(VIDEO) Game of the Week: Johnson, West Hall looking to make statements in Battle of Oakwood

OAKWOOD — Johnson football slaked a years-long thirst last week after ending a 24-game losing skid with authority.

West Hall, meanwhile, is a program more than used to success. But the Spartans, who have made five straight state playoff appearances, now find themselves mildly parched after a season-opening loss at Commerce.

It is how the two foes respond to each situation that could go a long way toward determining their respective 2018 seasons. And what better place to work that out than against each other in the "Battle of Oakwood?"

(NOTE: To watch a video feature of the "Battle of Oakwood, click "play" in the box above. And for a look at all of Friday's football games for area teams, click here.)

"Our message to the kids is if they are more worried about being 1-0 then we’re going to find ourselves 1-1, and that’s just the truth of it," Knights coach Jason Roqumore said after leading his squad to a 38-0 victory over Oglethorpe County. "Like any week win or lose we’ve got hit the reset button and focus on the task at hand and try to execute the plan and be as good as we can be come Friday."

And Johnson (1-0) knows it must avoid complacency -- up its game in fact against a West Hall (0-1) team that will be eager to bounce back against its cross-town foes.

"They run a good defense to stop our offense," Johnson senior quarterback Sam Corbett said of the Spartans. "They run a very good scheme."

West Hall has also been tested by an option attack after falling at Commerce last week. But the Spartans know they must improve if they want to make it six wins in a row in the series.

"Everybody has to execute; everybody has to do their job, especially on defense," West Hall senior defensive back/receiver Jeremiah Prather said of facing Johnson's option attack that rushed for 297 yards against Oglethorpe County.

The Spartans yielded 300 yards to Commerce's option offense last week, but battled throughout the second half and impressed down the stretch after falling in a 28-7 hole at the half.

"We came together as a team in the second half," Prather said. "I feel like once we stepped out in the second half everybody was really ready to play. Because the first half we were focused — everybody wanted to play — but we had all these penalties the very first drive. But after that I feel like everybody was set and ready to play."

Likewise, the Knights defense knows it faces a challenge against a West Hall attack that has morphed somewhat under first-year head coach Krofton Montgomery. The Spartans attempted 29 passes last week and quarterback Quentin Smith put up 201 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Beyond the Xs and Os, however, there are the bragging rights and emotions at stake that mean this game could resemble more of a royal rumble than a chess match.

"It means a lot. The schools are three miles apart, and it’s two teams you can throw out the record every time they play. It’s a rivalry," West Hall coach Krofton Montgomery said. "Coach Roquemore does a good job at Johnson, got a lot of starters returning, definitely a good team, good quarterback, good wing, pretty good line. We’ve got to prepare and play really well. From what we’ve seen it’s one of the better Johnson teams in the last couple of years, and we’ve got a big test in front of us going over there, and we're looking forward to it."

Certainly the Spartans will find some willing hosts.

"For me, I’ve played (this game) ever since, I don’t know, third grade, and I’ve always been the underdog. Johnson’s always been the underdog," Corbett said. "So for me, senior year... it’s the most important game for me. We win this one that’s going to feel real good."