SELMA — Southside coach Lemuel Jones knows his team will have to play defense low to the ground Friday night when cross-county Class 4A Region 3 opponent Dallas County visits.

Jones expects a strong running game from coach Darryl Burns and the Hornets (2-5).

“They have a big, strong ballclub,” Jones said, pointing to DCHS junior fullback Brandon Jackson (6-1, 275). “They have a big running back. I feel like if we stop him, we can have success running the ball.”

With most games, however, winning or losing has come down to one or two plays, he said.

“If we have no mistakes, we should be OK,” Jones said. “Everybody is so even these days. It’s easy to see how these young players, especially 15- and 16-year-old kids who are inexperienced can make a mistake.”

Jones said the Panthers (3-4) will have two players not dressed out Friday. Safety Julius Brown is recovering from a separated shoulder, and cornerback Michael Moore has an injured hip.

“We’re not limping a lot right now,” Jones said. “So we should be OK physically.”