SICILY ISLAND — Vidalia High School has its starting quarterback and Sicily Island puts a varsity football team on the field for the first time in more than a decade tonight.

As the Vikings travel to take on the Tigers for a 7 p.m. kickoff, Vidalia head coach Jeff Hancock is feeling more prepared than he was a year ago, having implemented a full offseason with his Vikings in his second year as head coach.

“We’ve overcome a lot of hurdles,” Hancock said. “Psychologically, we’re in a good place. Football is great because it’s like life. You can work your butt off, but bad things still happen in life. What are you going to do? Give up or keep grinding?”

Trying to grind out a win for the Vikings Friday night will be new starter freshman Tristan Weatherly. Hancock named him the starter after completing 9-of-13 for 64 yards in the jamboree Saturday.

“What I’d like to do is have some running plays with Jordan Mays (backup quarterback),” Hancock said. “Both will play. Jordan will play receiver.”

Preventing Vidalia from starting off the season with a win might be the Sicily Island Tigers, who will try to overcome a size disadvantage.

“We’re going to make sure our kids are prepared, conditioned and hydrated,” Sicily Island head coach Stephen Collins said. “Some of our kids will have to go the whole night, and the big difference between us and them is their guys can switch out.”

Playing wide receiver, quarterback and safety for the Tigers will be Tyreke Tolliver, with senior Ryan Mason getting the nod as the starting quarterback. Collins said he would look to mix and match his athletes to set up scoring opportunities against the Vikings.

With his team returning to varsity action for the first time since 2001, Collins is expecting a great turnout.

“We’re pretty sure we’re going to have a great crowd,” Collins said. “Vidalia is coming down the street with a lot of people, and I think we have a lot of fans interested in what we’re going to look like.”

Hancock said it’s important to start the season off with a win after going 0-10 last season, and he fully expects Sicily Island to make it as difficult as possible.

“Having started a program in the very recent past, I know how fired up their team is going to be,” Hancock said. “They’re fired up because they have an 0-10 team coming, and they think they can win. They’re a good team, and they’re going to be jacked up.”