PREP PREVIEW This week’s other games

LEETONIA (5-2)
vs. McDONALD (6-1)

Game time: Friday, 7 p.m. at McDonald.
Last meeting: In 2006, Leetonia won, 14-7.
Common opponents: Both teams have defeated Western Reserve and Southern. McDonald’s wins were close (10-8 over Southern, 17-13 over Western Reserve). Leetonia had larger margins of victory (34-7 over Southern, 29-20 over Western Reserve).
Notebook: At stake is first place in the Inter Tri-County League Tier Two standings. The Bears and Blue Devils are tied for first with 4-0 records. The winner of this contest most likely will qualify for the Division VI playoffs. In this week’s Region 21 computer playoff ratings, McDonald is ranked seventh and Leetonia is ninth. The top eight teams in each region qualify for Week 11. McDonald’s loss was to Mineral Ridge (24-14). Leetonia was defeated by Columbiana (24-21, overtime) and Mathews (23-20). In last week’s win over Western Reserve, Leetonia’s Jaime Milsom rushed for 202 yards on 15 carries and scored the game’s final touchdown. In McDonald’s surprising squeaker in Salineville, Jack Breegle’s 32-yard field goal in the fourth quarter produced the winning points. Alex Sampson rushed for 98 yards on 19 carries.

LOWELLVILLE (4-3)
vs. WESTERN RESERVE (3-4)

Game time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Western Reserve.
Last meeting: In 2006, Western Reserve won, 26-12.
Common opponents: Both have played Wellsville and Leetonia. The Blue Devils lost to Leetonia (29-20) but defeated Wellsville (29-15). The Rockets edged Wellsville (17-14) and lost to Leetonia (34-31).
Notebook: In last week’s home win over Wellsville, the Rockets needed Vince Travaline’s fourth-quarter interception to seal the victory. John Lyras and Joe Depasquale led Lowellville’s offense with 102 and 87 yards rushing, respectively. Quarterback Shane Ewing passed for 258 yards (19 for 32) and two touchdowns in Western Reserve’s loss at Leetonia.

LIBERTY (5-2)
vs. BROOKFIELD (5-2)

Game time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Brookfield.
Last meeting: In 2006, Liberty won, 28-3.
Common opponents: Both lost to Lakeview (28-23 for Liberty, 33-20 for Brookfield) and Girard (31-30 for Liberty, 23-0 for Brookfield). Both defeated Newton Falls.
Notebook: Neither team is likely to be playing in Week 11. With two league losses, the Leopards need a lot of help if they hope to tie first-place Lakeview. In last week’s loss to Lakeview, Liberty’s defenders couldn’t stop tailback Ben Moody who rushed for rushed for 170 yards (most late in the game). Liberty’s Fitzgerald Toussaint was limited to 98 yards on 18 carries. In the Warriors’ 26-20 win over LaBrae, quarterback Devin O’Brien hit Matt Palumbo with a 55-yard scoring toss for the game’s final points. O’Brien completed 8 of 12 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

CHAMPION (4-3)
vs. HUBBARD (4-3)

Game time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Hubbard.
Last meeting: In 2006, Hubbard won, 28-0.
Common opponents: Both have played LaBrae, Lakeview, Newton Falls and Girard. Hubbard is 3-1 against them while Champion is 1-3. However, Champion took Lakeview into double overtime before losing, 34-27.
Notebook: Last week, Hubbard knocked Girard out of first place in the TAC with a 33-14 pounding. Quarterback Marc Kanetsky threw three touchdown passes for the Eagles. In Champion’s 49-22 win over Newton Falls, Chris Wildman rushed for 253 yards and five touchdowns.

LABRAE (3-4)
vs. GIRARD (4-3)

Game time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Girard.
Last meeting: In 2006, LaBrae won, 21-14.
Common opponents: Both have played Hubbard, Champion, Liberty and Brookfield. The Indians are 3-1 against them while the Vikings are 1-3.
Notebook: Girard is ninth in this week’s Region 13 computer playoff ratings. Their Week 9 opponent is first-place Lakeview. In last week’s loss to Brookfield, the Vikings’ Cameron Truss rushed for 209 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Vindicator sports staff