The Middleton football team will get a chance to avenge one of its two losses next weekend when the Vikings (7-2) travel to Sandpoint (7-2) for a first round game.

Back in week two, the Vikings suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Bulldogs 36-14.

"They're an extremely talented football team, and we'll have to play better than we did last time," coach Bill Brock said after Friday night's 34-32 win against Skyview, a win which put the Vikings in the 4A state playoffs.

Both players and coaches admit that they were a bit sluggish in the beginning of the last game, coming off of an eight-hour bus drive.

But regardless, Brock says the team will be using the same travel schedule they had last time they went up to Sandpoint. They will leave Middleton a day before the game (the game date won't be officially announced until Monday), make it about two-thirds of the way to Sandpoint, then finish the trip early the following day.

"It will be similar this time, I think," Brock said. "I think we were ready to play, now we know what the bus ride feels like."

To keep his players fresh, Brock said the bus will drive in two hour increments and then stop to give the players a chance to stretch their legs.

As for whether or not the strategy will work the way Middleton hopes, that will be seen next weekend.

"Our kids are excited," Brock said. "We're excited to go back up there and see if we can improve over week two.