YORKVILLE — The Buckeye Local and Harrison Central football teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, however, the Panthers and Huskies still have something to play for this week.

The Panthers and Huskies will square off for a coveted trophy in the 15th annual V.A.L.E.S. Trophy game at 7 p.m. Friday night down at World War II Memorial Stadium.

“Our No. 1 goal is to beat Harrison Central,” Buckeye Local (2-7) head coach Chris Kiedaisch said. “We want to bring the trophy to Buckeye Local. We have a special place set up for it. It is right in the center there when you walk into the doors at Buckeye Local. It is a sense of pride in the school. It is more than just a game.”

The series began back in 2011, and the Huskies hold a 12-2 advantage in the series.

“This is a real big game,” Harrison Central (3-6) head coach Anthony Hayes said. “Everyone is excited. The kids are excited. The kids know this is a big game.”

Buckeye Local comes into this week off a 44-8 loss to Toronto last Friday night at Clarke Hinkle Field.

“Toronto — like the rest of the teams on the back half of our schedule — is super talented,” Kiedaisch said. “I am proud of the way we played in the second half. We have had some rough games. We scored a safety in the first half, and we came out in the second half and scored a touchdown”

On the other side, Harrison Central comes into the game coming off a 35-19 loss to Edison last Friday night out at Wagner Field. The Huskies led the Wildcats, 19-13, going into the fourth quarter before Edison scored 22 unanswered points in the quarter to rally for the victory.

“It just came down to making plays,” Hayes said. “They were able to make the plays. When they needed to make a play, they were able to make the play they needed, and we did not. I don’t want to take anything away from Edison, but I think that is a game we let slip away.”

The Panthers want to run the football on offense, but Buckeye Local has also shown an ability to throw it.

“They do a fine job of mixing it up,” Hayes said. “They get in that wishbone set, and they are able to run the football. Their offensive line does a good job with their blocks. Their quarterback does a good job of making plays when they are in a spread formation. They give you multiple sets. They want to outnumber you at the point of attack.”

Harrison Central has had success throwing the ball this season by the play of senior quarterback Brady Hyre.

“Harrison Central is probably the first team we have played all year that is pass first,” Kiedaisch said. “You play in June and July, and you take part in 7-on-7s. You throw it around, but when it comes to real football games, most teams do not do that. Harrison Central throws the ball a lot. We have not really seen that since the summer. I am looking forward to seeing how much we have grown since June and July.”

The Huskies have played against some offensively potent teams this season.

“Defensively, they run a three front,” Kiedaisch said. “They play very hard. They play that front, and they are very aggressive. They come off the edges. Their defensive tackles and defensive ends do a good job. They do a good job with their three-man front. They are going to be a challenge for us.”

Buckeye Local’s last four opponents have a combined record of 27-8, and that is not counting games in the first half of the season against River and Barnesville.

“Their defensive linemen are strong,” Hayes said. “They tackle. They’re physical. Their linebackers fly to the football. They do a good job. Their kids continue to play hard, they keep getting better and that is a sign of good coaching.”

The Panthers have been hard hit by injuries this season.

“Defensively, we are getting better,” Kiedaisch said. “We had a lot of injuries in Week 4 and 5. Offensively, we want to execute our stuff. Our goal is to not overreact to what is happening. We want to trust ourselves. I am interested to see how are guys have developed this season. We play a lot of young guys, but in Week 10, there are no freshmen.”

The Huskies are focused on the task at hand this week.

“This our seniors last game,” Hayes said. “A lot goes into that with your school’s traditions. Our focus is on this game. We know every day is one less day you have to prepare, and it is one less opportunity the seniors have to spend with their teammates. There is a lot to juggle. We know the most important thing this week is to make sure we are prepared to execute Friday night.”

The Huskies want to keep the trophy in their possession for another year.

“It comes down to blocking and tackling,” Hayes said. “We just want to keep getting better. We want to be better in Week 10 than we were in Week 9. We want to improve ourselves. We want to focus on what we can control. We can’t worry about trying to control what they do. It is about us. We want to get the best out of ourselves. We want to do what we are coached to do. We want to make the plays we can make. We need to make plays. If you are saving something in the chamber, it is time to let it fly. We need to be at our best mentally and physically every snap. For a lot of these kids, this will be the last football game they ever play. We want to save the best for last.”

No matter the outcome Friday night, it will be a special night for the two teams and everyone involved.

“People talk about the game, but this is all made possible by all the local Legions and veteran groups have put in a lot of time and effort to make all of this possible,” Hayes said. “Without them, we would not have the opportunity to do this. We are so fortunate to have been able to find all of these people who are willing to help with all of this. Because of all of them, we have this opportunity to play this game. You look at all of the local groups who are a part of all of the festivities this week. They really do go above and beyond. These ladies and gentlemen have made the ultimate sacrifice. The spotlight is on us, but the spotlight really should be on them. If you have never been a part of this game, you should think about it. We are grateful to all of the Legions and all the VFWs. We’re mindful of all of these things.”