Sep 21, 2018 2 min read

Week 4 games provide a postseason feel It feels like playoff football. While it’s only Week 4 of the high school season, there are several critical games tonight, including three that match the first- and second-place teams in a conference. Here is what to watch for in what should be a compelling Friday night: McGuffey at Beth Center: This is the first test for two of the top teams in the Interstate Conference. Beth-Center had a firsthalf challenge with Southmoreland last week, just as McGuffey did earlier in the season against Frazier. Both games, however, ended up being blowouts. The Bulldogs’ smallest margin of 1. LUKE CAMPBELL victory has been 26 points. McGuffey isn’t far behind with its closest game being a 20-pointer. It’s likely to be much closer tonight when the teams meet in Fredericktown. The key: Can McGuffey tackle in open space? Beth-Center, which runs a spread offense, puts opposing tacklers on an island against either quarterback Bailey Lincoski or running back Dominic Fundy. Lincoski has 42 carries for 383 rushing yards and Fundy has 659 yards on 56 carries. The Highlanders’ defense has been up to the task so far, shutting out opponents in three of their four games and surrendering an average of fewer than six points. But nobody would consider any of their opponents as world-beaters. The four teams McGuffey has defeated have a combined 2-13 record and average fewer than nine points per game on offense. An advantage Beth-Center has is playing against an offense similar to McGuffey’s. That came back in Week Zero against California. But the Highlanders run it smoothly with lead back Christian Clutter, who has 13 touchdowns. Burgettstown at South Side Beaver: The chinstraps better be buckled tight for this one. With both teams returning four offensive linemen this year, there are no secrets as to what either wants to do when they play for first place in the Three Rivers Conference tonight. 2. See Campbell, Page C3