The Huntington Hounds are playing to keep their season alive. The Trinity Saints are playing what will be the last high school game of their seniors’ lives.

Needless to say, neither team needs an awful lot of pepping up for this one.

The MPSA District 5-A clash at 7:30 p.m. today in Huntington will decide who claims the the wildcard playoff spot – Huntington (5-4, 1-2) if the Hounds win, Chamberlain-Hunt Academy if the Saints (4-5, 1-2) play the spoiler.

&uot;I think Huntington has all the advantages,&uot; said Trinity coach David King. &uot;It’s a home game, they have a shot at the playoffs, they have a shot at a winning season, they have a more experienced coach and they have more experienced players.&uot;

Trinity starts six freshmen and faces a coach who has more than 30 years of experience,&160;King added.

While Huntington head coach Gerald Reeves admits his team has those things going it, he feels the Hounds still lack a very necessary requirement in the game of football.

&uot;We’re not blessed with all the speed in the world,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve got pretty good weight up front and we’re pretty strong, but it won’t do us any good if we can’t get there to use it.&uot;

The speed and versatility of Trinity quarterback Chad Ridley is a chief concern for Reeves.

&uot;He’s a versatile back,&uot; he said. &uot;You get him pressured and he’ll scramble; he throws you a hip and he’s gone right past you. You put on too much pressure, and that leaves a receiver open, and Ridley’s got a good arm. He’ll throw it.

&uot;I don’t know if we’ll come close to slowing him down or not,&uot; Reeves said.

&uot;We’ve got a lot to play for – a lot to think about,&uot; Reeves added. &uot;I just don’t want to get too tied up with thinking and lose focus on the game.&uot;

Trinity’s players – especially the seniors – have had plenty to think about all week since Huntington’s loss to Pine Hills last week eliminated the Saints from playoff contention.

&uot;I think it’s really hit home to the seniors that this is their last week of practice,&uot; King said. &uot;This is an emotional time for us.&160;I’ve been through a lot with these guys.

&uot;But this is a good rivalry,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s a good game to go out on.&uot;