KINDER — Kinder will face an Oakdale team eager to prove it has improved at 7 p.m. today.

The Yellow Jackets beat the Warriors 13-2 in the Allen Parish Jamboree in late August in a game controlled by the defenses. In the first half of that game, Kinder was held to minus-23 yards of offense, before hitting its stride in the second half.

“In the jamboree, I think we were well matched, us and Kinder,” said Oakdale coach Randall Gordon. “What we learned is we can’t make mistakes. We made a few mistakes and they made us pay for it.”

Since the jamboree, Kinder has won both of its games, beating Elton 34-6 and Oberlin 28-20. Jordan Vickers has been a consistent rushing threat for the Yellow Jackets, amassing 249 yards and three touchdowns.

Gordon said he’s also got his eye on Kinder sophomore wingback Welles Cooley, who is emerging as another offensive weapon.

“On the defensive side, we have a tough task,” he said. “They have a very quick and explosive offense. … Their offensive line is inexperienced, but they’re getting better every snap, every game. I can tell the difference between now and the jamboree.”

Oakdale lost its season opener to Welsh, but is coming off a 32-18 win against Avoyelles last week.

“They played a really good game,” Kinder coach Bret Fuselier said of the Warriors. “Their quarterback did a good job and they have a couple guys making really nice catches.”

Fuselier also praised Oakdale’s ground game and said the Warriors have plenty of size on the offensive and defensive lines, making the battle in the trenches an important one.

Utah State’s Shaan Johnson avoids a tackle attempt from Weber State’s Chris Wheeler during the first quarter of the game at Romney Stadium in Logan

Jennifer Meyers