Something has got to give when the Austin football team closes out its regular season at Faribault 7 p.m. Friday.

The Packers (0-7 overall) and Falcons (0-7 overall) are each looking for their first win of the season and both squads have struggled on defense this season. Faribault has allowed at least 40 points in five of its contests and the Packers have allowed at least 40 points in their last four games.

Austin head coach Brett Vesel said the Packers are hoping to play well and pick up some confidence going into the the Section 1AAAAA tournament, which begins Oct. 14.

“We obviously want to win a game,” Vesel said. “The kids are going to try to win and do the best job they can. It would help us to be coming off a win headed into the playoffs.

The Packers are coming off a heartbreaking 56-50 overtime loss to Red Wing and the Falcons are coming off a 52-7 loss to Mankato West.

While the loss to Red Wing left a sting for the Packers, the team has moved on and focused on Faribault.

“It was a tough loss and the kids took it hard. I understand it,” Vesel said. “Today’s practice was a lot better than yesterday.”

Austin is still shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball as none of the players who were injured last week are expected back in the lineup. Austin will have to slow down the Falcons’ wing-T rushing attack to be competitive Friday.

“They do exactly the same thing they’ve always done,” Vesel said. “They like to run the wing T and they’ll throw it when they want to. They play hard nosed on defense.”