ORANGEFIELD — After a week off healing some bumps and bruises and having some extra practice time, the Orangefield Bobcats face a big road game Friday when they travel to Fannett to take on the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns in a vital District 12-4A Division II tilt for both squads.

Both the Bobcats (1-3, 0-1) and Longhorns (2-5, 0-2) will be seeking their first 12-4A win of the season.

The Longhorns certainly have one advantage — they have played three more games than the Bobcats thus far after Hurricane Harvey slowed down the Bobcats, who had two less non-district games than the Longhorns.

The winner of the game will have an inside track at one of the four playoff berths in the five-team district.

The Bobcats will look to get their ground game churning once again after averaging 211.3 yards a game through their first four contests.

Christian Louvier leads the balanced ground crew with 291 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries. Fullback Blake Bradley has muscled his way to 169 yards and a TD on 38 carries and has been a major standout on defense as well. Chase Broussard. Dylan Williams and Zach Dischler have also been featured in the running game as the Bobcat defense will face a Longhorn defensive unit that has allowed 403.7 yards a game.

The Bobcats fell in their first 12-4A game to Liberty in a 24-16 hard-fought encounter. Meanwhile, the Longhorns got side-swiped by Liberty last week 31-6.

Despite their struggles, the Longhorns have the most productive running back in the district in tailback Tyrese White.

Liberty averages 298.9 yards a game, 250.7 on the ground thanks to Mr. White. White has gobbled up 1,005 yards already, with eight TDs on just 105 carries as he averages nearly 10 yards per tote. The Longhorns will face a Bobcat defense that has allowed 270 yards a game on the ground and 435.3 yards overall.

Fellow back Tiller Paine has 140 yards on 16 carries. Quarterbacks Marcus Morris and Hunter Spacek have combined to complete 27-of-61 passes for 337 yards and three TDs and have tossed six interceptions.

The Bobcats will return home next week to face Hardin-Jefferson while the Longhorns will have their bye week.