"The (Homecoming) stuff, that is for the fans and the students. We have a game to play," Barrilleaux said. "That's the most important thing. The dance always seems better when you win."

Hammond (0-5, 0-4) is coming off its best performance of the season in a 21-16 loss at Covington last Friday. The Tors led 16-14 before Otis Jacobs returned a punt 91 yards with 1:39 remaining to pull it out for the Lions.

Hammond ran for over 200 yards for the second straight week, getting 130 yards and a touchdown from Torian Weber.

"We played hard, we played well," Barrilleaux said. "They had a 91-yard punt return on us that put them ahead with a 1:40 left. We didn't do some things we should have to prevent that and the kid made a good play.

“But I'm definitely proud of my kids. Hopefully that inspired play comes around Friday night and we do the same thing against Mandeville, only this time we will be on top on the scoreboard."

Meanwhile, Homecoming was not festive last week for Mandeville (5-1, 3-1), which lost 19-16 in overtime to Fontainebleau. The Skippers also lost quarterback John Wenzel to injury in the first half, but Andy Bertoniere came in to pass for 229 yards and a touchdown. Mandeville was held to minus-11 yards rushing.

The Skippers gave up 48 yards passing and 208 yards overall to Fontainebleau, a week after allowing 145 yards in a 34-0 win at Ponchatoula. Mandeville has given up 53 points through six games and has shut out three opponents.

"They are not the defense they were last year because they had stallions last year, but they are definitely a very physical defense and they have some speed," Barrilleaux said.

Barrilleaux said Mandeville plays a style similar to what Hammond has seen in recent weeks and hopes that familiarity will help the Tors Friday.

"They do a lot of what we have seen the last couple of weeks, so that's good," he said. "Hopefully our kids will be able to recognize offensively what they do and prevent them from getting the big plays and keep us in it.

“Offensively, we have to do what we have been doing and really play good up front - coming off and putting a hat on a hat and running the ball hard. We have had some success doing that. I know some people have watched the film and they are going to do some things to prevent that so we have to take advantage of opportunities that arise during the game."

Barrilleaux is also looking for his team to take advantage of the progress it made in the loss to Covington.

"It really shows when they do what they are taught to do and they do it hard, that they are a good football team," Barrrilleaux said. "No matter what week it is or how long it took them to figure it out, they figured it out. That's the most important thing and hopefully it carries over this week.

“I told them to remember the feeling after that game, to have something so close but to have it taken away from you right there at the end. Take that feeling and put it into next week and come out harder."

Ponchatoula at St. Paul's

PONCHATOULA - The 2008 season has been one of streaks for Ponchatoula.

The Green Wave opened the season with three wins before dropping its next three, all in District 7-5A play.

Ponchatoula will look to erase both the latest streak and the mistakes which have contributed to it when the Wave travels to St. Paul's Friday night.

Ponchatoula (3-3, 0-3) lost at Slidell 51-19 last week after losing to Covington (42-20) and Mandeville (34-0).

"We're definitely in the heat of the toughest part of our district schedule," Wave head coach Mike Baiamonte said. "We have to find way to limit mistakes these last three games. We haven't been able to do that the last three."

Ponchatoula fumbled five times against Slidell, losing three of them. Two special teams mistakes also set up touchdowns in the second quarter as the Tigers pulled away to a 37-6 halftime lead.

"We have to find a way to eliminate those turnovers," Baiamonte said. "If we don't, it will be hard to change the path we're on."

St. Paul's (5-2, 2-2) has also struggled as of late, splitting its last two after starting the season 3-0. The Wolves lost at Northshore 34-19 last Friday after falling behind 20-0.

But Baiamonte said despite the recent losses, the three-time defending district champions are still a dangerous team.

"St. Paul's, to me, has been the benchmark of this district," Baiamonte said. "Even though they lost two games, they are still the team in district that everything runs through them."

The Wolves were held to 255 yards of offense against Northshore. Alec Duncan passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns while Mikhail Washington carried 11 times for 72 yards. Washington also had four catches for 75 yards while Patrick Huval had five for 55.

"They have always probably been the physical team of the district," Baiamonte said. "They have always been the one to run the ball well. They're replacing a three-year starter (at quarterback), but the young kid they got right now is doing a good job for them. He's throwing the ball well.

“They are a big, physical bunch with big offensive and defensive linemen. It's going to be a very big challenge for our young men over here. We have to play hard and play smart football."

Which Baiamonte said he has seen the Green Wave do despite the recent slide.

"There has been no quit, no give up," Baiamonte said. "Our kids are still playing the game hard and practicing with a lot of intensity. But the mistakes on Friday night have just been killing us. We just have to find a way to get a little more personal pride and make those mistakes disappear."