CADIZ — Though the playoff brackets are set, don’t think for a minute that motivation is lacking for both St. Clairsville and Harrison Central.

The rivals will collide at Wagner Field Friday night with plenty on the line.

First and foremost, the coveted ‘Coal Bucket’ will be presented to the winner and the Red Devils are looking to close out the pre-tourney portion of the season with a spotless 6-0 record.

If those things weren’t enough, St. Clairsville remembers what happened last season when Harrison came to Red Devil Stadium and posted a 42-35 victory.

Harrison Central also fully realizes that nothing that has occurred previously in this series matters this week.

“We know how good St. Clairsville is and, honestly, I believe this is the most complete team they’ve had in the last five or six years,” Harrison Central head coach Anthony Hayes said. “They’re big, strong, athletic and when you put all of those things together, it makes for a very complete team.”

St. Clairsville comes into the game off a 41-7 victory against Indian Creek one week ago. Harrison Central, meanwhile, dropped to 3-2 following a tough-to-swallow 36-34 setback to Martins Ferry.

“Having the extra day is a good thing if you use it correctly,” St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean said. “We need every second we can get to prepare for Harrison Central because of the style with which they play by making you defend every inch of the field, which isn’t something you see every week in a high school game.”

The Huskies potent offense has been on display all season with senior quarterback Kobe Mitchell leading the way. He’s thrown for 920 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 339 and 7 touchdowns.

When he throws the ball, Trevor Carman (28-443-5TD) and Jonathan Vermillion (14-263-3TD) are the leading receivers.

Junior James Brooks has developed into the Huskies top option as a ball carrier. He’s rushed 30 times for 360 yards and 6 touchdowns.

“Their offense and the weapons they have can cause you to have some sleepless nights,” McLean said. “We realize they’re going to hit some plays and they can score points in bunches quickly. We have to try to limit the touches they get offensively. Possessing the ball is a good thing. We can’t afford turnovers that will put our defense in bad spots.”

The Red Devils’ offense has showed its own abilitty to score points in bunches, but they’ve also been able to grind out drives, too.

Senior quarterback Tyler Tonkovich is the Red Devils’ unquestioned leader. He’s thrown for 710 yards and 8 touchdowns against just 1 interception. He’s also rushed for 3 touchdowns and 221 yards.

“Tonkovich makes good decisions and is a very elusive runner,” Hayes said. “He’s a tough kid, who has played some good competition and taken some hits, but he just keeps standing in there and making plays.”

The Red Devils’ leading rusher is junior Jacob Jordan, who has accumulated 385 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Classmate Logan Shields has really been coming on as well in the ground game.

When St. C. puts the ball in the air, junior Colin Oberdick is the home-run hitter. He’s caught 17 passes for 525 yards and scored six times.