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Eight games on tap as prep season heads to stretch run

By KIM NORTH 4 min read

As the high school football season moves into the seventh week in Ohio, several area teams are trying to strengthen their playoff hopes, while others are battling for postseason berths.

Nine squads in The Times Leader coverage area are among the top 16 in their respective divisions and regions, while two others sit just outside looking in.

Here's a look at the eight Friday night games, all of which have 7 o'clock kickoffs.

Toronto (4-2)

at Barnesville (6-0)

This is a battle of ranked teams as the Red Knights enter Shamrock Stadium as No. 6 in Division VII, Region 25 while the Shamrocks are fourth in Division V, Region 19.

However, Toronto is riding a two-game losing skid with losses to Oak Glen and Edison. Barnesville, meanwhile, is averaging 36.2 points an outing and has scored at least 32 points in all six contests and has given up just 63. It defeated Worthington Christian last week, 35-20.

The Shamrocks were listed among the others receiving votes in the latest AP poll.

Cambridge (4-2)

at Union Local (6-0)

The Bobcats are ranked 13th in Division IV, Region 15 as they attempt to ground the high-flying Jets (6-0), who are sitting at No. 3 in Division V, Region 19, at Jets Stadium in Morristown.

Cambridge stopped a two-game losing streak last week with a late win over Martins Ferry while Union Local continued its strong season with a 42-6 victory at Weir. The Jets are also listed among others receiving votes by the AP.

Shadyside (1-5)

at River (5-1)

This Ohio 7 battle may look lop-sided on paper but the rivalry is still alive as the two meet on the artificial surface at Martin Flannery Field in Hannibal.

The Tigers got on the winning side of the scoreboard last week with a 40-6 rout of visiting Brownsville, Pa., while the Pilots navigated their way to a 49-8 blowout of homestanding Bridgeport.

River is third in Division VII, Region 27. Shadyside is 16th.

Beaver Local (4-2) at Harrison Central (4-2)

Another battle of state-ranked squads will occur on the artificial surface at Wagner Field when the Beavers, who are fifth in Division IV, Region 13, visit the Huskies, who sit in 12th place in Division V, Region 17.

The schools have only met twice before on the gridiron, with Beaver Local winning both times.

The Beavers started off 0-2 before reeling off four straight wins. On the other sidelines, the Huskies have dropped two of their last three after a 3-0 start.

Bridgeport (3-3)

at Beallsville (2-4)

This Division VII, Region 27 matchup has the No. 7 Bulldogs traveling to Dave Caldwell Field to meet the No. 15 Blue Devils.

Bridgeport will be looking to put the brakes on a three-game losing streak that was extended with a 49-8 home loss last week to River. In those setbacks, the Bulldogs are giving up 43.7 points while scoring a mere 10.7.

Beallsville, meanwhile, has lost two straight and four of five since opening with a win. It fell 44-24 at Valley last week.

Indian Creek (1-5)

at Martins Ferry (2-4)

Something has to give in this matchup of teams riding four-game losing streaks when the Redskins visit Purple Rider Stadium inside the Dave Bruney Football Complex.

Indian Creek has given up nearly 35 points (34.8) a game during their skid. Martins Ferry, on the other hand, is yielding 43.5 in its last four outings.

However, the Purple Riders are 18th in Division VI, Region 23, just two spots out of the playoffs.

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

The Panthers will try to play spoiler when they travel to the Noble County Fairgrounds to meet the state-ranked Redskins, who check in at No. 4 in Division VII, Region 27.

Buckeye Local has alternated victories over the last four weeks after an 0-2 beginning.

It fell, 42-36, to state-ranked Shenandoah last week.

Caldwell is a force to be reckoned with as it has scored at least 48 points in its last five outings, while giving up just 16. The Redskins have outscored their six opponents by a whopping 311-22 and have pitched a trio of shutouts.

Monroe Central (1-5) at Shenandoah (5-1)

The Seminoles picked up their first win last week in the form of a 36-8 nod over winless Magnolia. They visit Sarahsville ranked 17th in Division VII, Region 27.

The Zeps rebounded from their lone loss (to undefeated Union Local) with a hard-fought triumph at Buckeye Local last week.

Shenandoah is ranked third in Division VI, Region 23.

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