VIDALIA — It’s time for Vidalia and Ferriday’s yearly showdown, and the emotions are as high as ever.

Ferriday (2-0) will make the short drive down the road to Vidalia (1-1) for a non-district game that begins tonight at 7.

Vidalia has dropped two in a row to Ferriday, but one Vidalia senior wants to see that change.

“We’re going to try to come out on top, and stay there,” Vidalia senior Beau Doughty said. “They better show up to play, we are bringing our A game.”

Vidalia has had some trouble holding on to the ball this year, losing six fumbles against Block and three against Ouachita Christian School.

“We need to hold on to the ball and make fewer mental mistakes,” Vidalia senior Jeremy Washington said.

Vidalia will also have to focus on stopping Ferriday’s offense, which has scored a total of 85 points in two games.

The Viking defense has only allowed 21 points this season.

Vidalia moved up to class 3A, while Ferriday stayed in 2A and added a new head coach in 27-year-old Freddie Harrison.

“You have to give Faircloth his due and respect for what he has done for football in the area,” Harrison said.

Harrison said one of the keys to the game is stopping Vidalia’s run attack.

He would like to see the Trojans slow down tailback Lamack Bates and junior fullback Kevin Johnson.

“Our goal is to force Vidalia to pass the ball,” Harrison said. “Our defense will need to play sound football.”

Harrison said that Faircloth has been running his offense for 39 years and believes in his scheme.

He said that they will have to utilize match-ups with the Viking defense.

“We’re going to be looking for who covers Donrick Washington.” Harrison said. “We will use those match-ups until the well runs dry, then find another match-up.”