Undecided on what game to take in this weekend? There’s some solid matchups. Let’s start

Undecided on what game to take in this weekend? There’s some solid matchups. Let’s start with:

MENTOR LAKE CATHOLIC
VS. MOONEY AT YSU

Don’t be fooled by Lake Catholic’s 2-2 record. The Cougars’ two losses came against state powers Cleveland Benedictine (21-7) and Dublin Coffman (26-21), both 4-0. Besides, nobody gave the Cardinals a better game last year when Mooney rallied from a 14-10 deficit in the fourth quarter to win 21-16. The Cardinals have been without RB Brandon Beachum the past two weeks but haven’t missed a beat, drubbing Warren Harding last week 49-0. Can anyone slow them down?

NORTH CANTON HOOVER
AT BOARDMAN

After three straight wins, Boardman begins its toughest stretch of the season. The next three opponents, all Federal League teams, are a combined 9-3. The Spartans have looked tough since an opening loss to Cleveland St. Ignatius, shutting out Jackson 28-0 in their first league game last week, despite not having standout RB Tyler Amendola. Hoover, meanwhile, is fresh off a 17-7 win over Canton McKinley. The winner should get plenty of computer points.

NILES AT CANFIELD

Led by RB Nate Ganyard, Niles has rolled through its first four opponents, outscoring them by a combined total of 135-20. Canfield, meanwhile, is in must-win territory if it wants to stay in the Metro Athletic Conference race after falling to Howland last week, 14-9. The Red Dragons dominated last year’s meeting, winning 24-0, but the Cardinals have home field advantage this time. The big key could be the Cardinals’ offense, which has struggled at times this year.

LIBERTY AT GIRARD

Liberty gets its biggest test of the season after rolling through its first four opponents (which are a combined 3-13) by an average score of 43-11. Leopards RB Fitzgerald Toussaint has been unstoppable, rolling up 831 yards and 15 touchdowns in just four games. Girard counters with RB Kyle Stadelmyer, who 465 yards and seven touchdowns. The winner gets a big leg up in the Trumbull Athletic Conference race and a bevy of playoff points.

HUBBARD AT LAKEVIEW

Both teams are 2-2 with losses to top Metro Athletic Conference teams. Both teams need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Lakeview hasn’t beaten the Eagles since a 13-12 overtime victory in 2003 but this year’s Bulldog team is riding high after a 34-27, double overtime win over Champion last week. The Eagles, meanwhile, need QB Marc Kanetsky to have a big game if they want to keep pace in the TAC race after handling LaBrae last week, 30-7.

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