Vidalia versus Ferriday. ‘Nuff said. Make that usually enough said. There’s much more to it this year.

The Concordia Parish battle is for more than bragging rights at Viking Stadium this Friday. It’s for the District 3-2A championship

And while it’s always the kind of game where you can throw the records out the window, this year both teams sport competitive teams and with a break or two could very well be among the final four teams in Class 2A.

And that’s only fitting for the final game of the millenium between these two teams.

After Ferriday had won 10 of 11 games from 1979-1989, the series has been more competitive, as Ferriday has won six games in the ’90s, while Vidalia has three wins in the decade.

Friday’s contest will have a hard time outdoing last year’s for drama.

Vidalia led Ferriday 22-8 at halftime, holding the Trojans to 13 yards on the ground and 62 through the air.

But three fourth quarter fumbles led to four straight Ferriday touchdowns in the final period for a 32-30 Trojan win.

Two years ago, Ferriday won 14-0 as Adrian Bailey completed a 33-yard TD&160;pass to Burl Burns, who would finish his prep career at Vidalia and is currently a member of the Tulane football team.

One of the best games of the decade was in 1996 in the only overtime contest between both teams.

The game was tied 12-12 after regulation.

Ferriday had the ball first from the Viking 10 and after a 2-yard run had three straight incompletions.

Vidalia used its &uot;Refrigerator Offense&uot;&160;as Eric Whitley lined up at wingback, Dywane Alexander was at fullback and 185-pound fullback Koby Butler took it in on two runs for the win.

Vidalia won 20-6 in 1995, its first year back in 2A. Brian Bradford, now with Louisiana Tech, has 110 yard rushing and Vidalia held Ferriday to 192 total yards.

In 1994, Ferriday defeated Vidalia 24-12 as Gary Hawkins passed for 128 yards in the first quarter, finishing with 164.

Ferriday won a share of the District 2-3A title with Rayville by beating Vidalia 21-6 in 1993 as Justin Burns caught three passes for 75 yards.

One of Vidalia’s most lop-sided wins in the series came in 1992 as Rochel Hargrave rushed for 222 yards and scored four touchdowns in the Vikings’ 50-8 win over the Trojans.

The year 1991 saw a game that was played before a sparse crowd (by Vidalia-Ferriday standards). But that wasn’t because of the teams. The game was played in a freezing rain.

Darnell Jones rushed for 225 yards (148 in the second half)&160;to lead the Trojans to a 42-6 win.

Jones rushed for 200 yards in 1990 to lead the Trojans to a 34-0 rout of the Vikings.

Ironically, both teams scored 57 points Friday night in their contests leading up to this week’s game, both sending strong messages.

And while you can bet no one would admit, I guarantee you Ferriday was on the mind of Vidalia in the fourth quarter of their 57-6 win over Crowville, while the Trojans were thinking Vikings in their 57-16 victory over McCall.

This one has all the makings of a classic.

You would have a hard time convincing me there will be a harder played game anywhere in Mississippi or Louisiana.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Don’t be late. The fireworks could start quick.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.