This game is not for all the marbles.
There is no conference title at stake.
What's on the table is more important - bragging rights.
Southern Columbia hosts Mount Carmel Area tonight in the season's first big marquee rivalry matchup and with each owning a 2-0 record at this juncture in the season, some team's hopes of going undefeated will be dashed.
Even more importantly, this game features the first big test either team has had as they look to gauge improvement during a soft early season schedule.
Southern's schedule has been more cupcake-laced than in recent years, while the Tornadoes have had to face a pair of respectable teams on paper but neither gave the Tornadoes the fight they've wanted.
All that sugary scheduling ends tonight.
The Tigers' starters come into the game well rested after playing just into the second half in their 61-0 win over Pius X in week one, then being reduced to spectators by the second quarter in a 55-3 drubbing of Montgomery last Friday.
That's all well and good for an experienced team, but with the amount of new starters on both sides of the ball for the Tigers, a full game, or even a contested game, might have been nice to see how the team responded.
"There are two ways to look at it," Southern Columbia head coach Jim Roth said. "Our kids are well rested. We've had enough time to be in good football shape, but it could always be a factor in a physical game and I understand the temperature may be up for the game. And we don't have many players going two ways, and those who do get time off.
"I worry more about experience, not fatigue. It would have been nice to have the starters go deeper into games to get that experience."
Mount Carmel has also gotten a number of reserves into the first two games, and that can only pay dividends down the road in the eyes of head coach Carm DeFrancesco.
"Our kids have that killer instinct and we've had the ability to play a lot of people when it still matters," DeFrancesco said. "We're making a lot of early substitutions and building experience and depth."
The reserves have played so much for Southern that a look at the statistics for the team might have a casual observer thinking that freshman Blake Marks is stepping right into shoes left behind by his father Jerry during his record-setting career in the '80s. But, while Blake does lead the Tigers with 189 yards and three touchdowns, the real offensive leader is starting fullback Adam Feudale with 150 yards and three touchdowns in limited action.
Whoever is in there, DeFrancesco has seen the same things time and time again on film.
"One thing always stands out, it doesn't matter who their opposition is, they're meticulous," DeFrancesco said.
The Tigers are going to have to be balanced and calculating and devise a way to get past defensive tackle Eric Joraskie.
The 6-foot, 4-inch, 265-pound Northwestern commit has turned it on this season with seven tackles and a sack and is an area of concern for Roth's offense. This could be the type of game Joraskie decides to dominate from start to finish.
"You have to account for Joraskie and gameplan for him," Roth said. "He just seems like he's really picked it up this year. He seems aggressive and quick and is a mismatch for most teams."
When the Tornadoes are on offense, expect to see a more balanced attack than last season, when Mount Carmel's playcalling was dominated by the run.
This year the Tornadoes have mixed in the pass more effectively and Zach Wasilewski has run for 100 yards from his quarterback spot.
"We're much improved offensively," DeFrancesco said. "We have diversity and balance. That was a major goal in the offseason and we're really pleased with the offense."
Don't forget about Tornadoes' tailback Luke Klingerman, who has impressed Roth, and has 260 yards in two games.
"Klingerman is every bit as dangerous and explosive as Lamb was last year," Roth said.
Running room may be at a premium against a Southern unit that has allowed a total of 11 yards all season.
The teams are matched up. The stage is set. Only one thing is for sure, the starters aren't coming out of this one early.