A funny thing happened on the way to the showdown between Montour and Blackhawk.

You know, the one to be played tomorrow night that was to all but serve as an unofficial Parkway Conference championship game?

Both teams stubbed a toe last week and lost.

Now, what would have been a game that would have seen the winner clinch at least a share of the conference crown -- not to mention instantly vault itself onto the short list of contenders to challenge Thomas Jefferson for the WPIAL Class AAA championship -- has been rendered more of an elimination game of sorts.

The loser's conference title hopes come into serious jeopardy -- not to mention that a playoff berth won't be as assured as it was thought to be a week or so ago.

"There's going to be one good team who's sitting home this year, and that's a shame, but it shows the parity in this conference," Blackhawk coach Joe Hamilton said.

When the Cougars (5-1, 2-1) play at Montour (4-2, 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, each team will be coming off a defeat -- losses that muddled the Parkway standings and left them each a half-game out of first in the conference.

Blackhawk lost to West Allegheny, 21-13, Friday, putting the Indians into first place in the conference with a 3-1 record. Red-hot New Castle won its third conference game in a row, 48-12, against Montour to tie for the Parkway lead, too. Lurking is Hopewell, which at 1-2 is not out of the race. The top four teams qualify for the WPIAL playoffs.

"Everybody has either one or two losses, so each game down the stretch is very important," Spartans coach Lou Cerro said. "If you have any setbacks, they'll hurt in terms of trying to make the playoffs. In the Parkway, every year it's so competitive. If you're not ready to play every week, you'll be in trouble."

Montour still is coming off a season in which it made it to Heinz Field for the WPIAL title game, and Blackhawk remained in the Post-Gazette's WPIAL Class AAA rankings (albeit two spots lower at No. 4) so the defeats haven't hurt the two teams too badly -- yet.

"I never would say it's good to lose a ballgame," Hamilton said. "The thing is that we know we have weaknesses; it was just a matter of someone finding them. West Allegheny is the type of team that could do that."

The Cougars have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, particularly at tailback, where the team is down to Nos. 4 and 5 on the depth chart. Also, four starters on defense did not play in the loss to West Allegheny.

Hamilton said they are hoping for at least a couple of the injured players to return this week, including Bryan Stefanik, a senior running back who has missed the past three games.

Blackhawk has shown its depth, however. And even without a consistent running back, the passing game has not been adversely affected. Quarterback Zack Hayward (691 yards passing, eight touchdowns, no interceptions) and receiver Jake Delmonico (26 receptions, 258 yards, six touchdowns) pace that unit.

"They have very good skill players," Cerro said. "They don't have the biggest line, but they all know how to play. They protect the quarterback very well. All-around, they're a very good team, and, of course, they're well-coached by coach Hamilton."

When you talk about Montour's offense, of course, you talk about senior quarterback E.J. Banks, a Notre Dame recruit. He is 53 for 107 for 666 yards and six touchdowns passing with 99 carries for 663 yards and nine touchdowns rushing.

The Spartans also feature junior running back Philip Peckich (462 yards, four touchdowns) and senior receiver Milton Banks (15 catches, three touchdowns), E.J.'s cousin.

But the aspect of Cerro's team that has pleased him the most is the play of the lines, particularly the defensive line. The group features senior Petros Georgilas, junior George Beerhalter, senior Mike Tirone and the rotation of junior Josh Babjack and senior Serafino Caliguire.

"The defensive line has been our most consistent group right now," Cerro said.

Despite the setbacks last week, the winner of tomorrow's game puts itself right back in the driver's seat for at least a share of the Parkway crown. The top two teams in each conference get a home game in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs.

"That's our first goal going into the year, winning the conference," Cerro said. "With how this is playing out, now you want to at least get a home game.

"This game is big for both teams because the winner basically has a great shot to win the conference [title], while the loser might not even get a home game in the playoffs -- that's how important this game is for both teams."The game

• What: Blackhawk at Montour.

• When: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow.

• Where: Birko Stadium, Montour High School.

• The skinny: Montour (4-2 overall, 2-1 in Parkway Conference) and Blackhawk (5-1, 2-1) both need a win to stay in contention for the Parkway Conference title. Both teams are coming off their first conference losses last week.