Williamstown’s Martin Cooper (1) and Lynkden Joy (2) go airborne as part of their touchdown celebration during a season-opening win over Ravenswood. (Photo by Nikki Allen)

RIPLEY AT

RAVENSWOOD

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Today

Last year’s result: Did not meet

Ripley (1-0): def. South Charleston, 38-19

Ravenswood (0-1): lost to Williamstown, 47-7

Key Ripley players: Noah Casto (SE/DB), Tyson Pritt (QB/LB)

Key Ravenswood players: Owen Curtis (QB/DB), Bobby Richards III (RB/LB)

Game notes: The Hatchet Game has returned to Jackson County after a three-year hiatus. The 89th meeting between the Jackson County rivals will be part of a Thursday night special in Ravenswood, which is seeking a better start out of the gate after falling behind 33-0 last week to two-time defending state champion Williamstown. With the close proximity between the two schools, Ripley could consider this a quasi home game as part of a three-game homestand awaiting the Vikings beginning next week

WILLIAMSTOWN

AT TYLER

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Williamstown 51, Tyler Consolidated 6

WHS (1-0): d. Ravenswood, 47-7

TCHS (1-0): d. Ritchie County, 55-7

Key WHS players: QB Lynken Joy, RB Rex Anderson, WR Cooper Martin, OL Ty Ott

Key TCHS players: QB Brady Strode, RB Branson Winfrey, WR Reese Davis, OL Wesley Glover

Game notes: Two-time defending Class A state champion Williamstown and head coach Chris Beck rolled to a big win last week versus Ravenswood.

Now, the Class AA Yellowjackets will hit the road for the first time and play another single-A program in Tyler Consolidated, which also is coming off a dominating effort versus Ritchie County.

“I thought we did some good and some bad, but we are getting better,” stressed coach Beck. “This week is another test for us to see where we stand.”

The Silver Knights of head coach Kyle Ritz lost 51-6 last season in Williamstown.

“Opener was a good one for us. Our guys came out and did well. Still lots of things for us to clean up, but we are excited for the challenge,” noted the TCHS head man. “With Williamstown coming to town we know it will be a tough challenge.

“Coach Beck and his staff do a great job of getting their guys ready to play ball. It’s a must for us to be sound all the way across the board. Our guys are working hard and up to the challenge though. They love competing. As a coach you have to love that.”

WIRT COUNTY

AT MAGNOLIA

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Wirt County 53, Magnolia 0

WCHS (0-1): lost to Eastern, 47-16

MHS (0-0): Has not played

Key WCHS players: QB Tyler Smith, RB Brody Ewing, OL Kolton Toler

Key MHS players: QB Kingsten Christen, RB Hunter Oates, RB Matthew Anderson

Game notes: Magnolia and head coach Craig Mason know they will be tested Friday night when Wirt County invades.

The Tigers of head coach Jason Hickman were handed a 47-16 setback in their opener last week at Eastern, which is now 2-0.

The Blue Eagles, who lost 53-0 a year ago in Elizabeth, are opening the campaign this week in what is a Class A battle.

Wirt County does enter the matchup healthy with no major injuries.

“That is the only positive from week one,” admitted Hickman. “Eastern is very good, but we made a lot of alignment and assignment mistakes on defense, and we turned the ball over far too much on offense.

“We didn’t give ourselves a chance. We are looking to play better this week and we’ll need to because Magnolia is an improved football team that seemed to find their way as the season went on last year. They have a lot of their guys back, so we know we’ll get a great test up there Friday night.”

Magnolia will be out to extend its winning streak to four games after emerging victories in their final three affairs of 2023.

OAK GLEN

AT ST. MARYS

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: St. Marys 45, Oak Glen 13

OGHS (0-1): lost to Weir, 40-21

SMHS (0-1): lost to Doddridge County, 41-0

Key OGHS players: RB Devan Juszczak, RB Josh Maher, QB Cameron Carter

Key SMHS players: QB Ryan Kent, RB Logan Eddy, TE Brody Rice

Game notes: The single-A Blue Devils lost 41-0 to Doddridge County, which was recently moved from Class AA, at Bill Hanlin Stadium last week and now welcome in the Golden Bears from Oak Glen.

Oak Glen didn’t get off to a good start either as the Golden Bears lost 40-21 to Weir.

“No excuses. I credit coach (Bobby) Burnside and his staff,” stated SMHS boss Jodi Mote of the opener. “But facts are facts. We have four players with good athletic ability for Fridays and three with experience for Fridays.

“One was not 100% going into the first game and one was injured in the first game. We had five experienced players Friday night. Every week will be a challenge.”

Oak Glen quarterback Cameron Carter completed 2 of 3 passes last week, while tailback Devan Juszczak went for 233 yards rushing and one score.

Mote knows his team will have to play assignment football in order to slow down the wing-T.

ROANE COUNTY

AT LINCOLN COUNTY

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Roane County 34, Lincoln County 6

RCHS (1-0): d. Shady Spring, 36-12

LCHS (0-1): lost to Winfield, 48-0

Key RCHS players: QB Jacob Greathouse, RB Lane Watson, RB Clay Walker, RB Shay Harper

Key LCHS players: QB Lucas Johaim, RB Drew Banks, RB Jordan Gregory

Game notes: Roane County, which is in Class AA of the new four classifications, already owns a 3A victory thanks to last week’s 36-12 triumph against Shady Spring.

Now, the Raiders of head man Paul Burdette will look to make it two triple-A victories in a row when they head to Lincoln County.

The Panthers amassed less than 100 yards during last week’s 48-0 defeat to Winfield.

RCHS was one of only a baker’s dozen teams in Class AA which won its opener. Scott had the only double-A open week.

Look for the Raiders to use their backfield for a ground and pound win. Lane Watson, who had a kickoff return for a touchdown last week, led the Raiders with 178 rushing yards and two six-pointers as the team went for 307 ground stripes on 54 attempts.

GILMER COUNTY AT RITCHIE COUNTY

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Gilmer def. Ritchie County, 54-20

Gilmer County (1-0): def. Calhoun County 18-7

Ritchie County (0-1): lost to Tyler Consolidated, 54-7

Key Gilmer County players: Rodney McCord (RB/LB), Rico Schoolcraft (RB/DB), Remington Huffman (QB/DB), Lexington Grogg (WR/DB)

Key Ritchie County players: Turner Shriver (QB/DB), Cole Waugaman (OL/DE)

Game notes: After last week’s showing against Tyler Consolidated, Ritchie County separately needs a bounce-back game – especially with three straight opponents (South Harrison, Williamstown and Doddridge County) waiting in the wings for the Rebels’ next three games. Last year’s win over Ritchie marked the first for Gilmer since the two teams first met in 1986. The Titans dropped the next 14 games with Ritchie.

WAHAMA AT

DODDRIDGE COUNTY

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Wahama def. DCHS, 50-18

Wahama (1-0): def. East Hardy, 45-14

DCHS (1-0): def. St. Marys, 41-0

Key Wahama players: Connor Lambert (RB)

Key DCHS players: Caleb Hall (RB/QB/LB), Landon Thomas (WR/LB), Lyric Blake (RB/DB), Brysen Dixon (QB/DB).

Game notes: One of the marquee matchups in the state this week as Wahama seeks to extend its winning streak of 21 regular season games against a Doddridge County outfit which turned in an impressive performance against St. Marys in its season-opener. Wahama’s bread-and-butter is senior running back Connor Lambert, who scored on TD runs of 78, 79 and 55 yards as part of the White Falcons’ first three drives against East Hardy. DCHS showcased its versatility against St. Marys as Brysen Dixon and Landon Thomas hooked up two TDs through the air, while Caleb Hall, Dixon and Lyric Blake all rushed for a score. In two previous meetings between the two schools, Wahama is 2-0 – outsourcing the Bulldogs 121-24.

BELPRE AT

ALEXANDER

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Alexander def. Belpre, 44-0

Belpre (0-2): lost to Monroe Central, 59-12; lost to Fort Frye, 72-6

Alexander (1-1): lost to Waterford, 40-0; def. Sciotoville Community, 21-0

Key Belpre players: Alex Parker (RB/QB/OLB), Luke Davis (QB/DB), Aeden Mullins RB/DB).

Key Alexander players: Brody McGrath (QB), Josh Barnes, Jacob Wirick.

Game notes: Since the two schools first met on the gridiron in 1982, Belpre has had Alexander’s number (36 wins in 45 tries). Except for the past three matchups won by the Spartans. Both teams are trying to get their footing and develop success within the program. Belpre has one win to its credit dating back to the first week of October in 2021. Alexander, which has a new coach in Aldex Penrod, owns a 3-12 mark dating back to the first week of October in 2022.

MARIETTA

AT ATHENS

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Marietta 28, Athens 18

Marietta (2-0): d. Morgan, 13-12; d. John Marshall, 10-0

Athens (2-0): d. Philo, 28-14; d. Gallia Academy, 55-6

Key Marietta players: RB Seth Britton; RB Kobe Alexander; DB Lucas Miller

Key Athens players: RB Alex Pero; QB Braedon Young; WR Daniel Heightland

Game notes: This is a big early season test for both Marietta and Athens.

Both teams enter the matchup with a 2-0 record and are hoping to put themselves in a good position in the Division III, Region 11 playoff race.

Marietta has grinded out its first two wins with a relentless rushing attack and a stingy defense. Seth Britton has more than 350 rushing yards in two games and has been the Tigers’ go-to guy. The MHS line has been pushing opposing D-lines backwards the last two weeks and will look to impose their will against the Bulldogs.

WARREN AT LOGAN

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Logan 20, Warren 14

Warren (1-1): lost to Circleville, 32-27; d. Morgan, 24-21

Logan (1-1): lost to Jackson, 42-7; d. Nelsonville-York, 19-0

Key Warren players: RB Eric Carr; WR Tanner Pepper; LB Aden Strahler

Key Logan players: QB Carson Tootle; RB Kaden Morgan

Game notes: Warren bounced back last week with a win over Morgan. Unlike their week one loss to Circleville, the Warriors were able to finish off the Raidersto come out victrious.

The ground attack is Warren’s strong suit, with Eric Carr carrying 24 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Morgan. Fellow back Landon Fairbanks and quarterback Jacob Sealey can do damage on the ground as well.

The Warriors can also air out to their talented receivers in Tanner Pepper and Nick Cressey. Warren has an arsenal of offensive weapons and they’ll all be needed this week against a Logan defense that is coming off a shutout against Nelsonville-York.

WATERFORD

AT SHENANDOAH

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Waterford 24, Shenandoah 22

Waterford (1-1): d. Alexander, 40-0; lost to Caldwell, 26-14

Shenandoah (2-0): d. Edison, 42-40; d. Shadyside, 21-19

Key Waterford players: RB Colten Jones; QB Hayden Jones; WR Max Roberts

Key Shenandoah players: QB Braxton Barnett; RB Landon Moore; WR Ethan Cutlip

Game notes: Waterford goes from one Noble County team to the next, visiting Shenandoah this week after falling to Caldwell last Friday.

This matchup pits two Division VI, Region 23 teams against one another.

Shenandoah, behind talented quarterback Braxton Barnett, has won a pair of two-point games to start the year. Last year, the Zeps lost a two-point affair at Waterford and are looking for payback.

The Wildcats will look to make things difficult for Barnett, who is a dual threat, and lean on brothers Colten and Hayden Jones offensively.

BEALLSVILLE

AT FRONTIER

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Beallsville 25, Frontier 13

Beallsville (0-2): lost to Rosecrans, 46-0; lost to Newcomerstown, 40-0

Frontier (0-2): lost to Bridgeport, 38-34; lost to Miller, 34-14

Key Frontier players: RB Caleb Kirkpatrick; QB True King; WR Avery Powell

Game notes: Frontier needs a win and this week will give the Cougars a great opportunity to make that happen.

Visiting Beallsville comes in 0-2 and has yet to score a point this season. In week one, the Blue Devils managed just four yards of total offense in a loss to Rosecrans. This should be a big week for Frontier’s defense, which has surrendered 38 and 34 points the first two weeks.

Offensively, Caleb Kirkpatrick has been the Cougars’ go-to guy. When opposing defenses key in on Kirkpatrick, look for quarterback True King to step up and make plays.