The Picayune Maroon Tide head into Friday’s match up with a plan for revenge against the Wayne County War Eagles.

These two teams might not play each other in the regular season, but they have built a post-season rivalry between one another, squaring off in the most heated of scenarios for the past three years.

“Wayne County is a good team and well-coached. They always stir things up in the post-season so we expect a good game on Friday,” Picayune’s Head Football Coach Dodd Lee said after the Tide’s win over Wingfield.

In three years of playoff action, Wayne County has beat Picayune the past two years. Last year, the War Eagles took their talented team to the championship game against Oxford, in which Wayne County won 45-41. Picayune hit a rough patch toward the end of that regular season, ending with three consecutive losses, which lined them up in an unfavorable spot against the then No. 3 team in the 2015 playoffs.

In 2014, Picayune beat their district rival, Pearl River Central, in the first round of playoffs, but were knocked out of the playoffs by the Wayne County War Eagles 42-7 in the second round, ending the Tide’s hope for another state championship run like the year before.

During their 2013 run to a state championship title, Picayune beat Wayne County in the second round 31-14, went on to beat Laurel 35-28 in the semifinals en route to lifting the trophy over their heads after defeating Oxford 42-35.

This year, the path is set almost exactly like it was in 2013. Five out of the eight surviving teams in this year’s playoffs were also still in the 2013 playoffs, including Oxford, Clarksdale, Laurel, Picayune and Wayne County.

Although Wayne County does not have its leading passer, running back or receiver from its title season last year, returning talent that can potentially make a dent in the 2016 playoffs.

Running back Chris Cooley, who had a large role last year, leads the War Eagles in carries (211), rushing yards (946) and touchdowns (12).

Fellow running back Schdarious Chambers stepped into the backup running back role that Cooley had last year as a junior. Chambers has rummaged 693 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

War Eagles quarterback Zabryon Jackson can attack opposing defenses with his quick feet or his dynamic arm. Jackson ran for 751 yards—second most on the team—and seven touchdowns. As for the passing game, Jackson clearly has a favorite target.

Wayne County receiver Will Mangum has 21 receptions this year, which—compared to the rest of the team—is double that of any other War Eagle receiver.

Also, with his 288 yards and four touchdown catches, Jackson favors Mangum for passing plays.

This game will come down to the battle between offensive and defensive lines. Whoever wins the battle in the trenches will have the advantage on Friday, which has the makings of a run-heavy affair.

The Picayune Maroon Tide look to end its two-year drought against Wayne County at home and repeat their 2013 title run success Friday at 7 p.m.