Crescent Valley High football coach Scott Sanders took the gag order off his players this week.

They could finally talk about facing crosstown rival Corvallis.

That's not to say they haven't been looking forward to tonight's game since the schedule came out.

Still, Sanders didn't want the Raiders looking ahead.

"We haven't talked about this game the whole year," Sanders said before practice on Tuesday. "The kids are excited. They had an extra hop in their step (Monday).They're excited to play the game."

There is a lot at stake for the Raiders, who are in a dogfight for one of the Mid-Willamette Conference's four playoff spots. CV enter's tonight's 7 p.m. game at Spartan Stadium with a 3-2 conference mark. Even a win tonight won't secure a playoff berth.

"We set a goal to win every game and playoffs would be a bonus," Sanders said. "We know that if we beat CHS we've got a shot. It could still come down to a coin flip and who beats who but that definitely provides motivation for them."

Added senior Payden Waldo: "I really think that's an added benefit. Obviously we're going to put that extra 10, 20 percent, whatever it takes to get there. It's just amazing that we are in a position to get into the playoffs. You look back on years when that wasn't even a glimmer but this year it's added so much to it. The fact that we have to get past CHS to get that I think really does make a difference. It's definitely a different game."

It has been an uphill battle since a strong start for the Raiders. They started 3-0 with three lopsided wins, then suffered a tough 19-7 loss at Silverton on the road. They rebounded with wins over Dallas and Lebanon to move to 5-1 overall.

But then came a blowout loss to Glencoe and another lopsided loss to South Albany last week. Injuries have begun to take a toll, with several players making their first start tonight for CV.

"They know we're missing seven guys we started the season with but it just gives another guy a chance and opportunity to play," Sanders said. "Some guys will make their first start this weekend and it's against CHS. That's great. There's not much more that a kid could ask for.

"Of course I'd rather have the guys we started the year out with but we don't, so yeah, on a personal level I'm really excited for the kids who get to make their first start. It's neat to see and they are working extra hard."

Sanders said this year's group has been able to stick together through the good and bad times. This is just another obstacle the team must overcome.

"I think the biggest different about this year is we have so many seniors who have been together for so long and, yeah, we lost some key players but we can really depend on each other," Waldo said. "Yeah, you lose some but still we want to help each other and we want to do the best we can for each other, so despite the losses I think we're really ready. We have the heart to win this game.

"It's not going to be about the better team but (will) come down to heart and who wants it the most."