Last year the Vidalia Vikings won a low-scoring game against Franklin County 8-6.

Vidalia head football coach Dee Faircloth said there’s no telling what the outcome may be when the Vikings hit the road to play the Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

&uot;It may be a 3-2 game or a 42-40 game,&uot; said Faircloth. &uot;It’s usually a good game with Franklin County.&uot;

After having to practice outside in the mud on Monday, the Vikings have had to practice in the gym the rest of the week, Faircloth said.

&uot;We’re as ready as we can get under such circumstances,&uot; he said. &uot;They’ve done a good job this week.&uot;

Faircloth said he doesn’t know much about the Bulldogs because he hasn’t seen them since last spring.

&uot;Really, they’re unknown. They’re a big question mark. They didn’t have a jamboree or a scrimmage,&uot; he said. &uot;As young as we are, we can’t stand many surprises. (Franklin County) coach (Mike) Goff scouted us Saturday at our scrimmage, so they know something about us.&uot;

Faircloth said he has some steady players on his team, but no superstars and no college prospects. &uot;Our backs are pretty young. Our line is pretty young,&uot; he said.

Vidalia will be without middle linebacker/fullback Hannibal Yearby for tonight’s game. Place kicker/linebacker Rob Faircloth is out for the year because of shoulder surgery.

Hounds face Glenbrook

The Huntington Hounds will start the 2001 football season at 7:30 p.m. tonight with a home game against Glenbrook .

Last year, Huntington went on the road and defeated Glenbrook 23-8 in the season-opener.

&uot;Last year they had a good team, but we scored twice early on them,&uot; said Huntington head coach Gerald Reeves.

This year, Glenbrook has a new head football coach as well as several players from Minden High School, some of which Reeves said will start for the visitors.

The players to watch for Glenbrook that Reeves mentioned are running back/linebacker Asa McCoy, running back Jesse Waller, linebacker Carter Lawrence (190 lbs.) and defensive tackle Craig Almond (6-3, 250).

&uot;They’ve got some good size kids,&uot; Reeves said.

Reeves said he’s looking for quarterback Barrett Arthur to have a good game. Other players to watch for Huntington are offensive guard/defensive tackle Joey Ford, defensive end Crawford Kifer, defensive back Todd Iverstine and linebacker/fullback Brent Tosspon (6-2, 230), but he has been slowed by an ankle injury he suffered a few weeks ago in practice.

&uot;I think we can play defense,&uot; Reeves said. &uot;My concern is whether we can move the football.&uot;

Reeves said, &uot;It’s been a lot cooler. I’ll take the rain over the 98 degree heat anytime. I think we’re more prepared for this week than we were for the (WCCA) jamboree.&uot;

One player for Huntington who will miss tonight’s game is backup defensive back/split end Joshua Olds, who is out with an ankle injury.

Ferriday plans on ground attack

The Ferriday Trojans, who had the best record of all the Miss-Lou area football teams in 2000 at 11-2, start the 2001 season at home against Newellton at 7 p.m. tonight.

Ferriday head football coach James McFarland said his team is healthy and ready to play.

&uot;All the practice is done. We’ve been having some tough practices. I’m pleased with the way practice went&uot; this week, he said.

Newellton, which plays in the revamped District 4-1A that lost Sicily Island and added Block, has a good running game, McFarland said.

&uot;Their quarterback, Dominique Martin, is real athletic. Big, tall kid. Strong. Runs well,&uot; he said. &uot;Their go-to running back is Antoine Martin. We’re going to key on those two.&uot;

McFarland said Newellton’s defensive players &uot;are big and they get to the ball.&uot;

As for players to watch for the Trojans, McFarland said on offense he expects a lot from tailback Brennan Smith, quarterback Tyrrence Taylor and right tackle Derrick Minor.

Defensively for Ferriday, captains Jamall Powell (tackle) and Paul Schiele (end) as well as linebackers Akeem Evans, Kenderick Hollins and Byron Milligan are the players to watch.

With field conditions expected to be less than ideal for tonight’s game, McFarland said his team will try to run the ball and control the clock.

&uot;Looks like it’s going to be a muddy, sloppy game,&uot; he said.