COURTLAND-Every time these two teams meet, it is THE game of the week. Even though they play in different districts, the Franklin-Southampton football game is a contest fans look forward to every year.

“Franklin-Southampton has been a rivalry for years. I don’t think the rivalry has lost any intensity,” said Darren Parker, Franklin head coach, who played at Southampton from 1987 to 1990 before moving on to Hampton University. “I can remember when I was playing at Southampton. It was always the rivalry.”

Last year, the Broncos (1-0) got the better end of the deal with a 31-13 win at home. The teams will kick off at 7 Saturday night in Courtland. The game was moved to Saturday because Southampton postponed its opener with Tabb from Friday night to Monday night due to Tropical Storm Hanna.

The Indians don’t have much time to prepare for Franklin.

“(Moving the game to Saturday) was the only thing to do. We played Monday night and the kids usually have a couple of days off and we won’t have any time off,” said Littleton Parker, Southampton head coach. “Actually, the kids are going to be bruised up from Monday and they need more down time. We will only have a couple of days to get ready.”

On the other hand, Franklin hasn’t played since Aug. 28, when it beat Northampton 50-0.

“Yes, we have had some extra time to prepare and heal up some wounds,” Darren Parker said, “but Coach Parker is a great coach, and he and his staff will have them up and ready next Saturday.”

Littleton Parker said that he saw Franklin play against Northampton and in a benefit scrimmage against Smithfield. “I was very impressed with them. They are real quick and real aggressive.”

Franklin has looked at game film and corrected some small mistakes, according to Darren Parker.

Other games this Friday:

Windsor will host Northumberland at 7 p.m. Friday The Dukes (2-0) beat the Indians last year. Northumberland is 1-1, having beaten Lancaster 12-8 and lost to West Point 52-24.

Isle of Wight Academy hosts Kenston Forest School with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff in the Virginia Commonwealth Conference opener for the Chargers. IWA is 2-0. Kenston Forest is 0-3 and lost last week to Southampton Academy.

Southampton Academy will travel to Fuqua School for a 7:30 p.m. VCC game. The Raiders are 1-1. Fuqua has wins over Brunswick Academy and Kenston Forest School.

Looking for its first win in over two seasons, Tidewater Academy (0-3) will host Chincoteague at 7:30 p.m. The Ponies are 0-2, having lost to West Point and Broadwater Academy.