And then there were two ...

While getting a win over Yuba City in the Big-Little Game earlier this year was certainly sweet for the Marysville High football team, a 34-21 victory over Capital Christian (4-4 overall, 3-1 in GEL) on Friday may have been one of the biggest for Marysville's football program in years.

In fact, after the triumph, the Indians (6-2, 3-1) are thinking postseason for the first time in a long time, but they're not talking about it.

"We're not allowed to say the 'P' word this week," said Marysville head coach Cullen Meyer about the postseason. "Our whole motivation is if we take care of business this week, we're playing for a league championship."

Meyer admits getting amped up to play an 0-8 Highlands team is tough, but the winning incentive is clear enough: playing against Lindhurst for at least a share of the Golden Empire League crown.

"I'm not really looking forward to trying to figure out a way to stop a team that passes for 300 and rushes for 300," Meyer said of Lindhurst.

A three-peat league title for the Blazers (6-2, 4-0) isn't as easy of a path.

Capital Christian (4-4, 3-1) will be looking for redemption when it hosts Lindhurst Friday, but if the Blazers can get a victory, they will clinch at least a share of the title. If they lose, a three-way tie for first-place wouldn't be settled until the final week.

Either way, a showdown with Marysville in Lindhurst in two weeks will certainly impact the outcome of the league.

The last time the Indians won the Golden Empire League was 2002. The last time Marysville played for a Sac-Joaquin Section title game was 2000, when it lost to Escalon, 23-20.

While Yuba City and River Valley's Mayor's Cup game won't be lacking excitement or attendants in two weeks, playoff talk won't be heard.

At 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the Tri-County Conference, Yuba City has virtually been eliminated from a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff berth, and the same goes for River Valley (2-6, 0-3).

River Valley will visit Natomas Friday, while Yuba City will host Pioneer.

Contact sports editor Bryan DeMain at bdemain@appealdemocrat.com or at 749-4715.