NATCHEZ — The Huntington Hounds already know they’re in the playoffs, so Friday’s home game against Oak Forest is nothing more than a game to get them ready for the postseason.

And because of that, the Hounds (7-3) are focusing more on their first playoff game Nov. 7 than they are on Oak Forest.

“We’re not really focused on that game as much as we’d like to be,” Huntington coach Chad Harkins said.

The Huntington head man said the main key in Friday’s game will be to avoid injuries and remain healthy for the playoffs.

“With playoffs coming up we’d like to avoid injury. We want to play well, but we’d like to get out of there healthy as well.”

Oak Forest is a Class AA school that brings a 4-5 record into Friday’s game. The Yellow Jackets only went 1-3 in District 5-AA and failed to make the playoffs.

However, they are coming off a 28-0 win over Amite School Center last week.

Huntington has won six of its last seven games, including a 44-22 win over district opponent Claiborne Academy last week.

The Hounds have wrapped up the No. 2 spot in Region 6-A with a 6-1 district record.

Harkins said that Oak Forest is a big team that likes to run the ball with its big fullback.

“It will be a big challenge to step up and stop them,” Harkins said.