Photo by Kim North Barnesville offensive linemen Braden Butler (62), Marshall Meade (52) and Salvador Almaraz (55) open a hole for running back Cam Carpenter against Bellaire earlier this season. The Shamrocks travel to Hannibal Friday to meet River.

HANNIBAL — Barnesville and River, who were both regional semifinalists in 2023, will clash for the 37th time on the gridiron Friday night on the artificial surface at Martin Flannery Field, with the Pilots holding a slim, 26-10 edge in the all-time series. Kick off is set for 7.

However, the Shamrocks have won seven of the last 10 contests, including the three in a row.

Barnesville is streaking along with 30 consecutive regular-season victories, dating back to week 4 of the 2021 season. It has finished seven of its last 14 games in that streak with a running clock per the OHSAA 30-point mercy-rule, including all four this season as the Shamrocks have outscored its opponents 205 (51.3) to 37 (9.3).

“They are undoubtedly one of the premier teams in the Ohio Valley,” veteran River head coach Mike Flannery said. “This will be a challenge for us, but I think our schedule has prepared us for games like this. This (playing a good team) is nothing new for us.”

Three of the Pilots (1-3) four opponents — North Robinson Colonel Crawford (3-1), Martins Ferry (3-1) and Monroe Central (4-0) — have a combined won-loss mark of 10-2, with both of the losses coming just last week.

“We’re hoping to get some kids healthy,” Flannery noted. “When Peyton (Blue) went down a couple of weeks ago with another season-ending injury (broken foot), our playbook certainly shrank. Not only was a big, talented kid, he brought a lot of intelligence to the field. He was a big loss for us.”

Lucas Dennis had a lot to do with River finally getting on the winning side of the ledger last week in a 48-20 win at cross-river rival Magnolia. The senior ran for four touchdowns and 266 yards, while also returning a punt for another TD.

Flannery is hoping for the same type of performance this week, but knows it will be hard to duplicate.

“He needs to eat what he ate last week. He needs to think what he thought last week. He needs to sleep like he slept last week and we’ll hope for the same results,” Flannery said.

When asked how the Pilots could slow down the high-scoring Shamrocks, Flannery offered, “not show up or maybe play with 15 guys. I don’t really know. Barnesville does a great job on both sides of the ball. They’ve got great coaches and they deserve all the recognition they get.”

Barnesville is senior-ladened with some youth sprinkled in here and there. It has rolled past nemesis Fort Frye (51-16); Bellaire (50-6); Buckeye Trail (47-8) and Buckeye Local (57-7). Those four are a combined 10-6, with Buckeye Local having half of the setbacks.

“I am absolutely proud of how focused the kids were last week,” Barnesville head coach Blake Allen said. “We (the coaching staff) have been preaching that we needed to get off to a fast start on the road after a couple of big wins at home. We took control early on and never let up.

“Our defense made a couple of plays (interceptions by Casey Carpenter and Cole Francis) that gave us possession deep in Buckeye Local territory and we capitalized.”

While Carpenter and Company have been piling up the points, the veteran offensive line is the main reason.

“I truly can’t say enough about those guys. We’re blessed to have this group that has grown together,” Allen stressed. “They are the heart and soul of our team, and we finally have some depth up front.”

He was referring to seniors Marshall Meade, Braden Butler, Luke Taylor and Salvador Almaraz, along with sophomore Christian Hannahs and juniors Dillon Lucas and Gavin Morris.

Morris will be playing in his final game after transferring from Buckeye Trail. Per OHSAA rules, a transfer can play the first five games before sitting out the next five and, possibly, the playoffs.

“Gavin has been tremendous for us. He fit right in and has the right attitude,” Allen said. “We’re glad he’s only a junior.”

Allen and his staff are very aware of some of the tricks that Flannery has known to have up his sleeve, as well the threat that Dennis provides.

“He is one of the best athletes we’ll see all season. He is our focal point on defense this week,” Allen added. “We’ve been playing River for several years now and we know they’ll throw the kitchen sink at you, especially playing at home. We have to be extra locked-in.

“We respect their (coaching) staff. We know they will put their kids in a position to succeed.”

Barnesville and River began playing football against each other in 1966 and played every year through 1989. After a break, they resumed play in 1993 and played until 1998. Following another break, they played in 204, but not again until 2019 to the present.