PREP PREVIEWS | This weekend's games

SALEM (5-1, 2-0 MAC)vs. CANFIELD (6-0, 1-0)
Game time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Canfield High School.
Last meeting: Canfield won 7-3 last year.
Notebook: The Quakers are off to the best start of Coach Doug Phillips' five seasons in Salem and are the No. 8 team in Division III Region 11 of this week's OHSAA computer ratings. With 1,178 yards in six games, senior tailback J.J. Johnson is on a pace to threaten the Salem single-season record. Quarterback Tom Jesko leads the MAC in passing with 77 yards. Salem's MAC victories have been over Struthers (34-6) and Niles (27-7). Canfield tailback Angelo Babbaro has rushed for 877 yards. The Cardinals' league win was against Howland (35-14).
TV/radio: WYFX- Channel 17/62 (taped at 10:30 p.m.); WSOM-AM 600.
SOUTH RANGE (6-0, 3-0 ICL) vs. MINERAL RIDGE (5-1, 3-0 ICL)
Game time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Mineral Ridge High School.
Last meeting: Ridge won 20-7 last year.
Common opponents: Both teams posted shutout victories over Jackson-Milton and Sebring (48-0 and 62-0 for South Range, 30-0 and 63-0 for Mineral Ridge).
Notebook: Except for a Week 2 nail-biter against Crestview (17-14), the Raiders have been rolling, outscoring their other five opponents by 221-28. This week, South Range was voted the No. 5 Div. V team in the Associated Press poll of Ohio teams. In Region 17 of the computer playoff ratings, South Range is No. 4. The Rams' loss came in Week 2 against Columbiana (21-7), this week's No. 5 team in Div. VI. In their five wins, the Rams have outscored their opponents 155-24. In Region 21 of the computer playoff rankings, the Rams are No. 4.
Radio: WBBW-AM 1240 (taped, 8 a.m. Saturday).
CHANEY (3-2)vs. WOOSTER TRIWAY (2-4)
Game time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Wooster.
Last meeting: First meeting.
Notebook: In Chaney's 27-23 win over Poland last week, Victor Toney, who had been a starting WR with limited time at QB, stepped in under center, composed himself and made plays when Antwan Rice was injured late in the third quarter. When Chaney trailed by nine points with less than nine minutes remaining, Toney scored from 3 yards out. Torrey Johnson's interception set up the TD. "It was a great win, especially in view of the adversity," Cowboys coach Ron Berdis said. "When we were down by nine, the kids banded together and played down the stretch. Hopefully, it'll set the tone for the rest of the season." Chaney's defensive line is composed of DEs Kelvan Elkins and Anthony Kibble and DTs Bill Johnson and Rashad Mathews. Mathews came up with two big fumble recoveries and MLB Lou Franklin had some big plays. "We went into the game thinking had to shut down Brandon Beachum," Berdis said. "But when you take something away, you give something up and quarterback Chris Lovell did well. He threw two TDs in the first half." Triway is a Div. IV school. The Titan's victories were against Tuslaw (27-7) and Canton Timken (41-16). They were defeated by West Holmes (27-0), Smithville (41-7), Waynedale (29-19) and Akron Manchester (27-6).
St. IGNATIUS (4-2)vs. WARREN HARDING (2-4)
Game time: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Warren's Mollenkopf Stadium.
Last meeting: St. Ignatius won 56-0 last year. Harding's star receiver, Mario Manningham, didn't play in that game when the Wildcats converted a Harding turnover into a touchdown on the first play of the game. "It was all downhill from there," Harding coach Thom McDaniels said.
Notebook: Last week, the Raiders snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Ursuline, 42-7. It's a good way to approach Ignatius, which is coming off a 29-26 loss to Massillon Washington. "It's always better to hit them coming off a win, than a loss," McDaniels said of last week's boost. It may be a good sign for the Raiders. "Your last game affects the next game," he said. "We're coming off a win and St. Ignatius is coming off a disappointing loss. How each team handles the outcome of their previous game will impact the next game. It could work to our advantage." Helping RB Dan Herron score five touchdowns and gain 281 yards against Ursuline was Harding's offensive line of center Levi George, guards Matt Cline and Marco Flaminio and tackles Adam Huffman and Justin Boyles. "We tackled a whole lot better and had far fewer missed assignments and that translates into better results," McDaniels said.
LAKEVIEW (4-2, 2-1 TAC) vs. LIBERTY (6-0, 3-0 TAC)
Game time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Stadium.
Last time: Liberty won 24-7 last year.
Notebook: In Trumbull Athletic Conference play, the Bulldogs' victories were over Girard (21-14) and LaBrae (20-6). Last week, Lakeview lost to Hubbard, 31-20. In that game, quarterback Kevin Albert completed 8-of-14 passes for 164 yards. Liberty's TAC wins were over Champion (16-10), Hubbard (42-14) and LaBrae (35-0). In the win over the Vikings, quarterback David Farrell hit Donovan Fletcher with 6- and 73-yard touchdown passes. Robert Hightower scored twice and rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries.
Radio: WBBG-FM 106.1.
LISBON (5-1, 2-1 TCL) vs. COLUMBIANA (6-0, 3-0)
Game time: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Firestone Park, Columbiana.
Last time: The Clippers won 48-20 last year.
Notebook: Both teams started 5-0. Last week, the Blue Devils lost at home to Crestview (21-6) while the Clippers defeated Leetonia (20-6). Lisbon dropped to No. 9 in the Div. V Region 17 computer playoff ratings while the Clippers are No. 1 in Div. VI Region 21. Columbiana also was voted No. 5 in this week's AP poll. Lisbon's Josh Grafton was averaging 123 yards rushing before being limited to 30 yards rushing and 31 receiving against the Rebels. Against the Bears, Columbiana'a Joey Winters rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries.
Vindicator staff report