VIDALIA, La. – It’s a new season for the Vidalia Vikings as they open their district schedule at home against the Block Bears at 7 p.m. today.

It’s a good thing, too, because after losing three straight games, Vidalia coach Dee Faircloth said his team could use a change of pace.

&uot;After playing Winnsboro, Ouachita Christian and Jonesboro-Hodge, I’m ready to live again,&uot; he said. &uot;That was a tough schedule. I don’t know who made that.&uot;

Faircloth said his team’s 2-3 record does not accurately reflect how good his Vikings really are.

&uot;We could very easily be 4-1,&uot; he said. &uot;We lost in overtime to Winnsboro, and we dropped three touchdowns against Jonesboro (who won 14-7). We just didn’t show up against Ouchita.&uot;

Unfortunately for Block, the Bears’ 1-4 record is pretty much representative of the troubles the team has had this year, Faircloth said.

&uot;They’ve had a lot of injuries and defections,&uot; he said. &uot;They’re not the same ball club they were at the beginning of the season. Right now we’ve got a wounded Bear headed our way.&uot;

Block’s head coach, Joe Bonner, was a suitemate of Faircloth’s in college, so Vidalia knows what to expect from the Bears offense.

&uot;The box,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;He knows I hate the box, so that’s what we’re getting ready for.&uot;

The Vikings will have the same game plan they have used for years – run right at them.

&uot;I don’t know anything different,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;I’m the Forrest Gump of coaches around here.&uot;

Kidding aside, Faircloth is concerned about facing a Block team with nothing to lose, he said.

&uot;I expect them to come at us with everything they’ve got,&uot; he said.