When the Coal Grove Hornets return home Friday night, their defense better come with them.

The Hornets have played well defensively all season and will need another good effort against the Newport (Ky.) Wildcats.

Senior John Holbrook is a two-way end and one of the team leaders. He joins Marsean Oden as the favorite targets for sophomore quarterback Arkansas Brewer, an excellent athlete.

The Wildcats (1-2) return leading rusher Ryne Wilfong. The senior rushed for 942 yards during the regular season last year and 1,100 overall including the Class AA playoffs. He average 7.2 yards a carry and scored 10 touchdowns.

Up front, Newport has 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior Billy Dieters and 6-2, 260 senior Deven Boxx are the tackles.

Billy Herald is the team’s top tackler and he leads the defense along with linebacker Tom Wilson.

Rock Hill (0-4) at

Wheelersburg (4-0)

PEDRO — Containment.

The Rock Hill Redmen must contain the running brother tandem of halfback Jordan Schankweiler and quarterback Brandon Schankweiler. Both are capable of breaking long runs and are the key reasons why the Pirates are unbeaten and sitting atop Region 19 of the Division V computer ratings.

Rock Hill lost quarterback Will McCollister early in the second quarter during last week’s 42-6 loss at Portsmouth West, but he is expected to be in the lineup against the Pirates.

Portsmouth West (4-0)

At Chesapeake (2-2)

CHESAPEAKE — After facing one good running game, the Chesapeake Panthers are about to face an even better one.

Last week Lucasville Valley had a good running game, but this week the Panthers face West and the running of Dale Swords and quarteback Alf Bricker.

The Senators have been shuttling Ethan Morgan (6-2, 230) and Bricker (6-4, 185) at quarterback. Bricker, an excellent option runner, also plays wide receiver.

But the biggest different for West has been the defense. The Senators have allowed just 13 points in four wins.

Symmes Valley (2-2) at

McDermott Northwest (1-3)

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Vikings lost 17-11 last year to Northwest due to crucial turnovers and mistakes. They can’t repeat that performance, especially on the road.

The Mohawks are a young team with some experience. Returning are running back Chris Thomas (5-9, 210) and a trio of linemen that include mammoth Paul Carver (6-7, 325), Dustin Stillwell (5-9, 195) and Jacob Emmons (6-5, 215).

Green (2-1) at

Racine Southern (1-3)

FRANKLIN FURNACE — After a good effort in a 27-6 loss to unbeaten Grove City Christian last week, the Green Bobcats are looking to bounce back this week against the Racine Southern Tornadoes.

If the Bobcats are going to win, they must slow down the Tornadoes’ running game.

Southern breezed to its first win last week by beating Hannan, W.Va., 57-0. The Tornadoes racked up 414 yards rushing behind the running tandem of Brad Coppick who ran for 106 yards and Greg Jenkins who had 92 yards.

Fairland (0-4) is idle

PROCTORVILLE — The Dragons can use the time off to help recover from injuries to key players including running backs Matt Bloomfield, Tyler Duty and Chad Fisher.