As much as things change, they can also stay the same.

After dominating the league for 17 seasons, Dublin Coffman and Hilliard Davidson had their streak of OCC-Central Division titles snapped when Upper Arlington went unbeaten to win the championship last season.

However, the Wildcats and Shamrocks are the OCC-Central’s teams left unbeaten through two league contests before the teams meet Oct. 7 at Coffman.

Coffman and Davidson earned at least a share of the first 17 OCC-Central titles. The Wildcats have won eight outright titles and the Shamrocks five, with the programs sharing the title in 2012. Davidson also shared the championship with Upper Arlington in 2008 and both shared with UA in 2019.

One thing that is different is the styles of play. Once termed “gas versus grass” for Coffman’s vertical passing attack to the ground and grind stylings of Davidson’s triple-option running game, Coffman has transformed into a team hanging its helmet on defense and running game under second-year coach Geron Stokes.

“They are certainly a different animal,” said Davidson coach Jeremey Scally, whose team is 4-3 overall. “They aren’t looking to stretch the ball vertically, so philosophically they are so different. They like to play with as many tight ends as they can get on the field. They want to play in a phone booth and slug it out.

“It’s no secret that they are committed to running the football, and their kids and our kids are prepared to slug it out on Friday.”

The Wildcats won 43-28 last fall and lead the series 25-15. Coffman last won 49-0 in 2020 and has won four of the last seven meetings.

“Davidson plays a tough style of football,” said Stokes, whose team is 5-2 overall. “It’s very physical, and they make you decide whether you want to put your face in the fan or not. Do you want to keep your shoulders square and bang or is it really not worth it?”

The Wildcats are coming off a 14-7 league victory over Hilliard Bradley on Sept. 30. Davidson forced a fumble recovered by Riley Johnson at its own 2-yard line with 43 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Running back Keevan Gibbon rushed for 170 yards on 35 carries against Bradley and has 637 yards and three touchdowns on 132 carries for the season. Quarterback Johnny DiBlasio is 26-for-53 passing for 296 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and tight end Justin Roberts has eight receptions for 168 yards and one score.

Defensively, linebacker Caden Wilson leads with 73 tackles, 10 for loss, and linebacker Dave Stump totals 66 tackles and five sacks. Linebacker Owen Conley adds 64 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one interception, and defensive lineman Turner Schmidt has 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

“Their linebackers are super tough, and the backs get downhill and get after you,” Stokes said “They play team defense, and they control the clock and run the football. They have a style of play that fits them.

“Since I have taken this job — even before that — all that I had heard was that Davidson out-toughs Coffman. I have heard that from everybody. I don’t know if that’s true or not but that’s what everyone tells me. We’re going to try to change that.”

The Shamrocks defeated Olentangy Orange 35-7 on Sept 30. Carson Cox rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and also blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by defensive back Luke Sopko.

Quarterback Quinn Hart is 73-for-117 passing for 941 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and he also has rushed for a team-leading 403 yards on 97 carries with four touchdowns. Cox has rushed for 247 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns on 43 carries.

Running back Daven White has rushed for 372 yards on 85 carries with two scores. Wide receiver Amari Valerio-Hudson has 34 catches for 445 yards and one score.

The Coffman defense is led by Ohio State recruit Will Smith Jr. on the line, Cox at linebacker and defensive back Jaden Cooper, who has three interceptions.

“I like their quarterback (Hart), and they don’t shy away from running him,” Scally said. “They also have a couple of running backs that are tough runners.

“Defensively, they make you earn everything you get. That’s similar to what we do.”