Roland will try to build on its momentum and prepare for the postseason Friday night when the No. 19 Rangers travel to Creek County to take on the Bristow Purple Pirates.

The kickoff at Hafer Field is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Bristow is 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the league after the Pirates dropped a 27-14 decision at Hugo last week, but Roland head coach Jeff Streun is not taking the Pirates lightly.

“Bristow’s got a pretty good football team,” Streun said. “We’ve seen them on film against some good teams like Metro Christian and Hugo and they competed very well. They move the ball on offense and they have a big quarterback who has the ability to scramble. They keep the sticks moving and they have a good running game. They’ve got some pretty talented kids and some big linemen.”

Some of the Pirates’ key players on offense are tackles Zach Ihie (6-foot-4, 250-pound senior) and Reiley Renfrow (6-5, 250, senior), running backs Brandon Goodson (5-11, 225, senior), Tommy Gatewood (5-11, 220, junior) and Clayton Sanders (5-8, 155, senior) and quarterback Brett Vess (6-4, 210, senior).

The I-formation is Bristow’s base offense.

“On defense we have to play sound, run to the football and stop the run,” said Streun. “They run a short and controlled passing game, but 75 percent of the time they run the ball. They’ll run option or they’ll run right at you, and they use a lot of formations. We have to play extremely well against the run and keep everything in front of us in the passing game.”

Linebacker Dusty Davis (5-11, 185, junior) is a defensive standout for the Pirates, and other key players on that side of the ball are defensive backs Leon Guy (5-7, 160, sophomore) and Lane Billarrial (6-0, 225, junior) and outside linebacker Cody Martin (5-8, 155, senior).

“Defensively, they’ll line up in a four-man front,” remarked Streun. “They play real aggressive at times, and their linebackers look good. They’re pretty athletic and they’ll try to load the box.”

Improvement in the passing game is one of Roland’s offensive keys this week, Streun said.

“We have to get our passing game going, because everyone knows we’ll run the football,” said Streun. “Drew (Roberts) didn’t play a snap at quarterback last week, but he did play wide receiver and free safety on defense. He hurt his shoulder (slight dislocation) at Checotah, and he has no arm strength there. Blake Brunk came in last week in his first varsity game and did a good job of managing the game.”

Roberts, Brunk or Caleb Daniel could be at quarterback this week for the Rangers.

“Caleb Daniel is a sophomore and we’ve had him at tight end,” said Streun. “We’ll look at all three this week. Regardless of who’s at quarterback, we have to go out and make them honor the pass to open up things in the running game.”

Streun is not expecting an easy contest on Friday night.

“We’ve always had a dogfight with them in the past,” said Streun. “I know coach (Kyle) Frye, and he’ll have his squad ready to play.”

Roland, which is 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the league, edged the Pirates 6-3 in two overtimes last season.