Demopolis (4-3, 4-1) returns home Friday night for a key region contest against Brookwood that will go far in determining the Tigers’ playoff lives.

“I think anytime you play a region game, whether it be late in the year or early in the year, it’s got to have the same kind of importance,” Demopolis head coach Tom Causey said.

The Tigers currently sit second in Class 5A, Region 3, one game ahead of Brookwood and Paul Bryant. A win by the Tigers Friday night leaves Demopolis in contention to host a first round playoff game.

“Greenville is in the driver’s seat in the region. For us to finish first, we’ve got to have help from other folks, but we control our own destiny to host and have playoff in the first round by winning our region games,” Causey said. “We need to take care of what we control and nothing else.”

While the game matters immensely to Demopolis and its playoff hopes, Brookwood has a chance to move into second place in the region with an upset at Tiger Stadium.

Causey is well aware of how a motivated team sets up a potentially challenging situation for Demopolis.

“They’ve got playoffs right on the tips of their fingers and their kids are going to be excited,” Causey said. “This is a big game. It’s Homecoming. Hopefully we go out and play with the intensity that this game merits.”

Contending with Brookwood between the lines means the Tigers must limit a ground game that has proven effective in putting together sustained drives that produce points and keep opposing offenses off the field.

“Always dangerous because you are going to get limited possessions,” Causey said of the offensive strategy employed by Brookwood. “So every possession you get becomes very important. We have to do a good job of limiting self-inflicted wounds. We have to give them three downs and get them off the field.”

The Tigers’ contest with Brookwood will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday with pregame Homecoming festivities scheduled to begin at 6:30.