From Rootstown-Southeast to Aurora-Barberton, a look at every local Week 9 football game

Let's take a look at all of this week's high school football games:

Portage Trail Conference

Rootstown (7-0, 2-0) at Southeast (6-2, 1-1)

The Rovers hope to avoid any rust from their bye week while the Pirates look to shake off a Week 7 loss at Mogadore. Rootstown has been dominant on the ground all season, led by Dawson Morgan (206 carries, 1,532 yards), a powerful runner who has totaled 20 touchdowns. Equally impressive, the Rovers have allowed just 9.8 points per game since surrendering 30 in their opener at Crestwood. All of which makes for an intriguing clash with a Southeast offense that topped 30 points in each of its first six games, led by dual-threat quarterback Antonio Mejia (37-of-61 passing, 567 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs; 111 carries, 788 yards, 9 TDs).

Aquinas (0-8, 0-3) at Mogadore (6-2, 2-0)

Speaking of bouncing back, the Wildcats had a big-time response last week, rallying from a tough Week 7 loss to Canton Central Catholic with a dominant performance against Southeast. That included two passing touchdowns from Zeke Cameron to Corey Lehner and two rushing touchdowns by Aaron Rumschlag — just in the first half.

Now, Mogadore, which has topped 40 points in three of the last four weeks and held six of eight opponents to single digits, looks to maintain momentum against an Aquinas team that has struggled to score. Indeed, the Knights have been held to single digits in all eight of their games.

Metro Athletic Conference

Field (3-5, 3-2) at Norton (8-0, 5-0)

The Falcons have successfully bounced back from an 0-3 start with wins in three of their last five games, including Drexal McAmis running for 174 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries in last week's win over Coventry. Now, Field faces a massive challenge in Norton, which is scoring 44.2 points per game. That includes three touchdown passes by Zach Bowman last week against Cloverleaf, a 45-yard toss to Thomas Hoffman and two more to Buddy Willig. Tack on the powerful running of Lucas Dobbins (two touchdown runs against the Colts) and the Panthers can cause problems in myriad ways.

Springfield (0-8, 0-5) at Streetsboro (7-1, 4-1)

Speaking of offensive juggernauts, the Rockets couldn't have been much more impressive in Friday's win at Peninsula. First-year quarterback Cohen Klimak had six touchdowns (five passing), Kylan Rue had three touchdowns and all Preston Hopperton did was turn 16 carries into 141 yards and catch two touchdown passes.

Yes, Streetsboro is firing on all cylinders as it prepares to play a Springfield team yielding 41.25 points per game.

Woodridge (4-4, 3-2) at Ravenna (3-5, 3-2)

After three straight wins, including a seven-touchdown eruption by Austin Marshall last week at Springfield and three touchdown passes by C.J. Ross at Field in Week 6, the Ravens face a steep challenge at Portage Community Bank Stadium. After all, the Bulldogs have an experienced signal-caller in Charlie Lambes and a speedy running back in Taysear Williams-Clay. Ravenna's stout defensive front will need to work hard to keep Williams-Clay from bursting through the line with a head of steam.

Suburban American

Aurora (7-1, 5-0) at Barberton (5-3, 4-1)

Expect an intriguing battle between a blistering Barberton attack, which tallied 51 points last week at Copley, and a sensational Aurora defense that has allowed just 27 points total over a current five-game win streak.

Lucas Manderbach (17 QB hurries, 6 sacks), Jayce Unverferth (4 INTs) and the Greenmen defense will look to make life tough on Magics QB Dominic Wilson, who completed 10 of 12 passes for 181 yards and four touchdowns at Copley. Of course, Barberton can also run the ball with star running back Xzavier Macon, as Aurora learned a year ago when Macon ran for 262 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries at Veterans Stadium.

Then again, Aurora is plenty balanced, too, led by RB Enzo Catania (101 carries, 749 yards, 11 TDs) and QB Brandon Liepins (61-of-97 passing, 980 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs).

Roosevelt (4-4, 2-3) at Tallmadge (3-5, 2-3)

The Rough Riders hope to bounce back against their neighbors after sustaining lopsided losses to Aurora and Highland, two of the Suburban American's best teams. Expect an intriguing battle between two teams that love to sling the ball around, led by Roosevelt QB Jack Smith and Tallmadge QB Ryan Loveless. Also watch for a tricky Blue Devils defense, led by LB Keegan Gilbride (76 tackles) and DE Noah Robinson (29 TFL).

Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division

Crestwood (4-4, 0-3) at Kirtland (7-1, 3-0)

After three straight losses to start Valley Division play, the going doesn't get any easier for the Red Devils, who travel to face arguably the state's greatest small-school powerhouse. The Hornets appear ready to make another deep run. After a Week 3 loss to still-undefeated Perry, Kirtland has beaten its last six foes by a combined margin of 242-14. Against such a juggernaut, the Red Devils will need to control the ball, led by RB Nate Blasiole (209 carries, 1,574 yards, 23 TDs).

Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier

Crestview (4-4, 4-1) at Garfield (8-0, 5-0)

Last week's early deficit against Newton Falls aside, the G-Men have dominated the competition, winning every single game by at least three touchdowns. The Rebels hope to present a steeper challenge as they enter JAG Field on a four-game win streak. Expect an intriguing battle between Garfield's stellar run defense, which held Newton Falls to 120 yards on 37 carries last week, and Crestview star back Maxwell Hawkins (149 carries, 1,063 yards, 11 TDs). Hawkins has been front and center to the Rebels' success, tallying 17-plus carries and hitting the century mark in all four of their wins, including 24 carries for 206 yards and four touchdowns last week against Champion. Of course, Garfield is plenty capable of wreaking havoc on the ground as well, with 2,928 rushing yards through eight games at an impressive clip of 10 yards per carry.

Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier

Lowellville (7-1, 3-1) at Waterloo (2-6, 0-5)

The Vikings hope to snap a five-game skid in order to keep their postseason hopes afloat. Per Drew Pasteur's Ohio Fantastic 50, Waterloo's postseason chances would rise to 99 percent with a win (versus one percent with a loss). The challenge is steep, however, as Lowellville has won three straight games over 5-3 Mineral Ridge, 5-3 McDonald and 6-2 Jackson-Milton. The Rockets boast a true dual-threat quarterback in Michael Ballone alongside additional dangerous runners Santino Rivera-Ocasio and Geno Perry. Expect the Vikings to look to control the clock, led by the powerful running of QB Jayden Hakin, who has run 161 times for 763 yards and eight touchdowns to go with 656 yards through the air.

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Windham (2-6, 0-2) at Mathews (1-7, 1-1)

The Bombers look to snap a three-game skid on the road against the Mustangs. All indications are this should be a highly competitive game with both teams boasting standout weapons, including Windham's Carlos Bruton and Jack Eye and Mathews' Dom Spagnolletta.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Here's our look at every Portage County Week 9 football game