The key game in the Ohio Valley Conference has South Point at Fairland, but two other games feature Coal Grove and Chesapeake trying to avoid upsets that could throw the race into a free-for-all.

Rock Hill (0-7, 0-2)

At Coal Grove(4-3, 2-0)

COAL GROVE – One look at the records and this doesn’t appear to be much of a game on paper.

Ah, but this game is never played on paper.

The youth Redmen have been improving and their offense has been able top put points on the scoreboard. In fact, the strength of the Rock Hill offense is the passing game which happens to be a sore spot in the Coal Grove defense.

Rock Hill freshman Will McCollister has two key receivers in Mitchell Davenport and C.J. Justice. Running back Corey Bamer has become more effective in recent weeks and the Redmen hope Josh Malone will return to the lineup this week.

Coal Grove enters the rivalry with a strong running game, something that has hurt the Rock Hill defense.

Fullback and leading rusher Frank Delawder was hurt last week in a 22-21 win over South Point, but backup Bubba Wood ran for 80 yards and scored the winning touchdown and conversion.

River Valley (2-5, 0-2)

At Chesapeake (3-4, 1-1)

CHESAPEAKE — The Panthers need to keep winning if they want to keep their OVC title hopes alive as well.

Chesapeake’s only OVC loss was 26-13 to Coal Grove in a game that was much closer than the final score.

“(River Valley) has some good skilled players. They’re capable of scoring some points. They gave us fits last year,” said Panthers coach Phil Davis.

The Raiders might be able to score but they have struggled defensively, giving almost 25 points a game.

Symmes Valley (4-3, 1-1)

At Oak Hill (4-3, 1-1)

OAK HILL – This game is a contrast in styles.

Symmes Valley prefers to control the clock with its running game while the Oaks like a passing game to loosen up the defense for its running attack.

The injury-riddled Vikings rely on quarterback Kyle Bowen, fullback Cody Bland and halfbacks Tyler Easthom and Evan Herrell. The Oaks look to quarterback Jesse Slone, tight end J.D. Hale, and running backs Justin Fisher and Western Hale.

This game will probably be for second place in the Southern Ohio Conference since each team has lost to first-place Sciotoville East.

Green (2-4, 0-1) at

Ports. Notre Dame (4-3, 0-1)

PORTSMOUTH – This is a Saturday night special at Spartan Stadium between SOC teams.

Green opened the season with two wins but has lost four straight. The Bobcats will need a strong defensive effort to slow down a good Titans’ offense.

Notre Dame has just four seniors, but Thad Bowman (6-2, 190) has good size at the tailback position.

Jeffrey Emnett is the fullback and the passing game features quarterback Brock Hannah and receiver Alex Glockner.