PREP PREVIEW This weekend's games

CANFIELD (3-0) VS. CHANEY (1-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium
Last meeting: Chaney won 55-13 last year.
Scouting report: Did anyone think Canfield would be undefeated at this point? The Cardinals proved they were for real last Friday, stopping talented Alliance running back Kendall Davis in a 14-2 win over the Aviators. Quarterback Jamie McNally has been efficient and the Cardinals have showed a good run/pass balance. The defense has been terrific, but it faces another tough challenge from Chaney, which shook off opening losses to Fitch and Northwest to pound Boardman 47-14. Rick Hlinka threw for 209 yards and Lamar Sykes added 83 yards on the ground for the Cowboys. Dan Balog added two interception returns for touchdowns.
MASSILLON PERRY (1-2) VS. FITCH (3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Falcon Stadium, Austintown
Last meeting: Fitch won 21-19 last year.
Scouting report: The Falcons open Federal League play against a Perry team still trying to find itself. The Panthers, who replaced longtime coach Keith Wakefield in the offseason, struggled in opening losses to Wooster (28-10) and Canton Central Catholic (21-0), but got back on track against Hilliard Darby (26-7). Problem is, they'll need to play a lot better to hang with Fitch, which has been dominant at times this year. QB John Mang and RBs Mike Eliseo and Dane Stilgenbauer lead a powerful Fitch running game, but Mang can also throw it when he wants. The Falcon defense is deep and talented and has surrendered just two touchdowns this season.
HOWLAND (3-0) VS. POLAND (0-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Poland High Stadium
Last meeting: Howland won 24-14 last year.
Scouting report: Despite losing a lot of talent from last year's team, Howland has barely missed a beat, rolling to wins over Cleveland East (35-6), Erie Central (38-3) and Lakeview (34-18). Lance Smith has established himself as one of the area's most exciting players. The Tigers have won two straight against the Bulldogs, who are trying to find themselves after a shaky start. Poland is 0-3 for the first time since 1991, when it finished 2-8. The Bulldogs have not gone 0-4 to start a season since 1985, when they lost their first nine games. Poland is young and has looked good at times, but the Bulldogs will have to play their best game of the season if they want to pull the upset.
MINERAL RIDGE (3-0)VS. SPRINGFIELD (3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Springfield High Stadium.
Last meeting: Mineral Ridge won 33-0 last year.
Scouting report: Mineral Ridge isn't quite as explosive as last season, when it rolled to a surprising win over the young Tigers. But running backs Levi Leigh and Micah Hall have been impressive, helping Ridge to wins over Leetonia, Columbiana and United. The Rams are in the midst of a four-game stretch of road games and can't afford to drop a league game with South Range still looming. Neither can Springfield, which has looked very impressive in its opening three games. The Tigers ran for 327 yards in last week's win over East Palestine, led by Melio Rios' 200.
CRESTVIEW (2-1) VS. LISBON (1-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium, Lisbon
Last meeting: Lisbon won 24-17 last year.
Scouting report: Crestview has lived up to its preseason hype so far, gaining impressive wins over Lowellville and LaBrae, while giving South Range all it could handle in Week Two. Dave Myers had an impressive game against LaBrae, running for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The Rebels have a big test in their Tri-County League opener, as Lisbon will look to rebound from a heartbreaking 20-19 loss to Wellsville. The game could go a long way toward deciding the TCL title.
MOONEY (3-0)VS. WARREN HARDING (3-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Mollenkopf Stadium
Last meeting: Harding won 21-19. The Raiders have won four straight against Mooney.
Scouting report: After coming so close to knocking off the Raiders last year, you can be sure the Cardinals are eager for another chance. Mooney is coming off wins against East Liverpool, St. Thomas Aquinas and East Cleveland Shaw and its defense has surrendered just three points. A tough Mooney defense? So what else is new? The Raiders, meanwhile, looked very impressive in a 35-0 win over previously unbeaten Akron Buchtel. Mario Manningham played a big role in the win over Cleveland Glenville, but quarterback Roger Matlock and running back Dan Herron took center stage against the Griffins. Talented Harding skill players? So what else is new? Harding has a 24-game regular season win streak and hasn't lost since falling to Cincinnati Elder in 2001. Raiders coach Thom McDaniels has won four straight against Mooney.
Vindicator staff report