FERRIDAY, La. &045; When it comes to big games, the Huntington Hounds keep an even keel: they’re all big in the big picture.

But today’s game gets head coach Mitch Ashmore’s blood really going.

The Hounds have stayed hot this spring in District 7-A and overall and will take their fortunes into a home contest today against Franklin Academy. It’s a game that may go a long way in determining who goes to the playoffs out of the district with the Cougars playing well also.

Yeah, they’re all big. But this one may be really big.

&uot;Some of the games we won in district that we won pretty handily were just as important,&uot; Ashmore said. &uot;I think the kids know they’ve prepared well and have played good ball early in the year to get to this point and realize they have to come out there and perform.

&uot;We feel like this is a game we have to win. That’s what drives me every year &045; when you go into a big game and know you need to win. That’s what keeps me going after all these years.&uot;

You can bet Ashmore will have the Hounds better prepared and in better shape to compete than the last time around. The Cougars took a 6-2 win at the Franklin tournament earlier this year in a game where you can bet neither team wanted to show the other too much.

The Hounds (4-0, 10-4) were running out of available arms at the time, and the Cougars didn’t come with top pitchers Myles Stevens or Caleb Haring against the Hounds.

This time, however, that may be different.

&uot;I think we’re a better ball club than we were then,&uot; Ashmore said. &uot;We didn’t play well. We were toward the end of our rope as far as pitching. We walked eight people. I think we can play with anybody on our schedule and be competitive. That’s what it’s all about.&uot;

Leave it to the Hounds to come with some solid pitching against the Cougars in what could be a low-scoring game. They’ve relied on eight-grade lefty Trey Brashier a good bit so far this season as he’s surpassed everyone’s expectations in his varsity debut.

The Hounds hit the ball better Friday in a 16-4 win over Tensas Academy following a two-hit, 3-2 win over River Oaks earlier in the week. It all may come down to pitching, and Ashmore said he’s undecided on whom to throw today against the Cougars.

Adams Christian at Copiah

NATCHEZ &045; Things are going to be different this year for the Rebels. While teams in the past have been haunted by off games at critical points in the season, they’re leaving no room for error in District 3-AA.

The Rebels (4-0, 9-2) visit Gallman today as the stretch run approaches in a season that may get significantly tougher this week with games against Oak Forest, Columbia and Parklane.

&uot;Our last two or three practices have been really good practices,&uot; Adams head coach Gill Morris said. &uot;Our goal is to go into the playoffs undefeated in district, and we’re taking these district games one at a time.&uot;

And it may be all about the bats for the Rebels, who went cold Thursday in a win at Riverfield while Timmy Foster had one of his better outings this season on the mound. The Rebels struck out 13 times in the 4-0 win with seven looking.

&uot;We had seven hits the other day, but before that we had 18,&uot; Morris said. &uot;We need to go up there, relax and swing the bat. We weren’t very aggressive at the plate at all. We did some things after we got back that night, Friday and today that should correct that.&uot;