MERRYVILLE—The Merryville Panthers (5-4, 1-3 4-1A) are fighting for a playoff spot and a win tonight against their former head coach Pat Miller would give their chances a big boost.

The Panthers will face the Oberlin Tigers (8-1, 4-0 4-1A) at 7 p.m. tonight at Merryville.

Miller is in his second season as the Tigers head coach and they have already clinched a share of the district championship.

A victory against Merryville would make the Tigers the outright district championship.

“Right now, we’re looking at number nine [in the power ratings],” Miller said.

“That’s what we’re trying to do is get the highest seed we can.”

Miller said the Tigers could move up to six or seven in the power ratings.

Mark Delaney is in his second season as head coach of the Panthers.

Last year, Merryville was 2-8 and this year, the Panthers have been assured of not having a losing regular season record.

With a win tonight, the Panthers would make the playoffs.

“A win would definitely give us momentum going into the playoffs,” Delaney said, adding it would show the Panthers could beat a solid team.

“I feel very confident with our athletes.”

Merryville is coming off of a 27-8 home victory last week against the Elton Indians and Oberlin beat Hamilton Christian 60-0.

“I’m forturnate enough to have a decent fullback (Cory Carlson) and a decent tailback (Daven Hardwick) and decent wingback (John Hobbs),” Delaney said.

“Our offensive line is going to have to block.”

Delaney said blocking is the key any game.

“We’re going to have to sustain our blocks until the whistle blows,” Delaney said.

The Panthers offense is led by quarterback Austin Moore.

“Offensively we’ve got to move the chains and sustain a drive,” Miller said.

Chadd Strother and Cedric Skinner are the wingbacks for Oberlin and H.D. Martin is the fullback.

Jacob Ware is the Tigers quarterback.

“One thing we have to do defensively is we have to slow them down and put them in situations they haven’t been in all year,” Delaney said, adding Oberlin has had nine third downs in the last three games.

“We have to try and force Oberlin in 3rd down and 10 and third and medium situations.”

Delaney said Oberlin does most of its damage on first down.

“They’re very fast on defense. They execute on defense. They run the 4-2-5 pretty good,“ Delaney said, adding Oberlin was solid all around.

Delaney said the Panthers have to perform better, win the turnover ratio, control the ball and keep Merryville’s defense off of the field.

Oberlin knows it will be tougher to play Merryville because the Panthers have so much on the line.

“Most definitely [it will be harder],” Miller said. “Merryville is in a situation that’s do or die for them.

They have a lot to play for this week.

“Those seniors they have I coached them as sophomores. I know they’re going to try and beat their old head coach.”

Miller said knowing the Panthers players will not make much difference because they are bigger, stronger and faster than a couple of years ago.

“They have a good work ethic,” Miller said. “They play hard so we’ve just got to come out and play our game.

“They’re two main threats are their tailback Daven Hardwick and their fullback Cory Carlson.”

Linebacker/wide receiver Caleb Branch will be the only Panthers player not available tonight.

Branch, who is a sophomore, is out for the season.

Zach Giles will play “willie linebacker” and Nick Ardoin will play “mike linebacker.”

Carlson will play outside linebacker and Hobbs will the cornerback.

“We’re healthy for the most part. We just have to execute. I feel very confident with our team. We just have to take care of ourselves,” Delaney said.

“When we do that, we’re a pretty good ball club.”

“Everybody’s healthy and ready to go. It’s important, but we take each game one game at a time,” Miller said.

“Right now I think we’ve been playing some really good football especially the last three weeks.

We’ve been playing strong and I just hope we keep it going into the playoffs.

“Last regular season game we’re playing for the outright district championship so it’s a big game for us.”