For White County, the standings start Friday

Four games. Four wins.

Now, White County gets to start over.

The Warriors will return home to Dee Harris Field Friday night when they host Livingston Academy in the first district game of the season for both teams. White County enters the matchup 4-0, while Livingston is 3-1 after suffering its first loss of the season last week against York Institute.

But those records don't carry nearly as much weight beginning Friday.

“At the end of this game, one of these teams is tied for first, and one is tied for last,” White County head coach David Foster told his players this week.

For the Warriors, that makes Friday the beginning of the part of the schedule that ultimately determines whether they make the postseason — and where they could be playing when they get there.

“Priority one is always go 1-0 each week,” Foster said. “But our goal is to make it into the playoffs any way we can. Then the next goal is a higher seed that positions us better for the tournament.”

Getting that first district win wasn't easy a year ago.

White County and Livingston played scoreless football through the first half, and the Wildcats struck first in the third quarter. The Warriors didn't get on the scoreboard until the fourth before eventually escaping with a 14-13 win.

White County ran for 205 yards in that game, including 162 from Cole Sims, but threw just five passes. Livingston went the other direction, finishing with 204 yards through the air while managing only 63 on the ground.

One of those passes accounted for a huge chunk of the Wildcats' offense.

After White County pinned Livingston deep, the Wildcats broke loose for a 99-yard touchdown pass — exactly the kind of play Foster doesn't want to see repeated Friday night.

“We have to be on the lookout again this year for those explosive players,” Foster said. “They have some. Make them drive the field to give ourselves an advantage.”

Livingston showed that same ability against York last week, turning a short pass into a big gain. Foster said the distance the ball travels before it reaches the receiver isn't what matters.

“We have to contain and allow no yards after catch,” he said.

The Warriors had success disrupting Livingston's offense a year ago, finishing with four sacks and four quarterback pressures. Foster wants his defense to create those opportunities again, but that starts with stopping the Wildcats on the ground.

“If we can stop the run and get them in one-dimensional football, put them in passing situations — you earn the right to pass rush,” Foster said. “That's what we want to do.”

On the other side of the football, White County will once again lean on an identity that has become pretty familiar through the first four weeks. Body blows.

The Warriors have been willing to keep pounding away at opposing defenses, even when the payoff doesn't come immediately. That patience was tested against Livingston last season, when White County couldn't establish much continuity early and repeatedly hurt itself with penalties.

Foster doesn't want his team hunting for the one big play Friday night. He wants the Warriors to stay on schedule, take what is available, and be ready to strike when the opportunity is there.

“Body blows is what we believe in as our identity,” Foster said. “Manufacturing explosives is difficult. We want to hit them, but we want to stay on schedule.”

He would, however, prefer those body blows to start paying dividends a little sooner this time.

“I would like to get the running game going before the second half like last year,” Foster said.

That becomes especially important if Friday turns into another four-quarter fight.

“We prepare as if every game is going to be a close game,” Foster said. “The attrition aspect is important in close games. You have to stay in the game for it to matter.”

The Warriors will also enter their district opener a little banged up. Foster said Clay Brewington is definitely out for Friday's game, while Maddox Pratt remains questionable. Gabe Sweeney, who contributes on kickoff coverage, will also be unavailable.

Livingston should arrive in Sparta with some extra motivation after its first loss of the season. The Wildcats were within one score of York at halftime last week before the game got away from them in the second half.

Foster isn't expecting that loss to make Friday any easier.

“They're competitors,” he said. “They came out on the losing end last week. York put a lot of passes right on the money. They made some splash plays and were able to turn those into points.

“We're ready to get their best shot. That's what we expect.”

White County has handled every shot through four weeks. Friday night, though, the standings finally start keeping track.