With a 5-3 overall record this season, some might think Cathedral High School is the underdog in its matchup Thursday with Adams County Christian School (7-1).

With a chance at a lead spot in MAIS District 5-AAA, however, ACCS coach David King doesn’t think so.

“I think it is two fairly even teams,” King said. “We have had some success this year, but we have also struggled at times. There is a lot at stake, and they have a good football team. The loser of this one is in trouble.”

Both teams enter the game — set for a 7 p.m. kickoff — having won its one district game so far this year. The Rebels took down Silliman Institute on Sept. 29, 20-0, while the Green Wave defeated Central Private on Aug. 25, 44-19.

“It was one of our goals to start the season to win district, and right now we are still in,” Cathedral coach Chuck Darbonne said. “Now, we have to beat the other two. If we beat ACCS, we put ourselves in the driver’s seat. If we lose, we have to hope and pray other people mess up.”

Darbonne — in his second year at Cathedral — is hoping to not only to defeat ACCS for its implications this year, but for years to come.

The Rebels have won the district championship for the past four years.

“I have a lot of respect for Coach King and what they do, but for the program, where we are at and where we need to be, it would be a monumental win to beat them, especially on the road,” Darbonne said.

After a losing three consecutive games, Cathedral bounced back last week with a win over St. Aloysius, 32-27.

Darbonne said to notch the win this week, his team needs to remain focused.

“There really aren’t many secrets left. It’s going to come down to who really wants to win the game and who is going to battle,” he said. “If we do what we are supposed to do, it will come down to the fourth quarter. It could depend on big plays here and there.”

ACCS is coming off a win over Bowling Green last week, 38-7, in which interceptions sparked the lopsided score.

King agreed turnovers this week could be just as crucial.

“We match up pretty well with them, so It’s one of those games that could be about turnovers and penalties. It’s just the way it is,” he said. “If you make less penalties and less turnovers than your opponent, you have a pretty good chance to win.”

Despite the effect Thursday could have on both teams’ postseason chances, Darbonne said one other thing still reins.

“This is a shot at bragging rights,” he said.