Week One preview for area high school football teams

CHILLICOTHE − The days of the offseason are numbered. High school football is back, and teams around the area are preparing for their first games of the 2022 season.

The first game of the year can set the tone for the remainder of the season. Teams don't immediately sink or swim after one game, but it can provide a decent litmus test as to how the year might pan out. There's plenty of action in store for Friday night, so here's a quick look at the matchups for area teams in Week One:

Adena Warriors vs. McClain Tigers

The Warriors begin their season at Bostic Field with a rematch against a familiar nonconference opponent when the Tigers comes to town on Friday night. The Warriors have largely dominated the series over the past decade and a half. They are 11-6 against the Tigers since 2004.

Whether or not they can add another win to that resume is up for debate. They lost last season's matchup with the Tigers 39-20, and the roster is still on the younger side. Still, the Warriors might have history on their side Friday night.

Chillicothe Cavaliers at Teays Valley Vikings

The first week is often one of the hardest hurdles to jump over. The Cavaliers aren't spared from this problem. The Vikings are a difficult matchup, and they have consistently been a threat under head coach Mark Weber. The Cavaliers have lost the last two meetings between both teams, but they could possibly break the streak.

Teays Valley is the first major test for Chillicothe, but it certainly won't be the last. At the very least, it will be a good litmus test for the how the team fares under new head coach Scott Bartholomew.

Huntington Huntsmen vs. Circleville Tigers

A rematch against Circleville might just be what Huntington needs on the eve of its 50th football season. Sure, their last matchup wasn't pretty −Huntington was shut out 35-0 − but there lies opportunity in Week One. Circleville will be on the road, against a new head coach and a reinvigorated roster.

The Huntsmen have talked about feeling a shift in the program this season. If they can pull an upset over Circleville, that claim will have some solid footing after just one game.

Paint Valley Bearcats at Blanchester Wildcats

The Bearcats' nonconference schedule won't be easy, but they might start off strong against the Wildcats. They won the last meeting between the two 35-7, and it's not outlandish to predict a similar outcome this year. The Bearcats have retained much of their roster from last season, including Cavan Cooper, who doubled as both quarterback and running back in that game.

Paint Valley has a solid case to repeat its win over Blanchester from a year ago. It's got the talent and the mindset, all that matters now is the follow-through.

Piketon Redstreaks vs. Goshen Warriors

The Redstreaks are changing up their Week One opponents this season. Goshen will be taking an 80-mile road trip to face Piketon at J. Madeira Brown Memorial Stadium. It might be a long bus ride home as well. The Warriors won just one game last season, and they'll be facing off against the defending Scioto Valley Conference champions.

Granted, Piketon's roster is still recovering from the losses of last year's senior class. But there's still plenty of experience on the field to warrant an exciting Week One game.

Southeastern Panthers at Northwest Mohawks

It'll be difficult for Southeastern to get off the ground this week. It's toppled Northwest in the past, but it's also been handed some ugly losses by it as well. The most recent was a 40-0 shutout last season to kick off the year.

A win isn't out of the question, but the Mohawks have often been a tone-setter for the Panthers' seasons. It'll take a lot of offensive production to eclipse the Mohawks on Friday night, or else the Panthers will be off to another rocky start.

Unioto Shermans vs. Vinton County Vikings

The Shermans are out for revenge. They were knocked off-kilter by the Vikings in a 12-7 loss to begin last season, and they want payback. Lucky for them, the game this year is on their own turf. The Shermans are 5-0 in their last five games against the Vikings while at home.

It also helps to have the roster that Unioto has at its disposal. Unioto is working with a team of older, experienced players at nearly every position. It might just get the revenge against Vinton County that it's looking for.

Waverly Tigers at Miami Trace Panthers

A Week One matchup between teams that finished second in their respective conferences last season is bound to be exciting. And telling. Waverly is playing to prove it can live up to last season's heights and go further beyond. Miami Trace is looking for revenge after getting blown out on the road last year.

The Tigers have plenty of returning talent, but it's difficult not to draw comparisons to last season. They lost some of their biggest producers on offense to graduation, but Friday will be the chance for the new starters to show what they bring to the table.

Westfall Mustangs vs. Madison Plains Golden Eagles

Westfall has everything to prove this season and little to lose. They have a new coach, a larger roster and plenty of room to move up from last season's 1-8 record. Madison Plains has been a crick in the neck for the past few seasons. Westfall is 1-3 against Madison Plains in their last four meetings, and they haven't won since 2017.

It might make a good first impression to pull a win out against a team that's left a mark on records in years past. Whether the Mustangs can pull it off or not remains to be seen.

Zane Trace Pioneers vs. Logan Elm Braves

The Pioneers are hosting another grudge match. The Braves beat them by one point in overtime last season, and that was one of their only two losses in 2021.

Zane Trace has the potential to go far this season. It returns plenty of firepower from last season, and its nonconference schedule consists of teams it has either beaten handily or fallen just short against in recent seasons. Logan Elm is a beatable opponent. Zane Trace just has to close it out this week.

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Week One preview for area high school football teams