This Friday stands to be one of, if not THE biggest game in the history of the Marathon football program.

The Red Raiders visit 6-time defending state champion Stratford on Friday.

Last year the Red Raiders were 5-0 going into the Stratford game, lost, and ended the season on a 5-game losing streak. They're 5-0 going into this game again, and if they want to take the program to the next level, it's a game they need to win.

"Our motto this year has been, 'take that next step,'" said head coach Todd Stoffel. "We told our guys, this is a 'next step' kind of game. The kids are looking at it as the game that get us to that next level. Then, a conference championship is within reach."

The Stratford-Marathon battle will be the Spotlight Game of the Week on The Hilight Zone Friday night.