There is only one thing standing between Martins Ferry and the school’s second trip to the Ohio Division IV state football semifinals. But that one obstacle is a powerful New Lexington squad that is looking for its first regional title. Friday night on the artificial turf at Sulsberger Memorial Stadium in Zanesville, Coach Dave Bruney’s 11-1 Purple Riders will look to exact a little revenge against the Panthers while also moving a victory away from a state championship game berth when the two hook up in the Division IV, Region 15 title contest. Martins Ferry is coming off another impressive performance in which the Riders routed Union Local for a second time this season, 49-14. Meanwhile, Coach Bill Nutt’s New Lexington unit pounded Ironton by a 38-6 margin. The Purple Riders, who own the No. 1 seed in the region, were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs on their last journey by none other than New Lexington. On that night, Nutt’s team disposed of Ferry by a 35-14 count, but lost to Bellaire, 45-7, the following week in the regional final. However, this is a whole new Martins Ferry unit and a New Lexington team that has switched from a power rushing attack to the spread. Both teams have quarterbacks they rely on to run the show, both through the air and on the ground. Panthers junior Clint Cannon sets up under center for his team, having completed 127 of 233 pass attempts for 1,685 yards and 16 touchdowns while being picked off eight times.