Not blessed with SportsCenter-type replay athletes, Blacksburg and Whitmire are teams that get yards the old fashioned way: They earn them.

The teams meet today at T.A. Campbell Stadium.

“We are both blue collar teams,” Whitmire coach Donald Addis said. “Anything we get, we earn.”

The same can be said for the Wildcats, who use a punishing running attack to move the sticks.

Both teams need a win to stay in contention for a playoff spot. The Wildcats are winless in the region with three games left on the schedule, while the Wolverines are 1-1.

Both teams have beaten Southside Christian. But the Wolverines beat Dixie, while the Wildcats came out on the losing end.

But Addis and Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss both agree the teams are evenly matched.

Both teams are led by quarterbacks who weren’t supposed to be under center this season. Marcus Lindsay, a dual talent, was expected to be the starter at quarterback for the Wolverines but he’s been dismissed from the team. His replacement, Brandon Crompton, has thrown for 620 yards and is improving, according to Addis.

Treyvon Parker is only a freshman but he’s found a home at quarterback for the Wildcats.

“He’s getting better each week,” Addis said.

While the Wildcats are ground oriented on offense, the Wolverines operate from a spread formation.

P.J. Davis, who also plays flanker, is the team’s leading rusher from his I-back position. He’s also scored five touchdowns.

Addis said his offense has turned the ball over too much.

The Wildcat offense also have been plagued by turnovers at times this season.

But Moss said his biggest concern is reducing the number of mistakes his young team has made.

Addis is concerned about the Wildcats’ size along their offensive line.

He said his defense, which is led by defensive end Alan Michael Glenn and LB Ethan Campbell, has been vulnerable to teams who run the ball up the middle.

“Blacksburg really comes at you with a power running game,” the Whitmire coach said. “We’ve had trouble with teams that have run right at us.”

Addis said he expects a tough contest today.

“It’s always a battle when we play Blacksburg,” he said. “I just hope our kids are mentally ready to play.”

The Wildcats will have a little extra motivation today, wanting to give the team’s 10 seniors a winning send-off on Senior Night.

“We have 10 seniors who are very special to us,” Moss said. “They come to practice everyday with a good attitude. We’ll miss all 10 of the seniors. We feel really close to them.”

One of the Wildcats’ most dynamic players, running back Lennal Dasher, is questionable for today’s game. He’s been hobbled by a sprained ankle the last couple of weeks.

GAME AT A GLANCE

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at T.A. Campbell

Stadium.

Players to Watch: Blacksburg QB Treyvon Parker, RB Chase Hames, DL Alex Campbell Whitmire QB Brandon Crumpton, RB P.J. Davis, DE Alan Michael Glenn, LB Ethan Campbell.

The Wildcats will win - if they limit their turnovers and sustain long drives to keep the Wolverine offense off the field.

The Wolverines will win - If they avoid costly turnovers and build an early lead to force the Wildcats to abandon their run-oriented offense.