VIDALIA &8212; Another year, another game between Vidalia and Ferriday that will decide a district championship.

It&8217;s become almost an annual ritual. The final game of the season between the two Concordia Parish schools will again decide the District 4-2A championship. Both teams come in this season with 2-0 district records, though their seasons have been dramatically different, with Vidalia (3-6) struggling most of the way and Ferriday (6-2) cruising.

Things are just the opposite from what they were a year ago. In 2004, Vidalia had already secured a playoff spot coming into the Ferriday game. The Trojans needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Tonight Vidalia needs the win to get a playoff spot. Ferriday, the No. 11 seed, will make the playoffs win or lose.

&8220;If we win, we&8217;re in the playoffs as the 32nd seed,&8221; Vidalia head coach Dee Faircloth said. &8220;They&8217;re already in the playoffs so they&8217;re just trying to get home field for the first game.

Ferriday head coach James McFarland said this is one of the most enjoyable seasons he has ever had.

&8220;It feels good to be playing for something this late in the year,&8221; McFarland said. &8220;This is one of the best year&8217;s I&8217;ve had, not just because of the winning, but the kids all get along. I&8217;ve had maybe some better terms in terms of talent &8212; that 2000 team was more talented &8212; but in terms of personality this is the best I&8217;ve ever had.&8221;

That showed at Thursday&8217;s practice, a light workout without pads for the Trojans. McFarland&8217;s team did run-throughs of a number of scenarios, including a few trick plays the players seemed to enjoy.

But don&8217;t let McFarland fool you &8212; the Trojans have plenty of talent. Ferriday has averaged more than 350 yards of offense this season and held its opponents to 250.

The strength of the Trojans comes in a formidable ground game with a host of running backs.

&8220;A lot of people have been making plays,&8221; McFarland said. &8220;At running back we&8217;ve got Montago (Tennessee), Montario (Tennessee), Matt Smith and a couple other guys doing well. It&8217;s been a problem getting balls in all their hands, but that&8217;s a pleasant problem to have.&8221;

For Ferriday, this game is also a chance to get some revenge. The Trojans have lost three consecutive games to the Vikings, meaning this year&8217;s seniors have never beat Vidalia.

&8220;I&8217;m pumped just because it&8217;s Vidalia,&8221; Ferriday senior lineman Darius Cain said. &8220;I&8217;ve played them three times and I&8217;ve never beat them.&8221;

Vidalia also went easy Thursday in preparation for the big game, taking the day off from practice, leaving Faircloth to prepare the field.

&8220;I told them to go home so I could mark up this field and get ready,&8221; Faircloth said while painting lines on the field Thursday afternoon.

Vidalia&8217;s task is simple, Faircloth said.

&8220;Stop their running game,&8221; Faircloth said. &8220;That&8217;s No. 1. Then keep the ball away from them, which is what we did Friday. Then don&8217;t make mistakes, and that&8217;s a chore with young kids.&8221;

Vidalia will start four freshman and two sophomores on defense tonight. The Vikings started the season with eight seniors and lost two to injury, thinning the ranks considerably.

&8220;The freshman, those guys should be playing on a freshman team, but they have to step in for us,&8221; Faircloth said. &8220;This time of year there are no rookies, though. They know what they have to do.&8221;

Block at Ringgold

The Bears head over to Ringgold in their final game of the season.

Block (1-3, 2-6) is in a three-way tie with Ringgold and Northwood-Lena for the last spot in District 3-1A, but still has an outside chance of making the playoffs with a win.

The Bears are No. 34 in the power rankings and only need to be in the top 32 to make the postseason.