By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

THIBODAUX — The stars will be out in Thibodaux on Friday night.

Plenty of familiar faces to River Parishes’ and statewide football fans alike when the fifth annual Bayou-River Showdown kicks off at Nicholls State at 7 p.m. Friday.

The annual postseason all-star game pits the top senior players of the River Region against those hailing from the Bayou Region of Assumption, Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

The game will serve as a tiebreaker in the series, which began in 2006. The teams are tied at two wins each, with the River Region winning in 2007 and 2008 and the Bayou Region winning in 2006 and last season.

The 2009 game was won by the Bayou 17-13 behind a strong rushing attack. The Bayou rushed 44 times for 247 yards, led by Thibodaux’s Brandon Duncan and Terrebonne’s Dom Matthews (21 carries for 129 yards combined). The River was led by Destrehan’s Henry Lenox (85 yards, one touchdown) and quarterback Gavin Webster (79 yards passing).

But this Bayou team will be led by Terrebonne head coach Gary Hill and his staff. To River Region coach Chris Stroud of Destrehan, that means his team can likely count on seeing a more wide-open attack from the opposition.

“We’ll probably see a few power formations, but I’m expecting them to show a lot of spread, one-back type stuff,” said Stroud. “You’re a bit limited in what you can do defensively in these games, but we have some very good guys on that side of the ball.

“I do know the Bayou Region always gets up to play this game. We’ll be ready.”

The offense figures to be led by Riverside quarterback Darnell Rachal and a stellar receiving corps headlined by East St. John receiver D’haquille Williams. Ahmad White of Hahnville paces the backfield while names like West St. John’s Darzil Washington, Destrehan’s Tarquin Kenner, St. James’ Alonzo Lewis and St. Charles’ Aaron Hampton are among those bolstering the defense. The offensive line also looks to be stout, buoyed by Riverside’s Dale Martin among others.

Stroud met with his team for the first time this past weekend and he called its first day of practice productive.

“The kids came in (Sunday) night for a meeting,” said Stroud. “They were intent and focused. Everyone’s excited to play in this game. It’s an honor for the kids, and it’s an honor to have the opportunity to coach in this game. We look forward to the challenge.”