The biggest high school football game in the state, between two coastal bend small schools.
The Mathis Pirates and the Odem Owls.
"You combine what they've done with what we've done," Odem coach AJ Martinez said, "it combines for the perfect storm here in Odem Texas on Friday night."
"They've been ready for it since we put it on the schedule," Mathis coach Rod Blount said of his players.
"You don't need to get them pumped up this week. They'll be ready to go."
With Mathis' smash mouth style of football, they're going to try and play keep away from the Odem Owls offense. Look for Michael Everett to try and punch it in, give his team an early lead, so that Mathis' running offense is forced out of its rhythm.
"We're gonna try and control the clock a little bit," Blount said.
"We gotta keep our offense on the field. Keep them off the field and limit the big plays when they're out there."
"If we go up two touchdowns, I don't think they'll be able to come back. That's the truth," Odem quarterback Michael Everett said
"It's always good especially against a Wing-T team to get out early. That's one thing that's going to be very crucial this week."
If you go by playoff success. Mathis and Odem were the best local teams in 3A last season. Mathis reached the State Semifinal in 2015. Odem lost in the Region Semis.
The two never played each other in the regular or post season, so any "what ifs" will be solved this week.
"See who's on top especially on that ranking. We're ahead of them, so just to show it," Mathis linebacker Isaac Salinas said.
The game kicks off in Odem at 7:30pm on Friday. It also kicks off the week 2 Friday Night Sports Blitz, airing on KIII-TV 3 at 10:35 on Friday.