The Red Level Tigers look to open the 2018 high school football season strong as they face off with Zion Chapel on Friday night in Red Level.

“The kids are ready to play someone besides ourselves,” Red Level head coach Kenny Skipper said. “We are just ready to turn on those lights and play.”

Skipper said the Tigers have been preparing hard for the season opener.

“We have had some really good days of practice,” Skipper said. “We have been fortunate to miss a lot of the weather and have been able to stay out on the practice field. This time of year, we aren’t doing things perfectly and we have some things we need to get a little better, but we are excited that it’s game week.”

Playing hard up front is something that Skipper said will be a key for Friday night.

“I think this is true for a lot of games, but it’s going to be key for us to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Skipper said. “We want to be very physical up front. Like everyone else, we don’t need a lot of turnovers. We also can’t give up many big plays on defense. I think if we do those things and not have any mishaps in special teams, I feel like we will be successful.”

Skipper said that his players are eager to hit the field on Friday night.

“The excitement level has been good,” Skipper said. “It’s easy to get excited one day and then the next might not be the same, but the intensity has been up at every practice. I think the biggest thing I’ve been impressed with has been how hard these kids are working. We might not always do something the right way, but we are busting our butts doing it.”

Skipper said he wants to see his team playing hard this week and every week during the season.

“We want to be the most physical team on the field in every aspect of the game,” Skipper said. “That is something that I expect from us every game of the season. On Friday night, we need a big crowd in the stands to cheer on this group of young men. They have worked extremely hard this summer and they are ready to get under the lights on Friday night.”

This will be just the third match between the two schools with the two squads splitting the previous games.

Red Level won 57-44 in 2010 and lost 35-29 in 2011.

Friday’s game will be the first game of the season for Red Level and Zion Chapel.

Kickoff between Red Level and Zion Chapel is set for 7 p.m., Friday in Red Level.