Derrick Webb

Derrick is SOSA's chief content coordinator and has worked for the Chillicothe Gazette, the Portsmouth Daily Times and Eleven Warriors. He's a 15-time award-winning journalist, a self-proclaimed baseball purist, a suffering Bengals fan and has never met a stranger.

7 football games to circle on your calendar

You won't want to miss these seven football games this fall.

Derrick Webb, Managing Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

The anticipation has reached its peak, and there’s good news … the wait is over.

High school football is officially back. You’d be hard-pressed to find something that excites area sports fans as much as the fall season’s first Friday night. It writes the first chapter of Cinderella stories, it renews decades-old rivalries and it separates the contenders from the pretenders.

Scrimmages and 7-on-7’s are in the rearview mirror. Every snap now matters. Every down, every possession, every play call takes center stage.

It’s the beginning of a journey that’s destination is Week 11 — the state football playoffs.

Each year, our area’s football scene provides unmatched drama, legendary victories and moments that will last a lifetime. So before this season kicks off, and we get into thick of things, we thought we’d share seven games that you should already be circling on your calendars.

These are dates you won’t want to miss.

Miami Trace at Waverly, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.

This matchup has produced three instant classics in the past three seasons. In 2022, Waverly won a 42-39 shootout, only to be beaten by a 27-26 final in 2023. Last season, the Tigers earned revenge with a 28-23 victory. Sensing the point here? There’s no reason to believe this year’s contest would be any different. While each team breaks in a new quarterback, they’ll also be trying to find an early identity. It’s a season opener but the stakes will be high with possible playoff points up for grabs. It’s by far one of the best matchups within the Week 1 slate.

Portsmouth at West, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.

These two schools are separated by exactly 4.8 miles — a lengthy six-minute drive for the Trojans this season. By distance alone, it produces a rivalry. And, if you know anything about the two programs, you know it’s a hard-hitting, action-packed rivalry. The two have split their series over the past four years while Portsmouth owns a 3-2 advantage in the past five — they didn’t meet in the infamous 2020 COVID season. Two exceptional programs, two top-tier head coaches and two talent-filled rosters. If you miss this game, you’re bound to miss a thriller.

Zane Trace’s Gunnar McCullough will lead the Pioneers into a new season.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Wheelersburg at Jackson, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.

Two powerhouse programs, and every time they meet, they produce an ol’ fashioned slobberknocker, as legendary coach Ron Hinton would say. Wheelersburg returns plenty of talent from last year’s roster, one that bounced back with seven wins in its last eight games to finish the season in a regional final. Meanwhile, the Ironmen will look to build upon a nine-win season that ended in the second round of the playoffs. Expect it to be standing-room only.

Canisius (N.Y.) at Ironton, Sept. 13, 1 p.m.

You could pick virtually any game on Ironton’s schedule and it could grace this list. But in this matchup, the defending state champs host Canisius High School, out of Buffalo, New York. The Crusaders won the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championship last fall and have plenty of talent — namely running back Elijah Kimble, who ran for 1,778 yards and 32 touchdowns last season with offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon, amongst others. The Fighting Tigers have never backed away from a challenge and they certainly won’t on this September Saturday. However, they’ll definitely be tested. It’ll be fun to watch.

Zane Trace at Unioto, Oct. 3, 7 p.m.

We could just list this matchup and say nothing more. When the Pioneers and Shermans get together, in any sport, it’s top-notch competition. The rivalry on the football field runs deep. Over the past five seasons, the Shermans have a 3-2 advantage in the series and, in the past 10, they’ve earned six wins. But none of that matters when they lace ‘em up this fall. It’ll be another exciting installment to one of the region’s best rivalries. And the SVC title could go to the winner.

South Gallia at Eastern, Oct. 17, 7 p.m.

In a matchup of a second round playoff game a year ago — one the Eagles won by a 41-6 final — the Rebels will once again make a trip to Pike County on Oct. 17. Could the SOC I title be on the line? It’s quite possible. Two weeks prior to that matchup, the Eagles escaped Gallia County by a 13-12 score. Eastern has been dominant in the past two seasons, since SG joined the SOC, beating the Rebels by a combined score of 81-26. South Gallia will certainly be looking for revenge while the Eagles look to continue their winning ways.

Eastern’s Eric Manley is looking to lead his Eagles on yet another lengthy playoff run.
CREDIT: *Derrick Webb/SOSA*

Jackson at Chillicothe, Oct. 24, 7 p.m.

Everyone knows about the tradition that Jackson has built. Then, you have Chillicothe with a newfound energy in the form of a newfound head coach. There’s a ton of excitement surrounding both programs and, if all goes well for each, this contest could very well determine the FAC’s champion. That may sound far-fetched, considering the Cavaliers’ 2-8 mark last season. But, they’re a year older and a year wiser, and that could spell out trouble for opponents. Regardless of what’s on the line, the Ironmen and Cavaliers have no love lost.