BELLAIRE — A suffocating defensive effort, combined with a diabolically methodical offensive attack, propelled Martins Ferry to a convincing 40-12 conquest of archrival Bellaire on Friday before a robust, chilly throng at Nelson Field.

Ferry thus retains the beloved SPARKY Trophy, symbolic of football conquest over their down-river rivals. Bellaire still holds a slim 59-56-7 overall advantage in this 120-year rivalry.

The Purple Riders (7-3) thus find themselves on the cusp of the Ohio Div. VI Region 23 playoffs. The top 12 teams in each region advance. Ferry entered Week 10 ranked 13th, so the Riders must await the results of other games and see where the line is drawn.

But, on this night, it was all about the SPARKY.

Ferry’s defense was astoundingly stout on the evening. Granted, Bel

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