YORKVILLE — Friday’s meeting between Edison (5-2) and host Buckeye Local (2-5) is a prime example of why games aren’t played on paper.

On one hand, the last two weeks illustrate why Edison, in theory, could and should run away with this game.

Two weeks ago, the Wildcats handed Toronto a dominating 35-19 defeat at Richmond. Last week, those same Red Knights had their way with Buckeye Local, 42-3.

In fairness, Buckeye Local’s primary offensive gameplan went right out the window when quarterback and leading rusher A.J. McDiffitt got hurt on the first series of the game before the Panthers’ offense even took their first snap.

“Toronto has as good of kids as we’re going to see, but our guys are starting to get used to going out and attacking a giant,” Buckeye head coach Chris Kiedaisch said. “But we were a little disappointed. We had some injury problems and McDiffitt got hurt ont he first defensive series, he wasn’t even close to 100 percent from our first snap on offense. Running him was plan A, and when that gets taken away, it makes it tough.”

That’s not to say Buckeye wins if McDiffitt is completely healthy, but when you chuck the script out the proverbial window before the first play, it throws things out of whack.

Coaches can preach not to overlook an opponent, but high school kids are still kids, and they can read box scores and do the math.

Edison wouldn’t be the first team caught looking past a team that had a lesser record and less success against a common opponent.

But last week’s surprising 21-20 loss to East Liverpool may have taken care of Edison’s post-Toronto “off game,” though head coach Mike Collopy didn’t fault his Wildcats’ effort vs. the upset-minded Potters.

“Any time you have a big win the week before you always worry about your focus,” Collopy noted. “But we played hard. It was just a really good game between two teams and we came out on the short end of the stick.

“There’s going to be a winner and a loser and we came out on the wrong end, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort.”

If the Liverpool loss counts as Edison’s let-down game, then that should counteract any focus issues against Buckeye.

There’s also this to consider.

One of Buckeye’s two wins came in a 36-31 home triumph against Shenandoah. Those same Zeps bested Edison 42-40 in Week 1 at Sarahsville.

So while Edison’s players could play the “who beat who” game to potentially deal with overconfidence issues against Buckeye, the Panthers can look to those comparative scores against Shenandoah and believe they have a legit shot at their third win of the season.

But Kiedaisch knows the Wildcats who took the field in Week 1 and the team his Panthers will face Friday are vastly different.

“I almost feel like I see two different teams,” he admitted. “Sometimes they look like world beaters. They put it on Toronto pretty good. And other times, they do some things that allow others to stay in games.

“Obviously they proved they can beat pretty much anybody in the Valley, but also that they are beatable. We are excited to face a team, again, that people probably don’t give us a chance to beat.”

Don’t count the Edison staff among those people.

Buckeye’s record is deceiving. Blame its strength of schedule, which comparatively, likely ranks more difficult than nearly all, if not every team in the OVAC.

It’s five losses have come against teams with a combined five losses, including three unbeatens in Barnesville, Union Local, and Monroe Central.

“Their schedule is brutal, no doubt about it,” Collopy said. “We’re just another team on their schedule, which sounds crazy, but it’s not like they haven’t played teams similar in strength to us. We have to make sure we are ready to play.

“They have improved each week and as far as their offense goes, they have some skilled kids we have to be aware of and contend with. I really like their QB. He’s a good runner and does a good job in the passing game.”

Buckeye has another thing to play for– a potential playoff spot.

The Panthers are currently No. 19 in Division V, Region 17. But winning out, which would include additional victories against River and rival Harrison Central and Week 10 should be enough to propel the Panthers into the postseason for the first time since 2021.