Rivalry game will have playoff implications

This is a big rivalry. The winner will likely win the conference. 

That's basically it. 

When the Maple Leafs come to Sterling on Friday, much of that is still true. The Golden Warriors need to win to keep pace with the Ottawa Pirates. Geneseo needs to win to keep its name in the NIB-12 West race hopes.

But there is another component to this year's skirmish. With three games left, each team needs this win to help secure a playoff spot. 

The Golden Warriors come in at 4-2. A win makes them playoff eligible with games remaining against Dixon (0-6) and Ottawa (6-0).

Geneseo has a 3-3 record with games against Streator (0-6) and LaSalle-Peru (2-4) left on the schedule. A loss would force the Leafs into a situation where they could end up 5-4. That's the same record they had last season when they fell just short of qualifying for the playoffs. 

"Going back years and years, the conference has gone through Sterling or Geneseo," Sterling coach John Schlemmer said. "It's true this year with Ottawa being in there, too." 

"Neither of us want to be in that 5-4 position," Schlemmer said. "It adds to this game. We want this win, knowing that we have two qualify opponents left. We're sitting at 4-2, and know that we need to bring it each week." 

Teams with six wins automatically qualify for the playoffs. Teams with five wins are eligible, but qualifying depends on the number of wins by a team's opponents. 

Geneseo and Sterling both play Dixon, LaSalle-Peru and Streator in the NIB-12 West. Those three teams account for two total wins. In fact, Sterling has five teams on its schedule that account for just six wins. All nine of its opponents have a total of 26 right now. The Maple Leafs' opponents had 39 wins in 2011 when they missed the playoffs.  

"We know that they need this win," Sterling lineman Willie McCormick said. "We need it, too, to keep our place in the conference. It's all going to come down to the team with the most heart. Both teams are going to give it their all, and whoever has the most will win."