VIDALIA — Playoff seeding will be on the line when the Vidalia High School Vikings play host to the Delhi Charter School Gators in an LHSAA District 2-2A game at 7 p.m. Friday.

Vidalia is 6-3 overall and 4-1 in District 2-2A. The Vikings remained at No. 9 in this week’s LHSAA Class 2A power ratings after pulling away for a 40-14 win at Mangham High School last Friday night.

Vikings head coach Dee Faircloth said his biggest takeaway from that game was the way his team competed in the second half.

“We didn’t do a good job in the first half. It was 14-14 at halftime. The kids played like they’re supposed to play in the second half,” Faircloth said. “(Mangham) had only one first down after halftime. They need to continue that if we are to ensure a higher seed.”

Faircloth added that Delhi Charter is also playing for a higher seed. But the Gators could also be playing for their playoffs lives, even though Faircloth said they are already in. The Gators, 4-5 overall and 2-3 in district play after being routed at home by Ferriday High School 59-2 last week, dropped five spots to No. 30 in this week’s Class 2A power ratings and another loss could very well drop them out of the top 32.

“They played us real tough last year. We expect the same things,” Faircloth said. “They look like the Florida Gators – the same uniforms.”

As for what concerns him the most about Delhi Charter, Faircloth said, “They run out of a similar offense that I used to coach. The run the option. They’ve got a good running quarterback. Our offensive line is still a work in progress. We’re going to have to do an outstanding job of pass protection. We need to run the ball, too. They’re going to be sending people every play. They stunt a lot on defense. They run out of the power-I on offense. It’s a challenge.”

Faircloth added that the offensive line will give senior quarterback Tristan Weatherly time to throw the ball. He also said that he hopes Weatherly will a similar performance to the one he had last week, when he threw for 442 yards and five touchdowns.

He is also looking for his wide receivers to step up like they did in the second half against Mangham.

“And we’ve got some good ones. Jared Simpson, he had two touchdowns of at least 90 yards. Devonte Loyd. DeMikal McCoy, he’s our big receiver. He’s kind of like (New England Patriots tight end Rob) Gronkowski,” Faircloth said. “Also, our running backs, Deveon Green and Cam’ron Randall.”

He said another key to Friday night’s game will be the kicking game. Faircloth said some changes have been made in that phase and that he hopes they will work out.

“We didn’t kick the ball very well. We missed some extra points. Our punting wasn’t very good, either. Field position is very important,” Faircloth said.