Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Coal Grove at Bishop Ready

The Hornets (1-2) let this one get away last year and will need a win on the road to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Under first-year head coach Jole Cutler, Ready (4-0) has beaten Newark Catholic 34-20, Fredericktown 49-14, Columbus Briggs 49-6 and Grove City Christian 48-3 last week.

The Silver Knights are led by running back Akili Taylor. Taylor (5-8, 175) had 67 carries for 565 yards and four touchdowns. He had 220 yards on 14 carries last week.

Quarterback Matt Yoho (6-4, 185) is 27 of 45 passing for 498 yards and three scores. His top receivers are Hunter Clanin (five catches, 102 yards, 2 TD) and Kelly Culbertson (7 catches, 162 yards, TD).

Up front the top linemen for the Silver Knights are Luke Hackney (6-2, 285), Michael Pozz (6-2, 245) and Brady Taylor (6-5, 230).

Rock Hill at Wellston

Wellston — under third-year head coach Chris Hutchinson — has 35 players on the roster and many are riddled with injuries.

The Golden Rockets beat South Point two weeks ago 48-21 thanks to a 27-point third quarter to break open a 19-13 game. Wellston (1-3) lost 20-7 to Oak Hill last week, the second time this season they have lost to an unbeaten team.

Wellston has also lost 34-13 to Jackson and 38-19 to unbeaten Minford.

Noah Massie has 40 carries for 248 yards and six touchdowns to lead the offense. Michael Downer is right behind with 49 carries for 215 yards and two scores. However, he was hurt last week and is status is questionable for the Rock Hill game.

Rock Hill (0-4) is looking for its first win.

 

Bishop Hartley at Fairland

The Associated Press Division IV top-ranked Bishop Hartley Hawks are making the first of two trips this season to Lawrence County this Friday.

Hartley (4-0) is led by seniors Ja’Wuan Woodley (5-11, 225) and Jacob Matuska (6-3, 250) and Marcellus Calhoun (5-11, 180).

Woodley — a Toledo recruit — was the Defensive Player of the Year in Division IV last season. The three-year starter is also a running back and started on the 2010 state championship team.

Woodley has rushed for more than 500 yards including 201 last week on 31 carries as Hartley routed winless Akron Hoban 42-10.

Matuska has give a verbal commitment to Notre Dame. He plays outside linebacker and tight end.

Calhoun not only is a good receiver out of the backfield, he has rushed for more than 450 yards and he has scored five times.

Hartley rushed for 431 yards last week.

Quarterback Jared Brandewie hasn’t had to throw much, but he is effective when asked. He is 11 of 18 for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

The Hawks also had a top-flight linebacker in Nick King (5-11, 215) and a solid defensive back in Alonzo Saxton (5-11, 175) who also plays wide receiver.

 

Southern at Symmes Valley

Racine Southern is coming off a tough 14-7 loss to Federal Hocking last week that left the Tornadoes 1-3 on the season.

Southern lost two fumbles in the loss and suffered an interception inside the 10-yard line.

Symmes Valley (3-1) has used a strong running game this season and will face a Southern team that also relies on the ground game.

The Tornadoes have a balanced running game. Tyler Barton had 59 yards on 19 carries to lead the offense. Quarterback Tristen Wolfe was 2 of 9 for 33 yards.

In a loss two weeks ago against Belpre, Southern had 227 yards of total offense with 213 coming on the ground.

Lucasville Valley at South Point

The Valley Indians (4-0) face their fourth straight Ohio Valley Conference team and they are looking for a sweep against the winless Pointers (0-4).

Valley has beaten Rock Hill, Coal Grove and Chesapeake in order and has outscored the trio 120-44.

Quarterback Will Howard is 22 of 38 for 252 yards through the air and he has rushed 39 times for 276 yards and a score.

The leading rusher is Nate Arnett with 38 carries for 395 yards. He gets help from Brandon Jordan and Matt Rollins.

Ethan Holbrook and Hayden Dunn are the top receivers.

 

Green at Northwest

The Northwest Mohawks (0-4) will be looking for their first win against the banged-up Bobcats (2-2).

Last week Northwest lost 42-13 to Portsmouth Notre Dame when they suffered four turnovers.

The Mohawks’ offense is led by running back Wyatt Bazler and quarterback Dustin Season. Balzer had 53 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in last week’s loss.

Green is coming off a 40-8 loss to speedy Dayton Jefferson. Levi Mollett had 53 yards on 10 carries and Clay Applegate 41 yards on 12 carries to lead the Bobcats.

Applegate also completed 4 of 10 passes for 95 yards.