OBSERVER Photo by Ron Szot Fredonia/Brocton safety Lucas Green calls out direction on defense during a game against Cassadaga Valley/Falconer earlier this season in Brocton.

There’s a saying in life — whether it’s about sports or anything else — that there’s no place like home.

That’ll be the case for the Fredonia/Brocton Hillbillies football team tonight, as they will return home to the Orange Bowl to play their first game there in almost two years against the Tonawanda Warriors in a Class B3 matchup.

The implications of this game almost don’t have to be spoken, but a win over Tonawanda would set up a massive showdown next week against Dunkirk for the Class B3 regular season championship.

Regardless of the state of the standings, the Hillbillies know they have to take it just one game at a time.

“Our adjustments have been great in games,” said Fredonia/Brocton head coach Greg Sherlock this week. “We just have to continue to do what we do well.”

The Hillbillies faced their biggest test of the season last week against Burgard, a game in which they found themselves trailing 6-0 at halftime.

“We went away from some things that were actually working well and I let it speed by me,” said Sherlock. “We went away from some of our strengths and that’s on me as a coach, but that won’t happen again.”

Coming into the second half trailing, the Hillbillies forced three turnovers and scored 22 unanswered points in the first five minutes of the second half to shoot ahead of Burgard. The Hillbillies never looked back.

“Turnovers are such a great motivator for a team, especially if you make mistakes like we did last week, but your defense can get the ball right back,” said Sherlock. “It can carry momentum into the next play or next series.”

Trey Swartz, Dalton Gardner and Lucas Green have all made key interceptions for the Hillbillies over the last two weeks, giving the defensive unit big momentum setting up the offense.

Offensively, the Hillbillies’ rushing attack had been led by senior Joell Colon, however, two weeks ago Colon went down with an injury, which also limited his production last week against Burgard. Sherlock confirmed that he has made significant progress and will be a big factor in the game tonight.

For Tonawanda, they are led by some big-time play-makers all over the field, specifically by running back Zach Braddell.

“There’s a lot of things that concern me with Tonawanda,” said Sherlock. “Braddell is a tough kid and he poses a lot of problems.”

Outside of Braddell, Tonawanda will use wide receiver Caden Herman and tight end Josh Allen, as well as speed threat Noah Ray on the outside.

“It’s tough. When you think you have the run stopped, they can pop a quick pass to any of their weapons,” said Sherlock. “We have to be ready for it.”

Sherlock remained adamant in saying that they have to contain Braddell saying, “If [Braddell] finds a seam, he’s gone.”

Tonawanda almost upset Dunkirk earlier in the season losing just 24-22, but lost last week to a one-win Eden/North Collins team 22-20.

“[Tonawanda] made some errors last week and Eden/North Collins made them pay,” said Sherlock. “If you leave a team in the game that long they build confidence that they can play with you.”

With another big Class B3 matchup in front of them, Fredonia/Brocton has a chance to cement themselves as a firm contender in the Class B playoffs.

“We have to control the ball,” said Sherlock. “Defensively, we have to shut down their key players and if we can do that I think the game will play into our hands.”

Returning to the Orange Bowl, you have to think it can only add a little something extra to the game for the Hillbillie faithful.

“It’s definitely a lot safer now that it was,” said Sherlock. “My concern is — with all the rain this week — is that we may be in for some sloppy conditions.”

With the game set up back at the Orange Bowl, Fredonia fans are hoping the Hillbillies will be celebrating back on their home field for the first time in two years.

Follow along on Twitter @TheObserverNY for updates throughout the game.