Hubbard @ Poland

It’s Thursday Night Lights! Come see the new turf at Dave Pavlansky Field and stay for one of the best openers in the area. RB Greg Sabol and QB Gannon Hulea are among 13 returning lettermen for the Bulldogs, who are 1-2 against Hubbard the past two years. The Eagles lost record-breaking QB Marc Kanetsky to graduation, but return 20 letterwinners from last year’s playoff team.

Lisbon @ Leetonia

Get your forks ready because these two rivals are serving up a heaping helping of football in the annual Spaghetti Bowl. QB Josh Selway returns for a Leetonia team that has some question marks after losing a strong senior class. Speaking of questions, how will the Blue Devils adjust to their first season without Jim Tsilimos on the sidelines? Sixteen lettermen return.

Mooney @ Mentor

If you’re a betting man, go with the Cardinals. Mooney got the best of Mentor in last year’s classic opener at YSU. Both went on to lose in the state championship game and lost their best players to graduation, including five Division I players for Mooney and Mr. Football-winner Bart Tanski for Mentor. The names are different, but the tradition remains the same. This one should be worth the trip up north.

Chaney @ Fitch

Go west, young men. With five straight wins, Fitch has owned the annual West Side rivalry lately but Chaney is aching to rebound from last year’s 0-10 season. RB Sylvestry Gibbs and QB Jon Ballard key a Falcon team that hasn’t won since last year’s opener with the Cowboys. Both teams are looking for a little redemption this fall.

Western Reserve @ Mathews

Now here’s something odd. Since 2001, this rivalry has been even, with Western Reserve winning the even-numbered years and Mathews taking the odd. Western Reserve QB Shane Ewing returns for a Blue Devil team hoping to, ahem, even things up after last year’s loss. The Mustangs lost some good players to graduation, but RB Brent Jackson Co. want to build on last year’s 10-0 mark.