The Canal Winchester High School football team is just two games away from a perfect regular season but the Indians will face one of their most difficult tests Friday when they travel to Hamilton Township.

The Rangers are 5-3 overall and are 3-2 in the MSL-Buckeye Division, having defeated Amanda-Clearcreek 38-22 last Friday. The Indians won last year's meeting 35-19.

Hamilton Township is led by quarterback Dorian Curry. He directs an option-based offense, which coach Phil Mauro said will be tough to stop.

"They've got more schemes and formations than last year so they give you a lot to prepare for," Mauro said. "Dorian is the guy that makes it all go, but they've got some other weapons now. Their running back Jared Hopkins got 291 yards last week so we've got to do a good job defending all phases of the option."

The Indians will rely on linebackers Ryan Sabin, Harrison Rosch and Tyler Steube as well as defensive linemen Travis Stevenson, Zack Hitchens, Ryan Huff and Morgan Tucker. The group has been stout against the run all season.

Canal Winchester has continued to improve since the beginning of the season, but Mauro said there is still room to grow.

"Well, I think we're making strides and getting better in certain areas," he said. "We had some issues in the return game and I think we've shored those up. Mainly I think we still need to work on being consistent and not turning the ball over."