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CADIZ -- Friday night in Cadiz marks a huge game in the Ohio Division V, Region 17 playoff race.
A pair of teams with identical 6-2 marks and in playoff position in the region are set to clash, though the significance of the results is different for each when Edison travels to Harrison Central's Wagner Field.
The Huskies are in the No. 4 spot in the region, and according to Joe Eitel, have already clinched a fourth-straight playoff appearance. The top eight in the region, though, will play their first round game at home and the top four would be in line for a home game in the first two rounds.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, are at No. 11 in the regional rankings and have not clinched a playoff spot. A win with the amount of points on the line could go a long way to locking up a third-straight playoff trip under Mike Collopy, and could help get them toward the top eight.
"This is big time football at the end of year, two good teams getting ready to go at it in a big game," Huskies head coach Anthony Hayes said. "We talk to our kids about controlling what we can control and not looking ahead, but everyone is aware of the standings. We're working today to be better than we were yesterday. The playoff position solidifies the importance of working hard every day. It shows the importance of the hard work every day when you start to see the long term goals you set start to come within reach."
Both teams are also coming into the pivotal clash coming off of big victories. The Huskies went on the road and took down Wateford 28-14 for their fourth win in the last five games, while Edison snapped a two-game skid with a 41-6 win over Buckeye Local.
"There are always big games at different points of the year and this is absolutely one of them," Collopy said.
The Huskies are led by the three-pronged attack of Hayden Cassidy, Parker Hutton and Mykel Quito. Cassidy has already thrown for more than 1,100 yards and 12 scores, rushing for four more touchdowns. Hutton has hauled in 34 passes for more than 500 yards and eight scores. The duo connected for a pair of scores last week.
Quito, who also had a pair of scores last week, is just shy of the 1,000-yard mark on the season and has found the end zone 15 times.
"They're a very athletic team on both sides of the ball," Collopy said. "Defensively they have a lot of athleticism and speed and they probably are the best front four that we're going to face this season.
"Offensively they have the same guys that play on defense, so they have a lot of speed and their coaches do a great job of getting their kids the ball in space.
"They have a good scheme and we're going to have to be ready to play."
For Edison, J.D. Henderson is having a strong sophomore campaign to lead the way. He fired a TD pass and ran for another score against the Panthers. He has 14 scores on the season passing and more than 1,300 yards. Talan McClurg leads the rushing attack with more than 600 yards and 15 trips to the end zone. He scored three times last week.
"I think they're a typical Edison team, very big up front, well-coached and they play hard," Hayes said. "I think their quarterback flies under the radar a little bit, I think he's really good and I enjoy watching him play. He has a good arm and manages the game very well.
"On the defensive side, they have an attacking front seven and get their safeties involved. They present a lot of challenges for us."
The Wildcats average 32.5 points for and allow an average of 10.8. The Huskies average 29.5 points for and allow an average of 18.6.
Both teams will close their regular seasons with rivalry games in Week 10 as Harrison Central takes on Buckeye Local in the annual V.A.L.E.S. Trophy game and Edison hosts Indian Creek in the annual Route 43 Bowl.