WOODVILLE — Wilkinson County Christian Academy head coach David Wright said last week’s loss to Adams County Christian School could serve as a building block.

“We didn’t choose a cupcake,” Wright said. “We went for a team that we knew would challenge us in all facets of the game. My hat is off to ACCS for their offseason and summer workouts. It’ll pay off for them.”

As for his team, following last week’s 40-10 loss to open the season, Wright said he was looking for leaders to step up among his players.

“I realize we have to make a couple of changes, and I ask for more leadership and focus to prepare week in and week out if we want to accomplish our team goals,” Wright said.

“We had some missed assignments (in the game), of course, and I saw a lot of mistakes and things we can improve on. Most teams I’ve been around can make huge strides from week one to two.”

Up next for WCCA is a familiar foe, and one that should spark an emotional reaction from players who were on last year’s squad. The Rams will travel to Tri-County Academy in Flora to take on the same team that beat them 13-10 in the MAIS Class A state championship game last November.

“I really felt like we played good enough to win and had every opportunity to put them away throughout the game,” Wright recalled of last year’s title game. “But like good teams, they never quit. They fought back and stayed fundamentally sound, and it paid off.”

And the feeling of disappointment is one Wright said he hopes his players haven’t forgotten.

“Our kids went through a summer of heartbreak and sorrow,” Wright said. “Several of my boys want that chance again. Preparing these kids (for this game) can’t be hard, because they have the state championship ring we wanted so badly last year.”

Tri-County moved up to Class AA this past offseason, and Wright said they return many of the same starters from last year’s state championship team.

“Their offense goes through No. 27, Ryan Cothern, a dynamic tailback who plays inside the tackles, runs toss sweeps and gets to the edge in a hurry,” Wright said. “No. 1 for us is knowing where he is before the snap in order to give us an idea of the direction for the defense.”

Wright also complimented Tri-County quarterback Trey Bozeman and said he and Cothern were the unquestionable leaders of the team.

“He’s a smart kid that doesn’t make mistakes,” Wright said.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday.