Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Last week, the Rock Hill Redmen spoiled any hopes of the Chesapeake Panthers to make the postseason playoffs.
This week, the Panthers (4-5, 3-3) have a chance to do the same to their arch-rivals the Fairland Dragons.
Fairland (5-4, 3-3) has an outside chance to make the playoffs but a loss to the Panthers would end all hopes. And while that is important to the Dragons, it all takes a backseat to this season ending rivalry game.
The final week of the Ohio Valley Conference race matches rivals as Ironton host Portsmouth, Coal Grove visits Rock Hill, Gallipolis is at South Point and, of course, Chesapeake at Fairland.
For the Panthers, a win also means a .500 season along with bragging rights.
The game matches a contrast in styles offensively.
Chesapeake likes to use its speedy running backs while the Dragons feature running back Michael Stitt and a wide-open passing game.
Kamren Harless eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season last week and has 156 carries for 1,030 on the season. Will Todd has a chance to accomplish the feat as he sits at 935 yards on 117 carries.
Quarterback Donald Richendollar has carried 94 times for 720 yards.
Stitt is close to the 1,000-yard mark with 833 yards on 98 carries. He also leads the Dragons with 14 catches for 232 yards.
Fairland quarterback Max Ward is 74-of-129 for 965 yards and eight touchdowns with three interceptions.
Rock Hill (2-7, 2-4) stunned Chesapeake last week by controlling the clock. The Redmen had the ball for more than 18 of 24 minutes in the first half and another 15 minutes of the second half.
Logan Hankins leads the Redmen with 670 yards on 134 carries. He had 16 rushes for 137 yards in last week’s 28-22 win.
Fullback T.J. McGinnis has been hurt all season but has played the last four weeks and carried 30 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns last week
Coal Grove (2-7, 1-5) played Fairland close last week before losing 27-12. The Hornets were hurt by two turnovers.
Austin Stapleton is closing in on 1,000 yards for the season. The Hornets’ fullback has 918 yards on 172 carries.
Versatile Austin Stormes can run the ball and leads the team in receiving with 18 catches for 328 yards.
South Point (1-8, 0-6) has the task of facing the Gallipolis Blue Devils (8-1, 5-1) who are coming off a 52-0 spanking at the hands of Ironton last week.
Although the Blue Devils won’t have James Armstrong for the third straight week, Michael Beasy had 646 yards on 96 carries and quarterback Noah Vanco is 74-of- 115 passing for 929 yards and nine touchdowns and just one interception.
South Point has played better than its record this season in many games.
Quarterback Alex Lambert is 53-of-122 for 796 yards and four scores but 12 interceptions. Backup Malik Pegram is 29-of-49 for 499 yards and seven TDs with six picks.
Tight end Larry Fox leads the league with 29 catches for 488 yards while Chance Gunther has 23 catches for 372 yards.