For the first time in six years, the McKenzie Tigers are playing beyond the 10th game of the season.

The Tigers will host the McIntosh Demons, who come in with a 7-2 record.

McKenzie head coach Miles Brown said the Demons are a very well-coached club, and he expects that they’ll be prepared for the Tigers.

“Their coach, Larry Boykins, will probably be in the hall of fame,” Brown said. “He coached at Southern Choctaw, and he’s been in the playoffs quite a bit. He’ll have them ready to play.”

This won’t be the Demons’ first trip to Butler County this season — they made a visit to Georgiana on Oct. 3 and came away with a 35-13 victory.

One thing the Tigers will have to prepare for is the team speed of McIntosh.

“They have a lot of that, and I think they’re just as fast as we are,” Brown said. “They’re athletic, and they’re a good football team.”

Brown also talked about how much it means to be hosting a playoff game at home.

“This is something good for the community and the school,” he said. “The players, coaches, cheerleaders, majorettes, teachers — everyone has worked hard this year. This is what happens when everyone works together.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday night.