Parkersburg players celebrate following last week’s 20-17 victory over Parkersburg South at Stadium Field. (Photo by Brian Cox Photography)

RIVERSIDE AT PARKERSBURG

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year’s score: Did not meet.

RHS (1-3) results: lost to Greenbrier East, 39-27; lost to Oak Hill, 26-7; d. St. Albans, 51-0; lost to Nitro, 41-0

PHS (2-2) results: lost to Morgantown, 44-7; lost to Spring Valley, 30-20; d. Hurricane, 45-16; d. Parkersburg South, 20-17

Key RHS players: QB Tavion Woods, WR John Battle, WR Tyson Arms, RB Cortez Lacy

Key PHS players: QB Alex Greer, RB Ethan Jones, TE Tytan Parsons, LB Devin Widman

Game notes: The last time Parkersburg and Riverside met the Big Reds left Quincy and Warrior Stadium with a 47-0 blowout victory in week two of the 2023 campaign.

PHS, which checked in at No. 9 in the quad-A ratings, is looking to knock off the No. 13 Warriors of head coach Heath Huffman, who have used a plethora of skill players in the early going including QBs Tavion Woods and Dasani McCallister as well as wideouts John Battle and Tyson Arms.

“It’s a little bit unpredictable what they are going to do,” admitted fourth-year red and white boss Matt Kimes. “They’re kind of playing different guys in different spots. I still think they are searching for who can be productive. They have two different types of quarterbacks. The Woods kid, he’s more of your dual-threat type guy.

“He’s going to run your read option stuff and then he’s going to be dangerous in breaking down the play, making plays with his legs, extending plays and scrambling. The other kid is more like your prototypical pocket style quarterback who probably throws it a little bit better, but not quite as mobile. They are going to go with both of them.”

The Big Reds had to rally past rival Parkersburg South a week ago to reach the .500 plateau.

“We’ve actually played pretty good defense the last two weeks. Just busted some assignments here and there,” admitted coach Kimes. “We shut down the Hurricane in the second half and then shut down South in the second half. Kudos to our kids and coaches who are making good halftime adjustments and continue to get better every week. I think our focus this week is more on us just continuing to get better.

“I think that’s coach talk, but that’s what it is and we got to get better. I don’t know who they are going to hand the ball to and how they are going to attack us. They’ve shown a couple different types of offenses. They’ve been spread. They’ve been I-back. They’ve been wing. When you got a team like that, that’s kind of searching, you don’t really know what to expect. We’re just going to kind of prepare for it all.”

PHS is trying to get fully healthy and things are on the upswing in most areas.

The next man up mentality already has been present and this week slot Tytan Parsons is being moved to tight end.

“It’s a day-to-day thing. Our tight end room is in shambles right now,” admitted Kimes. “We’re actually going to move Tytan to tight end this week and see how he looks in there. It looks like we got a little bit more depth at receiver and we can put some other guys in there, and Tytan probably projects as a tight end at the next level. It’ll be good to get him some reps in there and continue to do what we do offensively with that position.

“Hopefully we get (Braxton) Kupfner and (Austin) Craven and (Devin) Widman. Hopefully all those guys can participate. We should get Sylas (Cheuvront) back. We should get Jackson Roe back. We should get (Adam) Elder back. We’re better in some spots, but not as good in the tight end room. We’re moving Tytan over there and seeing how he looks in practice. We’re pretty confident he can get the job done there.”

Riverside trails 20-5 in a series the Big Reds have won 15 straight in. The last win for the Warriors came back in 2004, 14-11, in Quincy.

JOHN MARSHALL at PARKERSBURG SOUTH

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Parkersburg South 41, John Marshall 12

John Marshall (3-0): def. Marietta 23-21; def. to Weir 42-12, def. Bellaire (Ohio) 34-26

Parkersburg South (0-4): lost to Wheeling Park 23-7, lost to University 38-27, lost to Woodrow Wilson 31-7; lost to Parkersburg 20-17

Key John Marshall players: Dalton Cooper (RB), Kayden Knapp (QB)

Key Parkersburg South players: Dedrick Riggs (RB/OLB), Kinzyn Lutchmansingh (QB/OLB), Taj Joyce (WR/CB), Kamero Jackson (WR/OLB)

Game notes: John Marshall, coming off its open week, is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2018 when the Monarchs last qualified for the postseason. The Monarchs sealed their third straight win despite 419 passing yards from Bellaire quarterback Michael Dippel. South has opened the season 0-4 for the first time since 2007. A win for the Patriots could go a long ways with Hurricane on the horizon next week.

ROANE AT BRAXTON

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Last year’s score: Roane County 43, Braxton County 8

RCHS results (2-1): d. Greenbrier West, 67-16; d. Clay County, 49-14; lost to Williamstown, 45-21

BCHS results (2-2): lost to South Harrison, 23-15; d. Gilmer County, 49-14; lost to Midland Trail, 35-0; d. Ritchie County, 16-6

Key RCHS players: QB Jacob Greathouse, RB Koltyn Starcher, RB Javon Letourneau, RB Garrett Brabham

Key BCHS players: QB Landon Mays, RB Logan Payne, WR Jamie Nettles, LB Jackson Lewis

Game notes: Roane County suffered a rare defeat at County Stadium last week to Williamstown and had a bigger loss with the injury to Brodey Proctor.

Nonetheless, the Raiders of head coach Paul Burdette will look to do their thing with the ground and pound on the road at Braxton County.

In the last four meetings, the Eagles have allowed nearly 51 points an outing and averaged seven.

Roane County, which is rated No. 14 this week in double-A with the Eagles sitting at No. 20, has won the last four meetings and will try to improve to 21-5 all-time versus the Eagles.

WAHAMA AT WIRT

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s score: Wahama 68, Wirt County 22

WHS (4-0) results: d. East Hardy, 79-40; d. Tyler Consolidated, 28-13; d. South Gallia, 43-13; d. Calhoun County, 57-8

WCHS (3-1) results: lost to Eastern, 47-13; d. Magnolia, 47-12; d. Calhoun County, 42-12; d. Gilmer County, 55-26

Key WHS players: RB Reezin Stitt, RB Treyvon Bearhs, QB Cooper Roush, WR Aden Young

Key WCHS players: QB Tyler Smith, OL Braden Whipkey, TE Jake Moore, TE Easton Wyer

Game notes: It could be light at the end of the tunnel or just the defending Class A state champions rolling into town.

The first football Friday night of the fall for Wahama and head coach James Toth will be a trip to Wilson-Eismon Field to take on fellow Class A foe Wirt County.

The Tigers of head coach Jason Hickman are rated seventh and have a big opportunity at hand.

Current No. 2 Wahama, which enters riding an 18-game winning streak, has defeated the orange and black three straight years. In fact, the White Falcons have won 16 of the last 18 meetings, including a 31-14 victory in the 2010 playoffs, en route to an 18-12 edge in the series.

CLAY-BATTELLE AT GILMER

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s score: Did not meet.

CBHS (1-2): lost to Cameron 22-16; d. Frontier, 42-20; d. Valley, 48-6

GCHS (2-2): d. Calhoun County, 46-20; lost to Braxton County, 49-14; d. Richwood 51-18; lost to Wirt County, 55-26

Key CBHS players: QB Corey Coen, RB Caleb Hall, WR Trey Huggins, WR Braden Ponceroff

Key GCHS players: QB Remi Huffman, RB Tyler Ratliff, OL Brier Gray, OL Richard Bush

Game notes: The Cee-Bees of second-year head coach Aaron LaPoe are riding a two-game winning streak and are coming off a bye week.

Gilmer County, currently No. 15 in Class A, will be out to try and pull an upset versus the No. 10 Cee-Bees.

“We must limit explosive plays by number 3 (Braden Ponceroff). The kid catches everything. Hoping for a wet game to make it a little more difficult,” admitted Titans head coach Tommy Hamric, who has been pleased with the running game that has Tyler Ratliff (7+ ypc) and Ashton Hamric (5+ ypc) leading the way.

Coach Hamric noted the Titans are staying “fairly healthy” and knows it’s going to be a challenge come Friday night at Morris Stadium.

The two programs played six consecutive seasons from 1990-95 with CBHS winning them all. The last time they collided proved to be the Titans’ only win of the series, a 34-21 triumph in 2019.

MONROE CENTRAL AT MAGNOLIA

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday.

Last year’s score: Monroe Central 46, Magnolia 0

MCHS results (1-4): lost to Liberty Union, 21-20; lost to Bellaire, 44-27; d. River, 21-14; lost to Caldwell, 41-0; lost to Barnesvile, 48-7

MHS (0-3) results: lost to Wirt County, 47-12; lost to River, 42-0; lost to Bridgeport (Ohio), 42-18

Key MCHS players: QB Cooper Howell, RB AJ Rutter, LB Owen Howard, WR Max Demchak

Key MHS players: QB Kingston Christen, RB Hunter Cooley, WR Finn Loy, OL Brayden Grimes

Game notes: Magnolia needs a win in the worst way and Monroe Central has tasted victory just once with its season halfway complete.

The Blue Eagles are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive season of starting the campaign at 0-4.

Third-year Magnolia head coach Craig Mason’s squad was blanked in this matchup a year ago and enter the fray averaging 10 points a game while having yet to allow fewer than 42 points in a contest.

The Seminoles have won six straight heading into the 36th all-time meeting with the two schools sitting at 17-17-1.

CALHOUN AT TOLSIA

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s score: Tolsia 47, Calhoun County 0

CCHS results (1-3): lost to Gilmer County, 46-20; d. Richwood, 34-14; lost to Wirt County, 42-12; lost to Wahama, 57-8

THS results (1-3): lost to Wayne, 33-6; lost to Sissonville, 20-19; d. Mount View, 50-0; lost to Buffalo, 33-8

Key CCHS players: QB Brennen Carpenter, RB Charter Cottrell, WR Gavin Hicks, WR Chase Schoolcraft

Key THS players: RB Robert Evans, RB Elijah Ekers, QB Caleb Thompson, RB John Jerrell

Game notes: Head coach Jeff Goodrich’s Red Devils weren’t competitive in this affair in 2024 and now head to Glenhayes and Witts Salmons Athletic Field.

Tolsia and fourth-year head man David Thompson qualified for the Class A playoffs in 2024 and are looking to make a return trip.

Calhoun County finally ended its long losing skid earlier in the month, but has since suffered setbacks to No. 7 Wirt County and defending Class A state champ Wahama.

With 16 of 26 schools set to advance to the state playoffs in single-A this game is key. The Red Devils enter this week in the last playoff position at No. 16 while the Rebels sit at No. 20.

“We think we have a good shot against this team,” noted coach Goodrich, who with a win would even the all-time series at 1-1.

CHAPMANVILLE AT WILLIAMSTOWN

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Did not meet.

Chapmanville (3-0): def. Scott 41-0; def. Nicholas County 24-12; def. Midland Trail 49-7

Williamstown (1-2): lost to James Monroe 26-25; lost to Wheeling Central 47-21; def. Roane County 45-21

Key Chapmanville players: Dakota Dalton (QB/DB), Trey Ward (WR/DB), Preston Kovach (RB/LB), Jeremy Collins (RB/WR/LB), Benji Adkins (WR/DB), Jaxton Ellison (RB/LB)

Key Williamstown players: Breck Allen (QB/DB), Christian Hoosier (OL/DL), Carson Haines (WR/DB), Jackson Kerr (RB/LB), Carter Hoops (RB/LB/PK), Jacob MacIver (RB/LB)

Game notes: After defeating last year’s Class AA state runner-up Roane County last week for its first win of the season, Williamstown meets a Class AAA heavyweight in No. 5 Chapmanville. This week marks the second meeting between the two schools, and the first since 1972 when Williamstown won 14-12. Last week, Chapmanville handed Class AA Midland Trail its first loss of the season. The Yellowjackets are led by running back Jackson Kerr and quarterback Breck Allen, who both rushed for more than 100 yards against Roane County. Kerr finished with 274 yards on the ground and three TDs against the Raiders.

SISSONVILLE AT RAVENSWOOD

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Did not meet.

Sissonville (1-3): lost to Sherman 48-41; def. Tolsia 20-19; lost to Scott 34-20; lost to Clay County 54-21

Ravenswood (0-4): lost to St. Marys 13-0; lost to Ripley 49-0; lost to Poca 35-18; lost Doddridge County 47-0

Key Sissonville players: Maddox Balog (QB); Noah Evans (S/WR); Malyki Holtzman (RB)

Key Ravenswood players: Jacob Simmons (RB/OLB), Owen Curtis (QB/OLB)

Game notes: Now that Sissonville’s streak of futility is over, Ravenswood seeks to put a stop too theirs. The Red Devils have lost 20 straight games, while Sissonville earlier this season under first-year coach Mike Hughes defeated Tolsia earlier this year – the Indians won for the first time since Nov. 4, 2002. A stretch of 1,035 days. Ravenswood leads the series 16-12.

RIPLEY AT NITRO

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Nitro 43, Ripley 6

Ripley (3-1): lost to South Charleston 27-23; def. Ravenswood 49-0; def. Lincoln County 45-8; def. Point Pleasant 42-23

Nitro (3-1): def. Hedgesville 52-14; def. St. Albans 58-0; lost to Herbert Hoover 15-14; def. Riverside 41-0

Key Ripley players: Ian King (OL/DL), Carter Neal (TE/DE), Owen Curtis (QB/OLB)

Key Nitro players: Takye Porter (0), Chris Radcliffe (RB)

Game notes: After playing on the road the first four games of the season, Nitro debut at home against a Ripley squad currently riding a three-game winning streak. Herbert Hoover handed No. 7 NItro’s only loss occurred in Week 3 against on a field goal in the final minute against Herbert Hoover. In that game, sophomore Takye Porter scored both Nitro TDs, including an 88-yard punt return for a score which put his team in front 14-12.

TYLER CONSOLIDATED AT CAMERON

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Cameron 13, Tyler Consolidated 6

Tyler Consolidated (1-3): def. Ritchie County 38-14; lost to Wahama 28-13; lost to Doddridge County 47-8; lost to Petersburg 28-13

Cameron (3-0): def. Clay-Battelle 22-16; def. St. Marys 40-2; def. River (Ohio) 46-15

Key Tyler Consolidated players: Reese Davis (QB/MLB), Gideon Winfrey (RB/OLB), Brayden Neff (RB), Caden Hall (RB)

Key Cameron players: Kason Angel (QB/S), Talen Brown (RB/S), Marshall Holland (RB), Sterling Reed (WR), Soier Reed (WR), Colin Magers (WR)

Game notes: Wins and Cameron are synonymous during the regular season. Cameron is currently riding a streak of 44 straight wins during the regular season. Cameron’s last loss occurred during the COVID year on Oct. 3, 2020 to Pendleton County, 34-20, which extended a losing streak to three straight games. Cameron has won the last four meetings with Tyler all by two touchdowns or fewer.

CALDWELL AT FORT FRYE

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Caldwell 34, Fort Frye 27

Caldwell (3-2): d. Buckeye Trail, 38-0; lost to Waterford, 21-6; lost to Tuslaw, 43-20; d. Monroe Central, 41-0; d. Edison, 27-10

Fort Frye (3-1): lost to Barnesville, 35-7; d. West Muskingum, 36-7; d. Wheeling Central, 40-0; d. Waterford, 28-0

Key Caldwell players: QB Izic Cool; WR Silas Cain; RB Gavin Leake

Key Fort Frye players: RB Tyce Beardsley; OL/LB Blake Wheeler; WR Nate Adams

Game notes: Fort Frye hasn’t allowed a point in September. The Cadets pitched back-to-back shutouts in wins over Wheeling Central and Waterford before getting a bye last week.

The Cadets have surrendered just seven points combined since week two, and they’ll have revenge on their mind this week when Caldwell comes to town.

The Redskins stunned FFHS 34-27 last season, and this year are riding a two-game win streak. They’ll need a big-time performance from quarterback Izic Cool against Fort Frye’s relentless defense.

The two teams have one common opponent this year — Caldwell lost to Waterford 21-6 while Fort Frye blanked the Wildcats 28-0.

MARIETTA AT CIRCLEVILLE

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Marieta 21, Circleville 17

Marietta (0-5): lost to Morgan, 31-16; lost to John Marshall, 23-21; lost to Athens, 33-21; lost to Claymont, 12-0; lost to Whitehall-Yearling, 21-0

Circleville (4-1): d. Warren, 16-15; d. Washington, 35-27; d. Westfall, 42-35 (OT); d. Logan Elm, 35-8; lost to Amanda-Clearcreek, 31-14

Key Marietta players: WR/DB Owen Riley; WR/LB Will Tornes; WR/DE Braiden Plaugher

Key Circleville players: QB Hudson Phalin; RB Ray Ezell; RB Kole Nungester

Game notes: The Marietta Tigers are searching for an answer offensively.

MHS has been shut out in two straight games. The defense has been solid during that stretch, giving up 12 points against Claymont and 21 against Whitehall-Yearling.

If the Tigers can find a way to move the ball consistently and finish drives, they’ll have a shot at claiming their first victory.

Circleville, which started 4-0 before dropping a 31-14 decision to Amanda-Clearcreek last week, will lean on quarterback Hudson Phalin and running back Ray Ezell.

ATHENS AT WARREN

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Athens 27, Warren 14

Athens (5-0): d. Logan, 41-0; d. Paint Valley, 48-0; d. Marietta, 33-21; d. Alexander, 71-0; d. Vinton County, 52-0

Warren (1-4): lost to Circleville, 16-15; lost to Morgan, 28-13; d. Logan, 27-21 (OT); lost to Independence, 35-0; lost to Union Local, 35-0

Key Athens players: QB Briar Thomas; WR Tyriq Cunningham; RB David Sharp

Key Warren players: WR Jude Daly; RB Eric Carr; QB Tanner Pepper

Game notes: It’s been tough sledding for the Warren offense the last two weeks.

Losses to Independence and Union Local netted zero combined points since the Warriors’ 27-21 overtime win against Logan.

Look for Warren to continue feeding senior running back Eric Carr, who’s up to 493 yards on 87 carries this season.

Athens comes in with a 5-0 record, but four of the Bulldogs’ opponents to this point are winless. With good gameplanning and execution, the Warriors can definitely give the Bulldogs a good fight.

WATERFORD AT EASTERN

Game time: 7 p.m. Friday

Last year’s result: Waterford 22, Eastern 19

Waterford (3-2): d. Vinton County, 50-12; d. Caldwell, 21-6; d. Shenandoah, 49-0; lost to Fort Frye, 28-0; lost to Nelsonville-York, 29-28

Eastern (3-1): d. Meigs, 23-19; d. Wirt County, 47-13; lost to South Gallia, 22-21 (OT); d. Federal Hocking, 50-16

Key Waterford players: QB Hayden Jones; TE Weston Fairchild; OL/DL Dylan McCutcheon

Key Eastern players: RB Ethan Edwards; DL Mason Shepherd; RB Parker Durst

Game notes: In a matchup that potentially could decide the TVC Hocking championship, Waterford heads to Eastern looking to get back on track.

The Wildcats lost 28-0 to Fort Frye two weeks ago before dropping a 29-28 heart-breaker last week to Nelsonville-York.

It doesn’t get much easier this week for Waterford as the Eagles are 3-1 this season.

Eastern’s run-heavy offense is powered by Ethan Edwards and Parker Durst.

Waterford’s offense is led by quarterback Hayden Jones, who has had success as a runner and a passer this season. Jones will have to keep an eye on Eastern’s Mason Shepherd, who leads the Mid-Ohio Valley with six sacks.

Last year, Waterford won this game 22-19. The year before, Eastern won 21-20.

Expect a close one.

STEUBENVILLE CATHOLIC AT BELPRE

Game time: 6 p.m. Saturday

Last year’s result: did not meet

Steubenville Catholic (3-2): d. Wellsville, 26-15; lost to Strasburg-Franklin, 20-12; d. Roserans, 52-45; d. Bridgeport 22-13; lost to Wheeling Central, 48-0

Belpre (2-3): lost to Fisher Catholic, 47-12; d. Federal Hocking, 34-6; lost to Alexander, 49-6; lost to Oak Glen, 43-0; d. Green, 56-0

Key Steubenville Catholic players: QB Matthew Sprochi; RB Ryan Holzworth; WR/DB Zach Bryan

Key Belpre players: QB Malik Currie; RB Alex Parker; OL/LB Ty McFee

Game notes: For the first time since 2021, Belpre had multiple wins in a season.

The Golden Eagles improved to 2-3 with last week’s 56-0 drubbing of Green.

QB Malik Currie carried 10 times for 103 yards and went 3 of 4 passing for 62 yards in the win.

Belpre faces a much more difficult challenge this week when Steubenville Catholic comes to town. The Crusaders are led by dual-threat QB Matthew Sprochi.

After putting together its first shutout since that 2021 season, the Belpre defense will have to bring its A-game again this week.