The Jefferson County Tigers will look to open up its 2017 season with a win, but it might not be easy as they will travel to take on the Magee High School Trojans. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.

Jefferson County could struggle after it was not able to host its jamboree last Friday night due to inclement weather. Tigers head coach James Herrington said that put his team at a bit of a disadvantage in preparing for the season-opener.

“Having a jamboree helps remove those first-game jitters. We didn’t have that opportunity to get that done,” Herrington said. “We have to bring those jitters into the (first) game with us.”

While Herrington has been coach at Jefferson County for just over a decade, he said he still gets first-game jitters.

Herrington said the biggest challenges the Trojans present are at the quarterback position and on defense.

“They have a good athlete at quarterback. He’s not afraid to tuck it in and run with it. From what we’ve seen, he’s got a decent arm. They like to throw the ball. He’s the best athlete they have,” Herrington said. “Defensively, they have quite a bit of speed. We have to be physical up front, and we have to execute.”

With all the rain that has fallen in south and central Mississippi in recent weeks, Herrington said he expects both teams to play on a slow field at Magee.

As far as how the first game sets the tone for the rest of the season, Herrington said he hoped to start positively.

“You definitely want to win to open the season, and to win on the road is very important — get some of our younger kids some confidence,” he said. “Getting your season off to a good start is always a good thing.”

Unfortunately, Jefferson County hasn’t had much luck when it comes to winning its first game of the season in recent years. In its four meetings with South Pike High School between 2013 and 2016, the Tigers won just once — a 20-8 win at South Pike in 2015.

Before that, the Tigers took care of Trinity Episcopal to start the 2012 season with a decisive 47-0 victory over the Saints.