PREP FOOTBALL | Weekend previews

SPRINGFIELD (7-2, 4-2 ICL)vs. MINERAL RIDGE (7-2, 5-1 ICL)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Mineral Ridge.
Last meeting: The Rams won 9-0 last year.
Common opponents: Both teams lost to South Range (27-0 for Springfield, 28-7 for Mineral Ridge). The Rams defeated Lowellville, 21-6, while the Tigers lost to the Rockets, 27-26 in Week 4.
Notebook: The Rams can earn a share of the ICL title if they win and South Range loses to Lowellville. Mineral Ridge has outscored its opponents, 273-99. In last week's 56-19 win over Western Reserve, John Hack and Micah Hall combined for 264 rushing yards and four scores. The Rams are No. 4 in this week's computer playoff ratings for Division VI Region 21. Springfield is coming off its loss to South Range that was triggered by a fumble in the end zone on a punt attempt and an interception on the Tigers' next offensive play. "Since the Lowellville game, we've played some pretty good defense," Springfield coach John Smith said. "We did some positive things in the first half [against South Range]. Defensively, we gave up one big touchdown play early on but turnovers ... we talked about holding on to the football, not having penalties and not [allowing] free runners and unfortunately, those things happened." The Tigers are No. 10 in Region 17 of the computer playoff ratings.
Radio: None.
FITCH (4-5, 3-3 Federal)
vs. BOARDMAN (1-8, 1-5 Federal)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Boardman Spartan Stadium.
Last meeting: Fitch won 31-6 last year.
Notebook: D.J. Ogilvie says the Spartans' program is much further along than last year and that translates into more confidence. Several areas of Boardman's game have made strides over recent weeks, such as the defense and offensive line. In the secondary, junior strong safety Michael Weiser has been around the ball a lot, making nine tackles in a narrow 15-13 loss to Massillon Jackson. Junior OLB Justin Powell also played well and senior ILB Anthony Porter is Boardman's top tackler with 48. "Fitch is probably the most physical team we'll have played all year as far as the way their running backs run and the way their offensive line comes off the ball," Ogilvie said. "They go toe-to-toe with other people. Even our kids watching game film came away impressed with Fitch's offensive line." Spartan defenders hoping to meet the challenge are junior NG Chris Anzevino, Powell, an outside linebacker; sophomore OLB Eric Polen and senior DTs Rob Fernback and Jeremy Morales. Fitch coach Neal Kopp agrees that Boardman is improved from last year. "No question. They had opportunities to win against Hoover and Jackson. The only game they didn't play well in this second half of the season was GlenOak." He thinks Friday's game will be much tighter game than last year. "We have to be concerned about ourselves. When we execute and played well, we can compete with anyone. When we're sloppy and give up big plays, we'll struggle. The last two games, we didn't have turnovers, yet we had five takeaways and we established the running game. Defensively, we played well against the run all year. We're one of the top teams in the Federal against the run. Early on, we were giving up big plays through the air. But we did nice job against GlenOak which is one of the better throwing teams we'll see all year. We played zone to take pressure off of those playing man." Kopp said that the longer the Boardman game stays tight, the better chance Boardman has of winning. "Come the fourth quarter, anything can happen," he said.
Trophy: Fitch has won the Optimist Trophy the last three years and a win Friday will give the Falcons a 4-3 Federal record and the chance to potentially share third place. "Our kids have a lot to play for. In muddy conditions, whatever team is able to establish the run and sustain drives and put points on the board will be the team to win," Kopp said. "I don't think it'll be high-scoring and turnovers could be critical."
Radio: WKBN-AM 570.
CRESTVIEW (8-1, 6-0 TCL)
vs. COLUMBIANA (9-0, 6-0 TCL)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Columbiana's Firestone Park.
Last meeting: Crestview won 25-18 last year.
Notebook: The Clippers are the No. 1 team in Region 21 of the computer playoff ratings and the No. 3 team in the Associated Press poll of the state's Division VI schools. "They are quick with a lot of outstanding athletes and we'll have to play one of our best games," Crestview coach Paul Cusick said. "They are very athletic and I am not sure whether there is an advantage either line because we match up pretty even. They have a lot of skilled kids back in their backfield and I think we match up just about even there, too." The Rebels' only loss came in Week 2 in a nail-biter against South Range (17-14). They are ranked No. 7 in Region 17 of the playoff ratings.
Radio: None.
GIRARD (3-6, 2-4 TAC)
vs. LIBERTY (9-0, 6-0 TAC)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Liberty.
Last meeting: Last year, Liberty won, 38-23.
Notebook: Last week, Liberty clinched the Trumbull Athletic Conference championship with a 21-0 win over Brookfield. The Leopards are 6-0 in the TAC and are the No. 5- ranked team in Div. III Region 9. Senior TB Robert Hightower scored two TDs in last week's win.
Radio: WBBG-FM 106.1.
WARREN JFK (8-1)vs. HOWLAND (4-5, 1-4)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Howland.
Last meeting: Last year, JFK won, 21-20.
Common opponents: Both teams defeated Struthers -- Howland, 58-37; JFK, 34-21.
Notebook: Howland has lost four of five league games, including last week to Salem (30-14). Howland's Lance Smith ran 27 times for 112 yards and a 1-yard touchdown. This year, Smith has carried 202 times for 1,572 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Tigers. JFK's last outing was a 54-14 win over Campbell. The Eagles' only loss was to Girard, 33-29, on Sept. 9 (Week 3). The Eagles are the No. 3-team in Region 17 of the playoff ratings.
Radio: None.
CARDINAL MOONEY (8-1)vs. BISHOP WATTERSON (8-1)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Watterson High, Columbus.
Last meeting: Last year, Mooney won, 14-10.
Common opponent: Mooney defeated Ursuline, 19-14, while Watterson defeated the Irish, 21-6.
Notebook: Mooney clinched the Steel Valley Conference title with the win over Ursuline. The Cardinals are this week's No. 3 team in the AP poll of Div. IV teams and are the top team in Region 13 in the playoff ratings. Watterson is the No. 3 team in Div. II Region 7 of the playoff ratings (one spot behind Canfield) and the No. 7 team in the AP state poll.
Radio: None.
SOUTH RANGE (9-0, 6-0 ICL)vs. LOWELLVILLE (5-4, 4-2 ICL)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lowellville.
Last meeting: The Raiders won 48-6 last year.
Notebook: South Range has clinched a share of the ICL title. A Raiders victory or a Mineral Ridge loss to Springfield will give them the title outright. Ridge is defending champion. Range has outscored its opponents, 333-52. Their only close call came in Week 2 against Crestview (17-14). They are ranked No. 2 in this week's AP Div. V poll and No. 3 team in Region 17 of the playoff ratings. The Rockets have a shot at the playoffs as they are the No. 9 team in Region 21. In Lowellville's 55-0 win over Sebring, Lucas Gonzalez and Jon Calderon each rushed nine times for 106 yards. Gonzalez scored three touchdowns covering 18, 10 and 5 yards. Calderon scored on carries of 11 and 1 yards as the Rockets shot out to a 41-0 lead at the break.
Radio: None.
CANFIELD (9-0, 4-0 MAC)vs. POLAND (4-5, 3-1 MAC)
Game time: Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Poland High School.
Last meeting: Last year, Canfield won, 25-15.
Common opponents: Canfield has swept its Metro Athletic Conference opponents, including Niles (38-7). Poland's league loss came last week to the Red Dragons (28-7).
Notebook: With a win, the Cardinals, ranked No. 4 in the AP Div. II poll, will clinch the MAC title outright. The Cardinals are No. 2 in Region 7 of the computer ratings and have clinched a playoff berth.
Radio: WNIO-AM 1390.
Vindicator staff reports