By Staff
Football begins Aug. 22
By Chandler Myers
High school football begins in just over a week with Escambia Academy facing off against Sparta on Aug. 22 and I think it is going to be a great season for all three area schools.
I have seen firsthand all of the hard work that has been put in by the players and coaches this summer; each school should put up good numbers and fight for a playoff spot.
With my Chatter this week, I think I will go ahead and give my first game predictions and try not to offend anyone with my picks (I offended a Georgia Southern fan with my SEC predictions not to long after I started.)
As I said the Cougars of EA begin the season adding another game to the beginning of their schedule with rival Sparta.
Head coach Heath Gibson will lead his team into a battle looking to defeat the Warriors for a sixth straight time.
With the addition of several new players including quarterback Jeff Price and returning starters such as Blake Kirk leading the offense and defense, the Cougars of Canoe should take it to Sparta.
Gibson has been working his players hard and putting his offensive and defensive lines through the ringer in practice as well as his running backs.
I think EA beats Sparta 28-14 and starts off their run for the playoffs with a bang.
The Blue Devils of Escambia County will start off their first season in 5A with a 3A rival in T.R. Miller on Aug. 29.
Last season ECHS defeated Miller 10-2 and hopes to win big this season and prove they belong in their new classification.
Head coach Kyle Davis has been taking the summer to boost morale by giving his players goals to work for as well as improving their field house, weight room and adding new jerseys to the mix.
His method seems to be working and his players are working harder than ever, which will hopefully yield results.
Similar to EA the Blue Devils bring in some new players with veteran experience and are going to be better than some of their opponents think.
The first game of the 2008 season will have ECHS hyped up and ready to go before the coin is tossed.
A quick offense and steady defense will be rock solid and the Blue Devils beat the aprons off of Miller 35-13.
Northview kicks off the season on Sept. 5 with Pensacola Catholic High, which they defeated last year 14-13.
The team that probably travels in one state more than any other high school with a round trip total of more than 1300 miles this season will have a tough fight all season.
By saying they will have a tough fight I do not mean this is a bad team.
I just know that it will be tough with six away games and spending that much time on a bus.
Never fear though Chiefs fans because coach Cody Keene is preparing this team for all situations and is talented all over the field.
One area of strength seems to be at wide receiver with several players capable of hauling in passes.
The defense has been working hard all summer to get stronger, but will have the advantage of speed on their side when they take the field.
Keene is going to fire his team up for their first game and I think the Chiefs are going to win easily.
On Sept. 5, Northview travels to Pensacola and wins 28-0 in what will be a great season.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or emailed at sports@atmoreadvance.com