Week 9 Previews: Vikings, Titans still have a lot to play for

WILLOW WOOD — There's no first place on the line, but there's plenty more at stake.

With only an outside chance of a share of the Southern Ohio Conference title going to the winner, there's plenty more awaiting the victor of the Symmes Valley VIkings and Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans game on Friday night.

Both teams are 7-1 on the season and 2-1 in the SOC. Both teams lost to unbeaten Beaver Eastern over the past two weeks. The only chance to share the title is to win and hope South Gallia pulls off the upset against Eastern.

In the meantime, the winner of this game will probably clinch second place and gain a lot of computer points that will go toward a first round bye in the playoffs and a home game or two.

Vikings' head coach Ben Ferguson said his team is excited about the game.

"There's for sure a lot at stake with both the conference standing and playoff positioning, but I think our guys had a great week of preparation and are focused on going 1-0 for the week," said Ferguson.

"Notre Dame has had a great year and it's going to take our best performance to beat them. It seems that no matter the year, when our two teams battle regardless of records leading up to the game, I think the biggest thin I tell our guys in preparation is to rise to the occasion in front of them and leave it all on the field regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard. The rest I believe will take care of itself."

Both teams bring a high-scoring offense into the game. The Vikings has scored 339 points this season with Notre Dame racking up 296 points. Ferguson said he is expecting a shootout.

"I expect a high-scoring night for both teams given the offensive production each had shown up until this point," said Ferguson. "Hopefully, we can stop them more times than they stop us."

Although the odds of getting a share of the league title appear dim, Ferguson said the Vikings have a feeling of pride and desire to finish strong.

"As far as the league standings go, we are focused at this point on finishing as high as possible in the league standings and are just focusing on taking all the competition on one week at a time," said Ferguson.

First place and unbeaten Beaver Eastern beat the Vikings 40-6 and the Titans 42-7. Still, the Vikings' coach hinted that there is remains a flickering hope of getting a share of the title with a win.

"You never know what might happen with standings, so we just want to control the aspects that we can control and let the rest take of itself," said Ferguson.

"At the end of the day, all we can control is our program and the pursuit of improving in each an every week.

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Wheelersburg Pirates (8-0, 4-0 SOC-2) at Minford Falcons (2-6, 1-3 SOC-2)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:00 PM

Where: Falcon Stadium, Minford, OH

The Pirates make the short trip to their north as they take the next step towards an SOC title and prepare for their week 10 collision with West.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Wheelersburg pass defense vs. Minford passing attack

So far this season, the Pirates have been able to stymie their opponents' strength on offense. The Falcons will lean on their passing game to keep the Pirate defense spread out.

Impact Players to Watch:

Xavier Miller, Wheelersburg

Miller has been able to find the holes in the defense and make plays in the passing game. Maybe he'll find a few more this Friday.

Curt Glenn, Minford

The dual threat QB will need to have an all around performance to give the Falcons a fighting chance in this one.

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Rock Hill Redmen (6-2, 3-1 OVC) at Chesapeake Panthers (0-8, 0-4 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:00 PM

Where: Phil Davis Field, Chesapeake, OH

The Redmen need a bounce back win ahead of their showdown with Coal Grove. For Chesapeake, this is as good as any time to strike on a team that's down.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Rock Hill defensive line vs. Chesapeake offensive line

Rock Hill will bring plenty of pressure from their front line, especially with their size advantage. The Panthers will need to hold them up long enough for their QB to have time to get some throws off.

Impact Players to Watch:

Brady Murrell, Rock Hill

The running game could be a big focal point to get a rhythm going for the Redmen. Murrell has been a key guy to help make plays on the ground this season.

Jon-Cooper Barker, Chesapeake

Baker will need to find ways to make plays an help extend drives and put some points on the board. Luckily, his athleticism is good enough to make that happen.

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Russell Red Devils (6-1, 2-0 District) at Bath County Wildcats (1-6, 1-1 District)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:30 PM

Where: Wildcat Stadium, Owingsville, KY

The Red Devils get one more game to tune things up before their clash with East Carter for the district title. Expect to see a short night of work for the Red Devils.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Russell offensive line vs. Bath County defensive line

The offensive line still has room for improvement. This will be a good match up to watch and see how the unit executes its calls and makes its blocks.

Impact Players to Watch:

Wyatt Hudson, Russell

Hudson has been one of the top tacklers for the Devils. He should flourish against Bath County's run-oriented offense on Friday.

Parker Crouch, Bath County

Crouch comes in as the leading rusher for the Wildcats and will be needed to carry the load. His success will help could keep the game in check.

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South Point Pointers (3-5, 1-3 OVC) at Portsmouth Trojans (5-3, 3-2 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 10, 7:00 PM

Where: Trojan Coliseum, Portsmouth, OH

The Pointers head down river to face a Portsmouth team that's coming off a big win and fighting for their playoff lives. South Point could spoil everything, including senior night.

Key Matchup to Watch:

South Point run defense vs. Portsmouth ground attack

The Trojans have been able to flex their muscle in recent weeks when running the ball. The Pointers will need to cause havoc along the line of scrimmage and force passing situations on the Trojans.

Impact Players to Watch:

Tavarion Cabarrus, South Point

The defensive line will have to play at its best on Friday. That all starts with Cabarrus, who has the ability. to pierce the Trojan front line.

Fernando Poxes, Portsmouth

In recent weeks, Poxes has been sort of running like a man possessed. If the offensive line can open up holes again, Poxes could have another big night.

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Ironton Fighting Tigers (7-1) at Gallia Academy Blue Devils (3-5)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:00 PM

Where: Memorial Field, Gallipolis, OH

Ironton continues its march to the postseason with a stop in the French City. The Tigers have really controlled this series as of late, and appear to still have a firm hold on it.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Ironton run defense vs. Gallia Academy rushing attack

The Blue Devils will try to keep the ball on the ground and find ways for their QB to make plays. But this runs right into Ironton's strength.

Impact Players to Watch:

Aiden Hensley, Ironton

Hensley has been quietly a huge help along the defensive front. Gallia's offensive style should set him up to have a big night.

Max Canaday, Gallia Academy

Canaday has been the big play guy for the Devils this season. He'll need to make more on Friday to keep his team in the game.

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Fairand Dragons (3-5, 2-2 OVC) at Coal Grove Hornets (6-2, 4-0 OVC)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:00 PM

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

The Hornets have a chance to do two things this Friday. First, clinch at least a share of the OVC title. And second, snap their x game losing skid to Fairland. For the Dragons, a win could put them back in the playoff hunt.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Coal Grove offensive line vs. Fairland defensive front seven

The Hornets have a huge advantage in the trenches. Fairland will have to be creative in slowing down Coal Grove's run game and forcing passing situations.

Impact Players to Watch:

Davin Murray, Fairland

Murray has been a force along the defensive front all season for the Dragons. He will need to have his biggest game of the season on Friday.

Derik Bloomfield, Coal Grove

The Hornets will need a strong performance along the interior on both sides of the line. With that in mind, Bloomfield is in a position to help lead by example for Coal Grove.

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Game of the Week: Notre Dame Titans (7-1, 2-1 SOC-1) at Symmes Valley Vikings (7-1, 2-10 SOC-1)

Time: Friday, October 17, 7:00 PM

Where: Viking Stadium, Willow Wood, OH

Both teams have a lot at stake in this showdown this week. The winner all but clinches a top 4 finish in their region and get the coveted bye week and home game to follow. This also will give sole possession of second place in the SOC standings.

Key Matchup to Watch:

Symmes Valley offensive line vs. Notre Dame defensive line

The Vikings will need to give QB Bronx Carpenter time to distribute the ball to his wide receivers. Likewise, they'll need to give RB Asher Maynard some room to churn out some tough yards.

Impact Players to Watch:

Luke Cassidy, Notre Dame

Cassidy has played just played at multiple positions on offense this season. But one things for certain, the ball will get into his hands on Friday night.

Jackson Fields, Symmes Valley

It's no secret that Fields is the top target in the passing game. The sophomore has been there when they needed him to make a big play. So his performance will be a key to the Vikings' success.