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WELLSBURG -- Indian Creek travels to Brooke Memorial Stadium on Friday night for a rivalry matchup with the Bruins that goes way back in the communities.
"It's been a cool thing since we picked it back up," Indian Creek coach Andrew Connor said. "I think it gives the communities and the student bodies something to get excited about."
Friday night will be the fifth meeting since the rivalry was rekindled, and it has added meaning for both coaches.
"I remember being a kid and going to the old Wellsburg Stadium and watching the Wintersville-Brooke matchups," Brooke coach Mac McLean said. "It is a big deal. One of the things different about the rivalry now is, with social media, these kids all know each other. I think it puts a different level to the rivalry."
The first three meetings were decided by a touchdown or less before the Redskins pulled off a 31-0 win at Kettlewell Memorial Stadium a season ago. The last time the teams met at Brooke two years ago, Indian Creek won 21-14, which is the type of game Connor expects Friday.
"It has been a good game," Connor said. "It has gone back and forth, and that is what you would expect in a game that has such a long history. That is the type of game I expect on Friday night -- a good, hard-fought game."
The teams have had much different seasons so far. The Redskins are 3-2 and coming off a very tough 14-7 loss to state-ranked St. Clairsville. The Bruins are 0-4 and returning home after a 42-14 loss at Ripley.
"I know (Indian Creek) is a well-coached team," McLean said. "I have a ton of respect for coach Connor and his staff. They are a talented, physical team. They played a good game with my brother (Brett McLean and St. Clairsville), and I know what he has in the stable over there."
Connor, though, knows the Bruins' record is not indicative of what McLean's team can do because of the high level of competition the Bruins have ran into.
"We told our kids as we practice and prepare for them that (Brooke's) schedule is very, very good," he said.
"They play a lot of good schools, and their record is no where near indicative of the type of football program they are. They are very hard-nosed and they play hard. They play old school and do a lot of different things defensively we have not seen yet this year."
The Redskins offense averages 299 yards and 23.4 points per game. It is led by junior quarterback Sam Mazar, who replaced injured Brennon Norris in Week 1 and has since thrown for 462 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions, while adding 143 yards and three more scores with his feet.
Tailback Trevor Fante is fifth in the area with 464 rushing yards and six scores.
Indian Creek's defense ranks second in the area to Steubenville, allowing just 262.2 yards and 20 points per contest.
Gage Yost and Logan Williams have split time at quarterback for the Bruins, each throwing for around 150 yards with two scores and two interceptions each. Max Camilletti has 123 yards and a score on 32 carries.
Brooke's offense scores 13 points and gets 125.3 yards on average. On defense, the Bruins allow 459.3 yards and 52.8 points.