FAYETTE — If it’s a new season, then Jefferson County High School is probably happy its final game of “last season” was a win.

This week marks the start of conference play for the Tigers in MHSAA Region 7-3A. Coaches sometimes refer to conference play as a new season, since regional records determine whether a team gets a postseason berth.

After last week’s 12-6 win over South Pike High School, Tigers head coach James Herrington said getting the victory was big heading into the first week of conference play.

“We don’t want to be second-guessing ourselves,” Herrington said. “We want to go in upbeat, and it was great to get a win, especially after all the close losses.”

Jefferson County (2-4) will host Crystal Springs (4-2) this week, and Herrington said the opposing Tigers would bring a spread offense against his defense.

“Basically, we have to tackle well and play well in space,” Herrington said. “Our guys have to take care of their gaps on the field. If they do that, everything else will take care of itself.”

Making good tackles comes down to his players literally keeping their heads up and not looking down as they rush toward the ball carrier.

“They have to see what they hit,” Herrington said. “So many people miss tackles because they don’t make good form tackles, and that starts with seeing what they hit.”

Herrington said Crystal Springs’ defense wasn’t the biggest defense his players have faced off against, but it also wasn’t the smallest.

“Their defense plays on speed, so we’re probably looking go downhill and run straight at them,” Herrington said.

Now that regional play has started, Herrington said he’s stressing to his players how much the games count from here on out.

“I’ve been telling my guys all season, it’s not about the games behind you, but the games ahead of you,” Herrington said. “We’re coming out every day and getting a little better.”

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