It took dodging a couple of bullets to set up this shoot out.

Last week, the Coal Grove Hornets and Chesapeake Panthers both dodged possible losses. The Hornets outlasted Fairland 52-50 while the Panthers blocked an extra point kick to beat South Point 13-12.

&#8221(Coal Grove) had trouble last week and so did we, but we said all along that the way South Point and Fairland throw the ball, teams will have trouble,“ Panthers coach Phil Davis said. &#8221I thought Fairland played pretty well.“

The narrow wins allowed both teams to reach Friday night's Ohio Valley Conference showdown with 2-0 league records in a battle for first place.

The game also brings a large amount of computer points for the winner. Both teams must win out to have a shot at the playoffs.

Despite the importance of the game, Coal Grove coach Dave Lucas is downplaying the hype.

&#8221It's just like every other game. All that other stuff is for everyone else. We have to go one at a time. We approach this game like we do every game,“ Lucas said.

Coal Grove (6-1) is led by tailback Justin Hyland who ran 50 times for 400 yards and scored six touchdowns last week. On the season, Hyland has carried 242 times for 1,482 yards and had 25 touchdowns. He has scored 184 points including 34 on conversions.

&#8221Obviously, Hyland is running well, but they have other people running well so you can't ignore them and concentrate on one person,“ Davis said.

&#8221They have most of their guys back. Their offense is similar to last year. You have to play tough and you have to play hard. They'll do what's working for them. They'll catch you creeping up and they'll hit you deep.“

The Hornets ball control, time-consuming offense creates a major concern for the Panthers.

&#8221The worst thing that can happen to you is to let them have the ball for 15 plays,“ Davis said.

Chesapeake (4-3) has a more balanced offense. Fullback Kersten Harris has carried 81 times for 522 yards. Quarterback Caleb McComas has ran 35 times for 224 yards and is 31 of of 81 for 411 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.

&#8221Their quarterback is pretty fast. He has good feet, and the other kids are steady,“ Lucas said. &#8221They have good balanced. They can run both sides of the field.“

Last year, Coal Grove trailed just 14-7 with 2:30 left in the half when the Panthers put together a quick scoring drive and got a touchdown pass to Jeffrey Thornburg with one second remaining to lead 21-7.

The Panthers went on to win 48-13.

&#8221I hope we're a little better at what we do and I hope they're not as good at what they do,“ Lucas said. &#8221They're sound defensively. They're going to make some plays and we're going to make plays. We have to be consistent in our technique to win this game.“

Davis said the key for the Panthers is simple.

&#8221We have to execute and take care of the football ourselves and make them play defense all over the field,“ Davis said.

Kickoff at Coal Grove's Patterson Field is 7:30 p.m.