The Woodlands Highlanders will bring an 8-0 record, a No. 3 state ranking and a No. 10 ranking in The USA Today poll into Friday's showdown with the Lufkin Panthers at Abe Martin Stadium.

The Woodlands already has a win over defending state champion Katy, a team that was ranked first in The Associated Press poll at the time.

The Highlanders only have two single-digit wins this season and have outscored their opponents by almost 22 points per game.

It is a resume that would be intimidating to many teams across the state. But according to Lufkin head coach John Outlaw, it is one the Panthers are ready to change.

"I always expect to win," Outlaw said. "The kids feel the same way. With the success we've had here, I have no reason to think any differently. And I expect to win on Friday night.

"It won't be easy and it will probably come down to the fourth quarter. But I'm not coming in here thinking we're going to lose."

Lufkin doesn't have to look far into the past to find some confidence. Last season, The Woodlands entered its contest against Lufkin with an 8-0 mark and a No. 6 state ranking.

The Highlanders already had a 45-0 win over a Katy team that eventually won the Class 5A Division II state title. Meanwhile, Lufkin came in with a 4-4 record and already had a three-game losing streak earlier in the season.

But instead of relinquishing the district title to the Highlanders, the Panthers put together their best defensive performance of the season as they put together a surprising 15-13 win at The Woodlands.

"Last year when we got on that bus to go play The Woodlands, nobody gave us a chance of beating them," Outlaw said. "But the kids on that team expected to win. I think the same way. I wouldn't be coaching if I just went out there and expected to lose."

Lufkin also has a history of beating The Woodlands as it has five straight wins over the Highlanders since the teams joined the same district in 2004.

Each time the game has eventually decided the district champion.

"Every year we've played them, it's been for the district title," Outlaw said. "The only difference is that this year and last year they were the higher ranked team. I don't think rankings have a lot to do with anything when we play them. We know they have a good team. But we just have to focus on going out there and playing the best we can."

Kickoff for Friday's game at Abe Martin Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.