It’s not life or death, just a football game. That’s what coaches say before important games. Players take a different approach.

For the seniors at Ferriday and Vidalia, tonight’s grudge match between the old rivals will be the last regular season game of their career. As such, they have a slightly different view of the game.

Players talk about revenge, pride and a last-second touchdown that gave the Vikings a win over their rivals in a jamboree game earlier this year. They also talk about proving themselves for the final time on the field.

&uot;It is life or death,&uot; Ferriday’s Dra’Carl Walker said.

&uot;This is the biggest game of the whole season,&uot; Vidalia’s Lee Butler said. &uot;I’ve heard they’ve been talking hard, talking about taking me out of the game, so we’ll see.&uot;

&uot;We think of this as the national championship,&uot; Ferriday’s Ken’Zedric Willis said.

&uot;The last two years we beat them, and this time they’ve got to win to make the playoffs,&uot; Vidalia’s Graham Roberts said. &uot;That’s all the more reason for us to play harder.&uot;

For the players, this game is all that matters right now. They don’t have the luxury of some perspective. For the seniors at Ferriday, a win will keep their high school careers alive for one more week.

&uot;If we don’t win, this is it for me,&uot; Ferriday quarterback Scotty Cage said.

Cage will probably play college football &045; he is being recruited by Alcorn State, Kansas and North Dakota &045; but for many it could be the final time they play competitive football.

As if this game needed any more fuel on the fire, it has significant playoff implications for both squads. If the Trojans don’t win, they will not make the playoffs. Ferriday is No. 31 in the Class AA power rankings. Only the top 32 make the postseason.

&uot;It’s do-or-die for us. If we don’t win this game, we don’t make the playoffs,&uot; McFarland said. &uot;We’ve never been in this predicament during my time here.&uot;

Vidalia also has added reason to win. Besides bragging rights for the next year, the Vikings could use a win to secure a better seed in the playoffs. Vidalia is the No. 23 team in the power rankings. A win might move the Vikings as high as No. 19. A loss would send them spiraling down toward No. 30. That would still be a spot in the playoffs, but Vidalia would have to face one of the very top teams in the state in the first round, something head coach Dee Faircloth would rather avoid.

&uot;The middle is where you want to be if you’re a team that’s had some struggles,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;You don’t want to be in one of those games where you’re playing (No. 2) Sterlington or (No. 1) Northeast. We’ve been there, done that. At 20, your matchups are a little better.&uot;

Players and coaches for both teams agreed that the key to winning the game is simple. If Vidalia can use its ball-control running offense to eat up clock and score points, the Vikings will probably win. If Ferriday can score some touchdowns and slow down the Viking running attack, the Trojans have a good chance.

That having been said, in this rivalry anything can happen.

&uot;The key will be controlling the ball,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;We need to keep it away from them. They have a good offense with some great wide receivers and a tremendous throwing quarterback. They’re hard to defense.&uot;

The Trojans will need more production from their offense, which has been ineffective for long stretches this season. Senior quarterback Scotty Cage will have lead the way for the Trojans.

&uot;We just have to execute. We have a good gameplan,&uot; Cage said. &uot;I think we have the best coaches in AA ball. We just have to stay focused and do what we need to do.&uot;

Block at Delhi

JONESVILLE &045; Things are a little more simple over at Block.

With the No. 11 spot in the power rankings, the Bears have already sewn up a playoff berth and a good seed in the playoffs. With a game tonight against Delhi (5-4 overall, 3-0 in District 4-A), Block (7-2, 3-0) overall gets one final chance to tune up before the playoffs next week.

With a win, the Bears can claim another district championship and move ahead into the playoffs with a five-game winning streak.

&uot;We’re just going to keep working on executing, like we always do,&uot; Block head coach Chad Harkins said.

Delhi can win district, and thus a playoff spot, with a win

Even without a win, Delhi will probably squeak into the playoffs near the bottom of the 32 teams. Delhi is No. 24 in the power rankings but must win to ensure a spot in the postseason.