While most teams kicked off their 2014 campaign last week, Russell Christian Academy sat on the sideline, patiently awaiting their time.

That time has come as the Warriors are set to host Wilcox Academy at 7 p.m. Friday in a AISA AA-Region 2 matchup.

“It’s going to be a tough task,” Russell Christian coach Nate Ballard said. “Wilcox is a big team, and they love to run out of the Power-I formation. They’ve got a really good tailback, and the quarterback does a great job running their offense. It’s going to be really tough for us to stop what they like to do.”

With Friday’s tilt not only marking the season opener for the Warriors, but also a regional contest, there is an added importance placed on earning a win.

“We have such a tough schedule this year that it is so important for us to get off to a good start,” Ballard said. “Our games don’t get any easier. Wilcox is one of the favorites in our region. We’ve got to get off to a good start and stay on top of them.”

Yet Ballard and the Warriors are eager to square off against a rival opponent as their season gets under way.

“It’s always a fun time,” Ballard said. “With our numbers being so low, it’s hard for us to do any scrimmages. It’ll be good to go against a quality team. I think we’re a bit tired of hitting the same guys over and over again and are ready to tackle someone else other than their teammates Friday.”

ENTERPRISE

With Enterprise High School trailing Sumrall High School, 22-15, with roughly four minutes remaining in the game, the Bulldogs marched 65 yards and punched the ball into the end zone with less than a minute on the clock. Rather than go with conventional wisdom in tying the game with the extra point, Enterprise coach Kelly Jimmerson made the decision to win or lose the game right then.  

The Bulldogs handed the ball off to their senior running back Johntay Horton, who carved his way through the Sumrall defense and into the end zone, giving Enterprise a 23-22 advantage and an eventual regular season opening win.

“I thought our chances to get in (the end zone) were pretty good,” Jimmerson said. “Last year, we got so close so many times. We lost some really close games last year. To get over that hump in the first game, hopefully that will help us in close games later on.”

Yet there is no time for the Bulldogs (1-0) to rest on their laurels as they set their sights on Richton High School and another road contest Friday night.

“They’re very big up front,” Jimmerson said of Richton. “They’re a physical team and have some talented skill guys sprinkled in. They’re going to be a tough out.”

Yet Jimmerson said his team’s performance ultimately comes down to how well the Bulldogs execute.

“We’re going to go down there and play our game,” Jimmerson said. “We’re going to control what we do and be as good as we can be. We have to take care of the football and not give up the big plays like we did against (Sumrall).”

NEWTON HIGH

Newton High School tallied just two first downs and 60 yards of offense while being penalized 13 times for 86 yards in the first half of last week’s 34-6 loss to Southeast High School

“People missed assignments and tackles,” Newton coach Keith Walton said. “We made too many errors and didn’t do many of the little things right.

Yet the Newton head man stated he was pleased with what he saw out of his youthful squad in the second half.

“We were fighters,” Walton said. “We didn’t give up, and we didn’t lay down. We just have to grow up. I’m hoping these non-division games help us grow up.”

Newton (0-1) will see just how much growing they’ve done in one week when they travel to Raleigh High School for a 7 p.m. Friday contest.

“They’re big, and they run the Wing-T offense,” Walton said of Raleigh. “We’re going to have to set the edge defensively against that offense and get penetration.”

Yet Walton said the key for his squad will ultimately come down to how well the Tigers run the football and if they’ve corrected the mental mistakes that plagued them last week.

“We have to have better execution on offense, and we have to take care of the football,” he said. “We have to take care of our assignments.”