The Opp Bobcats (5-2, 5-0 in Class 4A, Region 2) will compete for the region championship against the Elmore County Panthers (6-1, 5-0) Friday night.

“Obviously it’s a big game because it’s for the region championship,” Bobcats head coach Jack Whigham said. “We’re very fortunate to play in a game this big. They are a quality team and they have gone deep in the playoffs. They start about eight starters on offense and seven on defense.”

Whigham said the environment in the community has been filled with excitement.

“People have been excited about the game,” he said. “We haven’t been in school due to fall intercession and people haven’t been around except the players. The intercession is something I wish they would outlaw.”

In comparison to last year’s team, Whigham said the team is right where they were last year.

“We’re sitting with the same record as last year,” Whigham said. “This time we need to continue to improve. We need to do that to make a run in the playoffs. The three out of four days this week at practice have been good and I just hope it carries on into Friday night.”

Kickoff in Opp is at 7 p.m.