Apollo Ridge is 1-6 against Steel Valley since October of 2018 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Vikings will look to defend their home field against the Ironmen at 7:00 p.m. Each of these teams will be battling to keep a three-game winning streak alive.
On Saturday, Apollo Ridge didn't have too much trouble with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart as they won 27-12.
Apollo Ridge didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Alex Clawson and Preston Clemens. Clemens got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Meanwhile, a well-balanced attack led Steel Valley over Shady Side Academy in every quarter on their way to victory on Friday. Given that consistent dominance, it should come as no surprise that the Ironmen blew the Bulldogs out of the water with a 42-6 final score. With that victory, the Ironmen brought their scoring average up to 28.5 points per game.
Apollo Ridge better keep an eye on Da`Ron Barksdale. He was instrumental in Steel Valley's win, rushing for 139 yards and a pair of scores while picking up 7.3 yards per carry, and also picking up 51 receiving yards and one TD. Barksdale is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 109 every time he's taken the field this season. J'Von Barlow also deserves a mention for his punt return touchdown.
Special teams played a big role in the game for Steel Valley, adding 12 points to the final score. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Barlow, who ran a punt back for a touchdown.
Apollo Ridge's win bumped their record up to 4-2. As for Steel Valley, their victory bumped their record up to an identical 4-2.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Apollo Ridge has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 160.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Steel Valley struggles in that department as they've been averaging 172.7 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Apollo Ridge was dealt a bruising 55-10 loss at the hands of Steel Valley when the teams last played back in October of 2024. That game was all but decided by halftime, at which point the Vikings were down 40-10.
