BARNESVILLE — Buckeye Local took a moment to celebrate its first win of the 2025 campaign last Friday, a 20-14 overtime victory against Shadyside.

Tied at 14 after regulation, running back Chase Worwa punched in the go ahead score and the Panthers’ defense held for the win.

Worwa finished with 122 yards to lead the Panthers’ ground game, which compiled 238 yards against the Tigers. Xzavier Eastham back Worwa nicely with 92 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, giving the hosts a potent 1-2 punch.

The time to celebrate was short lived, however, as attention and focus turned immediately to Friday’s road matchup with unbeaten Barnevsille.

The Shamrocks are coming off a dominant performance at Nelson Field, where the visitors scored early and often in a 40-0 victory.

Losses like that don’t happen often to Bellaire, and especially not at Nelson Field. The result is more indicative of how strong Barnesville is as a program.

It took 10 seconds for star back Trey Toliver to rush 65 yards for the opening score.

A win Friday against visiting Buckeye Local would give Barnesville its 40th-straight regular season victory.

The Shamrocks are currently the No. 2 rated team in Ohio Division V, Region 19, a few points behind fellow unbeaten Wheelersburg. Head coach Blake Allen’s crew previously defeated Fort Frye 35-7 and Meadowbrook 51-21.

Barnesville isn’t all defense, either.

Against Bellaire’s dangerous offense, the Shamrocks’ secondary held talented Big Reds’ receiver Raekwon Pettigrew to one catch for three years, a week after securing 261 yards and establishing a single-game mark for yardage.

Buckeye’s passing attack isn’t quite as potent as Bellaire’s, so Barnesville is likely prepping for a heavy dose of Worwa, Eastham, and the Panthers’ ground game.

The Panthers possess a solid and experienced offensive line.

Barnesville is tough up front on both sides of the ball, which will pose a major challenge for the visitors.

The trick will be to control the clock, stretch out methodical drives on the ground and keep Barnesville’s potent offense on the sidelines laying in wait.

When clicking on all cylinders, as it did against Bellaire, Barnesville can pile up yardage in large chunks.

The Shamrocks ran for 314 yards and four touchdowns on only 20 carries — an average of 15.7 yards per carry.

If Buckeye can do that, keep its offense on the field and the clock churning, the Panthers may have a chance to experience some success where other teams have failed this season.