A win for Richmond ends a drought that dates back a decade.

NCC dreams can be realized and dashed this Friday at Lyboult Field. A Red Devil victory clinches at least a share of Richmond’s first conference championship since 2001. It also would give the Vikings their second NCC loss, eliminating them from contention.

“It’s a big game,” said RHS coach Matt Holeva, who has Richmond close to a conference crown in his first season as head coach. “It’s senior night for us. It ought to be an exciting evening. Hopefully we’ll get a big crowd out to support us.”

Huntington is fresh off a 31-14 win over Muncie Central that put the Vikings at 4-1 in conference play.

Quarterback Drew Schnitz has controlled the offense, both on the ground and in the air, for first-year Huntington coach Trent Fine. Fine came to the Vikings from Monroe Central.

Schnitz has thrown for 1,527 yards, completing 94 of 174 passes with 24 touchdowns to six interceptions. He’s also the Vikings’ leading rusher with 586 yards and another six scores on the ground.

“Offensively, everything revolves around their quarterback,” Holeva said.

“We’ll have to be able to key the run with him running the ball, but also be able to commit enough guys to secondary coverage as well.”

Schnitz tossed nine touchdowns in a 62-49 victory over Anderson earlier this year. Six of those TDs went to Caleb Richison, tying a state record.

Paul Ehler and Braydin Stell have also factored heavily into the Huntington passing game. Ehler is 6-foot-3 and Richison 6-foot.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Holeva said. “It will be a real good test for us.”

Richmond has passed each of its NCC tests so far.

The latest was last Friday’s road trip to New Castle that saw the Devils fall into an early 10-0 hole before rallying for a 24-10 victory.

RHS QB Justyn Curtis threw for 221 yards and touchdown passes to Kristian Rodriquez and Jalen Bailey.

Curtis has 1,058 yards this year.