The stakes in a regular season game don’t get any higher than they will be tonight in Adel when the ADM football Tigers host the Harlan Cyclones for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

As you surely know by now, whoever wins this game will earn the fourth and final playoff spot in Class 3A – District 8. ADM hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2007, and even then, that team only didn’t make it because of tie breakers.

The players and coaching staff have maintained the stance that they’re treating this game like any other, and that there’s no way to ignore the scenario. Rather, the key is to embrace the situation.

One thing on ADM’s side is momentum. The Tigers have put together their first winning streak of the season by taking the last two games, while over the last three weeks the offense has been clicking. ADM has averaged 509 yards and 36 points per game over the last three games after managing less than 12 points per contest through the first five weeks of the season. Harlan, meanwhile, is coming off a 19-0 win over Glenwood last week but has not won back-to-back games this season.

Tigers head coach Mike Whisner told Raccoon Valley Radio he believes this moment has been building for several weeks after ADM dug itself a hole by starting 1-3 in district play but rebounded to play well over the last three weeks.

Our coverage on K107 and raccoonvalleyradio.com begins at 6:45 p.m. You won’t want to miss tonight’s do-or-die action in Adel.