Shamrocks, Pilots Prepare For Thursday Clash
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BARNESVILLE - River (2-1) and Barnesville (4-0) will meet for the 36th time tonight in a clash on the artificial surface at Shamrock Stadium in western Belmont County. The Pilots hold a slim 20-15 all-time advantage.
The series began in 1966 and was played every year until 1974. The rivalry resumed in 1983 and lasted until 1990 before starting back up again in 1993. After five years, the two stopped playing again until 2004, but didn't meet again until 2019. They are 2-2 in the last four years.
"I'm proud of the kids. We've played pretty well in all three phases of the game so far, and the good thing is we've been able to get healthy. We're as healthy as we've been all season," Barnesville head coach Blake Allen said. "This will, however, be our biggest test of the season.
"This is the fifth meeting since we resumed this rivalry. They got us the first two years and we've gotten them the last two. They've all been dogfights, close contests.
"I respect Coach Flannery and what they do at River," Allen continued. "Their quarterback is one of the best players in the (Ohio) valley. I think it's going to a heckuva game."
Barnesville is riding a 20-game regular season win streak that extends back into week 5 of the 2021 campaign.
"That is a testament to the kids. It's hard to win night-in and night-out," Allen said. "The kids, this team and teams in the past, have really been locked in. Preparation is a real key in high school football and these kids work hard."
Although the streak is nice, Allen said he looks forward and what lies ahead.
"We know the streak is there but we're looking at only one game and that is tonight against River."
Veteran River head coach Mike Flannery is well aware of the Shamrocks explosive offense, but it's the defense that caught his eye on film.
"They've got 11 guys that really get to the ball," he said. "We kind of matchup with them size-wise, but they are still bigger than us in the trenches. Offensively, we want to control the ball and the clock to keep them off the field.
Barnesville has all the pieces. All the tools in the tool box are sharp. We will have to play a perfect game in order to come out on top."
The Shamrocks offense is ignited by quarterback Casey Carpenter who threw five TD passes a week ago in a 41-0 romp over Newcomerstown. All-Ohio tailback Taison Starr has recovered from an early knee injury and fullback Trey Toliver has shown signs of his explosiveness. Luke Detling and Duker Castello are reliable receivers.
"This is definitely the best team on our schedule this year," Flannery admitted. "This is one of the best Barnesville teams I've seen in a long time."
Senior Kabel Isaly is the key to the River offense and he has a stable of running backs that can get the job done.
Finn Bowers and Kaden Johnson are the power backs while Lucas Dennis is the speed back. All three are capable of taking it all the way.
"We feel we're able to run the ball with our backs and Kabel is very good at reading the defense," Flannery added.
Tight end Maddox Mozena is a quality receiver and good blocker, according to Flannery.
"They have a big offensive line and they've got two really big backs and a speed back," Allen said of the Pilots. "What really makes them dangerous, though, is when they want to pass they've got a really good one (Kabel) Isaly.
Kickoff is set for 7.