A pivotal rivalry game between a pair of area schools will take place at 7 p.m. Friday when the Wilkinson County High School Wildcats travel to Meadville to take on the Franklin County High School Bulldogs in the Region 7-3A opener for both teams.

“They are just like us, wanting to get off on a good start,” Wilkinson County head coach Kenneth Brown said.
“Every district game is big,” Trey Woodard said.

The Wildcats are coming off a 34-22 win over Ferriday last week to improve to 3-3 overall, while the Bulldogs lost to then-No. 5 Tylertown 20-9 last Thursday night, falling to 2-4.

Brown said his players have been upbeat in practice and know what is at stake Friday night.

“What we’ve done in the past doesn’t matter; it’s a new season,” Brown said. “These are the games that will get you to the postseason.”

Brown said the one thing that concerns him the most about Franklin County is senior quarterback De’Martre Collins.

“He’s very athletic with quick feet and good speed. He can pose some problems,” Brown said. “They’ve got some other weapons, but he’s their best weapon.”

Woodard said Wilkinson County is a well-coached team and has a number of talented players.

“Their skill guys are really talented, and they have a really good defensive front,” Woodard said.
Brown said a key matchup to watch for is having to contain their defense, specifically junior defensive end Cameron Young, who has been a force for the Bulldogs.

“Our kids are good friends with him, and some are even related to him,” Brown said. “Our quarterback (senior JaQuorias Stewart) has to be consistent with the receivers. Create a running game that can balance things out.”

Brown said the keys to success for the Wildcats are playing turnover-free football and creating turnovers that will put the offense in better position to score.

Woodard said that the keys for his squad are putting drives together and not turning the ball over.