It looks like an even match.

Both teams are 2-2, both are relatively small, and both rely on their skill players to make the key plays offensively and defensively.

With so much in common, Friday’s game between the Chesapeake Panthers and Portsmouth West Senators looms as a close game that could go down to the final seconds.

“They’re pretty good,” said Panthers coach Phil Davis. “They’re not as big as some of the West teams we’ve seen in the past, but they still have some good athletes.”

Both teams are coming off narrow victories.

Chesapeake edged Lucasville Valley 24-23 when Brad Wiley blocked the extra point on the last Indians’ touchdown. West got past Rock Hill 12-10 thanks to a pair of field goals by Ethan Morgan who also scored the Senators only touchdown.

Quarterback Alfie Bricker ran for 84 yards and passed for 75 more in the win over Rock Hill. Mark Morgan and Dale Swords are featured in the running game.

The Senators not only evened their record last week, but they gave 20-year veteran head coach Merril Triplett Jr. his 100th career victory.

Northwest at Symmes Valley

The Symmes Valley Vikings aren’t thinking about this week’s opponent, the Northwest Mohawks. They’re more concerned with the Vikings.

“We just want to try and get better. We’re 1-3, so we’re not taking anything for granted,” said Vikings coach Rusty Webb.

Northwest comes into the game 0-4 with a defense that has allowed 151 points. The Vikings have permitted 131 points.

The Vikings have struggled defensively the last two weeks, losing 34-6 to Chesapeake and 47-0 last week to Trimble.

But the Vikings would like nothing better to get a win this week to enter Southern Ohio Conference play in a positive mode.

“We’re not happy with the way we’ve played defense. Our pride has been hurt. We need to get some confidence back and just go out and play with some aggressiveness,” said Webb.

South Point at Mount View, W.Va.

It’s like having a two-week vacation.

The Mount View Golden Knights opened the season with a loss to Wayne, W.Va., and a 22-8 win over Man, but they have been open the last two weeks.

South Point (1-3) is hoping to take advantage of the Golden Knights’ lack of work and experience.

The Pointers got their first win last week against Greenup County, Ky., but will face a team with more athletes.

Wellston at Rock Hill

After a heartbreaking 12-10 loss last week to Portsmouth West, Rock Hill (3-1) could be emotionally down as they host Wellston.

However, the Golden Rockets are 0-4 and the defense has allowed 221 points which averages more than 55 points per contest. They have scored just 46.

The losses have been 56-6 to Jackson, 61-20 to Minford, 55-8 to West Jefferson, and 49-12 last week to Akron Manchester.

Coal Grove is open

The Coal Grove Hornets did not play this week due to Sciotoville East decided to drop the game and schedule Matewan, W.Va., in their place.