Rarely will a probable high school football playoff qualifier find itself playing with anything that resembles true desperation in the middle of October.

For a team like Eaton, desperation is normally reserved for the month of November — and sometimes early December — when state titles are decided.

But for the Reds, even though they are a few weeks away from shifting focus to the playoffs — and they are about as sure of a bet as there is to make the 16-team postseason — this Friday brings at least a preliminary chance to play with a little desperation.

If Eaton (4-2 overall, 1-1 Class 2A North League) is going to have a chance to contend for a North League title, this Friday’s road game against fellow contender Wellington (6-0, 2-0) is nothing less than must-win.

After the Reds fell 34

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