Red Riders look to keep rolling
OVAC-leading, state-ranked Weir set to host Potters
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WEIRTON -- While the teams may be at different points of the seasons, make no mistake, Friday's meeting between Weir High and East Liverpool at Jimmy Carey Stadium is vital for both teams.
The Red Riders, thanks to three-straight wins, the last two of which on the road, are 8-1, leading the OVAC Class 4A standings and ranked No. 5 in West Virginia Class AA.
A win would not only go a long way to staying atop the OVAC rankings, but also put the Red Riders one step closer to hosting a playoff game at new Jimmy Carey Stadium for the first time.
"There's a lot on the line for us … we're excited about being in first in the OVAC 4A standings and the opportunity to try and win an OVAC title, but Weir High has never had a playoff game up on the hill," Sisinni said. "The last six or seven playoff runs we've had at Weir High have all been on the road. One of our goals has been to be up here on the hill for the playoffs, that's something we've been shooting for and it's within reach. But, we also know that we have two very tough games left in front of us and we have to take care of business."
For the 6-3 Potters, who enter the week at No. 13 in Ohio Division IV, Region 13, it's their final chance to clinch a playoff spot as Joe Eitel has the Potters listed as controlling their own destiny.
"It's like a playoff game for them, they've won three of the their last four and are on the verge of making the playoffs, and we're the team that's in their way," Sisinni said. "It's going to be a challenge for us.
"It's a good test for us to face a team that's in playoff mode because we're in playoff mode, too. We've got two big games with them and Brooke, and that's the way it is every year. Last year we had to win out to get in. Facing quality teams late in the season is a challnege we look forward to as a program to get ourselves prepped for the playoffs. We know we're getting team's best shots late in the season, we have to play our best brand of football."
If the Red Riders are going to indeed win their way into a home playoff game, Corey Lyons will have had a lot to do with it.
The senior tailback, one of the OVAC's leading rushers, scored his 20th and 21st touchdowns of the season in last week's win at Albert Gallatin.
For the season, he's averaging over 100 yards per game, 6.4 yards per carry and nearly three scores per game in racking up 863 yards.
Malachi Stromile had a big week passing against the Colonials and now has 796 yards through the air and another 451 rushing, having accounted for a combined 13 TDs.
For the Potters, Gavin Wright leads the way at QB with 1,621 passing yards and 18 touchdowns with another 633 yards and four scores on the ground.
Blake Atkins leads East Liverpool with 26 catches for 325 yards and four scores, while Dorian Burchett has six TDs and averages more than 22 yards per catch.
"Coach (Paul) Cusik and his staff really have their program headed in the right direction," Sisinni said. "They're a tough opponent every year and they're going to be especially tough this year. They've already clinched their first winning season since 2018, they're close to making the playoffs. I know the success he had in the past at Crestview and you can see the changes that have been made. They're playing a very strong brand of football right now.
"They're getting a lot of strong play from their quarterback and the way he runs their (run-pass-option) system. In their last game he threw the ball to six different receivers and he ran for a touchdown himself. It sticks out watching them that they have athletes all across the field."