PREVIEW Friday night football

CHANEY (5-1) vs. SLIPPERY ROCK (5-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Notebook: Chaney continues to push for the playoffs. After a 14-7 win over Poland last week, the Cowboys are fourth in the Division II, Region 7 computer ratings. Mike Hall ran for both touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Slippery Rock coach Clyde Conti is in his second year with the Rockets but is a 24-season veteran at several schools, with 149 career wins. Sophomore Sean Ray is the wingback in the Wing-T offense. In five games Ray has 660 yards on 59 carries (11.2-yard average) and nine TDs. Senior HB Travis Sarver has 549 yards on 94 carries and nine more TDs. Sophomore QB Ben Collins has passed for 514 yards, completing nearly 50 percent, with six TD aerials and just one interception. The top receiver is Mike McCaffrey with nine catches for 231 yards and two scores. The Rockets have rushed for 1,660 yards, or over 300 yards per start. MLB Rich Lee is the go-to guy on defense. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Lee had 19 tackles against Hickory. Although small at 5-9, 180, DT Steve Wagner has eight quarterback sacks. Slippery Rock is ninth in the Class AA Pennsylvania state poll.
CARDINAL MOONEY (5-1) vs. CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC (4-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Klinefelter Stadium, Canton.
Last meeting: Canton Central Catholic won 13-10 in 1997. The Cardinals are 5-6-1 all-time against the Crusaders.
Notebook: Mooney travels to Canton for the first of two straight road games. The Cardinals are coming off a 28-7 victory over Austintown Fitch in which their defense again proved dominant and balanced while stuffing the Falcons. Ron Stoops and Anthony Childs had interceptions, and Michael Rich scored two rushing TDs for Mooney, which moved into the top spot of the Div. IV, Region 13 computer ratings. The Cardinals, who also are ranked fourth in the state, must avoid looking ahead to a showdown the following week against Cleveland Benedictine, the state's top-ranked team in Div. III.
POLAND (4-2, 2-1) vs. SALEM (3-3, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Reilly Stadium, Salem.
Last meeting: Salem won 34-30 last year.
Notebook: The Bulldogs enter this Metro Athletic Conference game with last year's on their mind. Salem went to Poland and pulled out a victory that helped to revitalize the program. Both teams, who are one game behind first-place Howland, are coming off losses -- Salem fell to Howland 46-20, while Poland lost to Chaney 14-7. The Quakers are led by QB Landon Heath, WR Zac Grey and RB Lance Buckley. Poland WR Dave Koval had nine catches for 134 yards last week against Chaney.
Radio: WSOM-AM (600)
MCDONALD (3-3, 3-0) vs.SOUTH RANGE (6-0, 3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at South Range High Stadium.
Last meeting: South Range won 24-0 last year.
Notebook: While South Range has been on a roll, outscoring six opponents 157-45, McDonald lost its first three games to non-league opponents. The Raiders, ranked eighth by the Associated Press and third in the computer ratings, are led by QB Ryan Maxwell (65 carries for 357 yards, 36-for-64 passing for 591); RB Ben Johnston (543 yards on 88 carries, 11 catches for 217); and RB Tony Darkadakis (63 carries for 397 yards). McDonald is paced by FB Andrew Presco (about 390 yards), Mike Dickson (about 375) and Tyler Stanley (more than 300 yards). QB Bob Ovesny has passed for more than 500 yards, hitting Dickson alone for 10 completions and 260 yards.
MINERAL RIDGE (5-1, 3-0) vs.LOWELLVILLE (5-1, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Lowellville High Stadium.
Last meeting: Lowellville won 54-18 last year.
Notebook: The Rams are tied for first place in the ICL with teams from the league's other top game between South Range and McDonald. After losing its season opener to Leetonia, Mineral Ridge has reeled off five straight victories, including shutouts in the last two weeks, to stand eighth in the Div. V, Region 17 computer ratings. QB Chris Ault keyed the Rams' 28-0 victory last week over Jackson-Milton. He passed for two TDs and ran for another. RB Jeff Peterson ran for 113 yards and Jack Noble had two interceptions as Lowellville defeated Springfield 34-8.
TV: Fox 17/62 tape delay at 10:30 p.m.
LAKEVIEW (4-2, 2-1) vs.LIBERTY (4-2, 2-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Liberty High Stadium.
Last meeting: Lakeview won 34-14 last year.
Notebook: These teams will try to keep pace with Trumbull Athletic Conference leader Girard, which plays at Champion. Kicker Jim McHale scored all of Lakeview's points last week in a 13-12 win over Hubbard. He had a 20-yard TD reception and also kicked 37- and 27-yard field goals. The Bulldogs are 10th in this week's Div. III, Region 9 computer ratings. Liberty rolled past LaBrae 33-0 as Mike Marvin scored on runs of 59, 3 and 2 yards. QB Brian Jones also passed for two TDs.
Radio: WBBG-FM (106.1).
-- Vindicator staff report