CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Whenever Oakwood and Salt Fork clash on the football field, there’s more than just the thrill of victory at stake; it’s about bragging rights in the VVC. This season, the stakes are even higher.

Both teams boast 5-2 records, and each is vying for a pivotal sixth win that would secure their spot in the playoffs.

The competitive records and fierce rivalry are further intensified by the debut of the Salt Kettle Classic trophy, which will be awarded to the victorious team, making this matchup one you won’t want to miss.

Under the guidance of head coach Cameron Lee, now in his fourth year, Oakwood has shown consistent improvement, averaging nearly 38 points per game.

“Setting aside the rivalry and the trophy, this was always going to be a significant game between two strong teams,” Lee remarked. “Both teams at 5-2 are eager to prove they belong among the conference’s elite.”

“It’s always been us against Salt Fork since our youth days, and it’s always been a rivalry I’m excited about. Now with a trophy on the line, I’m really pumped,” said Tyler Huchel, a senior at Oakwood.

“I just want to beat them,” Oakwood senior Layne Frischkorn said. “Having the trophy on the line too, you get bragging rights.” “I see those guys at my gym all the time, so you best believe all offseason they’re talking.”

Salt Fork enters this game confident as winners of two straight, getting a boost from underclassmen to help them reach postseason eligibility.

“Our young kids have progressed a lot quicker than we’d expected to,” Storm head coach Les Siefert said. “We’ve thrown some kids to the fire, if you will.” “We’ve had some injuries, but our young kids have stepped up.” “I feel like our running game has probably been our strength this year, we’ve been able to run the ball well.”

“We have two freshmen that have been starting both ways lately and even on special teams, we’ve had some sophomores and freshmen that have really impacted a lot and really, in past few games, changed our direction,” Salt Fork senior Kade Smith said.

“We play those guys in every sport, and we co-op with them [in other sports], so I mean, we know a lot of those guys, but it’s a big game, and you’ve got to put the friendship aside and you got to just go play football,” Salt Fork senior Maddax Stine said.