Trending
BEVERLY - A 'meetin' of the unbeaten' will unfold Friday night at Cadet Stadium in rural Washington County when Barnesville (6-0) and Fort Frye (6-0) collide for the ninth time in their rivalry
Both squads enter the contest rated highly in Ohio Division V. The Shamrocks are fourth in Region 17, with the Cadets No. 2 in Region 19.
Fort Frye holds a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series, but Barnesville has won the last two meetings , including 35-0 last season in western Belmont County. Half of the Cadets victories have come in the playoffs.
The Shamrocks' senior class has amassed 37 wins in 41 games during their sparkling careers, bringing the program's total to 524.
Senior tailback Trey Toliver continues to add to his program-record rushing yardage after he picked up 266 yards and scored five touchdowns last week against Harrison Central. He now has 1,191 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns this season.
Fort Frye is led by quarterback Grady Hesson. He has passed for 674 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions. On the ground, he has gained 213 yards and reached the end zone four times. He has also kicked 15 PATs.
Barnesville has wins over John Glenn (34-19), Meadowbrook (47-14), Bellaire (33-0), Buckeye Local (48-7), Monroe Central (48-6) and Harrison Central (68-13). The group is a collective 13-23.
Fort Frye has beaten Ridgewood (19-14), West Muskingum (42-20), Wheeling Central (29-27), Waterford (20-0), Grandview Hts. (54-23) and Caldwell (38.7). Those six are a combined 18-17.
- Ohio-ranked Martins Ferry (6-0) and Toronto (6-0) will look to remain unbeaten as they both take to the road in week 7.
Martins Ferry at Buckeye Local
YORKVILLE - The Purple Riders, who are No. 2 in the most recent Ohio Division V, Region 17 ratings, make the short trip north on Ohio 7 to World War II Memorial Stadium to meet the winless Panthers (0-6).
Martins Ferry is coming off an impressive 45-20 victory over Union Local last week as Walkquem Cox entered rare company when he galloped for 313 yards on 30 carries against the Jets. Only two other Martins Ferry running backs have eclipsed the 300-yard barrier, with Chad Brinker doing it three times. He ran for 313, 310 and 309, while Caleb Olsen had a 311-yard output.
The junior speedster now has 1,098 yards this season and 18 touchdowns.
Senior Jacob Theaker also had a huge game with six PATs, a field goal, two recovered onside kicks and a recovered fumble on defense. He was also selected as Homecoming King.
Martins Ferry has defeated Mount Gilead (42-19), Columbus Mifflin (60-6), Brashear (53-15), Edison (34-0), Harrison Central (49-0) and Union Local (45-20).
Buckeye Local has lost to Bellaire (43-13, River (40-8), Shadyside (61-6), Barnesville (48-7), Steubenville Catholic (20-8) and Oak Glen (41-14).
The Purple Riders lead the all-time series 19-7 and have won the 11 of the last 12 meetings
Toronto at Tuslaw
MASSILLON - The Red Knights, who are No. 3 in the latest Ohio Division VII, Region 27 ratings, have been clicking on all cylinders so far this season as they hit the road north to take on the Mustangs (2-4) on BellStores Field at William E. Kurtz Stadium.
Toronto's Max Rebich has completed 93 of 138 passes for 1,351 yards and 14 touchdowns, but has been picked off nine times. Drake Bouscher has run for 514 yards and eight touchdowns, while Colt Joynson is the leading receiver with 33 receptions for 662 yards and seven TDs.
The Red Knights own victories over Southern Local (33-0), Newcomerstown (27-20), Brookfield (7-6), Steubenville Catholic (33-6), Oak Glen (28-7) and Edison (40-25).
Tuslaw has wins over Chippewa (14-13) and Caldwell (49-14). It has lost to Smithville (21-14), Orrville (34-28 OT), Triway (51-0) and Manchester (49-0).
Morgantown at Wheeling Park
WHEELING — The Patriots have a tough test on their hands at home, hosting the Mohigans, who are the top-ranked team in the latest WVSSAC Class AAAA ratings with an undefeated 4-0 record.
Wheeling Park is 2-3 and are coming off a road defeat to St. Clairsville last week, and are rated 11th in Class AAAA.
The Patriots have relied on a passing attack led by senior quarterback Jay Bordas, who has thrown eight touchdowns in five games and is averaging nearly 200 passing yards per game. The trio of Michael Neider, Liam Wetzel and Preston Heatherington have created a productive receiving trio for Park, whose offense will be tested against a Morgantown team allowing an average of just eight points per game this season. The Mohigans’ wins have come against Parkersburg, Jefferson, Hedgesville and Spring Mills.
Friday will be the 44th meeting between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1983. Wheeling Park holds a 22-21 advantage in the series.
Wheeling Central at Windber, Pa.
WINDBER, Pa. - The Maroon Knights (2-3), who were No. 9 in the latest WVSSAC Class A ratings, will gas up the bus for a 2-hour, 15-minute ride to Somerset County to meet the Ramblers (4-2).
Head coach Mike Young collected his 200th career win at Wheeling Central in last week's 21-14 nod over Monroe Central.
Wheeling Central is led by the passing and running of quarterback Nico Kusic and the running of tailback Dustin Sanner.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
In addition to the win over the Seminoles, the Maroon Knights also defeated Perry Traditional Academy (50-8). They have losses to Fort Frye (29-27), Ridgewood (14-12) and Union Local (24-13). Those three are a combined 15-3.
Windber has defeated Claysburg-Kimmel (41-7), Tussey Mountain (49-6), Meyersdale (33-30) and Baldwin (24-13). It has lost to Moshannon Valley (36-35 OT) and North Star (by forfeit).
Bellaire at St. Clairsville
ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The Red Devils (1-5) are coming off their first win of the season - a 49-7 rout of Wheeling Park - and will welcome the Big Reds (4-2) to Red Devil Stadium on Homecoming 2026.
St. Clairsville, which has endured injury after injury after injury this season, and Bellaire have met annually since 1972, with the Big Reds holding a 35-25-1 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Red Devils have won 11 in a row and 10 of the last 16 meetings between the two.
Bellaire has won three straight over John Marshall (40-37), Cambridge (42-21) and Indian Creek (37-28) after starting 1-2. It has also defeated Buckeye Local (43-13) while losing to Monroe Central (29-14) and Barnesville (33-0).
St. Clairsville, meanwhile, started off 0-5 with setbacks to West Branch (37-6), Union Local (40-21), Beaver Local (35-21), Linsly (32-29) and East Liverpool (41-21). Those five are a combined 20-8.
In other games of interest, John Marshall (4-1) welcomes Warren Local (0-6) to Monarch Stadium in Moundsville for Homecoming; Bridgeport (2-4) heads to Cameron (3-1); Union Local (5-1) hosts Cambridge (0-6) at Jets Stadium; Linsly heads to University (5-0); Harrison Central (1-5) makes the short trip from Cadiz to Kettlewell Memorial Stadium in Wintersville to face Indian Creek (3-3); Monroe Central (3-3) travels to Sarahsville to meet Shenandoah (4-2); Brooke (3-1) entertains Ripley (4-1) at Brooke Memorial Stadium; Oak Glen (2-3) makes the trip to St. Marys (1-3); and Weir (0-5) treks to Keyser (4-1).