Coming off a lose to one of the top 2A schools in the state, the Pleasant Home Eagles are gearing up for their first region game of the season when they travel to McKenzie on Friday night.

 

Pleasant Home fell last Friday to New Brockton 47-0 to a team that coach Chris Mason said will be the Eagles’ toughest opponent all season.

 

“It was tough game last week,” Mason said. “But it’s like I told the guys, that will be the hardest team we play all season, and if them being so good makes our other opponents look a little slower then that helps us. That’s why we like to play those types of games early in the season. We have two directions we can go from here, we can hang our heads and think we are beat, or we can get back up and go full speed ahead.”

 

McKenzie is coming off a blowout 61-20 win over Highland Home.

 

McKenzie leads in the overall series against Pleasant Home with a 7-4 record, and defeated the Eagles last season 42-9.

 

“This is a big area game for us,” Mason said. “Anytime you can win that first one, it makes it easier on yourself. It keeps it our court, and allows us to be in charge of our own destiny.”

 

Mason said that McKenzie is loaded with athletes, and will provide a big test for the Eagles.

 

“They are a really good team,” Mason said. “Coach (Tony) Norris has done a tremendous job over there. They all move well, and not just by being fast. They can cut and break your ankles. It will be important for us to wrap up and make tackles. We have to be able to limit their yards after contact.”

 

Mason said that this is a game that kids look forward to each year because of the rivalry.

 

“It’s a good healthy rivalry,” Mason said. “You don’t have to drive far, and all the kids know each other. They look forward to this game.”

 

The key to an Eagles’ victory, Mason said, would be controlling the line of scrimmage.

 

“We have to be able to control the line of scrimmage,” Mason said. “This week, we had a heart-to-heart with our linemen and basically told them that they have got to step it up. We have a good defensive gameplan, but we can only keep their fast backs down so long. They have good players and good players make plays. Our best defense will be a good offense.”

 

Pleasant Home and McKenzie will kickoff at 7 p.m., in McKenzie.