EAST LIVERPOOL — The Edison football team is looking to build off last week’s big win on homecoming.

After having lost its two previous games, Edison rebounded and defeated Canton Central Catholic, 35-17, last week at home out at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

“We stuck together as a team,” first-year Edison (4-3) head coach Anthony Pierro said. “We have some stuff going on off the field, and we have stuck together. We battled. We played physical, and we played as a team. We had a good practice today. That was what you like to see, and we want to build off that.”

The victory against the Crusaders was a big one mentally for the Wildcats.

“It is a big breather,” Pierro said. “You are able to take a break. When you work hard, you want to be rewarded, and we hadn’t been awarded the last couple of weeks. We were able to give them the reward, and it is like a breath of fresh air. We are still in position to make the playoffs. We still have a lot to play for.”

This week, Edison is set to travel north to take on East Liverpool at 7 p.m. up at Patterson Field.

East Liverpool (2-5) enters this week’s matchup fresh off a 21-20 loss to Brooke last Friday night on Paul “Bud” Billiard Field inside Brooke Memorial Stadium.

“They have some athletes,” Pierro said. “They have athletes. That is the biggest thing we are worried about. They always have good athletes. No. 0 (Dre’Keim Abercrombie) is really good. Their running back is good. Their quarterback has a good arm. He can hurt you deep, and he can the ball when he has to. They are going to be a challenge for us. We can’t give up the big play. We have to make them drive the ball down the field.”

This season, East Liverpool has defeated Carrollton (23-12) and Cambridge (34-0) with losses coming against Indian Creek (37-19), Salem (56-20), Beaver Local (21-12) and St. Clairsville (45-0) as well as the loss to Brooke.

“Defensively, they hit you,” Pierro said. “They’re physical. They’re tough. East Liverpool is always tough. They hit. We have to come back at them. We have to match their physicality. We have to let them know that we are here. It’s going to be physical. It is going to be a challenge for four quarters.”

The Potters have plenty of athletes capable of making a big play on special teams.

“Their special teams are scary,” Pierro said. “They can take a punt back or a kickoff back. They can beat you from anywhere. We are aware of that. We have to gameplan against that. We are going to have to make them drive the field. When you make teams drive the field, it gives you a chance for them to make a mistake. We cannot give up the big play. We have to make them drive the field.”

While the Potters defeated the Warriors in the opener this season, the Wildcats came up against them in Week 2 by a score of 16-14.

“One hundred percent,” Pierro said about games being won on the field. “On any given day. Whoever we play, if we don’t bring our ‘A’ game, we are going to get beat. The kids know that. That coaching staff knows that. These are the type of games we are going to have to play.

“Nolan Haught is getting more comfortable at quarterback. We are expanding the offense. We have confidence in him to do more. He is going to help us win games.”

The boys from Jefferson County are looking to build off its success this week as they look to handle the boys from Columbiana County their second straight defeat.

“We are going to have to run the football,” Pierro said. “We are going to have to limit our turnovers to give ourselves a chance on offense. Defensively, we are looking to take continue from where we left off. We are going to have to get off the field on third down, and if we are able to create some turnovers that will be a big help.

“We are going to have to play well in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams. We realize that. The kids realize that. It is going to be a battle. We’re excited. Hopefully, we are able to find a way to come out with a win.”

The Wildcats are in 12th place in the Ohio Division V, Region 17 rankings. The Potters are in 22nd place in the Ohio Division IV, Region 15 rankings. The top 12 teams in each region qualify for the playoffs this season with the top four team in each region receiving a bye in the first round.