By Reina Kempt

The Natchez Democrat

Vidalia — The Vidalia High School Vikings are trying to wipe their slate clean after dropping to 2-3 with a loss to St. Frederick High School last week.

Vidalia head coach Gary Parnham Jr. said mental mistakes plagued his players’ second-half performance.

“We went out a little bit flat, they got on us, but we clawed our back to 17-14 at half time,” Parnham said. “We just made some mistakes and let them put points on the board.”

But Friday will be a new day for Vidalia as the Vikings head to Jena High School for their first district matchup, and Parnham said from this point on, the district title is up for grabs.

“It’s a new season,” he said. “Everybody is zero and zero, and everybody’s got a fair shot at it. Our district is pretty even right now so we just got to go out here and play.”

Parnham said the first thing they must on to beat Jena would be stopping their option game and shutting down their quarterback.

Offensively, the Vikings must remain aggressive in their attack.

“We have to come off the football,” he said. “Our line has to control the line of scrimmage.”

Vidalia travels to Jena at 7 p.m. today.

Ferriday High School

Ferriday — After dropping their homecoming match to West St. Mary High School last week, Ferriday High School head coach Cleothis Cummings said the Trojans had to put the past behind them as they prepare for a tough district schedule.

“We just went on a different page after last week,” Cummings said. “We knew that we didn’t play up to par, but I had to come to realization quick that we’re starting a new season.”

The Trojans’ (2-3) new season kicks off with Sterlington High School, the top-ranked team in the district. Cummings said he doesn’t mind playing a tough team like Sterlington early on.

“That’s a challenge that we want,” Cummings said. “In order to be the best, we have to play the best.”

Cummings said their district is filled with some of the best teams in the state, and they would have their work cut out for them.

“I consider our district the SEC of high school football,” he said.

An early win against Stringer would give the Trojans to head into district with their heads in the right place, Cummings said.

“To go in and take care of a team like Sterlington would give us a big boost of moral,” he said. “We’ll go into the next game knowing that we’re capable of doing the impossible.”

Ferriday hosts Sterlington at 7 p.m. today.

Block High School

Jonesville — Block High School is finally getting what they’ve been waiting for in front of their home crowd as they get their district season going at homecoming.

Head coach Benny Vault Jr. has given no thought to their current 0-5 record because he said district is where it will count.

As the Bears get ready to take on St. Mary’s High School, Vault said they are ready to show what they’re capable of.

“We feel like we’re still in good position this year,” Vault said. “Everything from this point on is about trying to win a district championship.”

Before the Bears pursue a championship, Vault said he had to make some key changes.

“We hadn’t executed anything offensively all season, so we’re going to try some new things and move Trevor Vault back to quarterback,” Vault said.

Vault said St. Mary’s is a well-disciplined team, and his players must come ready to play.

“On film they look well coached, they do what they’re supposed to do and go when they’re supposed to go,” Vault said. “It’ll be a tough matchup, our biggest challenge will be not turning the ball over.”

The Bears host St. Mary’s at 7 p.m. today.