Varnado plays its last home game until Halloween Night today with a contest against Pearl River.

Varnado, 16th in the power rankings, enter this week at 1-3. and is trying to put the brakes on a three-game losing streak after falling to Albany, 8-6. PRHS won last year’s game, 26-8.

VHS coach Scott Shaffett said they are working through injuries.

“We’ve got to overcome the injury bug we’ve got right now,” Shaffett said. “I feel like if we show up and play like we did last week, it should be a good ballgame. Our biggest thing is addressing the injuries.”

One of the bright spots for VHS has been the running game.

Last week, Varnado ran for 157 yards.Shaffett said except for their week two game against Pine, the rushing has been good, but said their biggest problem has been ball security. He said they need to cover the ball and finish drives.

Defensively, Shaffett said Damon Kirsch is playing well. He said the team began a rotation on the defensive line. He feels it keeps guys fresh.

Shaffett said Ardale McGowan has played well all season.

Switching to PRHS, the Rebels are 0-4 and are ranked 48th in the Class 4A power rankings. Last week, PRHS lost to St. Patrick of Mississippi, 37-14. PRHS did win a game this season 9-7 over Pope John Paul II in the, but had to forfeit for use of an academically ineligible player.

PRHS is mostly a running team. QB Zach Vicknair thrown 63 times for 264 yards with a TD. He also has 112 rushing yards. The running game has produced 515 cards on 123 attempts and one score. Devan Penton leads the team with 192 yards on 44 carries (4.4). Trey Calhoun enters with 132 yards on 13 carries (10.2) and TD, while Jace Littleton has 46 yards on 11 attempts (4.2).

“We try to spread the ball around, so that not one player can be keyed on,” Pearl River coach Paul Beebe said.

Defensively, Beebe said Vicknair, Penton, end Jordan Cutrer and linebacker Brett Stewart are playing well for the Rebels.