One team will go home with its first win of the 2002 season tonight when the final horn sounds at Mathews Stadium in Florala.

The Florala Wildcats host the Zion Chapel Rebels tonight with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. The game is a Class 1A, Region 2 contest.

The Wildcats enter the game with an 0-6 record this season, including an 0-4 record against region opponents.

The Rebels are also 0-6 overall and 0-4 in region play.

Florala is hungry for a win not just to get the first of the 2002 season, but also to end an 0-27 streak.

Florala Head Coach Doug Vickery said he is optimistic about his team's chances against the visiting Rebels.

"I think we have a good chance," Vickery said. "The kids have practiced hard this week."

The Rebels will march into town winless and Vickery knows they will be just as motivated as the Wildcats.

"Zion Chapel is coming here and they will be hungry," he said. "We have to eliminate mistakes."

Vickery said the Wildcats have been doing a better job on the gridiron and a little more improvement and focus against the Rebels could result in a win.

"Some kids are really starting to grow up," Vickery said about his young Wildcats. "We played well against Pleasant Home.

"I see some bright spots," he added.

He also sees some bright spots on the Rebels squad.

"They do two or three good things," Vickery said. "They have a power running game and a

passing attack that they do a good job with."

Vickery said he wants to get his first win as head coach of the Wildcats and the sooner the better.

His desire to get that first win, however, is something he wants more for his players than for himself.

"I want to win for the players," he said. "It doesn't matter about me.

"They are the ones that have to hear about it (the losing streak)," Vickery added. "I can handle it."

A win would mean a lot to the players and Vickery said it would also help the football program in future seasons.

"I think it would give us confidence the rest of the season and during the off-season," he said. "It would end the streak and kind of get the monkey off of our back."