Games of the week
Girard (6-3, 3-3)
at Niles (6-3, 3-3)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bo Rein Stadium, Niles
LAST MEETING: 2018, Girard, 49-13
LAST WEEK: Girard 47, Jefferson 12; Niles 35, Lakeview 7
COACHES: Pat Pearson, Girard; Jim Parry, Niles
ABOUT GIRARD: The Indians are in the eighth spot in Division IV, Region 13, but holding on to that spot is going to rely on a victory in Week 10. It’ll be close if the Indians head to the Region 13 postseason, according to joeeitel.com, a site the Indians will be watching Friday night after their game. Girard went to last year’s Division IV state title game.
ABOUT NILES: This is the best season the Red Dragons have had since going to the postseason in 2012. That year Niles was 8-3. The Red Dragons are eliminated from this year’s postseason, but this game is about pride.
Hubbard (6-3, 4-2)
at South Range (6-3, 4-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Raiders Stadium, Beaver Township
LAST MEETING: First meeting
LAST WEEK: Poland 42, Hubbard 7; South Range 49, Struthers 42
COACHES: Brian Hoffman, Hubbard; Dan Yeagley, South Range
ABOUT HUBBARD: According to joeeitel.com, Hubbard controls its own destiny in Division IV, Region 13. The Eagles are fifth in the region and need to win Friday to play in Week 11.
ABOUT SOUTH RANGE: According to joeeitel.com, the Raiders need to win to play in Week 11 in the Division V, Region 17 postseason. Sounds just like Hubbard. South Range is sitting at No. 7 in Region 17.
Springfield (9-0, 6-0)
at McDonald (6-3, 5-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: A.A. Burkey Stadium, McDonald
LAST MEETING: 2018, McDonald won, 20-17
LAST WEEK: Springfield 35, Western Reserve 14; McDonald 48, Lowellville 12
COACHES: Sean Guerriero, Springfield; Dan Williams, McDonald
ABOUT SPRINGFIELD: The Tigers, ranked third in the latest Division VI state poll, are the top seed in Division VI, Region 21. Springfield has clinched a home game, according to joeeitel.com.
ABOUT McDONALD: This is the first year the Blue Devils are in Division VII and McDonald might be able to make the Region 25 playoffs if they can pull off the upset like last season. It won’t be easy playing the No. 3 team in Division VI, but the Blue Devils playoff lives are counting on an upset, according to joeeitel.com
Campbell (3-6, 2-3)
at Newton Falls (2-7, 0-5)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tigers Stadium, Newton Falls
LAST MEETING: 2018, Newton Falls won, 6-2
LAST WEEK: Brookfield 48, Campbell 7; Liberty 46, Newton Falls 27
COACHES: Mickey Sikora, Campbell; Mike Gillespie, Newton Falls
ABOUT CAMPBELL: This is much better than an 0-10 season last year, but the Red Devils have lost their last five games.
ABOUT NEWTON FALLS: The Tigers finally got a win in Week 8 against Lisbon, but Newton Falls lost seven of its last eight games.
Struthers (6-3, 4-2)
at Poland (7-2, 6-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Dave Pavlansky Stadium, Poland
LAST MEETING: 2018, Struthers won, 22-21
LAST WEEK: South Range 49, Struthers 42; Poland 42, Hubbard 7
COACHES: Curt Kuntz, Struthers; Ryan Williams, Poland
ABOUT STRUTHERS: According to joeeitel.com, Struthers controls its own destiny. Win and the Wildcats are in the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs. Struthers had its four-game winning streak snapped in Week 9 when South Range beat them.
ABOUT POLAND SEMINARY: According to joeeitel.com, the Bulldogs have clinched a home game in the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs. Poland is third in the region. After going 1-2 to start the season, the Bulldogs have been one of the area’s best teams as they have won six straight games — allowing no more than eight points in any of their games.
Austintown Fitch (4-5)
at Cardinal Mooney (4-5)
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Fitch won, 24-14
LAST WEEK: Austintown Fitch 40, Boardman 14; Ursuline 20, Cardinal Mooney 13
COACHES: Jon Elliot, Austintown Fitch; P.J. Fecko, Cardinal Mooney
ABOUT AUSTINTOWN FITCH: The Falcons are out of playoff contention in Division II, Region 5, according to joeeitel.com. This game is for pride in Austintown as the Falcons are playing for their former coach Phil Annarella, who died in June at age 70.
ABOUT CARDINAL MOONEY: The Cardinals have a slim shot at making the Division IV, Region 13 playoffs in the No. 10 spot in the region. The Cardinals have lost their last three games, including a rare loss to rival Ursuline, 20-13.
Games of the week
Western Reserve (7-1, 5-0)
at Springfield (8-0, 5-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tigers Stadium, New Middletown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Springfield won, 30-10
LAST WEEK: Western Reserve 55, Springfield 6; Springfield 51, Sebring 8
COACHES: Andy Hake, Western Reserve; Sean Guerriero, Springfield
ABOUT WESTERN RESERVE: Pretty simple math for the Blue Devils as they win out and they return to the postseason (according to joeeitel.com) since 2017 where they lost at Norwayne in a first-round, Division VI, Region 21 battle. Western Reserve is seventh in the region.
ABOUT SPRINGFIELD: The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the latest Division VI, Region 21 poll. They are No. 2 in Division VI, Region 21. Springfield is undefeated. Finish 10 weeks with no losses and the Tigers are in the postseason, according to joeeitel.com.
Poland (6-2, 5-0)
at Hubbard (6-2, 4-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Hubbard Memorial Stadium, Hubbard
LAST MEETING: 2018, Hubbard won, 17-0
LAST WEEK: Poland 63, Jefferson 8; Hubbard 14, Niles 3
COACHES: Ryan Williams, Poland; Brian Hoffman, Hubbard
ABOUT POLAND: The Bulldogs have won five straight since a 1-2 start to the season. They have allowed no more than eight points in each of those wins, including potential playoff teams such as Niles McKinley, South Range and Girard. Poland needs to win this week and in Week 10 to make the postseason in Division IV, Region 13, according to joeeitel.com
ABOUT HUBBARD: The Eagles have won six of their last seven games. The only misstep was a two-point loss against Northeast-8 rival Girard in Week 6. Hubbard’s defense has held its opponents to eight or less points in three of its last four games. Hubbard needs to win this week and in Week 10 to make the postseason in Division IV, Region 13, according to joeeitel.com
McDonald (5-3, 4-1)
at Lowellville (6-2, 3-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Rockets Stadium, Lowellville
LAST MEETING: 2018, McDonald won, 54-0
LAST WEEK: McDonald 35, Jackson-Milton 8; Western Reserve 55, Lowellville 6
COACHES: Dan Williams, McDonald; Doug Velasquez, Lowellville
ABOUT McDONALD: The Blue Devils have won five of the last six games. McDonald, currently seventh in Division VII, Region 25, has a tough task ahead of them as it faces top teams in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference – Lowellville and Springfield. The Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Division I poll.
ABOUT LOWELLVILLE: The Rockets won six of their first seven games before being throttled at Western Reserve in Week 8. Lowellville’s two losses are to the two teams leading the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference – Western Reserve and Springfield. According to joeeitel.com, the Rockets have to win this week and in Week 10 against Waterloo to have a chance to making the playoffs in Division VII, Region 25.
Canfield (5-3)
at Howland (4-4)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Richard Lombardo Stadium, Howland
LAST MEETING: 2018, Canfield won 53-7
LAST WEEK: Canfield 49, East 21; Chaney 36, Howland 0
COACHES: Mike Pavlansky, Canfield; Steve Boyle, Howland
ABOUT CANFIELD: For Canfield, the Cardinals are playing for pride as they look to clinch a 7-3 season with wins against Howland and Boardman, which has turned into a great rivalry for both teams. The Cardinals have a very slim chance of cracking the Division III, Region 9 playoffs, but strangers things have happened.
ABOUT HOWLAND: The Tigers have vastly improved from last year’s 1-9 season to put together a good campaign in 2019. Howland has won four of its last six games, but was decimated by a decisive shut out against Chaney in Week 8.
Boardman (3-5)
at Austintown Fitch (3-5)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Falcons Stadium, Austintown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Fitch 21-20
LAST WEEK: Erie (Pa.) McDowell 38, Fitch 35; Boardman 34, Ursuline 19
COACHES: Joe Ignazio, Boardman; Jon Elliot, Austintown Fitch
ABOUT AUSTINTOWN FITCH: This is not the season the Falcons imagined after starting 3-0. They are riding a five-game losing streak and came close to snapping it the past two weeks against one-loss teams like Columbus Bishop Hartley and Erie (Pa.) McDowell.
ABOUT BOARDMAN: The Spartans have turned things around after starting the season losing four of its first five. Boardman has won two of its last three including convincing wins at Garfield Heights and Ursuline.
Ursuline (1-7, 1-1)
at Mooney (4-4, 2-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Cardinal Mooney won, 47-14
LAST WEEK: Boardman 34, Ursuline 19; Harding 31, Cardinal Mooney 7
COACHES: Dan Reardon, Ursuline; P.J. Fecko, Mooney
ABOUT URSULINE: Prior to last week’s loss against Boardman, the Irish had two respectable weeks and could’ve went 2-0. A failed two-point conversion stopped Ursuline from winning at a good Columbus Watterson team in Week 7 by one point. The Irish beat Chaney by one in Week 6 in an afternoon affair.
ABOUT CARDINAL MOONEY: The Cardinals have lost two straight, including last week’s game where they turned over the ball five times. Walter Sweeney is at quarterback for the Cardinals. He played in the double overtime loss against Louisville. Sweeney is the fourth quarterback to play for the injury-riddled Cardinals, coming over from receiver.
Games of the week
Harding (4-3)
at Mooney (4-3)
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Harding won, 19-7
LAST WEEK: Harding 44, Boardman 38, 2OT; Louisville 20, Cardinal Mooney 14, 2OT
COACHES: Steve Arnold, Harding; P.J. Fecko, Mooney
ABOUT HARDING: The Raiders must win their next three games to have a shot at what is a loaded Division II, Region 5 set with teams such as Massillon, Akron Hoban and Massillon Perry seemingly solidifying their Week 11 invites, according to joeeitel.com. Even with a 7-3 mark, Harding needs help in the next couple of weeks to make the postseason.
ABOUT MOONEY: Every game is a must win for Cardinal Mooney from here on out if the Cardinals want to avoid back-to-back seasons not making it to Week 11. The last time Mooney didn’t make it to the postseason in consecutive campaigns was 2000-02.
Boardman (2-5)
at Ursuline (1-6)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Boardman won, 38-14
LAST WEEK: Harding 44, Boardman 38, 2OT; Columbus Watterson 35, Ursuline 34
COACHES: Joe Ignazio, Boardman; Dan Reardon, Ursuline
ABOUT BOARDMAN: The Spartans have had their struggles this year, losing by six or fewer points in their last three losses — including an overtime defeat against Cardinal Mooney and last week’s double OT loss at Warren G. Harding.
ABOUT URSULINE: The Irish came close to making it two straight wins, but they came up short as Ursuline failed on the two-point conversion with no time remaining. Despite the loss, Ursuline had a historic night as the Ursuline Football Twitter site said James Phillips had the third-most receiving yards in school history with 191 on six receptions. Matthew Reardon set the single-game passing record with 351 yards in an 18-of-29 performance with three TDs — breaking Paul Kempe’s mark.
Struthers (5-2, 3-1)
at Girard (5-2, 2-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Arrowhead Stadium, Girard
LAST MEETING: 2011, Girard won, 45-14
LAST WEEK: Struthers 42, Niles 14; Girard 16, Hubbard 14
COACHES: Curt Kuntz, Struthers; Pat Pearson, Girard
ABOUT STRUTHERS: The Wildcats are back in the Northeast-8 race after dominating Niles. Struthers is tied for sixth with Girard in Division IV, Region 13, but getting to Week 11 won’t be easy as it has Girard, South Range and Poland.
ABOUT GIRARD: The Indians, who advanced to the Division IV title game last season, look like they can get into the postseason again as they are tied with Struthers for sixth in Division IV, Region 13. Girard would likely have to win out against Struthers, Jefferson and Niles to start the tournament trail once again.
Howland (4-3)
at Chaney (3-4)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Rayen Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2010, Howland won, 35-7
LAST WEEK: Howland 21, East 6; University School 22, Chaney 13
COACHES: Steve Boyle, Howland; Chris Amill, Chaney
ABOUT HOWLAND: Eric Babinchak, William Hines and Garrett Deemer combined for the majority of the team’s 203 rushing yards as Howland held off East.
ABOUT CHANEY: The Cowboys look to snap a two-game losing streak after starting the season with a 3-2 mark.
Hubbard (5-2, 3-1)
at Niles (5-2, 2-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bo Rein Stadium, Niles
LAST MEETING: 2018, Hubbard won, 37-0
LAST WEEK: Girard 16, Hubbard 14; Struthers 42, Niles 14
COACHES: Brian Hoffman, Hubbard; Jim Parry, Niles
ABOUT HUBBARd: The Eagles may have lost a last second-game to Girard, but Hubbard can make the Division IV, Region 13 postseason with wins against Niles, Poland and South Range, according to joeeitel.com
ABOUT NILES: The Red Dragons are sitting ninth in Division III, Region 9 after being dominated by Struthers. However, Niles can most likely vault themselves back in playoff contention if it can win out against Hubbard, Lakeview and Girard in the next few weeks.
Campbell (3-4, 1-2)
at Champion (6-1, 3-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Community Stadium, Champion
LAST MEETING: 2018, Champion won, 21-0
LAST WEEK: Crestview 40, Campbell 13; Champion 25, Liberty 6
COACHES: Mickey Sikora, Campbell; Tim McGlynn, Champion
ABOUT CAMPBELL: The Red Devils started the season 3-1 after going 0-10 in 2018, but Campbell has lost its last three games against Liberty, Warren JFK and Crestview.
ABOUT CHAMPION: Yes, it’s Week 8 and the Golden Flashes are in playoff contention. Champion must win against Campbell, Crestview and Brookfield to have a shot to stay in the top eight in Division V, Region 17, according to joeeitel.com. The Golden Flashes might still need help.
Games of the week
Boardman (2-4)
at Harding (3-3)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Mollenkopf Stadium, Warren
LAST MEETING: 2018, Harding won, 17-14
LAST WEEK: Boardman 31, Garfield Heights 14; Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 42, Harding 37
COACHES: Joe Ignazio, Boardman; Steve Arnold, Harding
ABOUT BOARDMAN: The Spartans built a 14-point halftime lead at Garfield Heights and never trailed to get their first win since Week 2 against Poland.
ABOUT HARDING: The Raiders took a 16-0 first-quarter lead on St. Vincent-St. Mary, but the Irish vaunted rushing attack proved to be too much for Harding. The Raiders saw its junior quarterback Elijah Taylor throw for 366 yards as Ty Artis and Tyriq Ivory each had more than 100 yards receiving.
East (3-3)
at Howland (3-3)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Richard Lombardo Stadium, Howland
LAST MEETING: 2018, East won, 42-10
LAST WEEK: Cardinal Mooney 38, East 13; Louisville 34, Howland 7
COACHES: Brian Marrow, East; Steve Boyle, Howland
ABOUT EAST: The Golden Bears were worn down, as so many are, by the Cardinal Mooney rushing attack. East gave up 321 rushing yards on 49 carries. The Golden Bears mustered only 175 yards of total offense.
ABOUT HOWLAND: The Tigers three-game winning streak came to a halt as Howland had three turnovers and three fumbles in its loss at Louisville.
Niles (5-1, 2-1)
at Struthers (4-2, 2-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Laddie Fedor Field, Struthers
LAST MEETING: 2018, Struthers won, 49-28
LAST WEEK: Niles 35, South Range 34, OT; Struthers 56, Jefferson 6
COACHES: Jim Parry, Niles; Curt Kuntz, Struthers
ABOUT NILES: The Red Dragons showed some resolve as they rallied from a 21-7 deficit where they were dominated after two quarters. Niles forced overtime and squeezed past South Range.
ABOUT STRUTHERS: Aiden Hall’s 5-for-5 and 200-yard performance paced the Wildcats in a dominating victory against Jefferson.
Mineral Ridge (4-2, 1-2)
at Springfield (6-0, 3-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Tigers Stadium, New Middletown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Springfield won, 57-8
LAST WEEK: Lowellville 28, Mineral Ridge 20; Springfield 49, Jackson-Milton 8
COACHES: Brian Shaner, Mineral Ridge; Sean Guerriero, Springfield
ABOUT MINERAL RIDGE: Lowellville’s TD with 13.1 seconds left sunk the Rams, who had three interceptions.
ABOUT SPRINGFIELD: The Tigers had a 28-point third quarter to roll against another MVAC foe.
Girard (4-2, 2-1)
at Hubbard (5-1, 3-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Hubbard Memorial Stadium, Hubbard
LAST MEETING: 2018 (Division IV, Region 13 final in Niles), Girard won, 43-18
LAST WEEK: Poland 45, Girard 7; Hubbard 28, Lakeview 7
COACHES: Pat Pearson, Girard; Brian Hoffman, Hubbard
ABOUT GIRARD The high-powered Indians offense was stymied against Poland, which held them to 118 total yards.
ABOUT HUBBARD: The Eagles had 323 yards rushing, led by Cam Resetar and T.C. Caffey, who each had more than 100 yards on the ground.
Louisville (3-3)
at Cardinal Mooney (4-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 2018, Louisville won, 31-21
LAST WEEK: Louisville 34, Howland 7; Cardinal Mooney 38, East 13
COACHES: Jeff Twiddy; Louisville; P.J. Fecko, Mooney
ABOUT LOUISVILLE: The Leopards snapped a two-game losing streak with a dominating performance against Howland. Louisville lost on a last-second field goal to D2 power Massillon Perry in Week 5.
ABOUT CARDINAL MOONEY: The Cardinals’ powerful offensive line and vaunted rushing attack put the hurt on East with more than 300 yards on the ground as Mooney dominated and stayed in playoff contention.
Games of the week
East (3-2, 1-0)
at Mooney (3-2, 1-0)
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 1990, Mooney won, 42-6
LAST WEEK: Lutheran East 22, East 20, 3OT; Mooney 28, Boardman 27
COACHES: Brian Marrow, East; P.J. Fecko, Mooney
ABOUT EAST: The Golden Bears have played plenty of extra sessions with a double-overtime win over Ursuline in Week 4 and a triple-OT loss at Lutheran East in Week 4. Isiah McBride threw for 246 yards against Lutheran East.
ABOUT MOONEY: The Cardinals added an unexpected wrinkle in the offense as Pat Guerrieri had 122 yards passing and two scores as Mooney held off Boardman in overtime.
Chaney (3-2, 0-1)
at Ursuline (0-5, 0-1)
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m.
WHERE: Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown
LAST MEETING: 1989, Ursuline won, 21-0
LAST WEEK: Chaney 14, Warrensville Heights 8; Warren Harding 34, Ursuline 0
COACHES: Chris Amil, Chaney; Dan Reardon, Ursuline
ABOUT CHANEY: The Cowboys, back in their first season in about a decade, are building on their comeback every week. Last week was no difference as Chaney beat winless Warrensville Heights.
ABOUT URSULINE: The Fighting Irish are trying to make their way to a possible playoff berth, which seems like it is in the distant future. For now, the Irish are trying to focus on their talent in skill positions and hoping that can carry them to their first win.
Warren JFK (3-2)
at Campbell (3-2)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m
WHERE: John Knapick Field, Campbell
LAST WEEK: Kennedy 41, Cardinal Stritch 6; Liberty 38, Campbell 32
COACHES: Jeff Bayuk, Kennedy; Mickey Sikora, Campbell
ABOUT KENNEDY: Jesse Likens and Michael Mauro combined for nearly 250 yards as the Kennedy duo paced the Eagles on the road — near Toledo.
ABOUT CAMPBELL: Christian Stores passed for 274 yards and three scores to lead the Red Devils in a loss to Liberty. Campbell was held to less than 50 yards rushing. The Red Devils gave up more than 350 yards rushing.
South Range (3-2, 1-1)
at Niles McKinley (4-1, 1-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bo Rein Stadium, Niles
LAST MEETING: First meeting
LAST WEEK: South Range 36, Girard 22; Poland 31, Niles 7
COACHES: Dan Yeagley, South Range; Jim Parry, Niles
ABOUT SOUTH RANGE: The Raiders sent Girard home last week with its first Northeast-8 and loss of the season. South Range rushed for 366 yards and four touchdowns to put away the Indians.
ABOUT NILES: The Red Dragons couldn’t solve their Poland problem as the Bulldogs ran roughshod once against over Niles McKinley. All Niles could muster was a late touchdown with less than 4 minutes remaining.
Poland (3-2, 2-0)
at Girard (4-1, 1-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Arrowhead Stadium, Girard
LAST MEETING: 2000, Girard won, 40-6
LAST WEEK: South Range 36, Girard 22; Poland 31, Niles 7
COACHES: Ryan Williams, Poland; Pat Pearson, Girard
ABOUT POLAND: The Bulldogs rallied for two straight wins after a 1-2 start. It was a team effort for Poland as it had 370 yards of offense with 267 on the ground with three touchdowns. The Bulldogs held Niles McKinley to 164 yards of total offense — including 23 rushing.
ABOUT GIRARD: Morgan Clardy and Jimmy Jones combined for almost 200 yards, but it wasn’t enough as South Range rushed for more than 350 yards as the Raiders won their first NE-8 game.
Mineral Ridge (4-1, 1-1)
at Lowellville (4-1, 1-1)
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Paul Menichini Field, Lowellville
LAST MEETING: 2018, Lowellville won, 34-6
LAST WEEK: Lowellville 29, Sebing 12; Mineral Ridge 25, Jackson-Milton 12
COACHES: Brian Shaner, Mineral Ridge; Doug Velasquez
ABOUT MINERAL RIDGE: Shakir Perkins had 24 carries for 151 yards and two scores to lead the Rams past Jackson-Milton in a game which was about dead even in team statistics.
ABOUT LOWELLVILLE: Vinny Kacir had 20 carries for 222 yards and a score to lead the Rockets over Sebring.