Coal Grove at Lucasville Valley

Get out your measuring sticks.

It might be early in the season, but Friday’s matchup of unbeaten Coal Grove and the Lucasville Valley Indians could be a gauge of what’s to come.

Coal Grove (2-0) is expected to contend in the Ohio Valley Conference while Valley (2-0) is favored in the Southern Ohio Conference.

The Hornets have used a powerful running game led by tailback Trent Blankenship with back-to-back 200 yard games.

Valley returns its backfield from last season’s playoff team. Returning is quarterback Chuck Gregory, running back Travis Jones who gained 1,300 yards last year, and speedster Ryan Turner.

“If we can contain their speed, we’ll be OK,” Hornets coach Dave Lucas said.

“With the way both teams like to run the ball, this game will go pretty fast.”

The Hornets routed two Kentucky teams, Lawrence County (30-6) and Fairview (30-12) to open the season, but Lucas said Valley is a tougher challenge.

“They’re totally different from what we’ve seen,” Lucas said.

South Point at Waverly

Will the real South Point Pointers please stand up?

The Pointers lost 35-7 in their opener, then rebounded to upset Wheelersburg 21-14. Now comes the Waverly Tigers who have routed Zane Trace 55-14 and stunned Jackson 28-21.

Waverly leans on running back Paul Lett who had 139 yards on 17 carries in last week’s win. Quarterback Trevor Walls was 13 of 26 passing for 186 yards.

South Point turned in a solid defensive effort with three interceptions to halt Wheelersburg scoring drives. Quarterback Chris Smith was 11 of 18 for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for the go-ahead score.

Oak Hill at Rock Hill

Oak Hill (1-1) bounced back from a lopsided loss at Meigs with a 21-12 win over Southeastern last week to christen the Oaks’ new home, Davis Stadium.

The Oaks Brandon Potts rushed 24 times for 121 yards and a touchdown. Chris Dupree added 38 yards on 12 carries.

The win snapped a 12-game losing streak by the Oaks who return all but two starters from last season.

However, the Oaks will face a strong contender for the Ohio Valley Conference title in Rock Hill.

The Redmen blasted Hicksville last week as Josh Moore ran for 175 yards on just eight carries.

Sheldon Clark at Fairland

The Dragons lost 35-28 to Portsmouth West and 19-0 in the mud to Winfield, W.Va. Now comes their toughest test.

Sheldon Clark is a powerful running game behind a strong offense line. So far the Cardinals have beaten Lawrence County 43-26, Boyd County 35-14 and Knott County 49-20.

While Sheldon Clark has put up points, the defense has allowed 60 points. Fairland will try to utilize its passing game to offset the Cardinals size and strength advantage up front.

Green at Corning Miller

The Bobcats (1-1) go on the road for the second straight week against a team that has yet to score.

Miller lost 41-0 to Maysville in week one and fell 19-0 to Millersport last week.