For the second consecutive year Central will host a Bulldog team from District A-5 in the first round of the Class A playoffs, but the squad of Bulldogs that travel to Tiger Field on Friday night are from Wayne and not Stratford.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Just like last year, Central is 9-1 overall and 8-1 and second in the league after the Tigers defeated Warner 42-7 last week. In 2008, Central hosted and beat Stratford 20-6 in a first-round match-up. The Tigers’ lone loss this season was at fourth-ranked Talihina in Week 5.

Central head coach Wade Couch is impressed with Wayne, which is located about 20 miles south of Norman in McClain County.

“They are very big and physical up front,” Couch said. “Josh Barrett (6-foot-1, 185-pound senior) is their quarterback, and I would put him up there with Jordan Eagleroad (of Talihina). He is athletic and intelligent, makes good decisions and is a big-time competitor. He makes them go. He is also similar to Logan Andrews (of Gore).

“He’s more of a runner (than a passer), but their two go-to guys in the passing game are wide receiver Ryan Worley (5-11, 190, senior) and tight end Casey Cheatwood (6-2, 220, junior).

“Josh Way (5-10, 190, sophomore) is their tailback and he’s real physical.”

Barrett has rushed for 1,521 yards and 21 touchdowns on 156 carries this season for the Bulldogs.

In its 68-13 win over Dewar last week, Barrett rushed for four touchdowns (19, 15, 69 and 36 yards) and Way had three TD runs (42, 11 and 2 yards).

“They average 220 pounds on the offensive line, so they are really big up front,” said Couch. “They remind me of Quinton because they are big and physical.”

Three of Wayne’s top offensive linemen are Ryan Boles (6-3, 225, junior), Quinton Pounds (5-10, 230, junior) and Cody Cross (6-1, 250, senior).

“They are a spread team, and they’ll line up with one tight end and three wide receivers,” Couch remarked. “Sometimes they’ll run speed sweep with number 11 (Ryan Worley), who is their fastest guy.

“On defense we have to remember our keys and fundamentals and tackle well. Our defensive line can’t get blown off the line and we have to stop their quarterback and tailback.”

Wayne’s offense has scored 283 points (28.3 points per game average) this season and its defense has allowed 178 points (17.8 average).

“The 5-3 is their base defense but they have used a six-man front against some running teams,” said Couch. “They have the same big guys on defense. Number 12 (Casey Cheatwood) is their middle linebacker and he is big and does a good job. Number 5 (Josh Barrett) is their strong safety. In the secondary they run man-to-man with no middle safety, so they are very confident in their secondary. Their three defensive linemen (Boles, Pounds and Cross) are big, big guys.

“On offense we have to sustain our blocks and double-team at the point of attack. We have to remember our rules and try to keep it as simple as possible. We also need to try to find some running lanes and don’t turn the ball over.”

Unranked Wayne is 6-4 for the season and the Bulldogs were 6-2 (third) in District A-5 play. Wayne’s losses were at Elmore City-Pernell, second-ranked Stroud and Stratford, and at home to Thomas. Stroud and Stratford were league losses.

This year’s playoff appearance is the first for Wayne since 2006.

Central tailback/defensive back Brandon Holt, who has not played recently because of a sprained knee, is questionable for Friday’s game, Couch said.