PIGSKIN PREVIEWS This weekend's games

BOARDMAN (0-9, 0-6)vs. FITCH (8-1, 5-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Boardman Spartan Stadium.
Last meeting: Fitch won 34-26 last year.
AP poll: Fitch is sixth in Division I.
Computer ratings: Fitch is second in Region 1.
Notebook: Fitch was dealt two huge blows last Friday, losing to GlenOak and, maybe more importantly, losing running back Mike Eliseo and lineman Shane Price to injuries. The Falcons have already clinched a playoff spot and can win the Federal League title outright with a win over the Spartans, who have lost two straight to Fitch. The Falcons will try to build a big early lead and rest their starters. Boardman, however, hung tough with Massillon Jackson last Friday and the Spartans would like nothing more than to shock their arch-rivals.
TV/Radio: WKBN-AM (570)
MOONEY (6-2)vs. COLUMBUS WATTERSON (8-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Last meeting: First meeting.
AP poll: Watterson is fourth in Div. III. Mooney is seventh in Div. IV.
Computer ratings: Watterson is second in Div. III, Region 10. Mooney is fifth in Div. IV, Region 13.
Notebook: Mooney can't afford to celebrate Saturday's win over Ursuline, since Watterson is one of the top teams in the state. Cardinals running back Nate Burney ran for six touchdowns against the Irish to earn Steel Valley Conference player of the week honors for the second straight week. Watch out for Watterson running back Mike Kundla, who had three touchdowns on four carries in a win over Ursuline two weeks ago.
TV/Radio: WBBW-AM (1240)
WARREN HARDING (7-2)vs. AKRON HOBAN (8-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Dowed Field.
Last meeting: First meeting.
AP poll: Harding is sixth in Div. I. Hoban is fifth in Div. III.
Computer ratings: Harding is first in Region 1. Hoban is first in Region 9.
Notebook: Both teams have already clinched playoff berths and the winner clinches a home game, while the loser will have to hope for help. Harding senior wideout/running back Mario Manningham, who has gained a reputation for scorching Massillon in his career, scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Tigers last Saturday. Tyrell Sutton, on the other hand, has gained a reputation for scorching everyone. The Northwestern recruit has already set the Ohio record for career rushing yards.
If you go: Take I-76 west to Akron, exit at Arlington/Kelly Ave. Bear right on 5th Avenue, follow through the traffic light at Arlington. Go up the hill to the stop sign. Turn Right on Inman. Stadium is on the right.
EAST LIVERPOOL (6-3)vs. CANFIELD (6-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Canfield High stadium.
Computer ratings: East Liverpool is 11th in Div. II, Region 7 and Canfield is seventh.
Notebook: After a three-game losing streak in midseason, Canfield has regained its swagger with wins over Salem and Poland. The Cardinals can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. Jamie McNally had 76 yards passing and 41 yards rushing in Friday's 35-15 win over Poland. East Liverpool's three losses have come against Steubenville, Beaver Local and Mooney.
ALLIANCE (7-2, 4-1) vs. NILES (5-4, 4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bo Rein Stadium.
Last meeting: Alliance won 16-13 last year.
Computer ratings: Alliance is eighth in Div. III, Region 11. Niles is 12th in Region 9.
Notebook: Talented senior running back Kendell Davis leads the Aviators into Bo Rein with the Metro Athletic Conference title on the line. Running back Steve Love and quarterback Charles Babb are also threats for Alliance. After a 1-4 start, Niles has won four straight, including last Friday's come-from-behind win over Salem. Niles' Jared Sears had 102 yards rushing and Bryan Butto added 89 yards, including the game-winning touchdown, against the Quakers.TV/Radio: WNIO-AM (1390)
HOWLAND (6-3) vs. WARREN JFK (7-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium.
Last meeting: Howland won 34-14 last year.
Computer ratings: Warren JFK is 11th in Div. V, Region 17.
Notebook: Howland is playing for pride and JFK is playing for the playoffs. Both, of course, are also playing for crosstown bragging rights in one of the area's biggest rivalries. The Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-6 win over Struthers last Friday. JFK running back Tony Elzy continued his stellar season with 184 yards in last week's 32-20 win over Campbell.
SOUTH RANGE (8-1, 4-1)vs. SPRINGFIELD (7-2, 4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Springfield High stadium.
Last meeting: South Range won 13-7 last year in overtime.
AP poll: South Range is ninth in Div. V.
Computer ratings: South Range is eighth in Region 17 and Springfield is 10th.
Notebook: A playoff berth is on the line for both teams (as if this game needed any extra incentive), who need to win and hope Mineral Ridge loses to Western Reserve to gain a share of the Inter-County League title. The Raiders will rely on senior running backs Ben Johnston and Tony Darkadakis, who both topped 100 yards in last week's win over Western Reserve. For Springfield, watch out for RB Melio Rios and QB Andrew Schuler.
LIBERTY (8-1, 5-1) vs. GIRARD (6-3, 3-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arrowhead Stadium, Girard
Last meeting: Liberty won 35-24 last year.
AP poll: Liberty is 13th in Div. IV.
Computer ratings: Liberty is sixth in Region 13 and Girard is 11th.
Notebook: Chris Harden had 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns and Marcellus Bowman added two touchdowns for the Leopards in last Friday's 28-7 win over Brookfield. The Leopards, whose only loss came to Hubbard, can win a share of the Trumbull Athletic Conference title with a win over Girard and an Eagles loss. Girard QB Bobby Ovesny threw for 323 yards in last Friday's loss to Hubbard.
TV/Radio: WBBG-FM (106.1)
URSULINE (5-4)vs. ERIE CATHEDRAL PREP (5-3)
Game time: 7 p.m. Saturday at Mineral Ridge High stadium.
Last meeting: The teams tied 7-7 in 1988.
Computer ratings: Ursuline is eighth in Region 13.
Notebook: It's win or go home for the Irish, who have lost three straight since beating Warren Harding. Ursuline's run defense continued to struggle on Saturday, surrendering seven rushing touchdowns to Mooney after being victimized in consecutive weeks by Hoban and Watterson. Running back Alex Allen had three touchdowns against the Cardinals. Ursuline has played one of the area's toughest schedules, but it doesn't get any easier this week. Erie Prep gave Fitch all it could handle earlier in the season before the Falcons won 8-0.
TV/Radio: WKBN-AM (570), WBBW-AM (1240)
Vindicator staff report