Playing an arch-rival is always a big deal for any particular team. Playing an arch-rival on Homecoming, that's when terms like, "Game of the Year" are used and other activities are put on hold.

Saturday's Homecoming match against Philadelphia Biblical University is receiving this sort of attention. Both coaches are trying to preach to their teams that it is just another game in September and this is just one step towards bigger things. Good luck.

"We are trying to downplay the game a bit and simply focus on getting better as a team," Charger Head Coach Josh Beers said. "However, this is Homecoming and we don't get the chance to run out of a tunnel like Penn State football does, so we want to soak up the feeling."

The Crimson Eagles (3-4-1) may have an advantage in this category simply because they have had to focus on other teams this week.

"We haven't really thought about the game yet, because we just got done playing a tough Arcadia University team on Wednesday," PBU Head Coach Clay Roberts said. "We will start focusing on them today (Thursday), but we haven't been thinking about them all week."



Beers said the Chargers aren't letting any pressure get to them as a team.

"We don't feel the pressure from an individual game," Beers said. "If we feel pressure, it is from ourselves wanting to play good soccer each game. We are keeping things in perspective."

The Charger-Crimson Eagle rivalry that has been growing the past couple of seasons added another chapter last season when the Chargers went to Langhorne, Pa. and defeated PBU 2-1during the regular season, only to see the Crimson Eagles return the favor and win the NCCAA East Region Championship at LBC, 3-2.

While that is in the past, both coaches said returning players have been filling the freshman and other new players in on the rivalry.

"We've had some time to talk about the game since last night," Roberts said. "Our older guys have shown great leadership and have been telling the freshman what they are getting into on Saturday."

Likewise, Beers said the midfielders and leaders on the Chargers have been preparing the troops.

"We rise and fall with our middle and Kevin Keltner, Taylor Dooley and Lawrence Lartey have done a great job this week of focusing and preparing the guys," Beers said. "They are heart of the team and they are proving why."



Beers said he has seen the changes from last year's team to this year's team during their week of practice.

"We are stronger and more experienced," Beers said. "Being a year older and adding the physical presence of guys like Jesse Fraser and Lartey really helps."

PBU, ranked number five in the latest NCCAA Division II poll, has placed emphasis on Saturday's game, because the winner will have home-field advantage for the NCCAA East Region playoffs.

"It really is just another game in September, but it is an important one," Roberts said. "Any team would like to have home-field advantage in the playoffs."

The Chargers, ranked second in the NCCAA Division II poll, are working on limiting their mistakes for Saturday's game.

"I believe which ever team can make fewer mistakes will win," Beers said. "We are too evenly matched for this game to be a blowout and mistakes will probably decide the outcome."

Likewise, the Crimson Eagles, who have played a tougher schedule than LBC thus far, are looking to build on their success and limit their mistakes.

"We are confident in our approach and feel we have a good chance on Saturday," Roberts said.

Beers said his guys are excited for Saturday and the experience that will come with it.

"This is going to be NCAA Division III athletics at its best," Beers said. "This is the purest form of athletics. We have a mutual respect for one another, but they are our rival and it's going to be fun."


Notes:
-As part of the Christian College Sports Network launching their new website, they interviewed both coaches earlier in the week. Both coaches predicted 2-1 wins for their team. To listen to the interviews, visit www.ccsnonline.com.

-The road team has won four of the last seven times in the series.

-Through eight games, PBU has scored eight goals and given up 14.

-Through nine games, LBC has scored 25 and given up 15.

-Last season's NCCAA East Region Final was tied at 2-2, before PBU's Jeremy Dunham scored with 5:59 remaining. Dunham leads PBU in goals this season with three.

-LBC's leading goal scorer, sophomore Cory Greiser, has six.

-Saturday's game has been declared a Code Red by Student Services as part of Homecoming Weekend. Wear red to the women's volleyball match at 11:30 a.m. and the men's soccer game at 1:30 p.m..