MINERAL RIDGE, Ohio (WKBN) – Friday night lights are taking over Saturday as one of the Valley’s biggest football showdowns takes center stage.
This week’s WKBN Game of the Week features a heavyweight clash of contrasting cultures and high stakes.
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The McDonald Blue Devils, still carrying the momentum of last year’s dominant run to the Final Four, look to defend their crown under the steady guidance of well-respected head coach Dan Williams.
Standing in their way is a hungry Valley Christian squad looking to shake up the hierarchy. Led by second-year head coach Aaron Agresta, bringing an aggressive, nothing-to-lose mentality to Saturday night.
It’s a classic battle of established dominance versus a rising program eager for a signature win.
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High School Football Game of the Week
Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 7 p.m. LIVE on MyYTV, WKBN.com, WKBN App, WKBN+
McDonald at Valley Christian (at Mineral Ridge High School)
Last 4 Meetings
Sept. 2, 2022 – Valley Christian, 33-0
Sept. 4, 2021 – Valley Christian, 53-34
Aug. 23, 2008 – McDonald, 43-20
Aug. 24, 2007 – McDonald, 47-0
Last Meeting
…Ja’Sean Lindsey (current Hampton Pirate running back) ran for 139 yards on only 9 carries as he scored twice on the ground. His quarterback, Jhordan Peete, connected for 168 yards on 10 passes as Valley Christian rolled to a week three win over McDonald, 33-0, in 2022.
2025 Team Statistics
Scoring Offense: McDonald, 34.2; Valley Christian, 31.4
Scoring Defense: McDonald, 15.8; Valley Christian, 30.4
Returning Players
Offensive Starters: McDonald, 6; Valley Christian, 6
Defensive Starters: McDonald, 6; Valley Christian, 6
Game Notes
-The two schools last began the season with a matchup in 2008 when McDonald won the first of 11 straight contests by topping Youngstown Christian, 43-20.
-The Blue Devils' offense scored 40 points or more in 8 games last season. McDonald’s defense was stout as it allowed 14 points or less in 9 of its 14 contests a year ago.
-The Blue Devils defeated Mogadore, 42-21, for the Division VII Regional crown, advancing to the state final four for the first time in 31 years.
-Last year, McDonald closed out the year tied for the most wins in school history (13 with 1994).
-The Blue Devils are seeking their seventh double-digit win total this year; that would be the seventh time in the past 18 years, dating back to 2008.
-Valley Christian finished last season by scoring a combined 90 points in their last two games (vs. Southern and East Palestine). Their week-10 win at playoff-bound East Palestine, 55-54, was first-year head coach Aaron Agresta’s signature win.
-Valley Christian has had much success in the second year of a coaching tenure dating back to the program's inception. All of the head coaches have enjoyed a winning year or a playoff appearance in year No. 2. Eddy Witham’s second season saw an increase of 6 wins to a 6-4 record in 2005. Brian Marrow’s second season saw the program finish with a 7-3 mark. In the second year of Jomont Ware and Jeff Hether’s co-coaching stint, the team made the playoffs with a 5-5 record. Andy Hake’s 2022 season saw the team post the most wins in school history, 10.
Upcoming Schedule
McDonald
Aug. 28 – at Malvern
Sept. 4 – LaBrae
Sept. 11 – at Campbell
Valley Christian
Aug. 28 – at Campbell
Sept. 5 – Pymatuning Valley
Sept. 11 – at Warren JFK
Get updated high school football scores throughout the season on the WKBN scores page.
Track the latest conference battles on the WKBN high school football standings page.
You can also watch interviews and get player profiles from Big 22
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