“It feels pretty good to be 2-0 at this point,” Martins Ferry coach Justin Kropka said after his team’s 43-13 win over Leetonia Friday night.

While nothing is certain for the rest of the season, none of these three teams have had an easy time just getting to this point.

Bridgeport is seeing the result of four-years of work, Shenandoah is relying on a freshman quarterback to key a high-scoring offense and Martins Ferry is succeeding after not even knowing if playing in 2022 would be possible.

The Bulldogs have been led by experienced returners all across their offense. Fifth-year head coach Fred Ray has watched his charges grow through the ups and downs of the last four seasons, including last year’s 3-6 record. He saw all that work come to fruition Friday when the Bulldogs climbed out of a 22-0 hole to knock off Monroe Central 50-44 on the road.

“We challenged the seniors at halftime and I felt our response in the second half was a result of our work in the weight room over the summer,” Ray said afterward.

The teams combined for 44 points in the fourth quarter, more than were scored in the other three combined. The six total touchdowns in the final frame included back-to-back kickoff return touchdowns by Monroe Central’s Terry Price and Bridgeport’s Lamar Kendricks Jr.

“We pushed that commitment and in the fourth quarter we had a chance,” Ray said.

Senior third-year starting quarterback Colin Jackson threw for three touchdowns in the win, bringing his season total to eight (six passing, two rushing) through two games.

For the Zeps, freshman quarterback Braxton Barnett has the offense humming. Following a 48-8 win over Newcomerstown in the opener, Barnett threw for four scores as Shenandoah knocked off Shadyside 38-20 on Friday.

“This is a huge win for us,” Lowery said after the game. “As far as I am being told this is our first-ever victory over Shadyside (in football) so I am very happy for the kids and the community. They really have a reason to celebrate (Friday).”

Shenandoah has already matched its win total from last season, when the Zeps finished 2-7.

“This was a great win (Friday) and hopefully we can keep this going,” Lowery said.

When Kropka was hired to coach his alma mater this offseason, he worried if the Purple Riders would even be able to field a team this season due to low participation numbers.

“Back in February I wasn’t even sure we would have a team,” Kropka admitted.

With the roster now boasting upwards of 40 players, Ferry is off to a great start this season with a rousing 27-23 win over Shadyside in week one and Friday’s 43-13 thumping.

“I am happy for the school and the community as the pride and excitement is growing,” Kropka said. “I feel really happy for our older players who have been around for a while.”

The Purple Riders scored in every way imaginable against Leetonia via the run, pass interception and punt return.

As the trio of upstarts eye possible 3-0 beginnings to the year, all three will play at home Friday. Martins Ferry will host fellow 2-0 member Union Local, Bridgeport will welcome 1-0 Morgantown Trinity and Shenandoah hosts 1-1 Waterford.

Offensive Player of the Week

Braelyn Sperringer, Brooke — Nobody scored more than Sperringer this week, as the Bruins’ signal-caller found the endzone six times in Brooke’s 49-6 season-opening win over Ripley. Sperringer threw for 188 yards and four touchdowns on 11 completions in the air and ran for two more scores on the ground.

Defensive Player of the Week

Erick Brothers Jr., Wheeling Park — Moving to middle linebacker, Brothers emerged as the vocal leader of a young Patriots defense that held St. Clairsville to just 14 points in a 41-14 triumph. Brothers made 10 stops, seven by himself, and collected a 45-yard pick-six in the third quarter. He was also used on offense, scoring a pair of goalline touchdowns.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Lamar Kendricks Jr., Bridgeport — In a wild fourth quarter that saw more scoring than the entire rest of the game combined, Kendricks pulled off a huge momentum swing for the Bulldogs, answering a Monroe Central kickoff return touchdown with one of his own that went for 80 yards. He also rushed for a touchdown and caught two more through the air.

Ground Gainers

Peyton Pyle, Bridgeport — Ran for 78 yards and a touchdown and also caught a 10-yard touchdown through the air.

Austin Powell, Fort Frye — Talk about efficiency, Powell ran for 222 yards on just six carries, an average of 37 yards per tote. He scored on touchdown runs of 66 and 86 yards.

Mykel Quito, Harrison Central — Ran for 90 yards and a score as the Huskies moved to 2-0.

Karter Parson, Hundred — The freshman battled through terrible weather conditions to run for 162 yards and a touchdown for the Hornets.

Zion McGee, Indian Creek — The team’s workhorse, McGee carried the ball 29 times for 194 yards and made three trips into the endzone.

Klypsan Wallace, John Marshall — Kicked off his sophomore campaign with 97 yards and a score against University.

Matt Greenlief, Oak Glen — Ran for 80 yards and a score on 11 carries for the Golden Bears.

Jacob Feldner, Shenandoah — Went for 140 and a touchdown on 25 carries for the now 2-0 Zeps.

Gavin Bozica, Steubenville — Led Big Red’s offense with 104 yards on 16 chances.

Carter Blake, Union Local — The Jets’ quarterback had more action with his feet than his arm, running for 106 yards and a trio of scores on only eight carries.

Jacksan Price, Union Local — Continued a very strong start to the season with 186 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries.

Triston Bates, Valley — Ran for 81 yards and a touchdown for the victorious Lumberjacks.

Gavin Derby, Valley — Valley’s sophomore quarterback ran the ball 20 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns.

Aerial Attack

Jake Heatherington, Bellaire — Threw the ball 40 times for the Big Reds, completing 24 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

Colin Jackson, Bridgeport — Threw for 150 yards and three touchdowns while gaining 71 more yards with his legs.

Hayden Cassidy, Harrison Central — Completed just eight passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground.

Atley Cowan, Linsly — Cowan played only two quarters in his first varsity start, but still managed to throw for 254 yards and five touchdowns.

Ayden Ludolph, Martins Ferry — Ludolph only completed three passes in the Purple Riders’ win, but they went for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Tucker Howell, Monroe Central — Threw for 259 yards and five touchdowns in a wild game against Bridgeport.

Ben Wach, Shadyside — Wach was called on to pass 39 times and completed 25 of them for 198 yards and three scores.

Braxton Barnett, Shenandoah — The freshman led the Zeps’ offense with 185 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Brett Phillips, Wheeling Park — Business as usual for Phillips, who threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Mr. Everything

Koen Eagon, Buckeye Trail — Eagon returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score while also making six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Owen Brown, Fort Frye — What can Brown do for you? He can rush for 142 yards and a touchdown, make a 15-yard touchdown reception and even return an interception 102 yards for a pick-six.

Jeffrey Morris, Hundred — Had an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown in the Hornets’ opener.

Alex Taylor, Linsly — Taylor ran eight times for 50 yards and a touchdown and also caught four passes for 45 yards and another score.

Baron Lucey, Martins Ferry — Lucey scored on a 73-yard punt return for the Purple Riders.

Tev’n Williams, Martins Ferry — Williams scored on an 80-yard pick-six and a 65-yard run and also made a 30-yard reception.

Terry Price, Monroe Central — Scored on a 70-yard kickoff return in the Seminole’s wild fourth quarter against Bridgeport.

Lorenzo Ferrera, Wheeling Central — Ferra sparked Central’s offense with 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns while also making five stops and picking off a pass on defense.

Riley Watkins, Wheeling Central — Watkins ran for 127 yards for the Knights and also made all three of the team’s receptions for 55 yards and a score.

Zac Lydick, Wheeling Park — Injury pushed him into a bellcow roll and Lydick responded with 114 yards and a touchdown on the ground and a 40-yard screen pass through the air.

Corey Lyons, Weir — Scored a 34-yard rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown to help the Red Riders break a three-game losing streak against rival Oak Glen.

Good Hands Team

Ray Ray Pettigrew, Bellaire — Made the most of his four catches with 135 receiving yards and three touchdowns, including one from 77 yards out.

Gus Gilbert, Brooke — Half of his catches were touchdowns as Gilbert finished with 60 receiving yards and two scores.

Parker Hutton, Harrison Central — Made three receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Tre Rex, Harrison Central — Caught four passes for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Elijah Brock, Shadyside — Brock was targeted often and came through with nine receptions for 78 yards and three touchdowns.

Hunter Yates, Shenandoah — Made six grabs for 109 yards and found the endzone three times.

Isaac Hill, Steubenville — A favorite target for Big Red, Hill made seven grabs for 95 yards and a score.

Jerrae Hawkins, Wheeling Park — Scored a 60-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the season and finished with four catches for 104 yards.

Wrecking Crew

Garrett Morre, Brooke — Made six solo tackles and picked off a pass in the Bruins’ big win.

Wyatt Haynes, Linsly — Had six tackles including two for a loss and one sack as the Cadets’ defense finished with zero yards allowed.

Lion Sarugg, Linsly — Got in on the scoring action with a safety for the Linsly defense.

Parker Watkins, Wheeling Central — Made a team-high 15 tackles and was credited with half of a tackle for loss.

Charlie DiSaia, Wheeling Park — DiSaia made a load of plays on defense, finishing with nine tackles, six solo, with three tackles for loss and a sack.

Cam Jones, Weir — The big-time player made a big-time play in Weir’s rivalry game with a 20-yard scoop and score for the Red Riders.

Big Boot

Bailey Serevicz, Brooke — Perfect on six point-after attempts for the Bruins.

Zaiden Huck, Fort Frye — Stayed busy Saturday by sending six PATs through the uprights.

Jace Madzia, Harrison Central — Two games, two busy days for the Huskies’ kicker and he sent six more point-after attempts through.

Mateo Dimitrioski, Linsly — Kicked five point-after attempts as the Cadets won big up in Pennsylvania.

Eli Tucker, Wheeling Central — Connected on a 33-yard field goal and also booted three PATs.