VIDALIA — When it rains, it pours — especially for Vidalia High School, it seems.

“It’s rained every day,” Vikings head coach Dee Faircloth said. “We haven’t been outside at all this week.”

The Vikings have been having their practices inside the Vidalia gymnasium in preparation for its game against Bolton High School Friday.

“Hopefully it’s rained just as hard in Alexandria, La.,” Faircloth said, referring to the city the Vikings will travel to Friday to face Bolton.

Vidalia’s game against Bolton is the first on a list of four teams left on its schedule, all of which are district opponents.

“We’ll have to run the table these last four games,” Faircloth said. “Last week, Bolton beat Jena 31-0 in a rainstorm, so they’ve one-upped us in terms of experience playing in the rain. As for us, Pearl River was dry as a bone.”

The Vikings traveled to Pearl River High School last Thursday, and were pounded 54-24. Faircloth credited Pearl River running back James Gillum as a key factor in the outcome.

“He’s a tough running son-of-a-gun,” Faircloth said. “He averaged 17 yards a carry, and had 214 total, which surprised me. I thought he had at least 400 against us, but they took him out early.”

Faircloth said his team was able to move the ball well against Pearl River, but was unable to capitalize once it got to the red zone.

“Quan Riley had about 200 yards rushing, and Caleb Vines had about 200 yards passing,” Faircloth said. “We should’ve had several more touchdowns, but one time we fumbled on the 1-yard line, and another time we couldn’t score from inside the 10.”

History has shown Bolton to be a difficult opponent for Vidalia, Faircloth said.

“We always have tough games against them,” Faircloth said. “Two years ago we lost to them in overtime, and last year we had to come from behind to win.”

A big thing the Vikings are preparing for out of Bolton is strong quarterback play.

“They like to pass first, run second,” Faircloth said.

“Their quarterback is a tough little youngster, and he’s they’re main rusher. They also have some big lineman that will smack you around, and some good receivers. It will be up to our defense to hold them.”

Due to practicing indoors all week, Faircloth said he’s unsure of just what to expect out of his team Friday.

“We’re missing our timing in the passing game, not being able to work defensively against the pass in practice,” Faircloth said. “How we come out Friday depends. In the past, some teams I’ve coached teams that practiced in the gym all week and came out blowing and going. Others maybe should have stayed in the gym.”

Vidalia (2-4, 1-1) will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.