COLUMBIANA — There are 52 Ohio teams with 9-1 records playing in week 11 as the postseason begins Friday night across the Buckeye State. Martins Ferry is one of them, but the Purple Riders are also one of just three one-loss squads that will play on the road when they head to Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium to meet No. 6 Columbiana Crestview (8-2) in a Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal.

The other two are Lima Senior (D-II) and Johnstown (D–V).

Despite outscoring its opposition 367-101, Martins Ferry’s opponents posted a combined win-loss mark of 33-64 as Brownsville, Pa., had two open dates and canceled its last game set for this Friday. The defense posted three shutouts and allowed single digits in five other games. The lone loss came to undefeated St. Clairsville (55-21). River (50-14) was the only other team to reach double figures.

The Purple Riders are back in the playoffs for the second straight season under head coach Justin Kropka. They are led by the running back tandem of senior Tev’n Williams (1,800 yards of offense) and freshman Walkquem Cox (nearly 1,000 yards rushing). Senior quarterback Ayden Ludolph (1,567 yards, 18TDs passing, 502 yards, 7TDs rushing) directs the potent offense.

Two-way end and NCAA Division I prospect Alex Reese (28 catches, 565 yards, 5TDs) is the top target and second-leading tackler (80 tackles, 14 sacks, 25 TFLs).

The Rebels started 0-1 but won seven straight wins before losing to 9-1 Garrettsfield Garfield 23-22. They defeated LaBrae 58-25 last week and have outscored their opponents 426-143. The opposition had a 52-48 combined won-loss record.

Indian Creek at

Licking Valley

NEWARK — The No. 13 Redskins head to Randy Baughman Stadium where the No. 4 Panthers await in this Division III, Region 11 quarter final.

Indian Creek (8-2) relies on its ground game with all-time leading rusher Zion McGee and an enormous offensive line. It has won six of its last seven, with the lone loss coming at unbeaten St. Clairsville. The Redskins took down Jefferson County rival and playoff participant Edison in the Route 43 Rivalry last week, 20-13.

Licking Valley (9-1) has run off eight straight victories since a 26-20 overtime setback to West Muskingum in week 2. It routed Watkins Memorial, 54-7, last week.

Union Local at

Nelsonville-York

NELSONVILLE — The No. 11 Jets (8-2) invade Boston Field in Athens County to face the No. 4 Buckeyes (8-2) in Division V, Region 19 action.

After starting with a program-record seven straight wins, Union Local has dropped two of its last three to unbeatens St. Clairsville and Barnesville. It sandwiched a win at Bellaire in week 9 in between.

Nelsonville-York has won five in a row since falling at Waterford (12-6) in week 5. The other setback came at home to 1-9 Logan (19-0). The Buckeyes handed Athens (9-1) its lone loss last week, 19-14.

Wickliffe at Toronto

TORONTO — The No. 7 Red Knights (7-3) welcome the No. 10 Blue Devils (7-3) to Clarke Hinkle Stadium in the Gem City in Division VI, Region 21.

Toronto will be looking to bounce back from a tough, 29-27, reversal to visiting Wheeling Central last week. The other losses have come to Newcomerstown and Edison.

Wickliffe is riding a four-game winning streak, including 44-7 over winless Beachwood last week, 44-7. It was blanked in weeks five and six.

In Division VII playoff games, No. 16 Bridgeport (3-7) treks to No. 1 Danville (8-2); No. 9 Shadyside (3-7) travels to No. 8 Portsmouth Notre Dame (5-5) and No. 7 Crown City South Gallia (6-3) hosts No. 10 Frontier (4-6). On Saturday, No. 4 Steubenville Catholic (7-3) welcomes No. 13 River (4-6) to Harding Stadium.

The Tigers handled the Titans, 48-18 on Homecoming in week 5 for their first win.

In West Virginia on Friday, Weir (1-7) makes the short trip south on W.Va. 2 to Wellsburg where Brooke (2-7) awaits at Brooke Memorial Stadium; Valley (7-1) travels to New Martinsville to meet Magnolia (2-6) on Alumni Field at Bill Stewart Stadium; and Madonna (6-3) hosts Oak Glen (0-8) at Jimmy Carey Stadium on the Weir High campus.

All games have 7 o’clock kickoffs.