Coal Grove at Athens

Coal Grove’s defense will have to contend with two key players for the Athens Bulldogs.

In last week’s 15-10 win over Gallipolis, DeVon Sharp ran 21 times for 124 yards and caught two passes for 58 yards. Quarterback Josh Skinner was 8 of 21 passing for 115 yards and a score.

Athens trailed most of the game but took the lead with 7:36 left on a 70-yard, 12-play drive.

However, the Bulldogs outgained Gallipolis 265 yards to just 71 including 111-24 at the half.

Rock Hill at Lucasville Valley

This will be the Blake Yates-Luke Keller Show.

Yates is the Lucasville Valley Indians’ senior quarterback who put on quite a performance in a 52-7 rout of Huntington Ross last week.

Yates was 10 of 15 for 194 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

He got help from Keller who ran seven times for 110 yards and caught two passes for 102 yards.

Rock Hill will need to be physical with the Indians, much like their trip to Lucasville two years ago when they lost 14-0 despite being a heavy underdog.

Green at South Point

After losing to Minford last week, the Pointers need a win to get back on track.

Green comes into the game at a disadvantage. Starting quarterback Steve Blanton is out with an injury that forced wide receiver Cody Bruce to fill in.

The game is a contrast in styles. The team that can imposes its strength will win.

South Point has a lot of skilled players who can make big plays. Green has more experience and size on the offensive and defensive lines.

Wayne at Chesapeake

This streak is one that is very familiar to Chesapeake first-year head coach Andy Clark who was a player for the Panthers when they last beat the Pioneers.

Wayne is 1-0 after routing Magnolia, W.Va., 66-30 last week.

Brandon Spurlock ran for 213 yards and five touchdowns in the win against the defending Class AA state champions who had a 25-game regular season winning streak.

Wayne led 20-0 at the half last year before holding off the Panthers 20-14.

Meigs at Fairland

Although Meigs lost 43-7 at Coal Grove last week, the Marauders were able to move the ball most of the first half only to self-desruct.

Meigs rushed for 168 yards and threw for 52 as they had 220 total yards. But two lost fumbles and an interception were too much to overcome against the powerful Hornets.

Fairland’s defense must contain running back Jeffrey Roush and double threat quarterback Dillon Boyer.

Boyer ran for 80 yards and was 3 of 9 passing. Roush added 53 yards on eight carries.

Symmes Valley at River Valley

Symmes Valley won easily last year 43-0, but River Valley has undergone a coaching change and could give the Vikings some new looks that they might not be familiar with this early in the season.

The Raiders beat Federal Hocking 13-12 last week in a game filled with turnovers. The Lancers had five turnovers but River Valley had seven.

Running back Patrick Williams ran 22 times for 47 yards and quarterback Austin Whobray was 6of 21 for 80 yards but four interceptions. Trey Noble caught four passes for 55 yards.

The Raiders’new defensive coordinator is former Fairland and South Point coach Brent Wilcoxon.

Oak Hill at Wheelersburg

Both teams are coming lopsided losses last week and both teams were rocked by graduation losses that have forced them to rebuild.

Wheelersburg has only quarterback Alex Shears back on offense while the Oaks return only two-way lineman Chris Fairchild, linebacker and running back Devon Davis, and tight end and rover Daniel Woods. Drew Haislop takes over at quarterback for the graduated Jesse Slone who re-wrote the school record book.

The Pirates have just seven seniors on the team while Oak Hill has but four.

Wheelersburg’ lineman Eric Ball was a bright spot in last week’s 42-13 loss at Ironton.