Rock Hill at Wheelersburg

The Pirates (2-2) have some weapons in quarterback Alex Shears and running back Tommy Graf, but the key to the offense is Brandon Schankweiler. The senior running back could pose the biggest individual challenge to the Redmen defense this season.

Wheelersburg’s defense has been susceptible to the pass and Rock Hill’s strength is its passing game. If the offensive line can give quarterback Will McCollister time, the Redmen should be able to the ball and keep it out of Schankweiler’s hands.

One big key for Rock Hill is to avoid turnovers and hope they can avoid any injuries.

Chesapeake at Portsmouth West

The Panthers (0-4) had played a tough non-league schedule and they’re about to face the best team on their schedule to date.

While West has a big running back in Trevon Pendleton who leads the team in rushing and scoring, he is not a one-man show.

The Senators also have running back Kyle Locher. Quarterback Levi Ratliff doesn’t throw a lot but he’s effective when he does. Last week he ran for 59 yards and was 4-of-12 passing for 46 yards. Running back Kyle Locher is another speedy threat.

Chesapeake could match up against the West line, but the skilled players must sep up.

Lucasville Valley at South Point

So far, the Pointers have seen Portsmouth West and Minford out of the Southern Ohio Conference. While West should be the favorite, Lucasville Valley could be the top contender which is no easy task for the young Pointers (1-3).

Valley (4-0) has one of the best all-around athletes at quarterback with Blake Yates who played wide receiver last year. Yates is a dangerous threat running or passing.

Alex Holcomb is another talented athlete who can hurt defenses running or catching the ball. He is Yates’ favorite target.

Wellston at Fairland

Wellston beat Jackson 33-13 to open the season for their first win in the series in 19 years, but were routed two weeks ago by Gallipolis 41-21. They came back to lose just 21-8 to Oak Hill last week.

Wellston will look toward Austin Osborne to help generate some offense along with running back Brad Miller. Osborne is filling in for quarterback Jaylen Prater who is out with an injured knee for the second straight week.

Osborne had 105 yards on 30 carries against Oak Hill and now had 309 yards on 85 carries. The defense gave up 279 yards rushing but held Oaks’ quarterback Jesse Slone to just 85 yards on 9-of-18 passes.

Symmes Valley at Northwest

The Mohawks may find it difficult to move the ball against the Vikings’ defense that is led by Grant Foster. The senior linebacker had nine tackles and nine assists last week in less than a half of play.

The Mohawks — coached by former Rock Hill standout Brooks Fry — are off to a surprising 2-2 start. The flexbone option offense returns leading rusher Carson Seaman and quarterback T.J. Knittel.

Timmy Spradlin, Dakota Smith, Tyler Vastine Luke Lilly, Wyatt Bazler and Taylor Hamilton will all see playing time at running back for Northwest.

Fayetteville-Perry at Green

This is the first varsity season for the Fayetteville Rockets who join Manchester as the only teams in the Southern Hills League to field a football team.

The Rockets have seven seniors among their 31 players and five of those are linemen.

The backfield is comprised juniors including Tanner Williams at quarterback. The Rockets want to utilize their speed to threw the ball and develop a running game that features tailback Jared Lindsay and fullback Dave Krantz and twin brother Michael Krantz. Dan Metzer is the tight end.

Linemen are Bryan Jent, Phil Wagers, Cody Boyer and Eric Williams.