Desperate teams call for desperate measures.

For the second straight week, the Chesapeake Panthers face a team that cannot afford another loss in the Ohio Valley Conference race. And this time it might be even more difficult.

The Panthers beat archrival Fairland 35-21 last week, thus giving the Dragons their second league loss. Now, Chesapeake hosts the South Point Pointers, who are 1-1 in the OVC and facing possible elimination.

"As far as conference, this is a make or break game. We feel like everyone is going to lose at least one. We already have, so obviously we can't lose again," Pointers coach Dan McDavid said.

Riding a five-game winning streak, Chesapeake is 5-2 overall and tied with Rock Hill for the OVC lead at 2-0. South Point is 2-5 on the season, but Panthers coach Phil Davis said the record doesn't indicate the Pointers' potential.

"We've been emphasizing that everyone in the league is about the same. They had the lead on Rock Hill," Davis said. "They're real talented. Their early schedule was real tough. They look solid up front and (Caleb) Copley is a really good back. And, their defense can play really hard."

Copley had 12 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown in the Pointers' 28-14 loss at Rock Hill last week. He ran for 203 yards the previous week in a 28-27 comeback win over Fairland.

Chesapeake counters with senior running back Cody Hunt who was a one-man offensive machine last week as he ran 20 times for 210 yards and scored four touchdowns - one an 81-yard kickoff return - in a 35-21 win over Fairland.

McDavid said Hunt will be the focus of the Pointers defense, but it can't overlook quarterback Justin Finley or fullback Tristan Clark.

"They're well coached, and Hunt's the real deal. He's quick and a good runner," McDavid said. "Finley has stepped in at quarterback and done a good job. He gives them a passing threat. Clark stepped in an did a good job when they lost (Tyler) Marcum."

Having beaten their archrivals, Davis knows his team will be battling an emotional letdown.

"We have to stay focus. We have to play well this week for sure. South Point is always a good game for us. They're better than their record, and they know they still have a chance to win the league with only one loss."

McDavid agrees that his team is better than its record indicates, but he knows Chesapeake is still the favorite.

"Chesapeake is 5-2 and has a pretty good ball club and we feel like we still have a pretty good ball club even though we're 2-5. But it's time to put up or shut up," McDavid said.

Since both teams have plenty of offensive weapons, the defense could be the key element in determining the outcome.

"They throw a lot at you offensively. We just have to play good fundamentals and do our job," McDavid said. "We have to play defense and we have to stop Hunt. We have to play well and play like a team."

Davis is hoping the Panthers defense will continue to come up with the big plays to keep its winning streak in tact.

"Our defense has played pretty good all year. Last week it did a good job of answering the call. We've had some kids who have been asked to play and, to their credit, they've stepped up and played," said Davis.

"We have to limit their opportunities and we have to have the same offense we had last week. We executed better last week and we're playing better."