Tonight is a huge one for both the local football teams.

For Russellville, a Class 3A, District 2 title is on the line in the Panthers’ home game against Butler County.

And for Logan County, the Cougars have a chance at making history.

With a home win over Franklin-Simpson tonight, the Cougars will secure the second seed in Class 4A, District 2. If that happens, they will get to host a playoff game for the first time in school history.

Both teams have had their ups and downs this year.

Each got off to rocky starts to the regular season – thanks largely to brutal non district schedules.

But the tough teams the Panthers and Cougars faced early on did a great job of preparing them for district competition.

Logan County currently sits at 2-1 in its district – the lone loss coming last week against undefeated powerhouse Allen County-Scottsville.

And the Cougars even made a game of it – losing just 40-20 in extremely muddy conditions in Scottsville.

Winning tonight against Franklin-Simpson is a pretty tall order, but Logan County can do it. They will have a little extra motivation because it’s senior night.

Logan County will be honoring its seniors from all the fall sports. They include: cheerleading Hannah Collins, Chelsey Jones and Kristina Jordan cross country Macie Dye, Kelsey Hinton, Dustin Skipworth and Kyle Latham golf Missy Miles, Taylor Johnson, Lindsey Dick and Candice Coles football Thomas Washington, Rueben Rawlings-Watson, Scott Blackford, Nathan Oberhausen, Jonathan Barbee, Phillip Stratton, Cameron Collier and Jeremy Rager and volleyball Jessica Britten, Kelly Miller and Chelsea Cartas.

Meanwhile, across town the Panthers will be looking for another perfect regular season in their district.

With a win against Butler County tonight, Russellville will finish 4-0 in Class 3A, District 2 for the third straight year.

That’s a pretty good accomplishment. With a loss, though, things get a little dicey.

If the Bears pull out a win, they will likely finish in a three way tie with Russellville and Edmonson County atop the district.

So, the Panthers just need to win the game and not worry about the points system tie-breaker.

— OJ Stapleton is the editor of the News-Democrat & Leader. Contact him at 726-8394.