Two county rivals will clash on Friday night in Pleasant Home when the Eagles (0-6, 0-3) host the Red Level Tigers (2-4, 1-2) with playoff hopes on the line for both squads.

“It’s a big game,” Red Level head coach James Wise said. “There is no love loss between us, and this game carries a lot of playoff potential. We know they are going to come out and play us tough. They can run the ball extremely well, so we are going to stack the box and make them beat us through the air.”

Even though the Eagles have yet to win a game in 2015, they still have a mathematical chance to make it into the postseason. It won’t be easy for the Eagles, as they will need to win their three remaining region contest against the Red Level, Florala and Brantley. The Eagles would also need a loss or two from Kinston and Red Level in order to make the playoffs.

“This is a big game for both teams,” Eagles head coach Chris Mason said. “It’s been a good little rivalry. This game could very well come down to the fourth quarter. We have to match their physicality, and finish the job.”

Red Level has a much easier route to the postseason, and are in complete control of their on destiny at this point in the season. Two wins for Red Level against Pleasant Home and Kinston would be enough to land the Tigers the fourth seed in Class 1A, Region 2.

“Losing to Brantley hurt us, but we still control our own faith at this point,” Wise said. “We have three extremely important region games left, and for use to go to the playoffs we have to beat Pleasant Home and Kinston for sure. If we lose one of those games, there are still things that could happen, but it would most likely end any chance of the postseason for us.”

The Tigers have four games remaining on their schedule with three of them being region games. Left on the region schedule are Pleasant Home, Kinston and  Georgiana.

This will be the eighth meeting between Red Level and Pleasant Home, with the Tigers owning a 4-3 overall record against the Eagles. Last season, Red Level defeated Pleasant Home 42-20.

“I’m putting it on the lineman this week to do a good job,” Mason said. “We have to have some leaders step up and say ‘I want to be the reason that this play works.’ This game will come down to who wants it more. Our biggest thing will be to finish drives. I also want to challenge our Eagle faithful come out and pack the house and let’s see what happens”

Both teams suffered losses last week, but they were both against the top two Region 2 teams. Pleasant Home fell 40-0 to No. 7 Georgiana, and Red Level lost 41-18 to McKenzie.

Coming into the game, the Eagles have scored 81 points on the season and have given up 269 points to their opponents. Red Level has scored 153 points this season, and only given up 141.