JT's Reggie Gipson looks back to see Lindale's T.J. Griffin gaining on him as he cruises over the goal line in their game Friday night at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. (Herb Nygren Jr. | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

For the first time since August, the John Tyler Football Lions will hit the road on Friday night.

The Lions, who have played just one game away from the friendly confines of Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium this season, travel to Jacksonville to meet the Fighting Indians in the historic Tomato Bowl, which opened in 1940.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

JT enters the contest with a 5-2 record and 2-0 in District 16-4A. Jacksonville is 0-7 and 0-2.

Last year, Cujo defeated Jacksonville 59-7 in Tyler.

There are just three games left in the regular season. After Friday’s game, the Lions play host to Nacogdoches (Nov. 1) and then travel to Whitehouse for the big shootout on Nov. 8.

The big game in East Texas this weekend has No. 3 Whitehouse taking on Nacogdoches on Friday in Nacogdoches. The Wildcats enter with a 7-0 record (2-0 in district), while the Dragons are 6-1 and 2-0.

The other 16-4A contest on Friday has Corsicana (1-6, 0-2) playing at Lindale (1-6, 0-2).

Both of those games have 7:30 p.m. kicks.

History 101

John Tyler continues to rise up in the standings in the all-time wins list in the state of Texas.

According to TexasHighSchoolFootballHistory.com, which is compiled by Emerald Bay resident prep guru Joe Lee Smith, JT is ninth in the state.

The Lions have 665 wins, one behind Cuero (666). Corsicana is seventh at 679.

The top six include Highland Park (760), Amarillo (740), Plano (733), Temple (707), Brownwood (701) and Mart (695). Hondo is 10th at 664.

Longview is No. 11 with 661 wins.

Also, the website rankings split the teams into Division I and II, unlike the Associated Press.

It has John Tyler the ninth ranked team in Class 4A Division I. The top 10 includes: 1, Denton Guyer; 2, Humble Summer Creek; 3, San Antonio Brennan; 4, Manor; 5, Richmond George Ranch; 6, Highland Park; 7, Pearland Dawson; 8, Wolfforth Frendship; 9, John Tyler; 10, The Colony.

In Division II, the top 10 includes: 1, Aledo; 2, Elgin; 3, Cedar Park; 4, Whitehouse; 5, Texas City; 6, Crosby; 7, Mesquite Poteet; 8, Ennis; 9, Wichita Falls Rider; 10, Dallas Carter.