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FERRIDAY — Delta Charter School will play host to Vidalia High School this Friday at 7 p.m. in the first-ever meeting between the Storm and the Vikings in varsity football. And this will be a true litmus test for the LHSAA Class 1A Storm up against the now-Class 3A Vikings.

But there could be a wrinkle in how each team will get ready for this match-up — the weather associated with will be Tropical Storm Francine later this week. Several inches of rain and wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour are forecast for the region on Wednesday and Thursday.

Vidalia head coach Josh West said his team will likely have just two days of practice — Monday and Tuesday. However, Delta Charter head coach Blake Wheeler said his team will be practicing every day this week, whether it’s outside or if the Storm has to go inside.

Delta Charter is 1-0 on the season after an impressive 36-6 win at LaSalle High School. While for the most part Wheeler was pleased with his team’s performance and resiliency, there a few things the Storm will be working on in practice this week to get ready for the Vikings.

“We started off good, then we got in a rut. We made some adjustments at halftime. All our running backs ran hard. Our defense played well,” Wheeler said.

Wheeler said he was thrilled with how senior quarterback Will Wiley ran the offense and that he and senior wide receiver Tyrin Singleton will both need to have a big game for the Storm to defeat the Vikings.

“I think he (Wiley) did a really good job. He ran quarterback design plays well. He threw the ball well. Overall, I was pleased with how he ran the offense,” Wheeler said.

Regardless of how many days Delta Charter will practice this week, Wheeler said the Storm will be working on the fundamentals — blocking and tackling adding, “Vidalia’s got a lot of speed. They present a lot of problems.”

While Singleton is listed on the Storm’s roster as a wide receiver, Vidalia head coach Josh West said that he could also be a big problem for his defense when he runs the ball.

“They like to run the football. They have a big tight end and a big line. They like to run the ball and wear you down,” West said. “They’re a physical team”

Another thing West is weary of is what kind of defense he expects to see from Delta Charter.

“I expect them to play zone. They like to bring pressure from the second level. They don’t play much man. They like to bracket you with their speed. We have to have answers for their pressure,” West said.

Despite playing a physical team in Ferriday last Friday night, West was likely relieved that none of his players suffered any major injuries. Just the normal bumps and bruises and cramps.

“Nobody had any serious injuries. Just a few bumps and cramps. That’s kind of what we’re working through now. You have to be hydrated to keep from cramping,” West said. “No broken bones or anything like that,” West said.

As for what the Vikings will be working on in practice this week, West said, “We’re going to work on blitz pickup and shoring up our protection. Working on stuff in the trenches. We’ll be working on our run game. Delta Charter, like I said earlier, likes to send pressure from the second level. Being detailed in protection. Receivers will be working on seeing the ball and getting the ball in their hands. Options in the running game. Using these young guys and see who will step up.

“Defensively, tackling. Containment. Leverage up front. Shooting our gaps. Being gap sound in the running game. We have to learn how to box the counter with their H-back that they like to pull. Make them uncomfortable and make them throw the ball.”

Wheeler said he looks for Vidalia junior quarterback Elmari ‘Juice” Lewis to put the ball in the air a lot and test Delta Charter’s defensive backs.

“Their quarterback, he’s an excellent player. He’s accurate and has a very good arm. He can run the ball well, too. They have some good receivers,” Wheeler said. “As far as our offense. We like to run the ball and be balanced on offense. They have some good size up front. They have some speed on defense. We’re just going to try to run our game plan.”

West said he will need a big game from junior wide receiver Michael Randall Jr and sophomore wideout Jayden Gaines as well as the entire offensive line. Defensively, West said that senior linebacker Tyson Davis and sophomore Tyler Brixey will need to step up. Both of them are also edge rushers along the defensive line

“Tyson played well last Friday, but he will need to have a big game this Friday night,” West said.

For the Storm to come out on top at home Friday night, Wheeler said that in addition to Wiley and Singleton, the offensive line will have to prove itself against “some bigger competition.” He noted that senior defensive tackles Timothy Harrell, junior outside linebacker Jeremiah Nelson, and senior strong safety Layne King will need to step up.

Wheeler said he expects a good turnout for the inaugural meeting on the gridiron between the Vikings and the Storm.

“Our fans are good about coming out. I’m looking forward to a good game,” Wheeler said.