When a football team is attempting to reach the postseason, every game is crucial.

Although this is the first week of the season for Franklin High School, it has an important game right off the bat.

The Broncos will host Northampton High School Thursday at 7 p.m.

Although the Yellow Jackets are not a district opponent for the Broncos, a victory over Northampton, which is a Group A, Division 2 school, would give Franklin credibility early on and more importantly give the Broncos extra points in the regional standings.

Franklin opened last season with a 28-24 win over the Yellow Jackets on the Eastern Shore. The Broncos started out on the right foot and ended up losing just three games. Northampton on the other hand, ended up 4-5.

“It’s always important, that first game. It’s a big plus for us as well to have the home crowd to feed off of,” Parker said. “We want a great showing and to make sure the kids are fundamentally sound and work hard in this week’s practice.”

Franklin is coming off a 14-0 loss to Smithfield in a benefit game Friday night. Head coach Darren Parker said the scrimmage gave the team an idea where it stands.

“We saw a lot of things we need to improve on,” he said. “Smithfield has a good team and they are well coached. We hung with them. We were physical and we didn’t quit. We stayed basic with our play calling. We made some minor mistakes.”

Parker said his team has some minor nicks and bruises,” but nothing that will  alter the plans for this week as far as play calling,” he said.

Parker said Franklin has seen Northampton on video. He said they have a big, athletic team, which is well coached.

Other games this weekend include:

* Windsor at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy on Friday, with a kickoff of 7 p.m.;

* Tidewater Academy will host Brunswick Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

* Southampton Academy will play at Broadwater Academy at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

* Southampton High School opens at Tabb High School at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.