PREP PREVIEW Weekend football

CHANEY (0-1)vs. CANAL FULTON NORTHWEST (1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Northwest High stadium.Last meeting: First meeting.Notebook: The Indians, who advanced to the regional finals last season, should provide another tough test for Chaney, which will be forced to bounce back quickly from a 40-7 loss to Fitch. In that game, the Cowboys, who lost tackle Ira Gaines to injury, struggled to run the ball effectively. That wasn't the case for Northwest junior running back Scott Weber, who rushed for 213 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-12 win over Wooster Triway, also a playoff team last year. This marks the second of three straight road games for the Cowboys.
FITCH (1-0)vs. ERIE CATHEDRAL PREP (0-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Falcon Stadium.Last meeting: Cathedral Prep won 28-16 in 1995.Notebook: Coach Neal Kopp's Falcons will be tested by a physical Cathedral Prep team that contains good skill players. Cathedral Prep went 7-5 last season, winning the District 10 title and qualifying for the PIAA playoffs. However, Prep lost 16 of 22 starters from that team. The Ramblers are ranked fifth in Quad-A of the Pennsylvania Football News' preseason poll. Senior linebacker Andre Mathis (6-2, 226), senior strong safety James Carson (6-0, 210) and senior tackle Joe Blanks (6-3, 311) are attracting attention from Division I colleges. The Falcons counter with senior playmakers in quarterback John Mang (118 yards rushing last week) and running back Mike Eliseo (139 yards).
URSULINE (1-0) vs. STEUBENVILLE (1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.Last meeting: Steubenville won 19-16 last year.Notebook: Ursuline coach Dan Reardon can sleep a little easier, now that he's made his head-coaching debut -- a 34-7 win over Boardman. That doesn't mean he can relax. The Irish gear for power Steubenville, who routed Cleveland JFK 34-0 in its opener. In that game, the Big Red totaled 348 yards and were led by senior tailback Gary Stubbs, who rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Ursuline's top running back isn't too bad either -- senior Alex Allen eclipsed the 200-yard mark and scored two touchdowns against the Spartans.Radio: WKBN-AM (570), WBBW-AM (1240).
STRUTHERS (0-1) vs. WARREN JFK (1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium. Last meeting: Struthers won 19-7 last year.Notebook: You can bet the Eagles are seeking redemption following their loss to the Wildcats last season. It was one of only three losses JFK suffered through 14 games of the 2003 season. Tony Elzy jump-started JFK's attack last week in a 35-23 win over Newton Falls. Elzy ran for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles totaled 326 yards on the ground. Struthers lost to Liberty 19-13 in coach Pete Pirone Jr.'s coaching debut. Eric Anderson ran for 104 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats.
SOUTH RANGE (1-0) vs. CRESTVIEW (1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at South Range High stadium.Last meeting: South Range won 21-7 last year.Notebook: Both teams are coming off decisive wins in their season openers -- the Raiders 42-15 over East Palestine and the Rebels 34-6 over Lowellville. South Range likes to keep the ball on the ground with its physical running backs Ben Johnston (100 yards, three TDs) and Tony Darkadakis (76 yards, two TDs). On the other hand, Crestview did most of its damage through the air behind junior quarterback Jordan Reynolds, who threw for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the opener. The Rebels have just six seniors.
CARDINAL MOONEY (1-0)vs. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.Last meeting: Mooney won 35-10 last year.Notebook: The Cardinals come home after an impressive 26-0 win at East Liverpool in which they scored four rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Kyle McCarthy scored twice, while Mike Rich and Nate Burney added one each. The Knights didn't get in as much game action as Mooney last week. That's because their game with Akron Springfield was finalized with 1 minute, 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Marcus Williams had touchdown runs of 74 and 13 yards, and Mike McClelland returned an interception 17 yards for a score before the game was called because of lightning with Aquinas ahead 20-0. Aquinas is coached by Ursuline High graduate Tim Tyrrell, who played at Youngstown State from 1995-97.Radio: WKBN-AM (570).
Vindicator staff report