MEADVILLE — Franklin County High School enters the tail end of a three-game road streak this week, and head coach Ricky O’Quinn said it’s allowed his team to get good experience.

After falling to Clarksdale 40-32 Sept. 7, the Bulldogs rebounded nicely last week with a 48-0 win at Amite County High School. Now, Franklin County turns its attention to Lawrence County High School and its triple option attack Friday.

“We’ve been telling our guys what assignments to take,” O’Quinn said. “If we play assignment football, we’ll be OK.”

At the same time, if the Bulldogs players don’t stick to their assignments, O’Quinn said it would likely lead to some big plays from the triple option.

“You have to have a disciplined team to defend it, and that’s what we’ve been working on,” O’Quinn said.

Q’Quinn said three weeks of road games will help his team as it enters into regional play next week.

“It’s good to play road games,” O’Quinn said. “It builds character for a team to go on the road and go into an opponent’s house and play.”

It also helps to play such a strong schedule, O’Quinn added. The Bulldogs have faced two 4A teams in Tylertown and South Pike, and one 5A team in Clarksdale. Lawrence County is also a 4A team.

“You know you’re playing against good competition, and you know your kids are battle-tested,” O’Quinn said. “It lets you see where you are as a team.”

Kickoff is at 7:30 Friday night at Lawrence County.

Jefferson County

FAYETTE — Despite a 1-4 start, Jefferson County High School isn’t focused on records or playoff streaks.

Head coach James Herrington said his only concern is the Tigers improving from game to game.

“We keep stressing the positives,” Herrington said. “All we’re going through is to get us prepared for the second half of the season.

“We have to get them to understand that a lot of teams started out 4-1, but there’s a good chance someone’s going to lose the rest of their games. There’s also a good chance someone who started 1-4 will win their next six games. It’s not about the games you’ve already played, but the next game.”

The Tigers will host South Pike High School Friday, and Herrington said one thing that stands out is how tall a team South Pike is.

“It’s kind of unusual to say, but they seem pretty long,” Herrington said.

In addition to having an advantage at wide receiver with their height, Herrington also said the linebackers and defensive ends benefit.

“When you look at the guys that are longer, they’re able to cover more ground,” Herrington said. “I’m not sure why, it’s just something that stuck out on film.”

With a slow start to the season, Jefferson County runs the risk of snapping its seven-year playoff appearance streak. But Herrington said he’s not worried about the record.

“It’s going to take the games in front of us in order to get there,” Herrington said. “Thinking too far ahead could cause you to lose games that are right in front of you.”

At the same time, Herrington said he knows the streak is on the back of everyone’s mind.

“No team wants to break that streak, so I’m quite sure these guys are going to come through,” Herrington said.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Jefferson County.