The trenches.

One of the definitions from the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the trenches as a place, position, or level at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened to warfare.

In the game of football, the trenches figuratively resemble just that.

Five offensive linemen facing off with the defense’s front seven play in and play out. Fingers and ankles taped. Tattered jerseys. A test of speed, power and agility are all also a part of the skirmish.

On Friday, two of the strongest football teams in the Times News area will square off when Jim Thorpe faces Tamaqua.

It’s a game in which the Olympians (4-1, 3-1) and Raiders (3-2, 2-2) physicality and toughness in the trenches will surely account for one of the hardest-hitting matchups all season.

All that adds up to why the contest has been chosen as the Game of the Week.

It’s no secret what both of the squad’s typical offensive game plans are - setting the tone by establishing the run game.

The majority of the Raiders’ offense this season has come on the ground, and they have certainly been successful, grounding and pounding their way to 1,314 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns. Four Tamaqua players have 189 or more rushing yards, with power back Nate Curvey leading the way with 458 yards and seven scores. The Raiders ran for over 200 yards last week against an impressive Blue Mountain front.

The Olympians have been a run-first team as well this season, rushing for 932 yards and nine touchdowns. Like Tamaqua, Thorpe runs the ball with a backfield-by-committee approach. Brandon Fasolino leads the Olympians in rushing with 308 yards and four scores. Thorpe has four rushers with over 120 yards on the season.

“The key in this game will be winning on first down. Putting either team in a second-and-long situation will be very important. I think whoever can do a better job on first down will have a definite advantage in the game,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Mark Rosenberger. “Tamaqua is big and physical up front, and then they have a stable of running backs that are just as big and physical. It will be a battle up front all night long, that’s for sure.”

When two teams are closely matched, especially up front, explosive plays and turnovers become even more critical. Jim Thorpe has shown numerous times throughout the season just how important creating turnovers can be by winning the turnover battle.

With an offense that has been inconsistent at times, the Olympians’ plus-seven turnover margin is a big reason why they currently sit at 4-1, and with one more win, they can cement a sport for themselves in the District 11 3A playoffs.

The Thorpe defense has two interceptions returned for a touchdown, a fumble recovery in the end zone and two safeties. The Olympians have forced an impressive 10 interceptions and seven fumbles.

Last week against Blue Mountain, the Raiders showed that losing the turnover battle can prove disastrous. Tamaqua did a nice job of running the football and controlled the clock against the Eagles in the first half, but two turnovers resulted in Blue Mountain scores, which proved too much for the Raiders to overcome in a 28-0 loss. Tamaqua is minus-one in the turnover department, but it has only turned the ball over five times on the season, compared to Thorpe’s 10.

“We moved the ball well, and we were able to run the football, rushing for 200 yards against a good front; but we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times. If we don’t do that, I believe it would have been a much tighter ballgame,” said Tamaqua head coach Sam Bonner. “We’ve been working all week to clean up those mistakes and correct them. We can’t make those critical mistakes, and in the games we haven’t, we’ve been able to get a win. We’re just looking forward to getting back out there against a physical team in Jim Thorpe; it’s always a good one between the both of us.”

With just three games remaining, there’s no doubt this one has serious playoff implications. Thorpe currently ranks third in the District 11 3A power ratings with Tamaqua (3-2), Pottsville (4-1) and Nativity (4-1) left on the schedule.

Meanwhile, the Raiders rank fourth and have Thorpe (4-1) this week, before they finish up with North Schuylkill (5-0) and Pine Grove (1-4).