Yellow Jacket Game of the Week – Bentworth (3-3) @ Mapletown (1-5) – Friday at 7 p.m.

If Bentworth wants to keep its slim playoff hopes alive, the Bearcats must win this game. They upset a surging Avella team last Thursday night, 41-31. Running back Owen Petrisek scored three touchdowns in the victory.

Mapletown lost in a thrilling fashion to Jefferson-Morgan last week, 20-13. That game featured a lot of penalties and undisciplined play from both sides. With a win, Mapletown will match its win total from last season. In last year’s matchup, Bentworth won in a shootout, 47-42.  

Keys 

• Bentworth: Feed Petrisek. He’s been one of the best running backs in the Tri-County South. He averages 6.7 points per game.  
• Mapletown: Time of possession. The longer the Maples’ offense stays on the field, the longer Petrisek is off the field. If Mapletown can win the time of possession battle, they are setting themselves up for success.

 

Carmichaels (5-1) @ Avella (4-2) – Friday at 7 p.m.

This is a vital game for both teams. The winner of this game clinches a playoff berth. The loser: most likely is done for the season. Additionally, this is the first matchup between the two teams since 2017, where Carmichaels defeated Avella, 47-13. The Mighty Mikes are seeking their first playoff berth since that 2017 season. The Eagles are looking for their first playoff appearance since 2016. Last week, Carmichaels lost to California on senior night, 49-20. Avella fell to Bentworth, 41-31.

Keys 

• Carmichaels: Limit turnovers. Quarterback Trenton Carter threw two interceptions inside the red zone last week when Carmichaels was clawing its way back. That was the turning point in the game. The offense moved the ball just fine. If they don’t turn the ball over, the combination of Trenton Carter and Bailey Jones will be hard to stop. 
• Avella: K.J. Rush. Rush has had a solid season as a first-year starting quarterback. Not only can he beat you with his arm, but also his legs. The Eagles have a good chance to win if Rush has a great game against a stingy Carmichaels defense that leads the conference in points allowed per game. 

 

West Greene (3-3) @ Jefferson-Morgan (3-3) – Friday at 7 p.m.

The winner of this game will keep slim playoff hopes alive.

West Greene won its non-conference game last week against Brownsville, 53-12. Meanwhile, Jefferson-Morgan defeated Mapletown, 20-13. Jefferson Morgan will look to pick up its first win against West Greene since 2015.

Keys 

• West Greene: The tandem of Collin Brady and Corey Wise. They have been a solid 1-2 punch for the Pioneers this season. If they both have good games, West Greene should come out on top.
• Jefferson-Morgan: Run defense. If the Rockets can contain the West Greene rushing attack, they will have a good chance to win the game.

 

Waynesburg Central (0-6) @ Chartiers-Houston (2-4) – Friday at 7 p.m.

Waynesburg Central will look to get a ‘W’ for the first time this season. The Raiders are coming off of a loss to Ligonier Valley last week, 42-7.

Chartiers-Houston lost to conference champion McGuffey last week, 56-0. They have now lost two straight.

Keys 

• Waynesburg Central: Winning the turnover battle. The Raiders have turned the ball over a lot this season. If they limit the turnovers, they’ll give themselves a chance to win.  
• Chartiers-Houston: Strong start. Chartiers-Houston trailed 28-0 at the end of the first quarter last week against McGuffey. If they have a better start this week, they will be successful.