The battle for Ohio takes place this Thursday as the Cincinnati Bengals play the Cleveland Browns on the NFL Network.

A win puts Cleveland in a first-place tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North, a spot currently occupied by the 5-2 Bengals. Fans of the two teams also have a vested interest in the outcome: bragging rights.

The Friends of Ironton currently hosts “Game Day at the Ro-Na” on Saturdays to watch college football games and now will open its doors for the Browns vs. Bengals.

“It’s on the NFL Network and a lot of people don’t get that channel through their cable provider,” Suzie Hamlin, of the Friends of Ironton, said. “There’s a lot of Bengals’ and a lot of Browns’ fans around here so we thought we would provide an opportunity for them to see the game.”

The doors at the Ro-Na open at 7:30 p.m. and the game begins at 8:25 p.m. Hamlin said there will be pizza and possibly other food available for purchase and the bar will be open. Admission is free.

On Saturday along with the usual college football broadcasts the Friends of Ironton is inviting everyone to come to the Ro-Na after Ironton High School’s home playoff game against Martins Ferry.

“People can watch the end of the Ohio State vs. Michigan State game and celebrate Ironton’s win,” Hamlin said. “We’ve had quite a few people show up the past two Saturdays to watch the college games. It just has to catch on and become part of people’s habit to come to the Ro-Na and watch the games.”