That was then. This is not. That might be how the Daphne Trojans are approaching their big, home showdown with McGill-Toolen Catholic Friday.

Although the two teams are now in separate regions, the rematch has the smell of payback wafting back and forth across the Bay like a Jubilee Breeze. Plus the mullet are jumping, too. And they always portend a Big One on the Eastern Shore.

The Yellow Jackets were the first team to stop the Trojans’ total unbeaten streak at 23 last fall coming off the DHS 15-0 state championship run in 2010. The only other team to beat DHS last year was eventual 6A champ Prattville in the playoffs. And led by former DHS defensive coordinator Bart Sessions - now head coach at McGill-Toolen for his second year - the Yellow Jackets (4-0) are no doubt motivated to repeat the feat. But the DHS grid-ironers ability to revive and survive can never be discounted.

And, as if this game did not have enough going for it, you can still add the family-fun factor. Just call it the Brother-in-Law Bowl as Daphne offensive coordinator Mike Vickery and Mc-T offensive coordinator Lance Lawley will have more than Ancestry.com to chat about at the next get-together. Vickery is married to Lawley’s sister, Lynsey.

Meanwhile the game will be decided on the field with the Jackets led by Auburn commit Jason Smith and Louisiana - Lafayette commit T.J. Fleeton leading DHS. Both teams are 3-0 in their respective regions.

The Trojans are coming off a 35-23 win over Northview and the Jackets a late come-back win over Davidson.

Daphne head coach Glenn Vickery said his team is improving, particularly on the defensive side.

“Last weeks win over Northview was huge,” he said. “We were very pleased to win the game. We are still a work in progress. We felt like we improved in some areas on defense. We have to continue to reduce missed tackles and do a better job of fitting up. Offensively we had too many missed assignments. However our effort was good. T.J. had another good night. We had some breakdowns in the kicking game but we had a big play on the blocked punt for a touchdown.”

And though the Mc-T game has no bearing on the region standings, Vickery said it will always be a big game. But stopped short of saying it might be a preview of a likely post-season playoff contest. He sized up the Jackets as of Friday night:

“McGill is off to a great start. Coach Sessions and his staff have done a wonderful job with McGill. Offensively they run the spread. Jason Smith, their quarterback is an amazing player. Coach Lance Lawley, their offensive coordinator, does a tremendous job of play calling. They love to run the ball. But with their talented receivers and Jason Smith at quarterback they throw the ball very well, also. Defensively, they run a defense similar to ours. Coach Rick Chancery continues to be one of the best defensive coordinators around.”

As for the Trojans, Vickery kept what his team needs to do to win simple: “We think it is important we get off to a fast start offensively, Get some three-and-outs (on defense) And be sound in all phases of the kicking game.”

Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Jubilee Stadium in Daphne.