The Loudon Redskins (7-2, 2-2) will strive to finish the regular season on a strong note Friday night as they prepare for a likely playoff berth.

To close out the regular season, the Redskins will host District 4(2A) rival Kingston, renewing a storied rivalry between the two schools.

The Yellow Jackets (5-4, 2-2) have had some success this season, but have also faced some tough losses.  Their wins have come against Harriman 14-7, Scott County 34-27, Stone Memorial 42-27, Lenoir City 14-13 and Cumberland County 28-14.
Their losses have come against Rockwood 21-14, Alcoa 49-7, McMinn Central 47-13 and CAK 33-7.
However, the Yellow Jackets have struggled since their one-point win over Lenoir City, losing three of four games since then.

To this point, the Yellow Jackets have been outscored 145-224 and have scored an average of 16 points per game.  They've allowed 24 points per game.
The Yellow Jackets have been led offensively by wide receivers Etimlin Phillips (#14) and Dewayne Clemons, quarterback Kyle Gough (#10) and tailbacks Demarcus Foster (#1) and Coty Groves (#43).

The Yellow Jackets run a Wing-T type offense and their focus is on the running game.
The Redskins are coming off a series of strong games as they've won five straight games by a total score of 158-17.  They've shut out Stone Memorial, Sweetwater and Sequoyah in that span.
In their most recent contest, the Redskins defeated Sequoyah 41-0, while allowing minus four total yards of offense and reaching a pair of milestones.

The first touchdown of the Sequoyah game broke the 15,000 point barrier in Loudon history and the win was also the 52nd career win at Loudon for Head Coach Jeff Harig.
The coach is currently tied for fourth place in all-time wins with Yater Breeden and trails Henry Blackburn (69), Tim Daniels (70) and Bert Ratledge (161).

The two teams have played each other 67 times in their history, with Loudon holding the advantage 37-27-3.

They played every year from 1957-2006 in what was called the "Hoot" Gibson Memorial Hall of Fame Bowl, but then took a hiatus in the 2007-2008 seasons.  Now, however, they are back together in District 4(2A) and will play each other each of the next four seasons.

The last five matchups between the two teams have seen Kingston hold a 3-2 advantage.  Loudon won the last two games – 38-24 and 28-7 – but lost the three before that – 15-13, 21-14 and 31-0.
The rivalry was named after Coach Jim "Hoot" Gibson who coached at both Loudon and Kingston in his 38 year career.

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Chig Ratledge Stadium in Loudon.