The enormity of Friday’s Class 7A, Region 1 matchup with Daphne hasn’t escaped first-year Mary G. Montgomery coach Zach Golson.

“It’s a chance to get into the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, a chance to control our own destiny,” Golson said. “It’s clear what is at stake. We just have to focus and be the best we can.”

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Golson’s Vikings have won four straight games, the first time any MGM team has accomplished such a streak since 2007. Last week’s win at Baker evened the Vikings’ overall record at 4-4 after an 0-4 start and left them at 3-2 in region play.

Indeed, a win on Friday in MGM’s final region game would secure the school’s first appearance in the football playoffs since 2002 – a span that covers eight head coaches.

“When we started 0-4, our community never wavered,” Golson said. “Our parents never wavered. The kids felt that energy and kept battling and fighting. Now, here we are scrapping and fighting and trying to get into the postseason.”

The current region standings have Fairhope, Foley and Daphne all at 3-1. Mary G. Montgomery and Baker are 3-2 with the Vikings having the tiebreaker edge on the Hornets. The top four teams earn playoff berths. A win Friday or a Baker loss next week at Fairhope puts the Vikings in for sure.

Golson obviously would like for his team to handle their business this week.

That test will come against a familiar opponent. Golson spent four years as Kenny King’s offensive coordinator at Daphne before taking the Mary G. Montgomery job this past offseason.

“It’s definitely a special game for me,” Golson said. “When you start thinking about the relationships I have with the coaches over there and the kids – a lot of good friendships. Coach King is a mentor for me, a guy I have tremendous respect for. The kids over there are great. I would do anything for them. It’s tough to put that aside when you get into battle, but at the end of the day I’m here to coach this year’s Vikings against this year’s Daphne team. We have to find a way to execute and put our players in the best position to succeed.”

Though the Trojans remain tied for first place in the region, it’s been a bit of a roller-coaster season for King and company. Daphne (3-4) has lost two straight games to its biggest rivals – Spanish Fort and Fairhope – and has been battling of rash of injuries.

“We are getting better,” King said. “We’ve had a lot of changes and a lot of injuries. We are playing a lot of young kids due to those injuries. We are asking kids to step into different roles, to play both ways. Our roster in the spring, starting the fall and now looks completely different. Hopefully, by the end of the year, we’ll get some kids back, having these young guys with experience will give us depth and we’ll get some Ws.”

Both coaches believe Golson’s knowledge of Daphne’s roster won’t give the Vikings much of an advantage in the matchup, especially considering former Mary G. Montgomery head coach John McCain is on King’s staff now. McCain coaches the Daphne running backs.

“It’s probably a wash,” King said. “With Zach having been our coordinator, our defense knows what he likes to accomplish. On the flip side, he has a knowledge of our roster so he can look and see where our weaknesses may be.”

King said Daphne will continue to alternate quarterbacks Gabe Reynolds and Stephon Blackshear. The goal will continue to be to run the football and control the clock since the passing game has been inconsistent most of the year.

“It comes down to our offensive line and executing,” King said. “We’ve had some injuries up there. We have some young guys playing. They are getting better. Nick (Clark) is a great running back. We need to put him in a position to run the football, which may take being a little more creative in how we get it to him.”

MGM has a more balanced offensive attack led by QB Jared Hollins (1,815 yards, 20 TDs) and WR James Bolton (53 receptions, 1,131 yards, 13 TDs). Keshun Johnson (635 yards, 6 TDs) is the leading rusher.

King said he’s not surprised at the success Golson has had in Year 1 in Semmes.

“They have a lot more kids out,” King said. “Their roster looks different. You can see it from top to bottom. When you have a new coach come in, you get an instant boost in excitement. Then having Zach, who is a high-energy guy as well, is big. He will get the best out of his kids. They will want to play for him because of who he is and what he represents.”

A week ago, Mary G. Montgomery ended a streak of 12 straight losses to Baker. The Vikings can end a streak against another opponent this week. They are 0-7 against Daphne.

The Trojans won 28-14 in 2021.

DAPHNE (3-4) AT MARY G. MONTGOMERY (4-4)

Time/location: 7 p.m. Friday, Emile Grider Memorial Stadium, Semmes

Last week: Daphne lost to Fairhope 26-7; MGM beat Baker 37-20

On the Air: NA

Region standings: Daphne is 3-1 in Class 7A, Region 1; Mary G. Montgomery is 3-2

The skinny: Mary G. Montgomery has lost all seven previous meetings against Daphne. The Vikings have been outscored 247-77 in those games. … Daphne is coming off losses to its two biggest rivals, Spanish Fort and Fairhope. The Trojans have scored 149 points this season but also given up exactly 149. The seven points in last week’s loss marked the Trojans’ lowest output of the season. Nick Clark scored the only TD on an 8-yard run. Former Alabama star Kenny King is 45-28 in his seventh year at his high school alma mater. … Mary G. Montgomery has won four straight games in a season for the first time since start of 2007. That year, the Vikings beat Citronelle, Baker, Alma Bryant and Blount before closing the year with 6 straight losses. Zach Golson’s team is trying to end a 19-year playoff drought. Last week, Colby Gould led the defense with 11 tackles and 3 TFL. QB Jared Hollins is completing 69 percent of his passes for 1,815 yards and 20 TDs. He also has scored 5 rushing TDs. He’s been intercepted just 3 times. WR James Bolton has 53 receptions for 1,131 yards and 13 TDs – an average of 21 yards per catch. Keshun Johnson (635 yards, 6 TDs) is the leading rusher.