COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Just two weeks ago, Coach Nathan Hillerich and his Panthers were walking of Lincoln's field with a 28-20 loss.

Now, Pickerington North will have a chance at revenge in a game that means a whole lot more.

The Panthers will travel to Gahanna to play Lincoln on Friday at 7 p.m. to compete for a place in the third round of the playoffs.

Pickerington North comes into Friday off a 20-0 win against Groveport Madison in the first round while Lincoln is riding the momentum of a 41-19 blowout versus Westerville Central.

Pickerington North will likely need to bear down if it hopes to avenge its defeat to the Lions earlier this year. Hillerich said that the game will probably come down to the final quarter.

"We expect it to be a battle. Yeah, it's gonna be one of those games," Hillerich said, "I'm assuming that it's going to come down to the fourth quarter just like our last game."

With temperatures falling and away games becoming more difficult due to large crowds, it is easy to believe that Pickerington North will be at a disadvantage before the game even begins.

However, the Panthers are no stranger to road success. They are 4-1 in away games this year with their only road loss coming to the Lions in Week 10.

Pickerington North will need this same success against a Lincoln team that is undefeated at home this year.

Hillerich said he is confident his team will be able to perform especially in an environment they are already familiar with this season.

"We've been pretty good on the road," Hillerich said. "It's a familiar place we've been we've played there once we know the locker room we kind of know the routine."

A large factor in the Panthers' first-round win against Groveport Madison was senior receiver Eli Coppess.

Coppess led the team with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns thriving in the wildcat. He also plays a big role in the team's defense averaging 6 tackles per game.

Hillarich said that Coppess will be crucial to his team's success on Friday night, and the coaches must ensure he and the other players are in the right places.

"Yeah, I think that's the key," Hillerich said. "It's just us as coaches making sure we put all our kids, including [Coppice], in the best position to find ways to get him in position to make plays this week."

Gahanna Lincoln will look to rely on sophomore running back Diore Hubbard against the Panthers.

Hubbard scored four touchdowns and rushed for 211 yards against Westerville Central last week.

At 7 p.m. on Friday at Gahanna Lincoln Stadium, both the Panthers and the Lions will battle it out to extend their stay on the football field this season.

For one team, it is the chance at revenge, and for the other, it is the chance to show the first time was no fluke.

Hillarich said that, like most fans, he is looking forward to the competitive matchup and is thrilled at the opportunity to have this rematch.

"We're just we're just excited for the opportunity," Hillerich said. "The fact that that we got Gahanna again, a team are familiar with, I think it just adds a little more excitement."