A win Friday night against the Florala Wildcats could mark far more than the Georgiana Panthers’ first pivotal region win this season.

A third consecutive win Friday would also mark the Panthers’ best season start in 14 years, a goal the 2000 Georgiana Panthers accomplished in their 6-4 playoff-qualifying season.

According to Georgiana head football coach Ezell Powell, the Panthers will do so with their patented smash-mouth style of football.

“We’re trying to get these guys to understand that we’re going to be a physical football team,” Powell said.

“When we play that type of football it leads us to these types of moments, so we just have to continue working to get better at it.”

But the Panthers will have their work cut out for them with the 1-0 Florala Wildcats, who handily defeated their first opponent, the Ariton Purple Cats, 30-13.

Powell said that junior Jacquez Payton, who posted 201 total yards and two touchdowns last Friday against Houston Academy, would be key in opening up the Wildcats defense.

“Jacquez is an explosive guy on offense,” Powell added.

“He makes us go, when he’s on and he can make plays in the passing game it opens up everything else for us because you have to honor him.”

Kickoff for the potentially historic night is set for 7 p.m in Florala.