For almost a month, players and coaches for Porters Chapel and Newton Academy have been counting the days until Oct. 29.

Both teams have played a few games, but in the grand scheme of things they were all meaningless tuneups. This is the main event, the one that will determine whether the season is a success or failure.

When they meet up in Newton on Friday, PCA and Newton will be playing for the second and final playoff spot in District 5-A. It’s a game both sides figured would have meaning since before the season started. Now, it’s for all the marbles.