ASHLAND — The Saturday game trend ends this week, so take advantage of it. Head out to Spartan Stadium in Portsmouth for Greenup County and Portsmouth Notre Dame.

With its strong offensive line and successful running attack, the Musketeers should have no problems with Notre Dame. However, there is a slight rivalry between the schools, or at least a connection. Mike Sammons, who coached the Greenup County from 2005-08, is on the Notre Dame coaching staff, headed up by first-year coach Bob Ashley.

Greenup County took last year’s meeting, 29-25.

Ram redemption?

Fleming County shocked Raceland last season as it came away with a 19-13 victory decided in the final seconds.

The Panthers surprised the Rams with their only two pass completions of the game in the last minute, the game-winner a 15-yarder from Chip Clark to Josh Gray.

“(Fleming County) gives kind of a different look this year,” said Raceland coach T.J. Maynard. “They throw two to one now.”

Rams quarterback Tyler Farley did not play in that game due to a back injury. His replacement, Mason Rister (now the starting QB at Greenup), put together a decent game in Farley’s absence, but lost a fumble that turned into a score for the Panthers. He threw for 113 yards on 11 of 19 passing.

“I truly believe that if we would have had (Farley) last year we would have won that game,” Maynard said.

Fleming County is coming off a 28-20 loss against a much-improved Nicholas County team.

Siding with history

-Ashland’s always had Belfry’s number, at a 16-2 series advantage, but the last few meetings have been tightly contested affairs.

With the exception being 2001’s 42-21 result in the Tomcats’ favor, five of the last six meetings have been decided by five points or less.

-Ironton has dominated Russell throughout the two schools’ series. The Fighting Tigers hold a 21-3-1 lead, with two of those wins coming in the 1930s. In fact, here’s the stat of the week: Ten percent of Russell coach Ivan McGlone’s career losses have come to Ironton, and the two schools did not play one another from 1992 to 2009. The KHSAA Hall of Famer is 1-13 against oft-favored Ironton.

Central’s tough stretch

Johnson Central continues its challenging schedule to begin the season with a date with Knox Central tonight in Clay County.

The Golden Eagles crushed Cooper, 43-19, last week. Now they must face Knox, Sheldon Clark and Bell County in succession before a home game with Breathitt County. They will certainly need that week off before the showdown with Ashland on Oct. 8.

Lastly, the Lions

This is it. The Quarterback is hanging on to Boyd County by his pinkie! The QB picked the Lions to beat Pikeville last week, and he is riding alone this week in predicting a win over Pike County Central. Please prove the naysayers wrong and lift the QB to game-picking glory over the Swami! Boyd County will be fired up to prove something at home.

Tweet the QB

Follow the Quarterback tonight at dindependentqb at twitter.com as he updates scores from around the area.

For your ears only

Tonight’s radio coverage:

Belfry at Ashland: WBVB 97.1-FM

Lewis County at Bath County: WKKS 104.9-FM

Pike County Central at Boyd County: WBKS 107.1-FM

Rowan County at Estill County: WQXX 106.1-FM

East Carter at Fairview: WUGO 102.3-FM; wlgcradio.com

Johnson Central vs. Knox Central (at Clay County): WSIP 98.1-FM

Ironton at Russell: WLGC 105.7-FM

Lawrence County at Shelby Valley: WZAQ 92.3-FM

Saturday’s coverage:

Greenup County at Portsmouth Notre Dame: WZZZ 107.5-FM

AARON SNYDER, aka The Quarterback, can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.