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Anderson (2-0) at Hamilton (2-0)

Last year: Anderson, 14-7

Last week: Anderson 42, Mason 13; Hamilton 16, Taft 0

Anderson will win if ... the Redskins can keep the offensive machine churning. The defending Division II state champions pounded Taft 56-6 (the same Taft that Big Blue defeated, but failed to pound, last week) before dismantling Mason last weekend. Anderson has offensive weapons everywhere and averaged 9.5 yards per carry while rushing for 333 yards last weekend.

Hamilton will win if ... the Big Blue offense shows some consistency and ability to finish drives. Hamilton's defense is very, very strong, but if that group is on the field most of the night, the outcome isn't likely to be good for the hosts.

Fairfield (0-2) at Winton Woods (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Winton Woods, 27-12

Last week: Piqua 14, Fairfield 7 (3OT); Winton Woods 38, Roger Bacon 0

Fairfield will if ... they can find some production out of their offense. The Indians have gotten stellar efforts out of their defense in each of the first two weeks holding its opponents to 12 points per game. The Fairfield offense has only produced 7 points a game. Coach Doc Gamble needs one of his quarterbacks, Justin McCray or Jordan Ammon to seize the position and put up some points.

Winton Woods will win if ... they continue to dominate the rushing game. The Warriors have averaged 395 yards per game on the ground and scored six running touchdowns in their first two games. Quarterback Dominique Brown is averaging 7.6 yards per carry for Winton Woods. The Warriors defense is capable of creating havoc and Chris Williams leads the team with two interceptions.

Badin (0-2) at Wyoming (1-1)

Last year: Badin 17, Wyoming 13

Last week: Turpin 28, Badin 14; Wyoming 35, Oakwood 21

Badin will win if ... the defense can build on the momentum established in the second half last week against Turpin when the Rams held the Spartans' offense scoreless over the final two quarters.

Wyoming will win if ... it can find a little balance. Despite not being able to run the ball at all in last year's game and throwing three interceptions, the Cowboys only lost by four points. A little more ball control — and ball security — would go a long way toward getting a victory.

Withrow (0-2) at Mason (0-2)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Withrow 31, Mason 25

Last week: Oak Hills 35, Withrow 18; Anderson 42, Mason 13

Withrow will win if: The Tigers can put the first two weeks behind them. Withrow made the playoffs last season and are one of the area's top Division II teams. The Tigers have more speed and athleticism than Mason and need to capitalize on that advantage. Look for the Tigers to throw the ball a lot out of their spread offense and test the Comets secondary early and often.

Mason will win if: The Comets can put the first two weeks behind them. Last season it took four games for Mason to get settled and grow its confidence. This game represents the Comets opportunity to pick up a win before it enters GMC play. The Tigers can score quickly, so Mason needs to control the ball with its three running backs (Mychael Bembry, Alex Martinez and Gabe Schreve) and apply presure to the Tigers QB.

Ross (1-1) at Tippecanoe (2-0)

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Ross 40, Goshen 14; Tippecanoe 45, Greenville 19

Ross will win if ... the Rams can figure out a way to slow down a Red Devils' offense that has averaged 46.5 points the first two weeks.

Tippecanoe will win if ... it can jump out to an early lead and force the Rams to be one dimensional.

Fenwick (2-0) at Talawanda (0-2)

Last year: Talawanda 20, Fenwick 0

Last week: Fenwick 28, Monroe 21; Kings 33, Talawanda 0

Fenwick will win if ... it can continue to dominate in the running game. The Falcons have shown they're capable of putting up plenty of yards and points on the ground, and it shouldn't take a whole lot of offense this week against a Braves team that averages 3.5 points per game.

Talawanda will win if ... the Braves can find some offense. The team hasn't gone over the 200-yard mark in total yards or scored in double figures in its first two games. That won't get it done against a quality offense like Fenwick's.

Milton-Union (1-1)

at Waynesville (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not meet

Last week: Lehman Catholic 14, Milton-Union 7; Clinton-Massie 48, Waynesville 20

Milton-Union will win if ... the Bulldogs can get fullback Cory Warner untracked. Milton-Union likes to get Warner out on the edges in their spread attack and will also utilize the size of 6-foot, 5-inch quarterback John Mason and 6'-4" wide receiver Nikko Johnson to strike in the passing game.

Waynesville will win if ... the Spartan defense that shut out East Clinton in the season opener shows up rather than the defense that surrendered 48 points last week. Offensively, Waynesville must eliminate the mistakes that have plagued the Spartans in the first two games — turnovers, penalties and dropped passes. "If we execute we'll do all right," Waynesville coach Glen Burchfield said. "Just do what is expected of us from the get go."

Kings (2-0) at Harrison (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not meet

Last week: Kings 33, Talawanda 0; Harrison 28, East Central (Ind.) 21

Kings will win if ... senior RB Nick Bauer continues his tear from the first two games. Bauer's already rushed for 351 yards and 4 TDs in his first full season as the primary back, and controlling the clock will be key for the Knights.

After playing its first two games at cozy Kings Stadium — and winning by a combined score of 70-14 — the Knights finally venture out on the road.

"We know how important this game is," coach Andy Olds said. "It's a measuring stick for us."

Harrison will win if ... senior QB Randy Doss goes off. With his ability to hurt opposing defenses with his arm and legs, Doss reminds Olds of former Kings star QB Jesse Imes. "It's going to be a challenge for our defense to contain their offense," Olds said.

La Salle (0-2) at Lakota East (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not meet

Last week: Cedar Hill (Texas) 38, La Salle 14; Lakota East 35, Glen Este 20

La Salle will win if ... QB Rickey Steele and RB Tim Edmond get untracked. The pair was kept in check against Cedar Hill, but East coach Greg Bailie voiced concern that they have the ability to be game-breakers. "We have to play solid defense and not give up the big play," Bailie said.

Lakota East will win if ... it can build on the momentum of picking up its first win of the season. Senior QB Evin Dusold can do it both with his arm and legs, but will need help from his backfield, like junior RB Pedro Powell, who rushed for 118 yards and 2 TDs against the Trojans.

Emotions will be running high as the Thunderhawks play in front of the home crowd for the first time this season. "You hope the kids get excited about playing at home," Bailie said.

Kettering Fairmont (1-1) at Lakota West (0-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Lakota West 24, Fairmont 9

Last week: Fairmont 48, Miamisburg 7; St. Rita (Ill.) 28, Lakota West 21

Fairmont will win if ... senior RB Diondre Pearson has another big game. The 6-foot, 190-pounder rushed for 113 yards (10.3 ypc) and 4 TDs in last week's blowout victory. The Firebirds' defense must buckle down and make QB Marc Pedro, who threw three picks in last year's meeting, beat them.

Lakota West will win if ... it can finish. In the first two weeks of the season, the Firebirds have seen victory slip away because they haven't been able to get the critical stop on defense.

Senior RB Stephen Houston's ability to run the ball will help ease the burden for junior QB John Peters, who continues to learn on the job.

Monroe (0-2) at Valley View (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Valley View 24, Monroe 14

Last week: Fenwick 28, Monroe 21; Valley View 42, Indian Hill 41

Monroe will win if ... they do a better job of taking care of the football. The Hornets had five turnovers in last week's loss to Fenwick.

Senior tight end Jason Osterman could be the X-factor. Osterman had touchdown receptions of 25 and 45 yards against Fenwick and has accounted for 131 of Monroe's 185 receiving yards this season.

Valley View will win if ... it gets another big game from quarterback Johnny Day. Day completed 16-of-27 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns in last week's win at Indian Hill. Day's final touchdown pass was a 22-yard strike to Justin Griffiths on the final play of the game.

Bracken County (Ky.) (0-1) vs. Middletown Christian (0-2)

at Franklin's Atrium Stadium

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Berea (Ky.) 48, Bracken County 12; New Miami 44, Middletown Christian 8

Bracken County will win if ... the Polar Bears can come up with a solid offensive attack against the injury-riddled Eagles. A consistent attack could slowly wear Middletown Christian's players — many of whom play on both sides of the line of scrimmage — down.

Middletown Christian will win if ... senior running back/quarterback/linebacker/receiver/popcorn salesman David Wheeler is able to chug for big yardage on the ground, and throw for the same to wideouts Kyle Rountree and Josiah Schillinger.

Carlisle (1-1) at Dayton Oakwood (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Oakwood 44, Carlisle 13

Last week: Brookville 55, Carlisle 22; Wyoming 35, Oakwood 21

Carlisle will win if ... the Indians can eliminate the turnovers and get back to wracking up big numbers both offensively and on the scoreboard. Carlisle scored 69 points in the season-opening win over Versailles. Last week, they had three turnovers in the first half of a loss to Brookville.

Oakwood will win if ... quarterback Robbie Sherk is able to work his magic both on the ground and in the air. Sherk is averaging two touchdowns per game so far this season.

Brookville (2-0) at Preble Shawnee (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Brookville, 50-6

Last week: Brookville 55, Carlisle 22; Preble Shawnee 34, Landmark Eagles 7

Brookville will win if ... Jason Stone has another big night. A week ago in the win over Carlisle, Stone ran for touchdown runs of 53 and 68 yards and then returned an interception 48 yards for yet another score.

Preble Shawnee will win if ... quarterback Tyler Begley and slotback Jake Jarbo continue to score. Both Arrows players have four touchdowns to their credit after two weeks of play.

Finneytown (0-2) at Madison (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Shroeder Padeia 39, Finneytown 10; Madison 22, Troy Christian 7

Finneytown will win if ... its defense can stop Madison's running attack. But don't count on that happening: The Wildcats have yet to give up less than 262 yards rushing this season.

Madison will win if ... the Mohawks' running attack is allowed to roam free. Andy McCoppin (two TD runs) and Marcus Miller (25-yard TD pass reception, 30-yard TD run) have been the big guns in undefeated Madison's first two wins of the season.

Franklin (1-1) at Greenville (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Franklin 24, North College Hill 0; Tipp City Tippecanoe 45, Greenville 19

Franklin will win if ... hard-hitting Eric Hildenbrand, Sam Gauze and the rest of the Wildcats defense continues to limit opposing offenses. The 'Cats gave up 14 points to Dunbar in Week 1, and only half of those points were scored by the Wolverines' offense. They blanked North College Hill last week.

Greenville will win if ... running back Zach Melling (185 yards, 2 TDs against Vandalia Butler) is able to break free for big yardage. The Rams surprised Vandalia Butler in week 1 when Melling had a big night.

Middletown (0-2) at Lima Senior (1-1)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Middletown, 49-0 (Game was called at halftime because of thunderstorms)

Last week: Indianapolis Warren Central 39, Middletown 35; Dublin Coffman 35, Lima Senior 7

Middletown will win if ... it can get its rushing game off the ground. The Middies have rushed for a total of 112 yards in its first two games, led by 5-foot-10, 200-pound junior Antonio Banks with 61. Of course, Middletown has played to exceptionally strong defenses? Elder and Warren Central — in the first two weeks.

Lima Senior will win if ... it can get rid of the turnover bug. The Spartans have committed five turnovers in its first two games, two fumbles in a win over Celina, and two interceptions and a fumble in a 35-7 loss to Dublin Coffman. Lima will run the ball more often that not, too, meaning the Middie defense, which has performed well at times, needs to be well prepared.

East Central, Ind. (1-1) at Edgewood (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Harrison 28, East Central 21; Edgewood 51, Eaton 45

East Central will win if ... can rebound after blowing a 21-7 lead in losing to Harrison last week. The Wildcats scored three straight touchdowns, including the game-winner with 13 seconds to go in the game. The Trojans did not put up amazing numbers against Harrison, throwing for only 106 yards and rushing for 149.

Edgewood will win if ... Justin Elder isn't too exhausted from rushing for 307 yards in his first start of the season last week. The younger brother of Jon Elder, the Cougars, all-time leading rusher, is not alone in the backfield, however, Bryant French, Sam Hackney and others will share the rushing duties.

Lebanon (2-0)

at Trotwood-Madison (0-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not meet

Last week: Lebanon 7, Reynoldsburg 3; Arlington (Texas) Bowie 48, Trotwood-Madison 0

Lebanon will win if ... the Warriors rediscover their running game and eliminate simple mistakes on offense. After rushing for over 300 yards in the season opener, Lebanon gained just 11 yards on the ground on 23 carries in last week's win over Reynoldsburg. Warrior receivers also struggled last week, dropping eight passes.

"We need to move the chains and keep our defense off of the field," Lebanon coach Shawn Lamb said.

Trotwood-Madison will win if ...

the Rams can shake off last week's disappointing trip to Texas and pull things together on a short work week with head coach Maurice Douglass serving the first of a three-game suspension. If Trotwood can maintain their focus and team discipline, the Rams have the speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball to make plays against the Warriors.

Little Miami (2-0)

at Milford (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Milford, 21-0

Last week: Little Miami 41, Hillsboro 8; Milford 41, Walnut Hills 20

Little Miami will win if ... the Panthers manage to control the line of scrimmage and create big plays on both sides of the ball. Little Miami will look to continue to spread the ball around and get the ball into different players' hands. Last week, four different Panthers gained 30 or more yards on the ground and five different players scored touchdowns.

Milford will win if ... the Eagles are able to run the ball right at Little Miami and use their size to wear the Panthers down. If Milford can control the ball and keep the explosive Panther offense on the sidelines, they have a good chance to win.

Piqua (1-1) at Springboro (0-2)

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Piqua 14, Fairfield 7 (3OT); Sycamore 49, Springboro 17

Piqua will win if ... Kendall Taylor picks up where he left in rushing for 103 yards on 19 carries in last week's triple-overtime win against Fairfield. He caught a 20-yard screen pass for the winning score.

Springboro will win if ... Antoin Campbell can keep moving his team in the right direction. Campbell has rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, and has 120 receiving yards as well, both team highs, despite the Panthers being 0-2.

Batavia (0-2) at New Miami (2-0)

Last year: Did not play

Last week: Bethel-Tate 27, Batavia 7; New Miami 44, Middletown Christian 8

Batavia will win if ... the Bulldogs' quickness takes control of the game. Batavia will do a lot of things offensively and try to trick New Miami with misdirection. The Bulldogs like to run the ball most of the time.

New Miami will win if ... the Vikings can rise up in their first real challenge of the season while dealing with some injuries. Two-way lineman Kris Roberts is out and running back Josh Hampton probably won't be 100 percent tonight, though New Miami's game plan is the same as always: Control the line of scrimmage and run the football.

Troy Christian (1-1) at Cincinnati Christian (1-1)

Last year: Troy Christian, 35-2

Last week: Madison 22, Troy Christian 7; Cincinnati Country Day 48, Cincinnati Christian 18

Troy Christian will win if ... the Eagles' quickness and aggressive nature overwhelm the Cougars. Troy Christian prefers to keep the ball on the ground and loves to bring defensive pressure.

Cincinnati Christian will win if ... the Cougars' offense can play some ball control and keep their defense off the field. That defensive unit is getting better, but CCHS is still giving up too many points to win consistently.