The Wilkinson County High School Wildcats will face perhaps its biggest challenge of the 2016 season to date at 7 p.m. Friday when they travel to Hazlehurst to take on the Hazlehurst High School Indians.

Not only is first place in MHSAA Region 7-3A on the line, but Friday’s tilt potentially can provide an indicator as to the caliber of this year’s WCHS squad as it takes on the Class 3A’s top-ranked team in the state.

Wilkinson County (5-3, 2-0) took care of Jefferson County 50-12 last week while undefeated Hazlehurst (7-0, 2-0) defeated Franklin County, 44-7.

“They know what’s at stake,” Wilkinson County head coach Kenneth Brown said. “I think the intensity is there. The players are excited.”

Brown said there are several things about Hazlehurst that impresses him, especially on offense.

“The main thing is they’re pretty good-sized up front, offensively and defensively. They’ve got good speed, especially their quarterback,” Brown said.

Brown said A key matchup will his offense limiting turnovers and the defense creating turnovers.

“That’s our goal this week. We need to create turnovers so we can do some things that we want to do,” he said.