After last week’s &uot;upset&uot; victory over Franklin County, Vidalia Viking head coach Dee Faircloth said he is looking to get on track against Newellton today at 7 p.m.

Faircloth said the 8-6 victory was a surprise because of how the Vikings won the game.

&uot;We thought the offense was going to be ahead of the defense at this time,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;But the defense stepped up and won the game.

&uot;We expect to score more points on the offense,&uot; he said.

Faircloth said he hopes the offense will be ready to face a &uot;tough&uot; opponent in the 1A Newellton Bears.

&uot;They always have good athletes there,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;They have a couple of players at Tulane right now.&uot;

One of the components of the Newellton attack that worries Faircloth is its running game.

&uot;Their tailback is a water bug,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;He can fly.&uot;

To face the back, Faircloth said he will do the same thing he has done at Vidalia for 33 years — gamble.

&uot;We run out of a base-50,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;But we will never put the same defense on the field twice.&uot;

The gambling style of play also carries over to the offense.

&uot;The best way to describe us is multiple set,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We spread it all over the field.&uot;

Although Friday’s game is not a district contest, it is one of five tune-ups before district play begins on Oct. 6 against Block High School.

Faircloth said the first five games are important in the Vikings’ preparation for district play.

&uot;We are trying to get as much experience as we can,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We are trying to build chemistry right now to get ready for district.&uot;

The first five games will provide a test for the Vikings, Faircloth said.

&uot;All the first games are tough,&uot; he said. &uot;We play a lot of strong teams.&uot;