MEMBERS OF the River Pilots take the field during a game earlier this season. They host Barnesville Friday.

HANNIBAL – A pair of 4-0 teams will collide on the artificial surface on Friday night at Martin Flannery Field – with both ranked highly in their respective divisions – as the high school football season reaches the midway point.

Barnesville will make the trek to the Monroe County riverfront where River will be awaiting. The Shamrocks are currently sixth in Division V, Region 19, while the Pilots are second in D-VII, Region 27.

While the two schools are similar in size and close in proximity, they have only played four times since 2004 when Barnesville posted a 22-8 win. However, they have clashed the last three seasons, with River prevailing 42-22 and 27-0 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Shamrocks turned the tide last year with a 40-21 victory in western Belmont County.

Barnesville is led by veteran quarterback C.J. Hannahs. The senior is a threat with his arm or legs and is the Shamrocks field general.

Taison Starr is also a dual threat as a running back and wide receiver.

River is also powered by its veteran quarterback in Kabel Isaly. The heady junior is a capable runner and has a strong arm.

When he looks to throw, versatile classmate Brody Lollathin and tight end River Thompson are his main targets. Senior Ty Long is also a key component of the offense.

Seven other games highlight the busy schedule, with another meetin’ of the unbeaten when Union Local hosts Shenandoah at Jets Stadium. All have 7 p.m. kickoffs.

Shenandoah at Union Local

MORRISTOWN – The Zeps are ranked fifth in Division VI, Region 23 but will have their hands full with the high-flying Jets, who check in at No. 5 in Division V, Region 19. UL won last year in Sarahsville, 49-20.

The Jets are paced by a high-powered rushing attack that features senior quarterback Carter Blake and tailback Jaksan Price. Price, who missed most of last season after running for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore, has collected 844 stripes and reached the end zone 14 times in four games.

Union Local also started 4-0 in 2021 after going 2-8 and 0-10 in 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Jets won their first six games in 2017 before finishing 8-3.

Harrison Central (3-1) at East Liverpool (1-3)

EAST LIVERPOOL – The Huskies have relied on junior quarterback Hayden Cassidy and sophomore tailback Mykel Quito, but will be looking to rebound after suffering their first loss last week at Union Local.

This matchup at Patterson Field along Ohio 7 came about when Harrison Central switched to the Buckeye 8 North.

The Potters are riding a three-game losing streak since defeating winless Minerva in their opener. They were blasted, 65-0, by Beaver Local last week.

Harrison Central is ranked 11th in Division V, Region 17.

Bridgeport (3-1) at Conotton Valley (1-3)

LEESVILLE – The Bulldogs are also looking to get back on the winning track when they visit the Rockets. This contest was canceled last year due to COVID. Bridgeport last won in the series in 20-18.

Bridgeport enters ranked No. 5 in Division VII, Region 27.

Senior quarterback Colin Jackson is the Bulldogs leader. He gets support from seniors Mason Aberts, Peyton Pyle and Joey Bugaj.

Martins Ferry (2-2) at Weir High (2-1)

WEIRTON – The Purple Riders are on a two-game slide after a 2-0 start as they travel to Jimmy Carey Stadium to meet the West Virginia-ranked Red Riders who are 13th in the latest WVSSAC Class AA poll.

Martins Ferry fell at St. Clairsville and are paced by sophomore quarterback Ayden Ludolph, junior wideout Baron Lucey and senior tight end Landyn Hores.

After losing to John Marshall in week 2, Weir High rebounded with a win at Indian Creek last week.

Bellaire (1-3) at Cambridge (3-1)

CAMBRIDGE – This Buckeye 8 South battle could well determine the Big Reds playoff hopes when they visit McFarland Stadium.

Bellaire’s three losses have come to teams with a combined 11-0 record.

Senior quarterback Jake Heatherington is the Big Reds leader. He’s joined in the limelight by classmate Ray Ray Pettigrew on the outside and classmate Brayden Roth in the backfield.

The Bobcats are ranked fourth in Division IV, Region 15, but are coming off their lone loss at Indian Valley.

Monroe Central (0-4) at Buckeye Local (1-3)

YORKVILLE – The Seminoles will make their first trip to World War II Memorial Stadium to meet the host Panthers.

Both teams are coming off losses as Monroe Central lost to Caldwell and Buckeye Local fell at Toronto.

Clay-Battelle (1-1) at Beallsville (2-2)

BEALLSVILLE – The Blue Devils welcome the Cee-Bees to Dave Caldwell Field in Monroe County.

Beallsville is ranked 10th in Division VII, Region 27 after its 43-34 win against Hundred last week.