PREP PREVIEW Friday Night Football

CHANEY (8-1) vs. CANFIELD (3-6)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Canfield High Stadium.
Last meeting: Chaney won 13-7 in 2001.
Notebook: Chaney, coached by Ron Berdis, travels to Canfield with destiny in its hands. If the Cowboys win, they are guaranteed a playoff berth. They are third in Division II, Region 7 of the computer ratings and are coming off a 57-0 pounding of Canton Timken for their eighth straight victory. TB Mike Hall ran for 111 yards and three touchdowns. Canfield, on the other hand, has been eliminated from any postseason possibilities. The Cardinals were shut out by Poland 13-0 last week.
WARREN HARDING (9-0) vs. AUSTINTOWN FITCH (6-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.
Last meeting: Harding won 10-0 last year.
Notebook: The Raiders carry a 20-game regular season winning streak into the game, but they do so without senior TB Delbert Ferguson. The transfer from Ursuline broke his leg in last week's 31-15 win over Massillon. His absence will leave the running duties primarily to senior Richard Davis, but junior TB Jon Richardson, senior FB Dishawn Robinson and sophomore FBs Tony Reed and Jimmy Butts should play larger roles. Harding enters the game as the third-ranked team in the nation by USA Today. The Raiders also took over the top spot in the Ohio Div. I state poll and are second in the Region 1 computer ratings. Fitch's playoff scenario is simple: A win would most likely put it in the playoffs under first-year coach Neal Kopp. The Falcons, 10th in Div. I, Region 1, are coming off a 34-26 victory over Boardman.
Radio: WLLF-FM (96.7).
WARREN JFK (8-1) vs. HOWLAND (8-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Lombardo Stadium, Howland.
Last meeting: Howland won 7-0 last year.
Notebook: After his team defeated Campbell Memorial 47-15 last week, Warren JFK coach Tony Napolet said the Eagles' biggest game of the season was looming in the regular season finale at Howland. Well, here it is. With the postseason fast approaching, these Trumbull County rivals will provide a playoff-type atmosphere. Both teams already have clinched playoff berths, with Howland guaranteeing themselves a home game in the first round. The Tigers, who have won eight straight games, are first in Div. II, Region 5, while the Eagles are second in Div. V, Region 17. Howland TB Tony Davis had 177 yards and two touchdowns last week in a 57-28 victory over Struthers that clinched the Tigers' first Metro Athletic Conference title. QB John DiFiore tossed three touchdown passes in the Eagles' victory.
Radio: WNIO-AM (1390).
MINERAL RIDGE (7-2, 5-1)vs. MCDONALD (5-4, 5-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Burkey Field, McDonald.
Last meeting: Mineral Ridge won 24-7 last year.
Notebook: Mineral Ridge fell short last week in its bid to tie South Range atop the Inter-County League standings. Now, the Rams have a chance for the next-best thing: second place. South Range is playing Western Reserve, which is winless in the league, and the Raiders are expected to secure the crown outright. Both teams also bring playoff aspirations into the game. According to joeeitel.com, the Blue Devils, who are eighth in the Div. VI, Region 21 computer ratings, control their own destiny. Mineral Ridge is ninth in Div. V, Region 17 and will need some help to get in.
GIRARD (6-3, 5-1) vs. LIBERTY (7-2, 5-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Leopard Stadium, Liberty.
Last meeting: Girard won 36-6 last year.
Notebook: With both teams at 5-1 in the Trumbull Athletic Conference, this game will decide the championship. Girard is attempting to win back-to-back TAC titles, while the Leopards are seeking their first conference title since the 2000 season. The winner also will give itself a shot -- albeit slim -- at the postseason. Girard will have to overcome the absence of senior QB Matt Zuppo, who must sit out after being ejected from last week's 33-19 loss to Hubbard. The Indians are 15th in Div. IV, Region 13 of the computer ratings, while Liberty is 12th in Div. IV, Region 13.
TV/Radio: FOX 17/62 tape delay at 10:30 p.m.; WBBG-FM (106.1), WANR-AM (1570).
LEETONIA (6-3, 3-3)vs. COLUMBIANA (8-0, 6-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Firestone Park Stadium, Columbiana.
Last meeting: Leetonia won 21-17 last year.
Notebook: Columbiana already has clinched a share of the Tri-County League championship, and can win it outright by beating struggling Leetonia, which has been outscored 94-7 in consecutive losses the last two weeks. The Clippers haven't won the TCL title since the 1997 season, which also marks their last playoff berth. If Columbiana would happen to falter, it would share the league title with the Lisbon-United winner. Columbiana (sixth in Div. V, Region 17) and Leetonia (ninth in Div. VI, Region 21) also control their own destiny and could make a strong claim for a playoff berth with a win. Columbiana senior QB Adam Fast averages 104 yards passing and 78 yards rushing per game. Much of Leetonia's offense goes through QB Matt Custer and RB Aaron Merrill.
-- Vindicator staff reports