VIDALIA — The Vidalia High School jamboree is something Viking football fans have come to take for granted.

Saturday night, the tradition will continue, as the Vikings will host Ferriday, Block and Tensas high schools for some preseason football action.

“Coach (Dee) Faircloth started it back when I was playing from 1984-87,” Vidalia head coach Gary Parnham Jr. said. “The teams have changed over the years, but the last five years, we’ve had some pretty good games.”

Block and Tensas will square off at 6 p.m., and Vidalia will face Ferriday immediately following. Each matchup will feature two 12-minute halves.

Vidalia versus Ferriday

Parnham said this weekend’s scrimmage will serve as a preview for week three of the regular season, in which the Vikings will travel to Ferriday. He also said his players are ready to go up against a different opponent after practicing against each other for so long.

“This gives them a chance to hit someone else,” Parnham said. “When you get to play against someone other than yourselves, it gives you a mental high.”

Ferriday is coming off a scripted scrimmage against Jena High School last Friday, and head coach Cleothis Cummings said he learned a little bit about his players.

“I learned we’re a competitive team,” Cummings said. “When we line up, we’re ready to go, but we’re still in the learning process. We have a lot to accomplish in the next few weeks.”

Parnham said he doesn’t expect the Trojans to reveal much that might help the Vikings prepare for their regular-season matchup against Ferriday.

“Every team that comes in probably won’t show everything in their hand,” Parnham said. “They’re keeping it secret until week one.”

Cummings said he expects the Vikings to be competitive against his Trojans Saturday.

“They do have a good squad,” Cummings said. “Their numbers are not what they were in the past, but their kids are competitive. They have some pretty good kids at key spots.”

Block versus Tensas

Block head coach Benny Vault said he’s not focusing as much on Tensas as he is on what his players can do to improve.

“We’re working on fine-tuning the defense and getting our timing down on offense,” Vault said. “We’re focusing a lot on blocking assignments and playing full speed.”

Vault said his team has had good practices so far during fall camp. He also said he was pleased with his team following last Friday’s scrimmage against Madison High School, which the Bears won 18-0.

“We’re practicing kind of physical, and we’re making progress,” Vault said. “We’re ahead of where we were last year, and the kids are really working hard.”