MARIETTA -Marietta High needs a football win.
And the Tigers (1-3 overall, 0-0 ECOL) are hoping to notch one on the road in Warsaw when they play River View (1-3, 0-2) in their East Central Ohio League opener at 7 p.m. Friday at Don Rushing Stadium.
Last season, MHS celebrated its homecoming game against the Black Bears with a 14-9 triumph at Don Drumm Stadium. That 2011 victory also halted a three-game slide.
A 2012 win in Coshocton County will do the same.
"It's crucial for us not look back on last year's game and make any assumptions," said MHS first-year head football coach Adam Eichhorn.
Since defeating Morgan in its season opener, Marietta has fallen to Warren, Parkersburg High, and Gallia Academy, respectively.
Last Friday night, the Tigers took it on the chin with a 63-13 setback to the visiting Blue Devils of Gallipolis. The MHS defense gave up 524 yards (338 rushing, 156 passing) in that contest.
Meanwhile, over in Uhrichsville on that same evening, River View, an Ohio Division III, Region 11 school, was getting blanked 14-0 by the host Claymont Mustangs (3-1). The Josh Lahmers-coached Black Bears were inside the red zone four times during the contest but were unable to reach paydirt.
Since winning its season opener against winless West Muskingum (0-4), River View has dropped consecutive decisions to West Holmes, Cambridge and Claymont.
"This year, River View has put up some big numbers on offense and played some pretty tough defense." Eichhorn said.
Against CHS, River View's Clay Holsclaw gained 142 yards and had two scores.
Defensively, the Black Bears are led by senior defensive back Josh Knight, linebacker Brandon Adams, and linemen Nate Smith and M.J. Carey.
Right now, it's a new season for Marietta, and the Tigers would like nothing better than to be 1-0 in the ECOL after Friday night.
"This is a crucial week for us in that we need to get back to the basics of finishing blocks on offense, sound tackling on defense, and 100 percent effort on special teams," Eichhorn said. "We need to treat this game like it is the Super Bowl. Our attitude has to be that we refuse to lose."
Warren at Meigs
VINCENT - Warren will literally be road Warriors for its next three football games.
At 7:30 p.m. this Friday, the Andy Schob-coached royal blue and white gridders will conclude non-conference competition against Meigs in Pomeroy.
The following week, on Sept. 28, Warren will kick off Southeastern Ohio Athletic League play at Jackson, the two-time defending league champion. On Oct. 15, the Warriors are slated to travel to Chillicothe for another SEOAL tilt.
First things first, though: Mike Bartrum-coached Meigs.
"Meigs is big and physical and has talented players," Schob said.
Both Warren and Meigs own identical 1-3 overall records.
Kaileb Sheets is expected to take center snaps for the Marauders, and his primary receiving targets will probably be Ty Phelps, Dillon Boyer, and Damon Jones. Michael Davis is one of the maroon and gold's ground gainers.
"They were 6-4 last year and are looking to get things rolling as they come back home," Schob said. "We start league play next week (at Jackson), and we want to get some things ironed out and corrected before then."
Three years ago, the last time that Warren and Meigs played each other, the Warriors defeated the Marauders, an Ohio Division IV, Region 15 school, 27-26, in double overtime.
"We still feel that if we do a better job carrying out our assignments and take better care of the football, we can be successful this week," continued Schob. "Our players have had a good attitude dealing with some adversity and are looking forward to this week's game. One of our best all-around players and captain, Chas Miller should return this week. He always plays hard and his play is contagious to the rest of our team."
