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Florala (0-0) will start the 2024 football season under new leadership at home with a battle against Class 3A Monroe County (0-0) on Friday, August 23, at 7 p.m.

Kyle Davis takes over the Wildcats following the departure of Jordan Cantrell, who took a similar position at J.B. Pennington High School this summer. Davis is in his 16th season with a 53-100 career record as a head coach. Shannon Felder is in his 21st year and third season with the Tigers.

Davis’ previous stints were at Geraldine, Escambia County, West End, and Kate A. Smith D.A.R. According to him, Monroe County will bring an athletic team to Covington County.

“In all the films we have seen, Monroe County starts every game off playing very hard and with a purpose. We are going to have to do a good job matching their enthusiasm,” Davis said. “Their best offensive player from last year has graduated, but they still have many capable players on that side of the ball. They are big up front on both sides of the ball and are extremely physical.”

With Florala returning most players from last year’s team, the task of going out and competing remains the same.

“Approaching this game, I want to see ours guys staying locked in and focused. They need to be polishing things up we have been working on and continuing to remain humble in our work,” he said.

This game will be only the third matchup between the two teams and their first matchup on the gridiron in exactly 100 years. The Tigers hold a 2-0 series lead over the Wildcats. In the last meeting, Monroe County defeated Florala, 7-3, in 1924.

Florala finished the 2023 season with a 7-4 record and fourth in 1A Region 2 for its fifth playoff appearance in six seasons. Monroe County was 1-9 a year ago and is in the midst of a 21-year playoff drought.

“The guys are eager to play and I am excited as well. We don’t need to allow our emotions to let us lose sight of what we want to accomplish,” Davis said.