This week's Bath at Elida games features both teams at 5-2 overall.

That got me to thinking when is the last time these two faced each other with both of them at least 3 games over .500?

It took awhile but I finally found the answer: 1988.

Both teams were 4-0 as they squared off at Kraft Stadium. Elida won the game in overtime, 12-9.

Bath would not lose another game that regular season, knocking off St. Marys in the season finale to share the WBL crown. The 'Cats then defeated Willard 14-7 in the playoffs before bowing out to Cleveland Orange in the second round, 14-12.

As for Elida, they would get to 7-0 before the bottom fell out and cost them not only a league title but a playoff berth. They lost in OT in consecutive games. Week 8 it was Wapakoneta 25-22 and Week 9 it was St. Marys 28-21. Then a season-ending loss at Van Wert, 14-0, capped the descent.

Another note on this series: The last time both schools finished with a winning record was 1995.

The heyday of this rivalry was certainly the 1970's and 80's. Both schools were consistently good and the games were consistently close and meaningful.

To that point, during the Coach JIM DALLY ERA at Elida (1972-92) the series was dead even at 10-10-1; During the Coach GARY DELUCA ERA at Bath (1980-92) it was also dead even at 6-6-1.

In Dally's 21 years, 11 of the games were decided by a touchdown or less.

To many, the defining game of that time was scoreless tie at Bath in 1981. Both teams would finish the season 8-1-1, losing only to St. Marys, and missed the playoffs.

If the 0-0 game wasn't the defining game of the era, the next season's may have been. Elida won the game at Kraft Stadium, 13-7, and would nearly have a perfect season, finishing 9-0-1. The only blemish was a 6-6 tie with Van Wert. Bath would finish at 8-2 with another loss to St. Marys.

The Bulldogs of Coach Dally would lose to Toledo St. Francis, 7-6, in the Regional Finals (which was then the first round). That was the only playoff berth in school history until the last two 'Dogs teams have advanced past Week 10.

I hope this week's meeting is the beginning of another golden age of the Elida-Bath rivalry.