The Southern Alberta U-18 Men's Curling Playdowns get going this Friday in Cochrane with a quartet of Foothills teams taking part.

The Jared Palanuik rink, along with the Jacob Libbus four, is one of two coming out of the Oilfields Curling Club in Black Diamond to challenge for the title this year.

He says there'll be some stiff competition over the three days.

"We definitely take Tyler Smith's team as competition. And also (Calgary Skip) Ryan Parent. We also kind of take Jacob as a threat, because as he said it's always kind of worrying when you play your own teammates. But definitely the other two, Tyler Smith and Ryan Parent."

Tyler Smith's foursome is one of two teams from Okotoks taking part.

The other is Cailen Knopp.

The Southern's go from Friday through Sunday at the Cochrane Curling Club.