Both Lakota football programs face Greater Miami Conference tests in Week 6, with Lakota West hosting Fairfield for Homecoming and Lakota East welcoming unbeaten Princeton.

Lakota West (4-1) vs. Fairfield (2-3) — Friday, Sept. 25, Firebird Stadium

The Firebirds return to Firebird Stadium on Friday, Sept. 25, looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Princeton handed Lakota West a 27-24 defeat on Sept. 18 at Roettger Field in Lockland, with Jordan Hall scoring the go-ahead touchdown with 3:20 left, according to The Report Ohio.

Senior running back Kenyon Norman, a Northwestern University commit, was held to 128 yards on 32 carries in that game after three consecutive 200-yard performances. Norman had rushed for 800 yards and 13 touchdowns heading into Week 5, according to WLWT. He leads a Firebirds rushing attack that averages more than 260 yards per game in conference play.

"I think he showed why he is the best running back. He just gets stronger and stronger as the game goes," coach Tom Bolden said after the Sept. 18 Princeton loss. "We have to be able to help (Norman) out in the run game being able to throw the ball."

Quarterback Jackson Smith showed he can do that. He threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns against Princeton, both to receiver Karmelo Jordan, who finished with six catches for 119 yards.

Fairfield snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-19 win over Sycamore in Week 5.

The game doubles as Future Firebird Night, a free event for Lakota West feeder-school students in grades K-6. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. at 8940 Union Centre Blvd. in West Chester Township.

Lakota East (4-1) vs. Princeton (5-0)

Lakota East faces its toughest test of the season when unbeaten Princeton visits in Week 6.

The Thunderhawks have won three straight since a 48-18 loss to Lakota West in Week 2. Quarterback Nile Knutson has thrown for 1,174 yards and 14 touchdowns through five games. He opened the season with 268 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Centerville, and receiver Carter Jones caught 11 passes for 117 yards and a score in that game.

Princeton survived six turnovers to beat Lakota West and will bring a balanced attack led by running back Monsanna Torbert, who ran for 188 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in that win. Hall added 83 yards and two touchdowns.

East coach Jon Kitna, in his fourth season, has built steady momentum. In an August preseason interview with The Report Ohio, Kitna credited his senior class for setting the program's tone.

"They run the weight room. They run pre-practice. They establish what the culture is in meetings," Kitna said. "… When you have that as a coach, that's a special time."

Bolden, speaking after the Sept. 18 loss to Princeton, told his team he had "been in plenty of big games" and predicted the Firebirds would "get a shot at them again."

Lakota West hosts Fairfield on Friday, Sept. 25, at Firebird Stadium. Lakota East's game date and kickoff time against Princeton had not been confirmed as of Thursday, Sept. 24.