The No. 2 seed from the 7-4A Conference is on the line Friday night.
Joe T. Robinson (7-1, 4-1 7-4A) hosts Ashdown (6-2, 4-1) at Charlie George Stadium in Little Rock. The winner will earn a No. 2 seed and first-round home game in the playoffs.
Robinson Coach Todd Eskola understands the importance of the No. 2 seed compared to the No. 3 seed. The No. 3 seed would have to play on the road in the first round, which is Nov. 11.
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"It's important to start the playoffs at home," Eskola said. "They're in the same boat. You want the two seed."
Both Robinson and Ashdown feature several NCAA Division I recruits, including Ashdown defensive back Montaric Brown and Robinson wide receiver Koilan Jackson. Brown and Jackson have orally committed to Arkansas.
Eskola expects an energetic and emotional game Friday night.
"The speed of the game will be much faster," Eskola said. "It will not resemble what your typical 4A game is."
Robinson expects to have junior wide receiver Nathan Page back after missing last week's game at Bauxite because of a hand injury. Page leads the Senators' receivers with 28 receptions for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Ashdown and Robinson's only conference losses have been to Nashville (8-0, 5-0). Ashdown lost 56-51 on Oct. 14 and Robinson fell to the Scrappers 31-28 on Oct. 7.
"They're peaking at the right time," Eskola said of Ashdown. "We feel like we are, too. Both teams will definitely be a force in the playoffs."