Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Decision 2017.
No, this isn’t election day. Friday the decision will be made which team takes over the lead and takes the inside track to the Ohio Valley Conference title.
The Coal Grove Hornets will host the Fairland Dragons in a game that pits the only unbeaten teams in the league at 5-0.
“I think it’s an exciting moment for our school, our kids and our community. It’s a goal here at Coal Grove. We want it to be an expectation to play for a league championship every year,” Hornets’ first-year coach Evan Ferguson.
But there is more at stake than just at least a share of the conference title.
Coal Grove is third in Region 23 of Division VI of the computer playoffs with a 12.8144 average. They need to win in order to secure a home game for the playoffs.
Fairland is eighth in Region 19 of Division V with a 9.825 average and need to keep winning to stay in the playoff hunt. A loss in either of their final two games will cost the Dragons a playoff berth for certain.
The Dragons are led by running backs Keedrick Cunningham, Chase Fisher and Ty Wilcoxon along with quarterback Joel Lambiotte.
Cunningham and Wilcoxon are also two of Lambiotte’s favorite passing targets. However, Lambiotte has also hooked up with Reily Sowards and Greg Keeney.
“They’re really good team and a really good offensive football team. They try to put players in space to give them a chance to make plays,” said Ferguson.
“Cunningham is an excellent high school player. Wilcoxon is a nice player and Fisher really helps them. Lambiotte is a good athlete.”
But Cunningham has been the straw that stirs the Dragons’ offense and Ferguson said he is the key.
“Tackling Cunningham,” Ferguson said succinctly. “It sounds simple but he keeps doing the mob every week. Portsmouth did a pretty good job the first half and then he took over in the second half.”
For the Hornets, the game is a chance of revenge after losing 34-22 to the Dragons last season and knocking them out of a chance to share the OVC title.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.