LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — It’s the biggest game on both team’s schedules because it is their biggest rival. But how big is North Laurel vs. South Laurel in reality?

It’s huge.

“This being the first district game and our biggest rival makes this game very important in the district race, pride aspect, and confidence,” South Laurel coach Larry Welch said.

For all of those reasons, the outcome of tonight’s game can have a greater effect on the season than any other contest.

Last year’s game ended in a dramatic 39-34 South Laurel win that may have changed the season for both teams. North Laurel lost its final four games and missed the playoffs. The Cardinals won two of their last four games and made the playoffs.

“I think it would have been different for either team. I think we would win more games and we would make the playoffs if we win that game,” North Laurel coach Chris Larkey said. “It’s easy for me to say, but you never know how kids are going to react. They put so much effort into that game it just depleted them.”

Any success or failures the teams have had to this point do not matter Friday. Both teams realize that the first step to the playoffs and bragging rights start now.

“It’s a rivalry game and they’re going to fight tooth and nail. It’s going to be hard game for our kids to win because of the superior talent South Laurel does have,” Larkey said.

Records would indicate the Jaguars are the favorite this year.

South Laurel (1-4) has lost three straight since knocking off Lynn Camp 54-6. North Laurel (3-2) is coming off a 45-35 loss to Russell County. A potential winning drive late in the fourth quarter ended with a fumble. Russell County is the only common opponent with the Cardinals losing at Russell County 62-13.

Welch said his team probably would be considered an underdog.

“To a point, if you look at our first five and their first five games,” Welch said. “But this is a rival game and played with a lot of emotion and pride.”

Larkey quickly found out about this rivalry in his first two meetings with the Cardinals. Larkey’s first year was 2009 when North Laurel scored quickly and then escaped with a 7-6 win. In 2010, the Jaguars had a 20-7 lead and held on for a 20-17 win.

“It’s always been a close game and I don’t expect anything other than close game,” Larkey said. “They played some really good teams this year and just had some bad luck. Eventually that luck may turn,” Larkey said.

Welch said his biggest concern is stopping the North Laurel running attack, which has already racked up over 1,200 yards.

“Trying to slow down their running attack with (Michael) Nelson and (Gabe) Blair,” Welch said. “Defense-wise, being physical and stopping the run.”

Only Wayne County has had any success doing that. Nelson has rushed for 566 yards and 11 touchdowns. Nelson is coming off a 225 yard performance against Russell County. Blair has rushed for 488 yards and three touchdowns.

“They are going to put everyone up there to try and stop the run,” Larkey said.

Larkey sees the biggest challenge for his team could be the offensive style of the Cardinals, which is different than anything they have seen this year.

“They throw the ball real well,” Larkey said. “Offensively you got to stop the pass and that opens things up for them. You focus on it so much; you have to leave something open. Their speed worries me. Missed tackles worry me.”

Russell County tallied 377 yards of total offense last week against the Jaguars with Nick Britt accounting for 275 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Britt was all about speed, something Larkey expects to see again this week.

“South Laurel is big and fast. They are always bigger and us and faster than us. They always have good athletes,” Larkey said.

Welch said quarterback Tyler Dethridge will play this week after being banged up in last week’s game.

“On the offensive side, (our concern) is our young line and blocking,” Welch said.

mhoward@sentinel-echo.com