woodville — Wilkinson County Christian Academy’s first-year head coach David Wright is getting his first taste of the rivalry between his school and Centreville Academy, but he already understands the importance of the game.

“This is something (the players) look forward to every year,” he said. “They mark it on their calendar and know when it is.”

But Wright also understands the challenge his team faces against the Tigers, and is approaching this game like he would any other.

“I am treating it like it’s the next game,” he said. “I am not gearing up more than I did last week against Glenbrook.”

Wright will also be hoping that his team plays as well against Centreville as it did against Glenbrook, he said. The Rams controlled every facet of the game against the Apaches and won the game 43-8.

Wright expects tonight’s game will not be that easy, he said.

“They are a big team and very physical,” he said. “They come off the ball, and they are a team that establishes the run and sticks with it.”

Seventeen miles down the road, the Tigers are sitting with a 3-0 record and hoping to continue the run they have started this season.

“The team is feeling good right now,” assistant coach Brian Stutzman said. “We had a great win over Parklane (Academy), but that’s over with, and we have to put that behind us and get ready to play Friday night. The worst thing that could happen is us have a let down and not go out and play ball.”

Stutzman said Centreville is focused on stopping the Rams’ running attack.

“They have big offensive and defensive lines, and they have a lot of good skill people,” he said.

The Tigers are also focused on reducing their mistakes on offense, a problem that has plagued them all season, Stutzman said.

“The key for us all year, and we haven’t done a good job yet, it to limit turnovers,” he said. “The defense has played good all year, and we want the offense to get where the defense is.”

Centreville (3-0) will travel to face WCCA (2-0) with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.