And the plot thickens.

This mystery known as the Ohio Valley Conference football race takes another crazy twist as the Coal Grove Hornets visit the Rock Hill Redmen Friday night.

In this chapter, Coal Grove, 2-1 in the league, needs a win to keep its OVC title hopes alive. Rock Hill, 3-0, can clinch no worse than a tie for the title with a win.

Ah, but add postseason playoff implications and the story becomes a “who’s gonna do it” instead of a “whodunit.”

“You can’t worry about that now. You have to take care of the things you can control,” said Hornets coach Dave Lucas.

Rock Hill coach Todd Knipp is taking a cautious approach to the playoffs, but he knows what is at stake beyond the league title.

“We’ve put ourselves in position, now we have to go out and finish it,” said Knipp.

Coal Grove (5-2) likes to rely on its running game led by Frank Delawder and Matt Cooper. Knipp said ball control is the key.

“The key will be who can execute their game plan,” said Knipp. “Their whole philosophy is based on ball control. The more we keep the ball away from them so they won’t eat the clock, the better chance we have.”

Lucas focused more on Rock Hill’s main weapons of running backs Wes Pierson and Shane Bostic and quarterback Drew Kuehne.

“They don’t make mistakes and they win a lot of close games. They know how to make big plays and they have some good kids who can make plays,” said Lucas.

Rock Hill (7-1) lost last year’s game 21-0 and Knipp said the Hornets are very similar to that team of a year ago.

“Their players are a year older and a year stronger and a little bigger. They still stroke you,” said Knipp.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.