Both Chillicothe and Portsmouth West have one looming elephant in the room… a needed victory.

Cavs Quarterback Ryan Mathis said this week Chillicothe needed to take control. “We need to take ownership.” It’s the missing element to the Cavs season thus far.

Chillicothe turnovers allowed Hamilton Township jumped out to a 31-0 lead before the Cavaliers could get anything going. Last week, Big Walnut posted a 12-0 lead set up by a fumble recovery and interception. Then Chillicothe put together a string of possessions making a serious threat in the second half.

The Senators are a young team making the mistake of putting the ball on the grass, creating difficult circumstances to overcome.

“We fumbled that one away” said Coach Merrill Triplett referring to last week’s 21-18 loss to rival Portsmouth. The Senators were leading before the Trojans used the fumble to move ahead late in the game.

Ron Hinton’s Cavaliers also an up and coming bunch, young at nearly ever spot. Coach Triplett says Friday’s game is a battle of two old school coaching styles. So much so, the two clubs have near identical plays in their book.

Coverage of the game begins with Game Night with the Cavs at 7:05pm on 1490 WBEX, Horizonview Channel 298, on line at wbex.com and the WBEX spot on iheartradio.

NOTES: This is Merrill Triplett’s 5th season as head coach of the Senators, Triplett had a stint at Ironton in Chillicothe’s early days in the SEOAL… Chillicothe’s program has had coaching ties with Portsmouth West. Former Cavs Head Coach Dick Tipton came to Chillicothe from West in 1991. Former Assistant and Zane Trace Head Coach Duane Hall came to Chillicothe with Tipton… The Dodge Corporation is presenting its test drive fundraiser for the Chillicothe Touchdown Club from 4pm-7pm at the Worthington Elementary playground just north of Herrnstein Field. For each test drive taken, Dodge will donate $20 to the Touchdown Club. Last year’s donation was $2,500… The Cheerleaders are conducting a Tenderloin dinner from 4:30pm-7pm at Herrnstein Field. $6 gets fans a tenderloin sandwich, chips and pop.