Like the weather on Friday night, the tri-states most underrated rivalry, the Battle of I-74 was gorgeous. The rivalry between the East Central Trojans and the Harrison Wildcats is one that needs to be talked about more. Harrison came into this game 5-0 on the season, while East Central came into the game with one blemish, a loss on the road at Elder.

The Wildcats came out firing, taking the opening kickoff to the house.

Senior Ben Markarian’s effort was all for not as a flag wiped out the big return. Harrison was not to be denied on the opening drive. After a pass interference penalty on Ethan Wynn of East Central, the Wildcats were in position to take the lead. Lawhon made the Trojans pay, calling his own number and punching it in from a yard out to give the Wildcats the 7-0 lead.

East Central tried to answer but was unable to get anything going, turning the ball over on downs after a failed punt.

Harrison took over with just a few minutes left in the first quarter. The Wildcats capitalized on the miscue early in the second quarter as Lawhon found senior receiver Kyle Davidson for a 14-yard touchdown.

The 14-point Harrison lead was not to stand long, as East Central responded with a touchdown drive of their own. The drive culminated with a Ryan Minges touchdown run, from two yards out. The Trojans forced a Harrison punt, giving them a chance to tie the game. The Wildcats defense came through when senior David Baldock picked off the pass from East Central quarterback, Ben Bond.

Lawhon made the Trojans pay with another rushing touchdown, this time from six yards out. The Lawhon touchdown gave Harrison a 21-7 lead, which would stand until halftime.

East Central started the second half with a great drive to snatch momentum away from the Wildcats. Minges once again found the endzone, from a yard out, cutting the Harrison lead to 21-14. Neither team could muster anything, until early in the fourth quarter when East Central kicker Blake Sterwerf drilled a 35-yard field goal. East Central completely snatched momentum when Jared Cox picked off Lawhon and returned it for a touchdown.

A flag would wipe away the touchdown return. The interception was the first one thrown by Lawhon this season. Colton Bellman punched it in from 7 yards out, giving East Central the lead and putting a dagger in the hearts of the Wildcats.

With about four minutes left in the game, Harrison had the chance to drive down the field to tie the game or take the lead. Noah Long picked off Lawhon at the East Central 23-yard line ending the hopes of the Wildcats.

The victory moved East Central to 5-1 on the season while Harrison suffered their first loss, falling to 5-1 as well. The game lived up to all of the hype and showed why this is one of the best rivalry games in all of the tri-state area. Harrison looks to rebound as they host Mt. Healthy on Friday night. The Trojans hope to continue their momentum and up their winning streak to four as they head on the road to face Connersville.

Chris Asbrock is the owner, writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on Twitter  Follow @iamchrisasbrock and Follow @ISCincy