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After defeating the 2A defending state champions, Straughn (3-0, 2-0 3A Region 2) returns home and resumes region play against Ashford (0-3, 0-3) Friday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.

This will be the seventh meeting between the two teams dating back to 2010. The Tigers are 6-0 all-time against the Yellow Jackets with all games coming in region action.

“Ashford has played a very difficult schedule and has some playmakers on offense. We must be ready to go Friday. They will come in hungry, and we must answer with the same intensity,” Head Coach Ashley Kilcrease said.

Kilcrease added that he and his coaching staff were satisfied following Straughn’s first road game last week. “We were really proud of the kids for the way we handled our first road trip versus a very good opponent. With three big trips to Dothan later in the season, this trip will be very beneficial for us down the road.”

He felt the Tigers played well last week in a non-region matchup.

“Outside of a couple of turnovers and two big plays for their (Clarke County) offense, I thought we played really good. I’m so proud of our special teams. Our coaches have worked hard on their individual special teams, and it has shown. Saxby Radford had a big hit on defense in a tie game in the third quarter. Layne Grantham found Micah Turner with great protection by the offensive line on a great catch to put us ahead by seven in the third.”

The goal is to keep working hard and showing improvement with each passing week.

“If we continue to work hard and play well, we will look back on last week’s game as a springboard for the rest of the season. We cannot be satisfied with where we are. We talk all the time about getting better each week and must continue that mindset,” Kilcrease said.

Straughn defeated Ashford at home in 2021, 42-20. Last week, the Tigers won at Clarke County, 35-21, while the Yellow Jackets fell to Houston Academy at home, 49-16.