Staying the course and sticking together paid dividends for both Bellaire and Shadyside last week.

Both teams limped to 0-4 starts, but rather than throwing in the towel and hanging their heads, they continued to work and work.

The results were both teams got their initial victory.

The Tigers, who entered last week with seven 4-0 squads on their slate, knocked Toronto from the ranks of the unbeaten, 14-9. Bellaire, meanwhile, used a very opportunistic defense to hand Buckeye Local a 56-7 setback.

The Tigers actually did it with defense, too. They bottled up the Red Knights’ offense and made just enough plays offensively to get it done.

While the Tigers showed improvement and are certainly cherishing the victory, their road gets no easier. They host undefeated Logan, which competes in Division II. Still down the road is Wheeling Central, too.

Bellaire, meanwhile, had three interception returns for touchdowns. The Big Reds’ defense has been fairly stout all season. They’ve struggled to find an offensive rhythm, but three pick sixes certainly help the cause.

Derek Schybal, Mason Ramsay and D’eondre Burney all took passes back for scores.

The Big Reds also established a ground game – outside of Tyson Camsky – for the first time all season with 239 yards.

GAME OF THE WEEK

St. Clairsville and Harrison Central are set to begin the second half of their respective seasons in grand fashion, playing for the coveted ‘Coal Bucket Trophy’ at Red Devil Stadium Friday night.

But, that’s actually just the start of what’s on the line this Friday when the Red Devils celebrate homecoming.

The Huskies and Red Devils are both currently ranked fifth in the Associated Press Poll in Divisions IV and V, respectively. They’re the top two teams in the OVAC Class 4A standings and are also atop the Buckeye 8 South Division standings.

Needless to say, you’d better get there early on Friday cause it’s going to be another electric atmosphere.

FILM GATE

It was interesting to hear after Barnesville’s victory against Shenandoah last week that Zeps’ head coach Jesse Wells elected not to trade films with Shamrocks’ head coach Matt Johnson.

From what I’ve learned of the situation, it stems from a scenario last season when Wells was the head coach at Meadowbrook.

There’s an OVAC rule that calls for the trading of two films, but according to OVAC officials there’s no repurcussion and it’s really never been an issue.

Again, it’s a matter of ethics. It’s high school football for goodness sakes. Trade the tapes and be a professional.

By not trading the films, you’re putting your own team behind the 8-ball, too. High school football coaches are creatures of habit and breaking down the films to help formulate the game plan is a major part of their week.

Obviously, Barnesville got the last laugh with a 28-8 win.

BOUNCE BACK WIN

It’s often said a sign of a good team is how you handle adversity and bounce back.

The River Pilots did exceptionally well in both departments. After being dealt a decisive 40-12 loss to Magnolia, the Pilots got back to business and hammered Paden City, 58-16.

All of the Pilots’ weapons got involved. Sophomore Lukas Isaly continues to impress and prove he’s one of the top young players in the area. He rushed 20 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Joey Flannery has also been solid. His dad, Mike, simply asks him to manage the game. He did more than that last week, accounting for five touchdowns. He threw three and rushed for two more.

The Pilots are now 4-1 on the season and face a solid Tyler Consolidated squad this week.

CALENDAR FLIPS

In case you’ve forgotten, the calendar flips to October this weekend.

With that, comes Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Taking that a step further, means you’ll be seeing football players and folks in all sorts of sports and walks of life representing the cause by wearing pink.

Pink socks, gloves, shoe laces, etc. will be visible starting this weekend when the football season resumes.

CONDOLENCES

I want to express my deepest condolences to Martins Ferry Athletic Director Kim Appolloni and her son, Emilio after the passing of their husband and father, Victor (72), who is known to most simply as “Nook.”

He passed away over the weekend.

Nook was a fixture at the gate at many Purple Rider events, assisting his wife by taking and selling tickets.

Emilio is a senior on the Purple Riders’ football team and plays along the offensive and defensive lines.

CHECKING IN ON THE LOCALS

ST. CLAIRSVILLE grad Levi Nelson, who is now the head coach at Rittman, has his Indians at 4-1. They bounced back from their first loss to upend Dalton, 25-10 last week. They’ll take on Smithville this week.

FORMER BELLAIRE head coach John Magistro saw his Westerville Central Warhawks improve to 5-0 last week after a 39-23 victory against Canal Winchester. The Warhawks will meet Hilliard Bradley this week.

BELLAIRE HIGH product Jerry Buti watched his Defiance Bulldogs drop to 1-4 after a 42-12 setback at the hands of Celina. A date with Ottawa-Glandorff awaits this week.

STEUBENVILLE CENTRAL grad Mike Orlando guided his Cincinnati McNicholas squad to its second win of the season last week thanks to a 19-7 victory against Dayton Carroll.

MARTINS FERRY grad Fred Ray guided his Fairview, Ky. squad to its fourth win thanks to a 50-34 victory against Lexington Christian.

Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com