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Pleasant Home (1-1, 0-0 1A Region 2) will hit the road for the first time this year and visit Brantley (1-0, 0-0) in the first region contest for both teams on Friday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m.

This will be the 25th meeting between the two teams as they have played every season since 2000. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 23-1 with the lone win for the Eagles coming in 2001.

“Brantley is Brantley. They are a fast, older group with a great quarterback and speed on the edges. We will have to be very disciplined defensively,” Head Coach Kevin Bond said.

Last week, Pleasant Home hosted its second straight home game and earned a 14-6 win over Fruitdale. Brantley opened the regular season at rival Luverne with a 40-24 win.

Bond said his first career win as a head coach meant a lot.

“It takes a little pressure off in my mindset. I was thankful my wife, kids, parents, and other family members were there to experience it with me,” he said. “The win ultimately is more about the guys. They earned it and worked hard to get it. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and sometimes still can’t believe the Lord gave me this platform. Hopefully, we can use it to honor Him and build a successful, competitive, and winning program.”

Bond added that the Eagles showed resilience in their previous game and showed promise on both sides of the ball.

“The game against Fruitdale turned into a dogfight. I was very pleased with our team’s mental toughness to keep competing when things didn’t go as planned. We needed to win a game like that to help us grow, which was better than if we would have won by three scores. Our defense stepped up and bailed us out several times. I was very proud of us defensively; although we have a lot to improve in, I am proud of their fight and effort. Our offense moved the ball enough to keep it out of their hands at times. We just have to get it in the end zone more.”

Brantley won the 2023 matchup over Pleasant Home, 37-7.