Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local in a matchup that smells like tradition, grit and family. The Purple Riders (3-2) host the Panthers (2-4) Friday at the Dave Bruney Football Complex. Fans will see familiar faces. They will hear hometown cheers. This game matters beyond the record. It is the teams’ first meeting since 2018. Martins Ferry leads the series, 18-7. Emotions will run high. Coaches and players said so plainly at practice this week.
Why Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local is a family affair
Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local with an unusual twist: both starting quarterbacks are second cousins. Colby Kropka will lead the Purple Riders. Grant Dombrowski will steer the Panthers. Coach Justin Kropka smiled as he explained the ties. He coached against many of these young men years ago. “My son played for the Young Buckeyes,” Kropka said. “So I know a lot of those kids.” The rarity of family on opposite sidelines adds a human element. It also raises the stakes. Rivalry games already spark intense preparation. Add family and the pulse quickens.
How Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local shifts the scouting report
Martins Ferry’s offense lives in the trenches. “Everything starts with the running game with us,” coach Kropka said. After last week’s 59-13 win over Uniontown, sophomore Walkquem Cox sits atop the scouting report. Cox rushed for 172 yards and three touchdowns in that game. Opponents must plan for him first. Buckeye Local coach Chris Kiedaisch admitted Cox is a priority. “He’s a special athlete, especially for his age,” Kiedaisch said. The Panthers will focus on gap discipline and tackling fundamentals to slow the run.
Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local and the coaching narratives
Both programs arrive with different storylines. Martins Ferry overcame a chaotic week when two opponents canceled. The Riders adjusted and dominated Uniontown. That resilience matters. Kropka praised his staff and players for staying calm. “We can only control what we can control,” he said. Buckeye Local, meanwhile, has found many games close. The Panthers lost 17-0 to Oak Glen but see margins that bite. Kiedaisch stressed consistency. “When we’re consistent play after play, we’re a pretty good football team,” he said. That message will guide Buckeye Local this week.
Matchups to watch when Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local
Defensive fronts will decide the tone. If Martins Ferry’s offensive line opens lanes, Cox will punish the box. If Buckeye Local keeps contain and tackles soundly, the game tightens. Special teams could swing momentum. Watch Luca Shane at fullback for Martins Ferry; his blocking cleared holes last week. For Buckeye Local, the secondary’s tackling on contact will matter. Coaches from both sides noted injuries have trimmed depth. Both teams aim to be healthier by Friday and emphasized smart practices and recovery.
The history that matters as Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local
This rivalry carries local history. The series count favors Martins Ferry, 18-7, a stat that underscores long-term dominance but not immediate outcome. Rivalry games defy records. Players grow up watching this matchup. Many on the field played youth ball together on the Young Buckeyes, creating familiarity and added competitiveness. The last meeting was in 2018. After a multi-year pause, returning to that annual clash renews community energy. Expect packed stands and loud alumni.
Coaching adjustments after last week as Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local
Kropka said last week’s chaotic scheduling tested his staff’s preparation routines. They adapted. The game plan for Buckeye Local will keep the run as the centerpiece. Buckeye Local will emphasize tackling angles and discipline at the point of attack. Both coaches highlighted situational football, third-down defense, red-zone execution, and turnover avoidance. Those small details often decide rivalry games. Both staffs drilled situational reps in practice this week.
What a win means when Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local
A Martins Ferry victory would bolster the Riders’ momentum and validate their midseason adjustments. It would also deepen the school’s lead in the series and feed community pride. For Buckeye Local, a win would feel like vindication for close losses earlier this fall. Kiedaisch framed it plainly: consistency breeds wins. He believes the Panthers have played competitively in most games. A win Friday would prove that belief true and give his team a lift in morale and standing.
Final notes ahead of Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local
Game time energy will be high. The schools emphasized student sections, alumni attendance and family presence. Officials scheduled the kickoff for Friday night under the lights. Both coaches asked fans to support sportsmanship and keep the focus on young athletes. With both teams nursing bumps and bruises, the week’s practices prioritized recovery. Expect both rosters to be closer to full strength than they were earlier in the season.
In short, Martins Ferry welcomes Buckeye Local not just as another game, but as a lively reunion of neighbors, cousins, teammates and alumni. The matchup will test physicality, poise and preparation. It will also remind the community why Friday night football still matters in towns across Ohio. Come for the rivalry. Stay for the stories, the family ties, and the plays that make local sports unforgettable.
References
- Source: Martins Ferry City School District Athletics
- Source: Buckeye Local Schools Athletics
- Source: Ohio High School Athletic Association
- Source: The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Game details, rosters, and statistics are based on team reports and local coverage at the time of writing and may change. Readers seeking official schedules and player availability should consult school athletic departments or league announcements.
