays this Friday to compliment his QB.

Braylon McClellan, Rock Hill

Last week, McClellan came up with a TD in all three phases of the game. Now he might not be able to replicated that on Friday. But something similar wouldn't hurt.

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Ironton Fighting Tigers (5-1) at Uniontown Red Raiders (2-4)

Time: Saturday, October 4, 3:30 PM

Where: Bill Power Stadium, Uniontown, PA

Ironton is coming off a rare regular season loss. For Uniontown, the response from the Tigers could end up being loud and harsh for four quarters.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Ironton pass defense vs. Uniontown passing attack

After last week, it will be interesting to see if the Tiger pass defense can bounce back in a big way against the Red Raiders. The pass rush will also be a factor in helping the back end of the defense.

Impact Players to Watch:

Aiden Hensley, Ironton

The senior DL turned in a solid performance last Friday, despite the loss. If Hensley can do more of that this Saturday and force some pressure up the middle, that will help Ironton's edge rushers to have a big day as well.

Brayden Hinzy, Uniontown

The Red Raiders have struggled with the run at times this season and will need a big game from their quarterback.

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Game of the Week: Symmes Valley Vikings (6-0, 1-0 SOC-1) at Eastern Pike Eagles (6-0, 1-0 SOC-1)

Time: Friday, October 3, 7:00 PM

Where: Eastern Eagles Stadium, Beaver, OH

The over/under for this one could be off the charts. Both bring high-powered offenses to the table and have a knack for the big play. The Eagles will be getting their biggest test to-date this season. For the Vikings, this will be the tru measuring stick.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Symmes Valley run defense vs. Eastern rushing attack

Don't overlook this match up. The Eagles have a very good running back in Jack Montgomery. The Vikings mustn't let Eastern get too balanced with their attack and shrink their call sheet.

Impact Players to Watch:

Bronx Carpenter, Symmes Valley

Carpenter has been able to guide the Vikings in various ways. He's been an efficient passer, but he's also been effective moving in the pocket and complimenting the running game.

Eric Manley Jr., Eastern Pike

For the Eastern offense, Manley is the straw that stirs the drink. The senior QB had a huge game last season against the Vikings and will aim to see if he can repeat that again.