It’s been 10 years since the Pleasant Home Eagles began a football season 1-0, and it’s placed some excitement around the program as they prepare to host McKenzie for the first region game of the season.

“The kids are very excited,” Eagles head coach Chris Mason said. “Being 1-0 is a new feeling for these guys.”

Mason said that containing that excitement and McKenzie’s explosive running back, Chris Shufford, would be the key for the Eagles.

“We have to be able to control our excitement,” Mason said. “They have a very good running back. He is so quick he can jump around in the shower and not get wet.”

Mason said that to contain the Tigers rushing attack, the Eagles must keep containment on the outside.

“They are going to try to get the edge,” Mason said. “We have to keep contained and force them back inside where we have linebackers that can help out. Once we get him contained, then we have to work on tackling him.”

When the Eagles are on offense, Mason said they have to control the clock.

“We have to keep them off the field as much as possible,” Mason said. “I think we will be able to move the ball on them. If we can do the little things right and keep it close, I think we can give ourselves a chance to when at the end.”

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