HS Football: Week 9 game to watch

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Crucial matchups litter the schedule this week. WKBN has a pair of those games as Boardman plays Fitch and Valley Christian will meet United.

Friday, October 18
East (5-3) at Cardinal Mooney (2-6), 7 p.m.
Before last Friday’s 26-6 loss to Struthers, the Golden Bears had won three in a row. Against Struthers, Daryan Brownlee completed 10 of 14 passes for 82 yards and rushed for another 29. All but one of Mooney’s losses were decided by two touchdowns or less; including three by 10 points or less. The Cardinal defense has allowed an average of 10.8 points over their past five outings.

West Branch (8-0) at Carrollton (6-2), 7 p.m.
West Branch has made it look easy for the majority of the season. West Branch has scored 225 points in its last four games. Jeremiah Thomas threw for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns on 15 of 20 passing in last week’s 49-0 win over Alliance. Boston Mulinix also rushed for 3 scores and 120 yards. Since falling to Triway (26-7) and Ridgewood (31-0) in weeks two and three, the Carrollton Warriors have defeated its last five opponents; going through a 5-game stretch where they won by 10-points or less in each game including last week’s overtime 35-34 thriller over Salem.

Ursuline (7-1) at Chaney (3-4), 7 p.m.
The Cowboys have not been able to get by Ursuline since Chaney reinstated the football program in 2019. Chaney has lost each of their four matchups with the Fighting Irish. Two of the four contests were decided by a total of four points (2022: Ursuline, 30-27; 2019: Ursuline, 27-26). The Cowboys are looking to even their mark at 4-4. Playing one of the more challenging schedules amongst schools in Region 9, the Irish have come away with victories in each of its last seven games.

Garfield (7-1) at Crestview (7-1), 7 p.m.
For Crestview, who’s on a 7-game winning streak, has a two-game season with matchups with Garfield and at LaBrae next week to see if they can win the MVAC Grey Tier. The G-Men have won six straight matchups since falling to Warren JFK in week two (31-13).

Hubbard (5-3) at Girard (4-4), 7 p.m.
Hubbard is coming off of a huge victory last week over Lakeview, 30-20, that snapped its three-game losing skid to even its league mark at 2-2. After posting a pair of wins, Girard has dropped its past two against South Range (55-27) and Poland (24-6). The Indians will be playing their final two games at Arrowhead Stadium against Hubbard and Niles next week.

Massillon (6-2) at Harding (6-2), 7 p.m.
The defending Division 2 state champion Massillon Tigers will make their way to Mollenkopf Stadium for a showdown against the Harding Raiders. Massillon has enjoyed seven consecutive double-digit win seasons including last year’s 16-0 finish and a 7-2 victory over Hoban from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for the state crown. Harding has won its last three games by holding its opponents to a total of 20 points during that stretch. The Tigers have posted a pair of wins in October by a score of 86-6 over Football North Inc. (Canada) and Legacy Sports Sciences (TX).

Poland (6-2) at Lakeview (4-4), 7 p.m.
Poland coach Tom Pavlansky returns to Cortland for his Bulldogs to take on Lakeview. Poland has won three of its last 4 games; the only loss during that stretch was to undefeated South Range (38-30). After opening the season with three straight wins, Lakeview has fallen in four of its last 5 contests.

South Range (8-0) at Louisville (3-5), 7 p.m.
The Raiders are stepping out of league play this week after posting a 5-0 mark in the Northeast 8 Conference. They’ll meet Hubbard on the road next week in the season finale. This Friday, South Range takes on Louisville – the Leopards are better than their record indicates as they’ve been involved in five games decided by a touchdown or less (1-4).

Western Reserve (7-1) at Mineral Ridge (4-4), 7 p.m.
Ridge fell this past week to Springfield but has won four of their last six games since opening the year with back-to-back losses to Pymatuning Valley (38-27) and Orange (50-22). Western Reserve rebounded last Friday against Waterloo to get back on track after its first loss of the season to Springfield (12-0). The Blue Devils have won their five road games this year by a combined score of 125-43.

Farrell (4-4) at Reynolds (5-3), 7 p.m.
The Raiders welcome the Steelers. This isn’t a replay of this past Sunday’s game on CBS. Reynolds plays host to Farrell this Friday. Coach Josh Mull’s Raider group put their two-game losing streak in the rearview as they toppled Kennedy Catholic (43-8) on Saturday. Farrell began the season 0-3 after a pair of tough losses to Hickory (by 4) and Fort LeBoeuf (by 1) to rally to win four of its last 5 games.

Titusville (6-2) at Sharon (7-1), 7 p.m .
Sharon has won six games in a row. The Tigers’ defense has allowed an average of 7.9 points during their seven victories this season. Titusville rebounded from its 56-21 loss to Hickory on October 4 with a 42-0 shutout win at Slippery Rock last Friday.

Sharpsville (6-2) at Wilmington (5-2), 7 p.m.
Wilmington has dominated the last eight quarters of football against Reynolds (56-9) and Mercer (49-8). The Greyhounds will finish the regular season slate with Sharpsville and then Karns City. Sharpsville watched its five-game win streak come to a close last Friday at the hands of Farrell (40-21). The Blue Devils will return home next week to face Punxsutawney.

Saturday, October 19
Cleveland Central Catholic (2-6) at Warren JFK (7-1), 7 p.m.
Since dropping a narrow 3-point setback to LaBrae (17-14), the Eagles have won its last five games. Warren JFK has allowed just one team to score 20 points or more this season – Marlington (22). The Ironmen have dropped each of its last five games, their offense has accounted for 18 points during that stretch.

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