The regular season comes to close tonight and the playoffs begin next week for Varnado, as tonight, the Wildcats are home to play Madison Prep in District 6-1A competition.

The Wildcats come in with a 4-5 overall record and 1-3 in league play.

Varnado captured last year’s contest against Madison Prep, 28-12.

VHS had its two-game winning streak snapped last week against Southern Lab in a 40-6 setback at home.

The Wildcats’ lone touchdown occurred on a Dearius Parker 40-yard run.

Varnado begins tonight’s action as the 14th ranked team in Class 1A power points.

The Wildcats won last year’s game against Madison Prep, 28-12.

Also last week, Delrick Abrams ran seven times for 65 yards, while Nick Darden finished with 43 rushing yards on seven attempts.

J.J. Williams, who took over at quarterback for an injured D.J. Jefferson completed one pass in three attempts for 30 yards. Jefferson sprained a ligament in his thumb last week and Varnado coach Scott Shaffett said Jefferson will play.

Williams’ completion went to Armontee Kemp.

Kemp left after suffering a broken femur, and is out for the season.

Shaffett said one of the positives from a tough week was that his team never quit in the loss last week.

“We lost our quarterback and punter (Jefferson plays both positions) early in the game,” Shaffett said. “That right there limits what you can do. J.J. was just coming back off of an injury. The biggest thing was we fought the entire game.” Defensively, Ardale McGowan continues his solid play. Last week, he made nine tackles, which included a sack.

“He eliminated a lot of what Southern Lab could do,” Shaffett said. “He stepped up and they were not able to move the ball effectively on Ardale’s side. He continues to play some great football.”

Madison Prep enters tonight’s action with a 5-4 overall record and the Chargers are 1-2 against district competition.

The Chargers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak with losses to Southern Lab, 63-6, Kentwood, 20-6 and Faith Academy of Alabama, 29-22.

Madison Prep is 12th in Division V.

The Chargers’ offense run a lot from the I-formation.

Quincy Banks is the team’s lead rusher with 700 yards.

“He’s a tough minded kid,” coach Michael Roach said. “We run a lot of zone and lead stuff for him and he can also run the power stuff.”

Tywon Spurlocks and Troy James also play running back for Madison Prep.

Quarterback Edwin Kleinpeter threw for 250 yards last week.

The wide receivers are Brian Savoie and Linden Rash with Roach’s son Malcolm the tight end.

Roach, a junior, also plays defensive end and outside linebacker. Coach Roach said Malcolm has about 15 sacks this year.

Roach was an all-state lineman last season.

“He’s kind of a hybrid guy,” coach Roach said. “He can play with his hand on the ground or he can play standing up.”