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BARNESVILLE - In another Thursday Night Lights, a pair of neighboring rivals will clash when Barnesville hosts Monroe Central at Shamrock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7.
The Shamrocks (4-0) and Seminoles (3-1) will be meeting for the 28th time, with Barnesville holding a slight, 16-11, advantage. All told, Barnesville is 44-24-2 all-time against Monroe Central/Woodsfield.
The Green Machine has won seven straight and eight of nine in the series, including 48-7 last year at Monroe Park. Prior to the Shamrocks recent dominance, the Seminoles strung together eight consecutive victories in the series.
Barnesville is led by all-time program rushing leader Trey Toliver, while Monroe Central relies on the legs and arm of Cooper Howell.
On Friday, five Ohio Valley squads will look to remain unbeaten, with a pair squaring off at Dragon Field in Cameron (2-0) hosts River (4-0). The others include Shadyside (4-0) welcoming Strasburg (4-0) to Fleming Field in a battle of Tigers; Brooke (2-0) hosts Indian Creek (2-2) on Paul "Bud" Billiard Field inside Brooke Memorial Stadium; and Toronto (4-0) entertains Oak Glen (1-2) at Clarke Hinkle Stadium in the Gem City.
- Cameron is ranked No. 3 in the WVSSAC power rankings in Class A. The Dragons are led by tailback Marshall Holland, quarterback Soier Reed and do-everything Talen Brown.
The Dragons have defeated Clay-Battelle (42-0) and Valley (48-6).
River has been an offensive juggernaut, scoring at least 40 points in each start and 170 points overall to just 36 given up.
Tailback Wyatt Stalder can break a big one at any moment and quarterback Cam Abbott has been efficient.
The Pilots haven't started 5-0 since 2016.
Cameron leads the all-time series 6-2-1 but the two teams hadn't met since 1965 before last year.
- Shadyside has also been a scoring machine as it averages a tad over 50 points an outing and has scored at least 43 points in all four outings. The Tigers have given up just 40, with 21 of those coming last week to Frontier.
Quarterback Jayden Johnson has enjoyed a sensational senior campaign thus far, both on the ground and through the air. Michael Hendershot is a home run hitter and Ace Nelson can pick up huge chunks of ground.
Strasburg owns victories over St. Thomas Aquinas (43-14), Steubenville Catholic (28-0), Harrison Central (54-7) and Conotton Valley (29-22). Those four are a combined 6-10, the same as Shadyside's four opponents.
Shadyside has won all four of the previous meetings, with two coming in the playoffs.
- Brooke is averaging 51 points in its two contests, runaway victories over Lincoln County (46-6) and Cambridge (56-6).
Indian Creek, meanwhile, leads the all-time series 10-6 and won two straight over the Bruins, including 41-14 in 2025.
The Redskins defeated Cambridge (49-36) in their opener, but then dropped contests to East Liverpool (48-14) and Union Local (48-7) before bouncing back last week to rout hapless Weir (42-7).
- Toronto started 6-0 last year and is seeking a repeat of that performance as the Golden Bears come to town.
The Red Knights hold a slim, 8-7, all-time edge in the series and have won three straight against Oak Glen, including 26-0 last season in New Manchester.
In other games, Bridgeport (2-2) welcomes Magnolia (0-3) to Perkins Field inside Bill Jobko Stadium; St. Clairsville (0-4) treks to Patterson Field in East Liverpool to meet the Potters (2-2); Bellaire (2-2) heads west to meet Cambridge (0-4) at McFarland Stadium; Wheeling Park (2-1) remains on the road at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Stadium in Morgantown to battle IUniversity (3-0); John Marshall (2-1) welcomes Hedgesville (0-3) to Monarch Stadium in Moundsville; Linsly (1-2) heads to Memorial Stadium in Mogadore (3-1); Steubenville Catholic (1-3) heads south on Ohio 7 to Yorkville to face Buckeye Local (0-4) at World War II Memorial Stadium; Edison (1-3) travels to Jimmy Carey Stadium to meet Weir (0-4) and Madonna (1-2) heads to Bowerston to clash with Conotton Valley (2-2).