COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Coming into Week 5 undefeated, Big Walnut is shaping up to have one of its best seasons in years.

The 4-0 Golden Eagles currently sit atop the OCC-Capital division and will look to retain this spot stealing it from last year's winner, Westerville South.

Westerville South (2-1), on the other hand, would like nothing more than to go into Big Walnut and take the first spot back.

On Friday night at 7:00 p.m., both teams will get a chance to prove that they deserve the top spot in the OCC-Capital.

While his team is undefeated, Big Walnut coach Rob Page said his confidence is more based on the effort his players put in before the game.

"I think you get confidence by how you work and how you prepare," Page said. "Those things are not coincidental. Our preparation has been really good."

The last time these teams met was last season when Westerville South won 50-41.

Yet Westerville South coach Matthew Christ said that much has changed since last year, and his main job is to give his players the best chance at winning.

Every year it's a new team (with) certainly different strengths and weaknesses," Christ said. "So we're taking a look at ourselves and what we feel gives our guys the best shot."

Page said that Big Walnut will take last year's loss as a lesson on how they can improve in this year's matchup especially when it comes to penalties and turnovers. These were two things the Golden Eagles struggled with against Westerville South in 2020.

"You've got to limit mistakes," Page said. "You got to reduce the amount of penalties and play with great discipline and not turn it over."

Westerville South's defense will have its work cut out for itself on Friday night as Big Walnut has scored over 40 points in every game this season.

Christ said that his strategy on defense will be identifying how Big Walnut's offense is set and what play is likely to be run based on that setup.

"It's more about just our kids understanding what formations are going to be seen, what they like to do at different formations from a scheme standpoint," Christ said. "I think we're gonna be in good shape if we can do those basic things."

Page said that his offense will be based on three main principles and, if his team understands these well, it will give them success on Friday night.

"Number one is players. Number two is formations. Number three is plays," Page said. "That's our approach in terms of game planning."

The bright spot on Westerville South's offense is receiver Kaden Saunders who, at 5 feet 10 inches tall and 172 pounds, has committed to Penn State and is the No. 3 recruit in Ohio according to 247 Sports.

Page said that he recognizes Saunders' talent and Westerville South's ability to use him in many areas of the field.

"He's a phenomenal player, and he's as explosive as the guys there are in the state," Page said. "They do a really nice job of moving him around this year."

Page said that, along with containing Saunders, his defense will be dedicated to stopping the run and making the Wildcats' offense more one-dimensional. 

It goes without saying that this game will have large implications for who will win the OCC-Capital, and the division's winner may be decided this week.

But past that, fans will be treated to a competitive matchup on Friday night at Big Walnut stadium between two of central Ohio's best teams.

Christ said that no matter who wins, he hopes his players will play their best and let the rest follow.

"Regardless of the outcome on Friday night, I want to know that we play our very best effort into preparing this week," Christ said. "Where the chips fall the chips fall."