It was a game the Lehman Cavaliers love to win because it comes against their biggest football rival these days, the Fort Loramie Redskins.

But it didn’t happen this season, the Cavs running into one of the hottest teams in the area last week and taking it on the chin in a 35-19 final.

Despite the dark cloud from that outcome, there is a silver lining. Lehman will win its final two games (Ridgemont and Waynesfield), and according to Roll, that should be enough to put the Cavaliers into the postseason.

Lehman was seventh in this week’s computer rankings for Region 26, and the top eight qualify. And with two wins to end the regular season, that should be enough to stay in the top eight.

“Unless a lot of bad things happen, we’re going to get in if we win out,” said Roll. “There would have to be some major upsets to keep us out.”

Lehman will finish the regular season at 6-4, after starting off the campaign with a 1-3 record. Last week’s loss broke a three-game winning streak for the Cavaliers.

Friday night, they play at home against Ridgemont, which comes in with a 3-5 record. In comparing scores, it shouldn’t be close. While Lehman beat Lima Perry 28-25, Ridgemont lost to Perry 56-7. And while Lehman beat Riverside 28-20 — still Riverside’s only loss — Ridgemont lost to Riverside 60-6.

And the final week of the regular season should be an even easier test. Lehman will play winless Waynesfield, which lost to Ridgemont last week 12-7.

“We can’t afford to take anything for granted, so we’re taking them seriously and preparing the best we can,” said Roll. “It can happen at any time. I think the kids will bounce back. We had a good practice (Tuesday) and identified some things we need to work on.”

The Cavalier defense gave up a lot of yards on the ground last week in losing to the Redskins. Loramie quarterback Drew Wehrman rushed for 231 yards and four touchdowns in the game, and the Cavs had no answer for him.

“They came out ready to play and we didn’t, and I think it’s just that simple,” said Roll. “We didn’t play well, we had too many turnovers, and too many messed up opportunities. But that’s not to take anything away from Fort Loramie. They came out ready.

“I was disappointed in our enthusiasm level,” he added. “These kids are still learning how to win and what it takes.”