Shawn’s Record
Record Overall: 45-17, .725
Last Week: 15-7, .681
Upset Special: 1-2, .333
WHEELING — What a week of showdowns we have on tap. Ohio hits the midway point and a couple of schools in Buckeye Land have some monumental matchups to look forward to.
Steubenville, which is No. 1 in the Ohio Valley Athletics rankings, takes to the road for the only time this season, to face Dover. Shadyside, fresh off a big road victory at Barnesville, looks to turn the trick again, this time at Wheeling Central.
Wheeling Park, which was off last week because of Covid-19 protocols, faces another stern test from invading University.
Notice I didn’t start out this week by telling you how great my selections are. That’s because I absolutely sucked. Time to get back on track.
Friday
Steubenville 35, Dover 13
The Tornadoes are undefeated. But they haven’t played anyone the likes of Wheeling Park and Olentangy Liberty, which Steubenville has. Yet another statement made by Big Red, this one in their lone road game this season.
Trimble 32, John Marshall 17
Don’t be fooled by the fact the Tomcats are Division-VII in the state of Ohio. They’re annually one of the toughest teams around and bring an undefeated record to Mike Linsky Field at Monarch Stadium.
Oak Glen 25, Point Pleasant 21
The Mothman is generally the scary one. But off a two-week hiatus due to Covid, Ted Arneault and the Golden Bears are hungry for this one.
Martins Ferry 38, Weir 20
I haven’t picked a Red Riders game correctly this season. That’s not a bad omen for the Purple Riders, is it?
Madonna 28, Mathews 10
After watching what Edison did to Mathews last week, I have a feeling the red-hot Blue Dons are going to pick up right where the Wildcats left off.
Shadyside 20, Wheeling Central 18
A clash of the titans on the campus of Wheeling University. This one will be huge for the victor, given how many bonus points will be available come playoff time.
Clay-Battelle 37, Beallsville 14
The Cee-Bees simply have a little too much for the Blue Devils.
Trinity 19, Paden City 13
This should be a good matchup between two of the smaller squads (numbers-wise) in the state of West Virginia.
Tyler Consolidated 29, Calhoun County 23
If you haven’t seen the Silver Knights’ new digs, do yourself a favor and check them out. They’re absolutely beautiful.
Frontier 31, Valley 7
Do you think the Cougars are going to be more than a little upset after that thumping Cameron administered last week?
St. Clairsville 38, Indian Creek 12
Nobody expected Indian Creek to be 0-4 at this point. It doesn’t get easier with a St. Clairsville team that has found its stride up next.
Harrison Central 25, East Liverpool 24
I’m not sure what to think of the Huskies at this point, but give them the nod based on home-field advantage.
Edison 26, Beaver Local 23
These two teams seem pretty evenly matched. It’s a toss up.
Lakota 28, Toronto 22
The Raiders have played the tougher schedule thus far.
Buckeye Local 54, Monroe Central 37
Break up the Panthers, who are looking for two in a row. The Seminoles are scoring a lot of points (33.0 per game), but giving up even more (45.8).
Barnesville 33, River 31
Two old rivals meet up again in the land of the Shamrocks. Home team wins.
Union Local 34, Shenandoah 24
The J-E-T-S — Jets, Jets, Jets — move to 4-0 under the direction of Coach Bernie Thompson.
Indian Valley 18, Buckeye Trail 17
The Warriors have been in every game this season, they just haven’t come out on top of enough of them at this point.
Bridgeport 22, Federal Hocking 20
Someone has to earn their first victory, and it may as well be the Bulldogs.
Saturday
Wheeling Park 22, University 21
Call it a hunch, because what else can it really be? These are two evenly matched teams with the Hawks entering as the No. 2 squad in West Virginia. Too much speed for the Patriots.
Windham 27, Steubenville Catholic Central 21
A tough matchup at Harding Stadium, but the Bombers come away with a victory.
Bellaire 32, Cambridge 14
The Big Reds are for real, folks. And they’re going to prove it again against the Bobcats.
*Postponed by Covid: Cameron at Magnolia, Linsly at Princeton, Brooke at North Marion,
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