vidalia — Despite falling to rival Ferriday 48-0 last week, the Vidalia Vikings have their heads up as they head into their first district game of the year tonight against Bolton.

“We’ve had a very good week of practice,” Vidalia head coach Jeff Hancock said. “Kids are a lot more resilient than people my age. Is it disappointing to lose to Ferriday? Absolutely. They are our natural rival and we want to play well, but the bottom line is they are a really good team and beat the heck out of us. It is a new season for us in district play now.”

Hancock said he is worried, though, because as an offensive-minded coach, he is still trying to figure out what exactly the Bears will be doing defensively.

“They don’t have a whole lot of tendencies based on personnel, and it scares me a bit,” Hancock said. “They are a young team like we are. They are going to throw a lot of different things at us. I’m not sure exactly what it will be, but I have a pretty good idea.”

Hancock is also hoping to push the Viking offense to the next level after recording just over 100 total yards against a stout Ferriday defense, and also find an answer defensively after Vidalia allowed more than 400 yards last week.

“We have to be able to run the ball offensively and defensively we have to wrap up and tackle,” Hancock said. “It is a pretty simple ball game when it comes down to it.”

Hancock said a win for the Vikings would be big, especially for the first district game.

“Obviously, we want to get off on the right foot and do well in district,” he said. “Having an expanded number of teams this year is going to make things tougher.”

Vidalia and Bolton are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff.