In each of the last 13 years, the winner of the annual match-up between Poland and Hubbard went on to advance to the playoffs.

The trend will continue tonight when the Bulldogs (6-2, 5-0) and Eagles (6-2, 4-1) square off in a pivotal Northeast-8 Conference game at Hubbard’s Memorial Stadium.

Tonight’s winner is guaranteed of clinching a postseason berth in Division IV, Region 13. Even with a loss, either team will likely find itself playing in Week 11.

With a win, Poland can also clinch at least a share of the NE-8 title.

“I love the challenge of playing at Hubbard, it’s a tremendous atmosphere and you know you’re going up against a very physical, well-coached team,” said Poland coach Ryan Williams. “I’ve been part of this rivalry for 15 years as an assistant and head coach, and it’s always a hard-fought battle.”

“Hubbard is much like the Hubbard teams we’ve faced in the past. They have a lot of size up front and they have some great skilled players. They play to their strengths; they don’t beat themselves.”

Poland enters the game on a roll. After suffering back-to-back losses to Boardman and Howland to fall to 1-2, the Bulldogs have won five straight. In that span, they have outscored opponents 208-29.

“We were really banged up at the beginning of the year,” Williams said. “We had a lot of guys playing out of position. We had a lot of guys in roles they weren’t used to. We just had to fight our way through that stretch.

“Our seniors did a wonderful job of keeping things on track. They held this team together through a rough period and it paid off.”

Struthers (6-2,4-1) looks to stay in the conference and playoff hunt when it hosts South Range (5-3, 3-2). The Raiders control their own playoff fate in Division V, Region 17.

Girard (5-3, 2-3) is out of the NE-8 race, but the Indians need wins over Jefferson and Niles to strengthen their playoff push.

Brookfield (6-2, 4-0) and Champion (7-1, 4-0) share the lead in the Blue Tier of the All-American Conference. The two teams meet next week. However, before then, the Warriors visit Campbell (3-5, 1-3) while the Golden Flashes play host to Crestview (3-5, 3-1).

“It’s hard not to look ahead to Champion, especially because while preparing for this week’s game we watched film of the Champion-Campbell game,” Brookfield coach Randy Clark said. “But right now our entire focus has to be on Campbell.

“(Red Devils coach) Mickey Sikora is one of the best coaches around, and his roster is filled with talented athletes. We’re going to have our hands full.”

Springfield (8-0, 5-0) became the first area team to clinch a playoff spot. The Tigers can clinch a first-round home game tonight when they host Western Reserve (7-1, 5-0) in a contest which will also help decide the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference title.

Western Reserve, which closes the season against Mineral Ridge, controls its playoff fate.

McDonald (5-3, 4-1) hopes to stay in the MVAC and playoff race when it visits Lowellville (6-2, 3-2).

Youngstown’s Holy War will take center stage at Stambaugh Stadium when Cardinal Mooney (4-4, 2-0) and Ursuline (1-7, 1-1) clash for the 66th time. The Cardinals lead the series 42-20-3. With a win, Mooney would capture the Steel Valley Conference crown outright.