James &#8220Speed” Sampley's Fort Dale Eagles will kickoff the 2006 Butler County high school football season Friday as the Eagles travel to Edgewood to take on the Wildcats.

Last season the Eagles upset the Wildcats in the first round of the AISA playoffs, 22-17.

&#8220I'm sure they can't wait for us to show up,” Sampley said of the Wildcats.

Sampley said Edgewood is unlike his team, and many other teams in AISA, in that they throw the ball more often than not.

&#8220They'll throw the ball all over the place,” Sampley said.

The Eagles, which are a predominately running team, have been working on the pass the past few weeks and Sampley said new quarterback Ty Newton has adjusted well.

&#8220Ty is doing a great job and he'll do a great job for us,” Sampley said.

Although talk around town has been that the Eagles will spread the ball around more this season, Sampley said he does intend to throw more this season.

&#8220We'll throw the ball more, which means we'll go out to warmups early and start throwing,” Sampley said to an eruption of laughter.