HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW Friday night football

CHANEY (4-3, 1-0) VS. RAYEN (3-4, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Last meeting: Chaney won 52-0 last year.
Notebook: First place in the City Series is at stake. Chaney's league win came against Wilson, 53-0, while Rayen blanked Canton Timken, 30-0. The question is, which Chaney team will show up? The one that defeated state-ranked Poland 38-17 two weeks ago or the one that lost to Cardinal Mooney 17-13 last week? Chaney's strength is running the ball, which QB Justin Hood and RB Ed McElroy do well. McElroy leads the City in rushing with around 1,200 yards. He also has scored 18 TDs. Rayen likes to pass the ball more than Chaney, but starting QB Tahir Page continues to nurse an injured ankle and is doubtful for the game. The Tigers' problems are compounded with injuries to backup QBs Chris Holland (hip) and Keith Ratliff (knee). That leaves the signal-calling duties up to either sophomore Mark Jones or freshman Ryan Wallace. Coach Pete Lymber may have to flip a coin. With three weeks remaining in the season, Chaney is fighting for a playoff berth. The Cowboys, coached by Ron Berdis, are 10th in Division II, Region 5 of this week's computer ratings.
MINERAL RIDGE (5-2, 3-1) VS. LOWELLVILLE (7-0, 4-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Mineral Ridge Stadium.
Last meeting: Lowellville won 26-0 last year.
Notebook: Lowellville beat Springfield Local last week, 38-14. The Rockets are second-ranked in Region 21 of Division VI. Lowellville's backfield comprises of QB Mike Palumbo, TBs Andy Peterson & amp; Jeff Peterson and FB Bill Wharry. C Nick Durse, a junior, has been subbing for Ross Marone who was injured in the J-Milton game. Alongside Durse are LG Andrew Mamula & amp; RG Steve Carchedi and LT Nick Pope & amp; RT Ben Bestic. Lowellville last made the playoffs in 1995. The Rockets will face a Ridge team that has 22 juniors. Ridge runs a lot of one-back and empty sets and line up three receivers to the right and two to the left. Ridge was No. 10 in Region 17 of Division V. Last week, the Rams were nursing a 7-6 lead when Steve Velte broke off a late 55-yard touchdown run to help beat Jackson-Milton, 14-6. Velte, a wingback/receiver who didn't play most of the game because of a sore shoulder suffered in the Springfield game, was inserted in the fourth quarter and only ran twice. Dave Cross, who usually plays defense, also lines up at FB for short-yardage situations. He had Ridge's first TD against JM. Most of the half-dozen Rams who play both ways are linemen. Quarterback Chris Ault, a junior who got his baptism halfway through last season, has thrown for 990 yards, but no one receiver has more than 250. Last season, Ridge didn't throw for a single touchdown. This season, the Rams have thrown for eight TDs.
LISBON (6-1, 4-0) VS.EAST PALESTINE (6-1, 4-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at East Palestine.
Last time: East Palestine won 22-20 last year.
Notebook: After opening with a 34-0 loss to Beaver Local, the Blue Devils have won six straight and are No. 7 in Region 17 of the Division V computer ratings. The turnaround began with a 43-14 blowout of LaBrae. The Blue Devils have four ballcarriers who are threats: quarterback Jay Yorty and running backs Frank Gallo, Jeremaine Lewis and Kevin West. East Palestine's loss was a 16-0 setback in Week 3 at Springfield. That night, quarterback Smitty Kendrew's arm was ailing and the Tigers picked off four passes. The Bulldogs are No. 9 in Div. IV. Region 13 of the computer ratings. Running back J.D. Powers rescued East Palestine in last week's win over Leetonia by rushing for 117 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown. Backup quarterback Andrew Reeves engineered the winning drive after Kendrew was knocked out of the game. Bulldogs coach Brian Blevins said Kendrew tried hurdling two Bears and landed on his injured shoulder. He's questionable for Friday's game. Kendrew has completed 52 of 100 passes for 655 and three touchdowns. He's also rushed 81 times for 559 yards and six touchdowns. Powers has carried 149 times for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns.
-- Staff reports