Rivalries seem to be the make-up of season-ending games across the state of Alabama.

Friday&8217;s rivalry between the A.L. Johnson High School Eagles and the Marengo High School Panthers goes all the way back to the early 70s.

The host team, the Eagles, have qualified for the playoffs. Friday&8217;s game will decide if they will get the third seed or the fourth seed in their region. Presently they are in a three-way tie with Linden and Sunshine with identical 3-3 regional records.

According to Jones, a win over Marengo gives them the third seed. A loss leaves them at the fourth spot.

The Eagles fell to Linden last week in a disappointing shutout, 28-0. This game becomes two-fold for the Eagles, who just missed post season play last year.

One, it&8217;s a rivalry, and second, it&8217;s for playoff position.

The tiebreaker for the region has come down to the records of the team that were defeated by the three teams that are tied. During the season, A.L. Johnson defeated Sunshine, but Sunshine in turn beat Linden.

Meanwhile, the Marengo Panthers must prepare to go against Sweet Water in the first round of the playoffs.

The Panthers, who have reached the playoff for the second consecutive season, have a 5-4 overall record going into Fridays contest.

Marengo also lost its last game. They dropped a regional match to McIntosh 14-6.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Thomaston.