Game of the Week: Lumberton vs. Stringer

STRINGER, Miss. - The final regular season game of the 1A Region 4 District is happening Friday night.

Lumberton will travel to Stringer to take on the Red Devils.

Stringer head coach, John Brown said, "This game right here determines the seeding. We're still battling for second and third seed, so that's motivation in itself to get a home playoff game."

"A lot on the line Friday night. A chance for us to win a regional championship since 2005, so our kids know what's at stake Friday night and they'll be ready to go," said Lumberton head coach, Zach Jones.

The Red Devils are led by their running back, Anthony Thomas who averages 132 rushing yards per game.

"My goal is to win the game, to get more than three touchdowns, more than 200 rushing yards," said Thomas.

But, Lumberton's defense will not let that happen very easily.

"Hit him before he gets to running. Just to try and limit what he can do, and be a man and do our jobs as coach say," said Lumberton linebacker, Davion Edwards.

After Lumberton lost their second game of the season to Poplarville in week three, the Panthers haven't lost since. And a lot of it has to do with their big-time wide receiver.

"After we took those two losses, we just bounced back and came back harder. We didn't want to lose anymore. We just stepped up," said Lumberton wide receiver, Donnell Buckner.

Stringer knows they have a tough task at hand.

"The kids got good hands. He goes for the football. I mean he treats every ball as a 50/50 ball even if he's doubled," said Brown.

Stringer linebacker, R.J. Holifield said, "He's a big guy and he's fast, but I feel if I stay on him and play aggressively, just break up the pass as best as I can."

With it being the last regular season game of the year, everyone will lay it on the line.

Stringer center, Adam Dixon said, "As soon as the ball is snapped, we're going and we don't give up. We fight to the end, no matter if it's the first play or the last play. We're still going as hard as we can."

"I don't want to lose at all. The sky is the limit for the whole team, not just the offense. I feel like we can go all the way," said Buckner.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. at Stringer High School.