Girard vs. Warren JFK

September 4, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Girard at Warren JFK

These two traditional offensive juggernauts collide Friday night at Mollenkopf Stadium. In 2004, the Indians prevailed, 64-62, in overtime. The following year Girard outlasted the Eagles, 33-29. After a relatively tame 2006 contest (won by JFK, 16-7), the series returned to form last year, with the Eagles winning 41-21. A word of advice — take the over (for entertainment purposes only).

Mineral Ridge at McDonald

This is as good of a rivalry as you’ll find in Trumbull County. Even though the games don’t count towards a league championship any more — they’re in different tiers of the ITCL — don’t believe this game doesn’t mean a whole lot to both. Last year, the Rams prevailed at home, 24-14, handing McDonald one of its two regular season losses. In fact, Mineral Ridge has gone 5-1 in the series since 2002.

Howland at Hubbard

Both teams are 1-1, but that’s not all they have in common. Both programs are used to playing in the postseason, and this game could mean a lot in determining whether there will be a Week 11 for both teams. The Tigers, at home, beat Hubbard last year, 35-14, in their first meeting in many years. (Both were members of the old All-American Conference in the late ’80s.)

Chaney at Boardman

Division II Chaney continues its road trip against the Valley’s Division I schools. In the opener the Cowboys played tough before falling to Fitch by 21, then last week at Warren Harding … let’s just say that didn’t end well. Boardman, meanwhile, is playing like a team that expects to contend for a playoff berth — the Spartans have scored 43 and 56 points in their two wins.

Struthers at Columbiana

This is an interesting matchup, if only because we’re pretty sure this is the first time these two long-time programs have met in football. The Clippers, who have qualified for the playoffs each of the last three seasons, are 1-1 after getting surprised at home last week by Leetonia. Struthers is 0-2 and needs a solid performance — Liberty and Canfield are coming up on the Wildcats’ schedule in Weeks 4 and 5.