The Zion Chapel Rebels return home to take on the Ariton on Friday.

After losing to rival Goshen last week, the Rebels (2-4) step out of the region to take on the Purple Cats.

“They are a good football team,” said Rebels head coach Bubba Nall. “They have a lot to play for. They have a coach that they are rallying the troops for. They lost a region game last week, and they have a lot to prove.”

The Purple Cats are 3-3, picking up wins against Barbour County, Cottonwood and McKenzie.

“They are a good football team,” Nall said. “They throw the football. They line up in a power I at times, and they do multiple things on defense. They are playing with a lot of confidence.”

The Rebels are averaging 12 points per game. In his first year as head coach Nall and his staff are still looking for answers on the offensive side of the ball.

“We are going to have to do a better job at moving the football,” Nall said. “We have made some adjustments on that. I am not one that believes in changing anything at the beginning of the year, but at the same time, we have had to make adjustments.”

The Purple Cats lead the overall series 38-11 and won last year 35-17.

“This is a team that I am hoping we can compete with,” Nall said. “I am not into moral victories. I do want our kids to win a ball game. Some people would say this wouldn’t be a signature win because we beat them two years ago. To me it would be because this team made the playoffs last year, and they will be again this year. If we could beat a playoff team, I think that says that maybe our team will be different. This would be huge for us if we could beat a good team.”

Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.