PREP PREVIEWS Weekend's games

RAYEN (4-1) vs. EAST LIVERPOOL (3-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wellsville High stadium.
Last meeting: East Liverpool won 19-0 last year.
Scouting report: Running backs Jim Lyons and Lou Ward each scored two touchdowns for the Potters, who built a 31-7 lead en route to a 38-21 win over Campbell. The Potters, who have beaten Rayen the past three years, have been shut out twice this year -- by Mooney and Beaver Local. Rayen's speedy defense forced seven turnovers en route to a 49-8 win over Canton Timken last Friday. This is the Tigers' best start since 1997, when they started 5-1 and finished 6-3. They also started 5-1 in 1996.
CHANEY (2-3) vs. POLAND (1-4)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Poland High stadium.
Last meeting: Chaney won 14-7 last year.
Scouting report: After two straight wins, Chaney fell behind 16-0 to Newark on Friday and lost 16-12. Lamar Sykes had 83 yards rushing for the Cowboys, who will probably have to win out to have a chance at their fifth straight playoff appearance. Chaney has beaten Poland seven of the last eight years. Bulldog senior Jim Shurilla had 30 carries for 147 yards as Poland won its first game of the year on Friday, dropping Niles 24-6.
MASSILLON JACKSON (4-1)vs. FITCH (5-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Falcon stadium.
Last meeting: Jackson won 30-27 in double overtime last year.
Scouting report: The Polar Bears were held to 140 yards rushing in last week's 13-7 overtime loss to GlenOak, which does not bode well for this week. Fitch's defense has given up just 14 points in 20 quarters. Jackson, which has beaten Fitch in five of the last six years, is led by quarterback Chris Kessler and running back Mike Nemeth. Like Fitch, the Polar Bears prefer to stay on the ground, although Kessler is a threat to run or throw. Fitch has two running backs with more than 350 yards rushing -- Mike Eliseo and Dane Stilgenbauer -- and quarterback John Mang attempted just one throw in last week's 22-0 win over McKinley.
MOONEY (3-1)vs. PAINESVILLE RIVERSIDE (2-3)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Riverside stadium.
Last meeting: Mooney won 55-0 last year.
Scouting report: This looks like a mismatch on paper. Two weeks ago, Mooney took Warren Harding to the brink of the defeat for the second straight year before falling 22-20. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week and will be healthy and rested for a Riverside team still licking its wounds after last Friday's 49-0 loss to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. First-year starting quarterback Kyle McCarthy ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Mooney's defense gave up just three points in its first three games. Riverside was the only team to lose to Boardman last year.
WARREN HARDING (4-1)vs. URSULINE (4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Last meeting: Harding won 31-12 last year.
Scouting report: Harding saw its 32-game home winning streak and its 25-game regular season win streak ended last Saturday with a 45-12 loss to Lakewood St. Edward, the defending state runners-up in Division I. Quarterback Roger Matlock had 73 yards passing in the loss, as the Raiders were held to 149 yards of offense. Ursuline, meanwhile, got three touchdowns from standout receiver Derrick Stewart and 130 yards rushing from running back Alex Allen in a 35-21 win over St. Thomas Aquinas. Harding can become the first team in Steel Valley Conference history to win four straight outright league titles.
Radio: WBBW-AM (1240), WNIO-AM (1390), WANR-AM (1570)
SOUTH RANGE (5-0)vs. MCDONALD (4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at McDonald High stadium.
Last meeting: South Range won 33-6 last year.
Scouting report: South Range rolled up 390 yards, including 280 on the ground, in a 55-0 win over Conneaut last Friday. McDonald will focus on stopping RBs Ben Johnston and Tony Darkadakis, but it can't forget about QB John Less, who had three TD passes against Conneaut. The Raiders, last year's Inter-County League champions, have given up just six points over the last three weeks. Tyler Stanley had 175 yards rushing for the Blue Devils in a 41-8 over Western Reserve. McDonald's lone loss came in Week Two against Windham. The Blue Devils have not beaten South Range since 1998.
LIBERTY (4-1) vs. LABRAE (4-1)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. at Friday LaBrae High stadium.
Last meeting: Liberty won 33-0 last year.
Scouting report: Liberty's offense struggled in last week's 21-0 loss to Hubbard, managing just 97 yards on the ground. The Leopards need to do a better job of getting the ball to playmakers Marcellus Bowman and Brandon Cornwell, who can score in a hurry. They'll also need to stop LaBrae junior quarterback, who completed 30 of 48 passes for 276 yards in a 41-20 win over Lakeview. Dan Hartman caught two TD passes in the win and also had an interception return for a touchdown. LaBrae's lone loss came at Crestview (35-28) in Week Two.
LAKEVIEW (3-2) vs. HUBBARD (4-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hubbard stadium.
Last meeting: Lakeview won 13-12 in overtime last year.
Scouting report: After watching LaBrae attack through the air in last week's loss, Lakeview will now have to deal with Hubbard's potent ground game. Running backs Ben Lane (85 yards, two TDs) and Tony Giancola (106 yards, 1 TD) led an Eagle running game that rolled up 261 yards in last week's 21-0 win over Liberty. After a Week One cancellation, the Eagles have won four straight. Lakeview's Matt Kohuth ran for 60 yards and scored twice. The Bulldogs' other loss came against Howland in Week Three.
TV/Radio: WBBG-FM (106.1)
Vindicator staff report