When the Jefferson County High School Tigers and the Franklin County High School Bulldogs square off for senior night at 7 p.m. Thursday, there will be playoff implications for both teams.

The Bulldogs (4-6, 2-2) and the Tigers (3-6, 2-2) are currently tied for third place in MHSAA Region 7-3A heading into this showdown. Hazlehurst has already locked up the region championship, and Wilkinson County will finish second even with a loss at Wesson on Friday night thanks to wins over both Jefferson and Franklin counties.

“The No. 3 team will most likely play (at) Seminary.,” JCHS coach James Herrington said. “The No. 4 team will play (at) Tylertown with a Tylertown win over West Marion.”

Jefferson County is coming off a 38-0 loss at home to Hazlehurst while Franklin County held off a Wesson team 49-33 last week.

The biggest priority for the Tigers’ defense is containing Bulldogs senior athlete De’Martre Collins.

“We have to stop No. 4, the quarterback. He’s a good running back and a good quarterback. He is the lifeblood of their offense,” Herrington said. “He’s going to have to be stopped, no question. They move him in multiple positions.”

Franklin County head coach Trey Woodard said the area that impresses him the most about the Tigers is their weapons on offense.

“They have a good quarterback (Rah’Kendrick Reynolds). He is a talented kid, left-handed, pretty good runner, throws the ball really well. They have a couple of good receivers. Their fullback (Jalen Herrington) is a big, physical back.”

When Jefferson County has the ball, the Tigers’ offensive line will have to keep the Bulldogs’ defensive line from making plays in the backfield, Herrington said.

“They have a huge defensive line. The two ends stand over 6-foot-2 and around 275-280 pounds. They run a 3-front. We’re going to have to get hats on their guys up front,” Herrington said. “We need to get them out of their comfort zone and give them different reads.”

Woodard said Jefferson County presents challenges in may ways.

“They’re an athletic, well-coached team, and they play hard,” he said.

With a game of this importance, Herrington said that offensively and defensively every play counts and that his team cannot take a play off.

“Offensively, we have to make sure that we do the things we can to be successful. Take care of the ball and take advantage of scoring opportunities,” he  said. “Defensively, it’s going to come down to tackling. We’re going to have to tackle well. It doesn’t matter what scheme you run.”

Herrington said the team that wins all three phases and makes the fewest mistakes will be victorious tonight.

“It’s always a tough task to beat Franklin County at Franklin County. Fortunately, I’ve been there before,” Herrington said. “You want a win to take momentum into the playoffs. It will be a big win for either team going into the playoffs.”

Woodard said for his team to get the win, the Bulldogs cannot turn the ball over, cannot give up big plays and must cut down on penalties.