MERCERVILLE — Keep a good thing going, even if the road doesn’t lead to the football postseason.

That’s the scenario facing South Gallia this Friday night when it hosts a potentially dangerous Oak Hill squad during a Week 9 matchup at Rebel Field.

The Rebels (4-4) are coming off a heartbreaking 28-12 setback to Sciotoville Community East last weekend which likely ended any possibility of the Red and Gold making a third consecutive appearance in the Division VI, Region 23 playoffs. SGHS is currently 16th in the 28-team region — the last team not to be mathematically eliminated at this point.

More importantly, the Rebels have enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons over the last two years en route to making the postseason — the only two winning seasons in school history. If SGHS hopes to make it three in a row, it must win its final two home games of the regular season.

The Oaks (3-5), on the other hand, matched last year’s win total last Friday with their biggest triumph of the season — a 45-0 pounding of Symmes Valley at Davis Stadium in Oak Hill. The Black, Red and White were 3-7 in 2006 and 0-10 in 2005. The Rebels won last season’s contest by a 38-14 margin.

OHHS has shown an ability to score offensively, averaging 27 points per game while being held to under 10 points only once this fall. The Oaks are also surrendering 22.9 points on the defensive side of the ball.

Oak Hill, which ended a three game losing streak last Friday, is led by freshman quarterback Jesse Slone (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) and a pass-happy offense that has generated results when needed.

Slone, who was 8-of-13 passing for 118 yards and a score, found six different wideouts during last week’s win while not turning the ball over once. The touchdown pass went to junior tight end J.D. Hale (6-6, 205) for 29 yards.

Bobby Kidd (5-9, 155) led the Oaks in receiving with 54 yards on three catches, followed by Joey Maynard (6-1, 165) with two catches for 39 yards. Kidd also had a rushing TD and 53 yards on seven carries.

Pete Fisher (5-9, 175) led the ground attack with 148 yards and two scores on a dozen attempts, with Chris Dupree (6-1, 205) adding two more TDs and 58 yards on six carries. The Oaks posted 431 total yards of offense and surrendered only 58 against the Vikings.

South Gallia, on the other hand, allowed 371 rushing yards last week in their loss to East. The Rebels, who are averaging 21.4 points offensively and 19.1 points defensively, have also lost two straight home games this year and are 2-2 at Rebel Field overall.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.