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WINTERSVILLE -- Old school football is coming to Kettlewell Stadium Friday night.
Indian Creek and Bellaire are set to renew their rivalry at 7 p.m. as the Redskins look to get back on track, while the Big Reds look to continue their winning ways. The Redskins find themselves mired in a four-game losing streak, while the invaders from Belmont County have won two straight games.
Indian Creek enters this week's game coming off a 35-6 loss to Utica last week on Homecoming. The big difference in the game was the Licking County Redskins ability to create big plays on offense.
"Big plays," Indian Creek (1-4) head coach Andrew Connor said asked what the difference in the game. "They were able to score on some big plays. We're susceptible to giving up big plays.
"I thought we played a great first quarter defensively. We forced three three-and-outs. Then, they had some big pass plays for touchdowns. They had a couple big pass plays and a couple big runs.
"It's the same thing. I think 85 percent of the time we play good defense. Then, we give up big plays. We have to eliminate the big play."
The Red-and-Gold have been hurt by big plays in multiple games as teams able to make the play when given the opportunity.
"If you are hoping for luck to win a football game, you are in trouble," Connor said. "We have not been able to get a turnover when we needed it. We have not been able to make the plays when we need them, and that has hurt us. We cannot give up the big play, and we have to create big plays. That is something we haven't done."
The Big Reds are coming off of a game in which they made a plethora a big plays. Bellaire ran a school record 565 yards on the ground in a 64-39 victory against Cambridge Saturday afternoon at Nelson Field. Bellaire tied a school record with eight rushing touchdowns in the game.
Mac Mac Pettigrew led the way as the speedster ran for 173 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries. Pettigrew also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 87 yards for another touchdown.
"They have a nice offensive line," Connor said. "Mac Mac Pettigrew had 160 yards on four carries. That's 40 yards a carry. He's explosive.
"They also have their normal tailback.
"Coach (Mark) Bonar is a seasoned coach. They want to play physical. They want to run the ball, and they run it well.
"They have a good quarterback. They have two or three good tailbacks. They have a good offensive line. When you run for 550 yards, that is awfully impressive."
"We have to stop the run. There is no doubt about it. There is no hidden secret or agenda."
Bellaire has struggled at times defensively this season as the Big Reds have given up at least 38 points three times through five games.
"Defensively, they run a 4-3," Connor said. "They play well defensively. There is not a lot of schematics. They don't blitz a lot. They have a lot of speed in the secondary, so they can play a lot of man. They are good up front.
"It is the same thing as their offense. They are physical. They do what they do.
"It's old school football. In the modern era, teams like to spread you out and throw the ball over the field. They have a phone booth mentality. They want to run the ball, and we have to stop the run if we are going to be successful Friday night."
Bellaire opened the season with three straight losses with those losses coming to Garaway (38-6), Barnesville (38-14) and Fort Frye (22-14). The Big Reds picked up its win of the season in Week 4 as Bellaire defeated Shadyside (42-12).
"Size-wise, I would say we are about even," Connor said. "Speed-wise – if you take away Pettigrew – I might say the same thing. He's just so fast.
"We can't let him get into open space. We saw what we can do in open space. We had the four long runs, but he also had a kickoff return. He's definitely a threat."
Special teams may play a big factor in the outcome of this game.
"Special teams is going to be very important," Connor said. "We are getting better. That was something that was a big Achilles' heel for us. Our coverage teams have gotten better. That has hurt us at times. The kids have gotten better. That is the biggest area where we have seen improvement."
A key to the game will be which team can be more effective on first down.
"It is going to be a physical game," Connor said. "I know it is a cliche, but it is going to come down to who can win first down. That is going to be the most important thing we have emphasized all year. We can let them be in second-and-2. Offensively, we are going to have to get four or five yards on first down. We are going to have to make it easier on second down.
"We can't get into a track meet with them. That is something that just not feasible for us. We are going to have to win first down. We are going to have to create turnovers.
"We are going to have to do the basics. We had a great day of practice today. Our kids worked really hard. Our kids work hard and they always give a great effort. I'm proud of them for that.
"They worked hard today in practice, and that's not easy when you are in a four-game losing streak. The kids worked hard. We had a good day of practice.
"We have to win first down That is going to be the key thing. We have to win first down if we want to be successful Friday night."
The Big Reds defeated the Redskins, 42-7, last season at home.
Bellaire enters play this week ranked No. 16 in the Ohio Division VI Region 23 rankings.