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photo by: Kim North

BarnesvilleÀÏ˾»úÖ±²¥™s defense points out their assignments during a game earlier this season. From left are Marshall Meade (52), Eli Messenger (10), Blake Kirk (70), Salvador Almaraz (55) and Luke Taylor (54). The Shamrock are looking for the third consecutive undefeated regular season on Friday when Union Local visits.

Three high school football teams put themselves in place for perfection last weekend with their ninth straight wins of 2024. Barnesville, St. Clairsville and Steubenville are the lone undefeated teams in the Ohio Valley.

The Shamrocks have steamrolled their way to nine consecutive wins, scoring at least 44 points in every game and eclipsing the 50-point mark on five times. They have scored 63 once.

On the other side of the ball, the defense has given up a mere 51 points and has recorded shutouts in four of its last five outings. Only Fort Frye (16) and Monroe Central (14) have reached double digits.

Barnesville, which has won 35 straight regular-season games, is rated No. 5 in Ohio Division V, Region 19. It also sits atop the OVAC Class 3A standings.

The Shamrocks host western Belmont County rival Union Local (8-1) on Friday in what is expected to be one of the largest crowds in recent memory at Shamrock Stadium.

The Red Devils will look to complete their 8th 10-0 campaign Friday when they venture west on I-70 to meet winless Cambridge at McFarland Stadium.

St. Clairsville has won back-to-back gut-check games against playoff squads Union Local and Indian Creek. They are also the only team to derail Martins Ferry.

The Red Devils, who have won 23 of their last 25 regular-season games, are rated atop Ohio Division IV, Region 15, overtaking Indian Valley this week.

They are also comfortably on top of the OVAC Class 4A field.

St. Clairsville hasn’t been 10-0 since 2018. Other 10-0 years have come in 2014, 2012 (state finals), 2007, 1985, 1978, 1969 and 1947. The 1943 and 1944 teams both went 9-0.

Big Red has been 10-0 on 15 occasions, including a stretch of six straight undefeated regular-seasons in a row from 2003-2008.

Steubenville, which is ranked No. 2 in Ohio Division III, Region 11 behind Columbus Bishop Watterson, hosts Long Island (NY) Lutheran (4-2) Friday night on Reno Field inside Harding Stadium. It is also comfortably atop the OVAC Class 5A ladder.

Big Red has defeated teams from Ohio, W.Va., Pa, and Ontario, Canada.

Wheeling Central got a shot in the arm Friday night when senior running back Braden McWreath returned from a shoulder injury against Carrick, Pa. He carried the ball eight times for 58 yards and caught two passes for 11 more.

He gives the Maroon Knights an additional weapon in an already-deep backfield that includes Isaac Martin, Kade Koroneos, Joey Hall and Nico Kusic.

Making A Difference

Brooke’s Chas Hile kicked four field goals, three extra points, put two of his kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks and had a perfect squib kick just before halftime. His field goals came from 22 and 40 yards in the final two seconds of the first half. He then knocked through a pair in the third quarter from 27 and 42.

Streaking

The Maroon Knights have now won five straight games after a 1-2 start and have vaulted themselves to No. 6 in the latest WVSSAC Class AA standings.

Cameron has reeled off seven consecutive triumphs following a season-opening loss at Edison, 30-22. The Dragons have outscored the opponents 93-0 the last two weeks.

Gaining Ground

Indian Creek’s Zion McGee, despite a losing effort, became the Redskins’ all-time leading rusher with 3,335 yards. He passed Tom Fante who had 3,298.

Wheeling Park’s Brennan Wack only carried the rock 7 times but picked up 149 yards and scored on runs of 70, 30 and 36.

Barnesville’s Trey Toliver ran for 113 yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard barrier. He had a pair of 2-yard TD runs.

Bridgeport’s AJ Bishop collected 169 yards and scored two TDs.

Steubenville’s Jalen Minnifield ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

On Target

Barnesville’s Casey Carpenter connected on 8 of 9 attempts for 160 yards and two TDs, both to Bradey McIntire from 55 and 43 yards.

Wheeling Park’s Jay Bordas passed for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 10-for-20 accuracy.

Linsly’s Braden Wade went 19 of 23 for 213 yards and a touchdown in the Cadets’ loss at Dover.

Pick-6’s

Barnesville’s Eli Messenger went 66 yards the other way against Shenandoah with an interception.

Brooke’s Triston Stevens ran an interception back 66 yards against John Marshall. He also gained 46 yards on a reverse run and recovered the squib kick.

Faking It

Wheeling Park’s Jameson Maynard ran a fake punt 52 yards for a touchdown.

Does-It-All

Valley’s Gavin Derby enjoyed quite a night against visiting Calhoun County. The senior speedster ran for 231 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 59 and 33. He also threw for 136 yards on 8 of 9 and three more scores. In addition, he kicked nine PATs.

Shadyside’s Cole Micker scored five touchdowns three different ways in a win at Bridgeport. He had three TD runs among his 125 yards; caught a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 90 yards.

St. Clairsville’s Brady Schafer had a pair of big plays in the Red Devils win over Indian Creek. He ran for 16 yards on a third-and-goal from the 16 and then found fleet-footed Ollie Muhly on a 40-yard TD strike.

Linsly’s Ramello Derr had 108 total yards, a rushing touchdown, three tackles and broke up two passes.

(This roundup is compiled from statistics reported to The ÀÏ˾»úÖ±²¥ Sports Department. Statistics can be sent to knorth@theintelligencer.net or nhenthorn@theintelligencer.net, preferably Friday night after the game, but no later than Monday afternoon.)