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YORKVILLE -- Neither Harrison Central nor Buckeye Local are heading to the playoffs, but don't think that means the two rivals have nothing to play for this week when they clash at World War II Memorial Stadium.
For the seventh straight season, the cherished V.A.L.E.S. Trophy will be on the line when the Huskies and Panthers clash. Created through the schools and all of the veterans organizations throughout the two school districts, the week surrounding the game has grown into a big affair.
"I can't believe we've been doing (V.A.L.E.S.) for seven years," Huskies head coach Justin Kropka said. "It just seems like yesterday when we were having meetings discussing this as an idea. It's great though that the kids get to be part of such a nice thing and pay tribute to our veterans. At least in our little corner of the world, we get to be who we are and remember the reason why this whole thing started."
While Kropka referred to himself as one of the "last of the mohicans" as it pertains to guys still being involved with the game that were on the ground floor, Buckeye Local head coach Roger Herbert is preparing for his first encounter in the series.
"I think this is really great," Herbert said. "I am very supportive and grateful of our veterans. This is great for the kids to be able to create, regardless of the outcome, lasting memories from playing in this game."
The Huskies, who have won the trophy every year except for the first, cruised to a 72-9 victory last season in Cadiz. Harrison comes into this game -- despite battling season-long injury problems -- with a 4-5 record and winners of three straight.
"We had a meat grinder of a schedule during the first half of the season and we've lost, I think we counted seven or eight two-way starters," Kropka said. "We've had such an unselfish group of seniors who we've had to move all around. We have guys in weeks eight or nine learning new positions and doing things to sacrifice for the team. The senior group saved the ship, so your character gets revealed through adversity."
Buckeye Local, meanwhile, has seen its struggles continue. Though showing several signs of improvement, the Panthers are sitting at 0-9 and have lost 31 consecutive games.
"Honestly, we think from last year to this year, there's been a big improvement, and I realize it's not been that way in terms of wins and losses," Herbert said. "The kids' efforts and attitudes have been really good. We've scored more points than we did last year and given up way less, so we've been more competitive. We had to start somewhere, and we realize it's going to take time."
If the Panthers are going to be successful this week, it'll boil down to finding a way to stop Huskies' junior tailback Tyler West. He's rushed 144 times for 1,220 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
Along with West, DeJuan Caldwell, who has taken over the quarterback duties, has rushed for 679 yards and 8 touchdowns. He's also 403 yards and four touchdowns.
The Panthers' offense, meanwhile, is triggered by quarterback Shayne Christian. He's completed 47-of-90 passes for 831 yards and six touchdowns in just three-plus games. Senior John Marelli is the Panthers' leading rusher with 424 yards and four touchdowns.