When the enrollment figures came into full view a few years ago and nudged Jimtown into Indiana's 3A football class, this is the game that so many hoped to see.
It's the Jimmies and Panthers -- again.
The scene is the same. The teams are the same.
Standards, though, have changed quite a bit. There's a different twist.
Of course, there will be no shortage of community bravado come 7:30 on Friday night at Andrews Field, but this contest is about one thing -- a trophy.
"We told the kids that 'Part 1' was about bragging rights and pride," said Jimtown coach Mike Campbell, "but now it's about hardware. It's about extending your season or packing up your stuff."
Scott Hoover, NorthWood's first-year head coach, is embracing the casual pace in Nappanee.
"It's been an exciting week for us," Hoover said. "When its Jimtown-NorthWood, it's two solid programs, it's the people, communities who do things the right way. We're just having fun this week."
Depending on your patience level and sense of humor, it's been a fun ride for both the Jimmies and Panthers.
It's hard to imagine how nearly three months have passed since the two County rivals met in the opening week. Jimtown won 13-10 in overtime and there's no reason to think either school couldn't win by the exact same score again.
The offenses have survived while the defenses have been stout.
Don't expect scoring fireworks, though NorthWood did nail South Bend St. Joe with a gambling 99-yard touchdown pass from Brant Nine to Derek Yoder.
Backed up to the 1 in the final seconds of the third period -- going into a stiff wind -- the Panthers pulled a rabbit out of their hat.
It would have been just as easy to wait a play, run into the line and get the wind at your back after the change in the field.
Not with a Derek Yoder on your team.
"Derek's one of the few guys we have that can give us a big play," Hoover said. "Whether it's a punt return, a kickoff return, an interception -- when he touches the ball, we have a chance to get a few touchdowns."
And Yoder did just that, grabbing a perfect first-down toss from Nine, beating one would-be tackler at the 40 and racing all by himself across Jackson Field's muddy turf.
"We wanted to get Derek Yoder one-on-one and St. Joe had been dropping the safety out of the middle and up into the box," Hoover said. "We figured they were loading up to stop the run, so it was the perfect time to do it."
Great call.
Ironically, Jimtown found enough of a passing game to avoid elimination two weeks ago at Marian and then used its traditional run game and a big interception TD from Herman Pollard to beat Rochester last Friday.
"I wouldn't call us explosive," said Campbell. "We have to keep them off balance, mix up formations because in that defense, they know what they want to do."
The Jims and Panthers have taken their time finding a rhythm this season and there would be those who'd argue neither has developed a groove to this day.
Maybe so.
Nine, a senior, and Jimtown junior Brian Hosinski never took game-situation snaps on a Friday night until this fall. They've both struggled, looked awkward at times, but both have helped lead their teams to this moment.
"I think their quarterback is their most improved player," Campbell said of Nine.
"Their quarterback is starting to throw the ball much better," Hoover said of Hosinski. "There's not too many times you're going to see Jimtown go to the air to win a football game."
The gloves are off now. As former NFL coach Herman Edwards once famously said before cameras, "You play to win the game."
Like passing on your own goalline in a sectional game or throwing for an entire half when you can't run the ball.
That's how championships are won.
Bill Beck is The Elkhart Truth's sports editor. Contact him at bbeck@etruth.com.