At first glance, it doesn’t look like this game means a lot.

Thursday, October 26, 2000

At first glance, it doesn’t look like this game means a lot. But a closer examination reveals something that can be just as important as league championships and playoff berths.

Pride.

The Coal Grove Hornets host the South Point Pointers Friday night in the season finale, and only South Point has an outside chance of even sharing the Ohio Valley Conference crown. And neither team will be advancing next week to the playoffs.

But Coal Grove coach Nick Miller said there is still plenty at stake for both teams.

"For pride reasons, we want to win and I’m sure they do, too," Miller said. "If we win the game, we’ll be 2-2 in the league along with two other teams and we’d rather be in second place than fourth place."

It will be the final home game for the Coal Grove seniors who want to finish 4-5, a dramatic improvement over last year’s 1-9 record.

"It’s nice to end the year at home. It gives you a little emotional lift," Miller said. "We were hoping for a better season, but it’s been an improvement over last year. A win will make it a little easier."

South Point has made its own turnaround this season. After going 2-8 last year, the Pointers are 5-4 and could finish the OVC race alone in second place.

A major reason for the Pointers success has been senior quarterback Jarrod Smith who has thrown for 1,257 yards this season, a new single-season school record which breaks the old mark he set last year. He is one touchdown pass away from tying his father Rusty’s record for a single season.

But Miller is concern about more than just Smith.

"We don’t know what they’re going to do. We’re not overlooking their running game. Jarrod throws the ball well and has some nice receivers, but (David) Chapman’s a nice back and they have (D. J.) Bryant and (Shane) Holsinger back there, too," Miller said.

"We need to hang onto the ball for six to eight minutes at a time and keep (Smith) off the field and hope he’s not real sharp. That’s our only chance."

South Point coach Brent Terry said his team must contain Hornets running back Jason Adams along with Andy Bryant and Aaron Gully.

"We don’t know what to expect," Terry said. "We know Adams is a good back, but their other backs have had some good games, so you can’t just focus on Adams and think we’ve stopped them."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.