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The only game featuring two Chambers County teams this year is the obvious choice for game of the week. The Lanett Panthers will be at home for their region match-up against the Lafayette Bulldogs. 

After a hot start to the season, LaFayette has lost two, albeit close, games in a row. Region foe Loachapoka picked up their first win of the season against the Bulldogs last week 25-6. The week prior the Panthers beat Loachapoka 13-0.

Lanett is coming off an unexpected bye week. Their game against Greenville was canceled last week, and Lanett was given the win. They are now 3-1 on the season, with their only loss coming against Beulah. 

First-year head coach RJ McDonald said there is an energy going into Friday’s game. 

“I think that they’re very energized, you know, just knowing these kids and growing up with them across the way… I just think they’re ready to go Friday night, and I’m ready to watch them play,” McDonald said. 

LaFayette head coach, Juan Williams echoed his Lanett counterpart. In Chambers County, everyone knows someone at Lanett and everyone knows someone at LaFayette. The teams are well acquainted with each other. 

“I’m just looking forward to the chance to try to beat them,” Williams said. “[We] haven’t beat them in a while, since 2016. [We’re] just trying to get healthy to play the game. It’s gonna Lanett, they’re gonna be ready to go.

Lanett has taken the rivalry win 41 times over LaFayette’s 11 wins. Last year, the Panthers won 41-12 in the match-up. 

LaFayette has been plagued by injuries since four starters went down against Ranburne. On the injuries, Williams said, “We’re nursing them back. We’ll see by Friday.”

Despite the injuries and recent losses, LaFayette’s offense has looked electric this season. The Bulldogs average 27.5 points in a game this season. 

McDonald said one of the strongest parts of Lanett’s squad is the defense which should make for a fun match-up.

“We kind of had an idea that we were going to be really good up there, especially up front in the defensive line and linebacker position because there was a lot of experience returning a lot of big key players there,” McDonald said. “At the back end, I think we had a couple of question marks that have been answered…. they’ve really stepped up. I mean, it’s been really fun to watch.”

He added that the tight ends have impressed him so far. Jeremiah McGilberry and Eddie Mitchell have stepped up at the position, McDonald said. 

The Panthers have taken a “business-like” approach, said the head coach. While rivalry week is undoubtedly exciting for the players, McDonald said they have focused during practice. 

LaFayette has only had one region match-up so far, a loss against Ranburne. The Bulldogs look to get their first region win against Lanett before their bulk of region games in October. 

“[Lanett] is very physical [and] fast, so we’re going to have to try to contain them. Offensive wise, we’re going to try to have to move around their defensive line, who is very strong up front…we have to maintain their speed on the corners. So we’re just gonna try to contain them and see what happens,” Williams said.

Chambers, get ready for a good game.