After finishing 1-9 in 2021, Martins Ferry gutted out a thrilling 27-23 win over visiting Shadyside Friday night for the 720th win in program history.

It was also win No. 1 in the tenure of first-year head coach Justin Kropka, a 1994 graduate of MFHS.

“That was a dandy. I thought maybe we were trying to give it away in the first half, but I couldn’t be any prouder of a group of kids,” Kropka said after the game. “Coming off a 1-9 (season) sometimes things don’t go your way, sometimes you tend to revert back to that, but these kids kept battling and battling.”

The Purple Riders battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit against a Shadyside team that went 11-2 and made it to a regional championship game last season.

Martins Ferry overcame a disastrous second quarter, which included a pick-six, and trailed 16-13 entering the fourth quarter.

The lead changed hands three times in the final frame, but Tev’n Williams’ two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns were enough to put Ferry on top.

“They showed the character they’ve shown all summer,” Kropka said. “That’s why I’m so glad the game ended the way it did.”

Kropka and his staff put a lot of work into the team this offseason and the fruits of their labor were on full display Friday. At the first meeting after taking the job, Kropka said only 17 kids showed up and he wondered if MF would be able to have a season at all. However, after literally going door-to-door recruiting players, the Purple Riders are up to 45 and have just about as good of a start to their season as anyone could have wished for.

Martins Ferry will try to improve to 2-0 this week when Leetonia makes a visit to Purple Rider Stadium at the Dave Bruney Football Complex.

Offensive Player of the Week

Colin Jackson, Bridgeport: The Bulldog quarterback started his senior season with a bang, topping 400 yards of total offense and finding the endzone five times. Jackson threw for 343 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 71 yards and two more scores.

Defensive Player of the Week

Josh Harris, Shadyside: This Tiger did an unusual amount of scoring for a defensive player. He returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown and was credited with an assisted tackle on a safety in a close loss to Martins Ferry.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Jacob Meager, St. Clairsville: Meager was perfect on six point-after attempts in his debut as the Red Devils’ new placekicker.

Ground Gainers

Lucas Cox, Frontier: Rumbled for 290 and three touchdowns on 46 carries as the Cougars’ workhorse.

Zion McGee, Indian Creek: Ran for 121 yards despite his team being shut out.

Tav’n Williams, Martins Ferry: Gained 97 yards and scored twice on just 11 carries.

Jacob Walker, St. Clairsville: One of three Red Devils to go over the century mark, ran for 107 yards and a score on a team-high 21 touches.

Dino Burk, St. Clairsville: Supported Walker with 111 rushing yards of his own and a 51-yard touchdown.

Conner Hagan, Beallsville: Went for 124 yards and two scores on just nine carries.

James Palmer, Beallsville: Ran for 113 yards and a touchdown as the Blue Devils won big.

Jaksan Price, Union Local: Stepped up big for the injured Hayden McCrate and ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns.

Aerial Attack

Kabel Isaly, River: Threw for 245 yards and two scores while running for another.

Phaeton Hill, Steubenville: Picked up right where he left off last season and passed for 233 yards and a trio of touchdowns.

Cayden Moore, Cambridge: Tossed all four of the Bobcats’ touchdowns along with 242 yards.

Hayden Cassidy, Harrison Central: Only completed five passes, but they went for 201 yards. That’s over 40 yards per completion.

Mr. Everything

CJ Hannahs, Barnesville: Rallied the Shamrocks with 133 rushing yards and three touchdowns while providing 112 yards in the air.

Gage Cline, Edison: Ran for 142 yards and three scores while passing for 94.

Andrew Vera, St. Clairsville: Led the Red Devils with 143 rushing yards while also passing for 66. Scored three times on the ground and once through the air.

Garrett Perkins, Beallsville: Threw for 102 yards and two touchdowns, ran for another score and booted four PATs throught the uprights.

Mykel Quinto, Harrison Central: Racked up 82 receiving yards on just two catches while also running for 118 yards and four touchdowns.

Good Hands Team

Lamar Kendricks Jr., Bridgeport: Caught four passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

River Thompson, River: A popular target, made seven receptions for 100 yards and a score.

Gavin Bozica, Steubenville: Hauled in an 80-yard touchdown.

Louden, Beallsville: Only made two catches, but both were touchdowns and finished with 48 yards.

Wreking Crew

Colton Cisar, River: Returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown in the Pilots’ win.

Griffin Fogle, St. Clairsville: Had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown and made seven tackles.

Brennan Stout, St. Clairsville: Was credited for a dozen tackles including six solo stops.

Justin Vergona, Indian Creek: Racked up 14 tackles, nine of which were unassisted.

Big Boot

Liam Watson, Edison: Knocked six extra points throught the uprights.

Jace Madzia, Harrison Central: Connected on a 32-yard field goal and three PATs.