jonesville — The Block High School football team is currently riding an eight-game winning streak in district play dating back to last fall after a dominating 40-8 victory last week against LaSalle.

The Bears will look to extend that streak to nine Friday, but head coach Benny Vault Jr. said it would not be easy against Montgomery High School.

“They are a formidable opponent,” Vault said. “They have a lot of speed at quarterback and the skill positions. It’s going to be a tough game.”

Winning big last week gave the Block starters some time to rest and allowed some younger players to get experience in LHSAA District 4-1A play, Vault said.

“We started subbing the younger guys in at halftime,” Vault said. “It helps because the younger guys get game experience. At Block, I don’t buy into rebuilding. I take what I got and make a team, and it’s great to get them some game experience, so next year there are no excuses.”

Friday’s game is a big one for the Bears with district leader St. Mary High School up next on the schedule.

“We have this week to get through, and if we win we have St. Mary’s the following week,” he said. “That’s usually the district championship. And this week is important to get off to a 2-0 start and keep momentum going.”

The Bears must avoid mistakes against a quality Montgomery team Friday to get the win, Vault said.

“We just have to play Block Bear football,” he said. “That is no turnovers, which we’ve done pretty well lately, and we haven’t had many penalties. If we stay on the front side of the chains, we’re pretty good. The problem comes when we get behind the chains.”

Block (5-2, 1-0) will host Montgomery (5-2, 1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.