Huskies, Panthers battle for V.A.L.E.S. Trophy
Harrison Central seeks to clinch top-four seed, Buckeye Local to finish strong
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CADIZ -- It's a great week to be a Husky. It should be at least, on paper.
By virtue of its big win against Edison, Harrison Central sits third in Division V, Region 17's playoff ratings.
A win Friday and the Huskies will finish anywhere between third through sixth. A loss? Third through seventh.
No matter what happens on the field, Harrison Central will be hosting the school's first playoff game the following weekend.
As for the Huskies opponent? The Buckeye Local Panthers are 1-8, are eliminated from the playoffs, have lost five in a row and are coming off a 48-0 loss to River.
Once again, on paper, the Huskies should cruise.
But games aren't played on paper, nor in a vacuum.
This is a rivalry game, the V.A.L.E.S. Trophy is on the line, and Harrison Central head coach Anthony Hayes knows there's nothing more dangerous than a team with nothing to lose, looking to play spoiler.
"It really is, and it might sound crazy, but that's how we're looking at it," Hayes said as his team readies for Friday's showdown with the Panthers. "I expect a backyard brawl type atmosphere, so to speak."
Given the Huskies' mantra throughout the season, and in general during Hayes' tenure, the opponent's win-loss matter shouldn't matter.
Harrison is focused on self improvement each week, working to get better, both as individuals and a team, but also a program. Build for now, build for the future.
"We're excited that we've earned a home game (next week) because we've never done that before and it's a great thing and opportunity for our program. "We've tried our best to help them understand that we're trending in the right direction but we have to keep working to get better every day.
"If we were solely focused resting on what we've accomplished, we've never be able to make that jump as a team and staff. We have to make sure our focus is on what it needs to be.
"If we are mentally tough, and continue to get better, it will take care of itself."
The Panthers face a tough task. Buckeye's battled through offensive struggles this season against, in fairness, quite a formidable schedule.
That schedule doesn't get any easier Friday. Harrison has only twice allowed more than 19 points in game -- once in a 22-20 loss to unbeaten Malvern, and another in a tough 49-8 loss to St. Clairsville.
The Huskies can bottle up a team's run game and then when opponents elect to pass, Harrison is able to generate good pressure with its front four.
Still, position changes on the offense have helped Buckeye waded through injuries and adjustments and have the Panthers moving the ball more consistently since Week 4.
"They are playing to their strengths right now and doing what it best for their team to be in the best possible position for them to succeed," Hayes said. "Coach (Jim) Hoover has been around a long time he understand what it takes to get ready, make changes, and give your team the best opportunity to be successful."