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Shadyside looks to continue momentum at Beallsville

Only two local high school football teams are chasing playoff berths as the “fastest 10 weeks” of the year enters the seventh weekend of action. This week’s slate has six games set for under the lights Friday, while another is a Saturday matinee.

Shadyside and Buckeye Trail are the pair of playoff hopefuls after six weeks. Both reside in Division VI, Region 23.

Shadyside (6-1) at Beallsville (1-6)

These long-time rivals will renew acquaintances as the state-ranked Tigers trek to Monroe County in search of their seventh consecutive victory. The Orange-and-Black stubbed its toe in the season-opener at East Liverpool, but has rolled past the last six opponents, including a 43-16 nod over River last Friday on the artificial surface at Martin Flannery Field in Hannibal.

Head coach Mark Holenka’s squad is averaging 34 points an outing and giving up just 12.5.

Shadyside has used a balanced offensive attack as quarterback Anthony Coggins is having a breakout season with 1,289 yards passing. The senior has completed 92 of 143 attempts with 11 touchdowns compared to one interception. His main target is junior Kelly Hendershot (30 catches for 430 yards and three touchdowns. The duo have also split four rushing TDs. Sam Merryman has 20 receptions for 269 stripes and a trio of scores.

Senior Connor Banco missed last week while nursing an injury. Freshman Wyatt Reiman and sophomore Jacob Visnic picked up the slack. Reiman has 212 yards and four TDs, while Visnic has 187 stripes and two scores. Banco leads the way with 380 yards and seven six-pointers. He has also caught nine passes for 138 yards and a score.

Defensively, Visnic leads the team with 25 solo tackles and 27 assists. He also has a team-high six stops behind the line for lost yardage.

The Blue Devils are coming off a 49-14 setback to Bridgeport. They have been led by quarterback Dakota Phillips and running back James Schnegg.

Beallsville averages 21.2 points an outing, but yields 42.8.

Malvern (2-4) at Buckeye Trail (4-2)

The Warriors are coming off a 28-27 squeaker over Strasburg last week and are listed as 13th in the latest computer ratings.

Senior Zach Grafton has been a one-man offensive machine for Buckeye Trail with 1,200 total yards. He has completed 69 of 114 passes for 907 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 293 stripes and nine scores.

Dylan Beaver and Isaac Hickman are the leading receivers with 14 and 11 receptions, respectively. Hickman has 193 yards and four TDs. Beaver has picked up 168 yards.

Barnesville (2-4) at Fort Frye (5-0)

The Shamrocks will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid when they travel to Beverly to meet the state-ranked Cadets (5-0). Barnesville has been outscored 54-33 in that stretch, including 28-20 last week by Steubenville Catholic.

Fort Frye rolled to a 49-7 win over Frontier a week ago.

Harrison Central (1-5) at Lucas (4-2)

The injury-riddled Huskies venture out of Buckeye 8 action this week when they travel to Richland County to meet the Division VII Cubs who are ranked third in Region 27.

Harrison Central dropped a 49-6 decision to St. Clairsville for the Coal Bucket last week. Lucas blanked Crestline, 48-0.

Buckeye Local (0-6) at Beaver Local (2-4)

The Panthers are improving on the field but that hasn’t translated into a victory yet for second-year head coach Roger Herbert as they head North on Ohio 7 and then west on 11 to Beaver Local Stadium. Buckeye Local was shut out 34-0 by John Marshall a week ago and has lost 38 straight.

Beaver Local is in search of its first win since week 3 when it nosed Shenandoah, 14-13, in overtime.

Monroe Central (0-6) at Shenandoah (2-4)

The Seminoles have struggled as they head to Sarahsville this week. They have been blanked in five of their six outings, scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against River in week 3. They have been held scoreless in 14 consecutive quarters.

The Zeps were zapped 42-0 at Marietta last week.

Meadowbrook (3-3) at

Union Local (3-3)

The Jets will bid to bounce back after falling last week at Weir. However, it won’t be easy against a Colts’ team that features a dynamic offense led by quarterback Davis Black and running back Timmy Ferguson. Meadowbrook snapped a three-game losing skid last week against Coshocton.

Coach Bernie Thompson’s team is led by Cal Kildow at quarterback, who has been solid all season both as a runner and passer.

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