This Emmaus football team has been on a roller coaster of a season thus far. It started off riding low and under the radar, while dipping lower after starting the season 0-2. Five straight victories shot the Green Hornets back in to the public eye as well as the top of the Lehigh Valley Conference.

Losing to Whitehall caused a downslope on the coaster, but this week Emmaus is nearing the end of the ride.

The Hornets (6-2 in LVC, 6-3 overall) travel to Parkland Football Stadium at Orefield Middle School to face the LVC co-leadering Trojans (7-1, 8-1) Friday night in the regular season finale.

This rivalry game means so much more to both teams than just defeating their most disliked school in the league, it decides the LVC title and District 11 Class AAAA playoff seedings.

A Trojans win would give them at least a share of the LVC title and improve their district subregional seeding. Parkland has already clinched a spot.

An Emmaus victory would give Whitehall sole possession of the LVC title as long as the Zephyrs take care of Northampton on Friday night. An Hornet win also boosts their chances of making the District 2-4-11 Subregional instead of being a higher seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"We don't know exactly what will happen, but if we win we have a good shot at making districts," head coach Randy Cuthbert said. "Obviously, that is a huge motivation. Then Parkland is trying to get a share of the title. That is a lot riding for both teams. I don't think the guys should have any problem getting motivated for this one."

Parkland has the highest scoring offense in the LVC. It features two of the top rushers in the league in quarterback Devante Cross and running back Kareem Williams, who have combined for 22 rushing touchdowns this season. They also have a running and receiving threat in Eli Redmond, who also is tremendous in the return game, with 12 total scores to date.

"With a spread team like them, it is hard because we have to try and take away everything," said Cuthbert. "They are a spread team, but they want to run the ball. Stopping the ball has been one of our strengths. So that will be crucial.

"As for our offense, I think they aren't as big as some of the fronts we have seen, but they are quicker and they stunt, run around and blitz a lot. I think if we can control the line, we will be able to run the ball."

Cuthbert feels that if his team eclipses 250 rushing yards in the game it will be lead to a win on Friday.

"If we do that we should be in good shape," he said. "Doing that will allow us to control the ball. If we can pick up their stunts and control the ball, I think we can put up some points."

The Green Hornets could reach the top of their coaster ride in week 10, the outcome of this game will decide whether the journey spirals to the Eastern Conference playoffs or accelerates into the subregional playoffs.