HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW Weekend football

CARDINAL MOONEY (6-2, 0-1) vs. URSULINE (4-4, 0-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Last meeting: Mooney won 17-14 last year.
Notebook: We know one thing -- one of these parochial rivals will get its first Steel Valley Conference win of the season. It will be interesting to see how each team responds coming off losses last week. The Cardinals were blanked 17-0 by Division III's top team in Cleveland Benedictine, while Ursuline lost to Columbus Watterson in overtime 30-24. Mooney is balanced and will use a number of players to move the ball. The QB is 6-foot-3 senior Ron Stoops (33-of-78 for 493 yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs). Leading RBs are Eric Mariotti (78 carries, 346 yards, 4 TDs) and Michael Rich (58 carries, 290 yards, 9 TDs). The top WRs are Kyle McCarthy (12 catches, 187 yards, 1 TD); Rich (5 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD); and Brad Handel (5 catches, 148 yards, 2 TDs). Top defensive players are DE Dave Zidian, LBs Bob McCabe and Anthony Childs and S Stoops. Ursuline QB Daryll Clark has completed 60 percent of his passes (112-of-187) for 14 TDs and six INTs. Alex Allen (82 carries, 694 yards, 2 TDs) and Terrell Washington (71 carries, 423 yards, 5 TDs) are the Irish's leading rushers. Derrick Stewart is the top WR with 33 catches for 626 yards and five TDs. Mooney is seventh in the Div. IV state poll and fourth in Region 13 of the computer ratings.
TV/radio: Fox 17/62 tape delay at 10:30 p.m.; Warner Cable 16/18; WKBN-AM (570).
AUSTINTOWN FITCH (5-3) vs. BOARDMAN (1-7)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Spartan Stadium.
Last meeting: Fitch won 24-0 last year.
Notebook: The Falcons must avoid a letdown against their rival one week before playing host to nationally-ranked Warren Harding. Coach Neal Kopp's team is eighth in the Div. I, Region 1 computer ratings and most likely needs to win out to qualify for the playoffs. With a win, Boardman could provide a foundation on which to build for next season. The Spartans' only win this season came in a 28-27 overtime victory over Painesville Riverside on Sept. 26. The Boardman defense is allowing 35 points per game, including 40-point outings the last two weeks to Harding and North Canton Hoover.
WARREN HARDING (8-0) vs. MASSILLON (4-4)
Game time: 8 p.m. Saturday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon.
Last meeting: Harding won 31-27 last year.
Notebook: The Raiders, fresh off a 45-21 victory over Stark County's other notable program in Canton McKinley, carry a 19-game regular-season winning streak into one of the state's most storied venues. Harding is ranked third in the nation by USA Today, second in the state poll and third in the Div. I, Region 1 computer ratings. Harding QB Alex Engram, who was named SVC player of the week, completed 11-of-15 passes for 189 yards and two TDs against McKinley. Massillon QB Steve Hymes has completed 90-of-166 passes for 1,249 yards and eight TDs, with eight INTs. Hymes also leads the team in rushing with 95 carries for 315 yards and four TDs. Billy Relford (15 catches, 344 yards, 4 TDs) and Eric Copeland (19 catches, 238 yards, 2 TDs) are the Tigers' top WRs. LB Brock Hymes leads the team in tackles with 48. Massillon is coached by Mooney High graduate Rick Shepas, a former Youngstown State standout.
Radio: WNIO-AM (1390), WANR-AM (1570).
HOWLAND (7-1, 5-0) vs. STRUTHERS (5-3, 3-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Struthers High Stadium.
Last meeting: Howland won 34-14 last year.
Notebook: The Tigers can clinch the Metro Athletic Conference title outright with a win. It would cap their first league title since 1974 when they won the Mahoning Valley Conference. Coach Dick Angle's team is seventh in the Div. II state poll and second in the Region 5 computer ratings. Struthers coach Gary Zetts knows his team will be facing an aggressive defense, a sound special teams and an offense that can mix the run and pass effectively. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are third in the Div. IV, Region 13 computer ratings. They are led by QB Tim Zetts (95-of-162 for 1,066 yards and 7 TDs). The leading rusher is Brian Walton with 98 carries for 408 yards and three TDs, and the top WR is Dave Allen with 34 catches for 398 yards and one TD. LB/DE Jed Hill leads the team in tackles, and Matt Thurick has three INTs.
SOUTH RANGE (8-0, 5-0) vs. MINERAL RIDGE (7-1, 5-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mineral Ridge High stadium.
Last meeting: South Range won 31-0 last year.
Notebook: The winner of this game will be in the driver's seat to win the Inter-County League title. South Range last won it in 2001, while Mineral Ridge shared the title with McDonald in 1998. The Raiders, ranked fourth in the Div. V state poll and third in the Region 17 computer ratings, finish the regular season next week against Western Reserve. South Range is led by players such as QB Ryan Maxwell, RBs Ben Johnston and Tony Darkadakis and OL/LB Russell Dawson. Mineral Ridge is 16th in the Div. V state poll and eighth in the Region 17 ratings. The Rams, who finish their season next week against McDonald, are led by QB Chris Ault and RB Levi Leigh on offense; DLs Denver Goodman and Nick Menichini and LB Mike Austin on defense; and K Brian Palmer on special teams.
Radio: WBBW-AM (1240).
HUBBARD (6-2, 3-2) vs. GIRARD (6-2, 5-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arrowhead Stadium, Girard.
Last meeting: Girard won 27-7 last year.
Notebook: The Indians can secure a share of the Trumbull Athletic Conference title with a victory. They also won the TAC last year. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives. Hubbard is eighth in Div. III, Region 9 of the computer ratings, while Girard is 12th in Div. IV, Region 13. Both teams also are coming off decisive victories last week -- Girard defeated LaBrae 61-7 and Hubbard defeated Champion 49-10.
Radio: WBBG-FM (106.1).
-- Vindicator sports staff