CHESAPEAKE — Even though the Ohio Valley Conference hasn’t begun league play, the Tolsia (W.Va.) Rebels are trying to stake claim to the title.

So far this season, the Rebels have beaten Rock Hill (33-24) and last week blanked Fairland, 36-0.

Next up for the Rebels are the Chesapeake Panthers this Friday and coach Phil Davis is more concerned about Tolsia’s size than upholding the pride of the league.

“They’re big and strong,” Davis said. “They have a big backfield. Portsmouth had a big kid and Valley had a big kid, but Tolsia has three big kids in the backfield and they’re big up front.”

Tolsia (3-1) is led by 6-foot-3, 217-pound running back B.J. Evans who ran for 103 yards last week against Fairland. He scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal.

Quarterback Derrick Robertson (6-0, 165) was 3 of 4 passing for 34 yards. Robertson took over at quarterback early in the season when starter Darren Parsely was injured.

Also in the backfield are Bryan Adkins and Brandon Stacy (6-0, 180). Tight end and defensive back Kenny Muncy, who goes 6-4, 220, caught all three passes last week.

“They played pretty good against Fairland,” Davis said.

In the win over Rock Hill, Evans had 177 yards on 33 attempts and Stacy 67 yards on nine attempts. Muncy caught two passes for 30 yards in that game.

Up front the Rebels like to run behind four veteran linemen, center Shawn Muncy (5-11, 195), guards Josh Trogdlon (5-10, 200) and Jordan Moore (6-5, 255) and tackle Brandon Sturgell (6-2, 260). The other tackle is either Seth Wechsler (6-1, 235) or Jeremy Rife (5-8, 245).

Chesapeake is just 1-3 but the Panthers have suffered losses to Portsmouth, unbeaten Wayne and last week lost in the final seconds 37-36 to Lucasville Valley.

Fullback Kersten Harris had 101 yards rushing in the loss and also had three tackles for losses from his middle linebacker spot.

“Kersten Harris played well on both sides of the ball. He graded out at about 84 percent. We’ll need that kind of effort this week, too,” Davis said.

Quarterback Aaron Donohoe was 4 of 9 passing for 92 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 59 yards and two scores.

“We’ve been about to score, but we have to step it up on defense,” Davis said.