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WOODSFIELD - A pair of teams looking to get back on the winning track will collide at Monroe Park when Monroe Central (3-2) hosts Wheeling Central (1-3) Friday night in high school football action.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools. However, Woodsfield High defeated the Maroon Knights in 1927 and 1928.
Four Ohio-side teams will look to remain perfect through six weeks, those being Barnesville, River, Shadyside and Toronto.
-The Shamrocks welcome Harrison Central (1-4) to Shamrock Stadium for the ninth all-time meeting - all Barnesville victories coming from 1999-2006.
Barnesville has outscored its first five opponents 210-46, with 33 of those points coming in the first two weeks. The Shamrocks, who are currently second in the initial Ohio Division V, Region 17 ratings, have beaten John Glenn (34-19), Meadowbrook (47-14), Bellaire (33-0), Buckeye Local (48-7) and Monroe Central (48-6). Those five are a combined 11-14.
Tailback Trey Toliver is the leading rusher for Barnesville with 925 yards and 19 touchdowns on 85 carries for an average per carry at nearly 11 yards. Quarterback Colt Carpenter is 19 of 25 passing for 344 yards and a trio of TD passes. He has been picked off once. Phoenix Graham has caught 10 passes for 94 yards. Christien Hannahs leads the defense with 30 total tackles.
The Huskies (1-4) are at the end of a streak where their first six opponents are a combined 27-3. They have only scored more than seven points in a game, coming in their lone win - a 47-14 triumph against East Palestine.
They have lost to Claymont (43-0), Strasburg (54-7), Union Local (48-7) and Martins Ferry (49-0).
- The Pilots will make the nearly three-hour trek to Bedford County (Pa.) to face the Everett Warriors (0-3) who have been outscored 137-13.
River executes the wishbone to perfection, especially last week when they travelled to Cameron and returned with a 25-20 victory as two of the three running backs surpassed the 1,00-yard mark. They were Peyton Weese (156) and Wyatt Stalder (107). Trey Larrick finished with 75.
River has rolled past Portsmouth Notre Dame (41-6), Buckeye Local (40-8), Oak Glen (49-14), Magnolia (40-8) and Cameron.
The Pilots, who haven't started 6-0 since going 9-0 in 2016, checked in at No. 4 in first Division VI, Region 23 ratings.
- The Tigers welcome Shenandoah (4-1) to Fleming Field.
Shadyside also started 6-0 in 2021 when it went 11-2 and advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs. The Tigers were second in Division VII, Region 23 behind Symmes Valley when the first state ratings came out earlier this week.
Quarterback Jayden Johnson has been effective with his arm and feet in the Tigers' prowl through East Palestine (49-13), Southern Local (49-0), Buckeye Local (61-6), Frontier (43-21) and Strasburg (22-19). Those five are a combined 12-13.
The Zeps have sandwiched wins over Bishop Rosecrans (46-0), Bridgeport (49-18), Buckeye Trail (44-6) and Trimble (43-20) around their lone loss, a 35-0 blitzing at Waterford.
Shadyside holds an 8-4 advantage in the series, winning the first eight meetings.
- The Red Knights were fourth in Division VII, Region 23 as they travel to Edison's Unified Sports Complex in Richmond for a Jefferson County matchup with the host Wildcats (2-3).
Toronto owns victories over Southern Local (33-0), Newcomerstown (27-20), Brookfield (7-6), Steubenville Catholic (33-6) and Oak Glen (28-7).
Meanwhile, Edison has won two of its last three after an 0-2 start, including 36-6 last week at winless Weir. The Wildcats have also beaten Monroe Central (13-12) while falling at Coshocton (24-21) and Carrollton (23-6) to open the season. Their other setback came to Martins Ferry (34-0).
Edison was ranked No. 16 in Division V, Region 17.
Toronto leads the all-time series, 8-7, but Edison has prevailed in four of the last six meetings.
- In other contests of interest, John Marshall (3-1) welcomes Parkersburg South (0-4) to Monarch Stadium in Moundsville; Bridgeport (2-3) heads to Leesdale to face Conotton Valley (3-2); Cameron (2-1) makes the trip south to Tucker County (2-2); Bellaire (3-2) entertains Indian Creek (3-2) at Nelson Field; Linsly (1-2) heads to Memorial Stadium in Mogadore (4-1); Buckeye Local (0-5) travels to New Manchester to meet Oak Glen (1-3); Ritchie County (1-2) welcomes Magnolia (1-3) to Ellenboro; and Brooke (2-1) journeys to East Liverpool to meet Beaver Local (4-1).
On Saturday, Madonna (1-3) welcomes Mathews (3-2) to Jimmy Carey Stadium and St. Thomas Aquinas (2-3) visits Harding Stadium to battle Steubenville Catholic (2-3).