When will it end?

The Symmes Valley Vikings are hoping the 20th anniversary of their last win over the Chesapeake Panthers will be the magic number toward ending a 19-game losing streak in the backyard rivalry.

But Vikings’ head coach Rusty Webb doesn’t want his team to get caught up in the numbers game. The only thing that concerns him is the letter game, namely a “W.”

“(Chesapeake) is going to have confidence and that’s the biggest thing. We just have to take it a play a time,” said Webb.

“All that other stuff is in the past. We’re getting ready to play now. The only thing we can control is what happens Friday night.”

The only past that is on the mind of Chesapeake coach Phil Davis is the last two weeks. His team is 0-2 and in need of a win.

The problem is, he doesn’t expect the Vikings to be anywhere close to the team the Panthers beat 48-6 last season.

“They have a more talented backfield then they have had. They have some speed and those guys run hard and they have a lot more size up front than we do,” said Davis.

“We’re proud of how we played again Wayne. We’re used to the fact it’s a war up front. We’re always going to be smaller.”

With the Vikings coming into the game 2-0 and the Panthers 0-2, Davis figures the Vikings to be full of confidence. He expects a tough game either way.

“It’s going to be a dogfight. I don’t care how many years it’s been since they’ve beat us. This is a new year and a new team. The past has nothing to do with the present. And it’s out at their place. They play better at home,” said Davis.

While the Vikings appear to be a better team to Davis, Webb said the Panthers are better than their record.

“They still have those quick kids. They may not have as many quick kids, but they still have some,” said Webb.

“Their quarterback (Colton Lindsey) throws a nice ball and their line does a good job giving him time to throw the ball. Defensively, this is a typical Chesapeake team that runs to the ball well.”